Instagram is one of the fastest growing social media platforms. Not only is it a great place to share photos, videos and connect with others – it’s a great place to share your story and give a ‘sneak-peek’ behind the scenes into your life and your business.
I recently spoke at the California Association of REALTORS Expo about Instagram and thought I’d share some of the highlights and tips here!
First off, a picture is worth a thousand words – especially in real estate. One of the things we hear from consumers time and time again is how much they love looking at the photos of a home. Instagram allows agents to not just share the ‘curb view’ but to really showcase some of the very best features of a home; the beautiful front door, the cozy kitchen nook, the magnificent views. Every home – large and small has features that are worth highlighting and Instagram is one of the best ways to do this!
The best way to do this is to think beyond the listing photo. What is the story of the home? The story is not the facts. The facts of a home can be found on the MLS or just about anywhere online. With Instagram, you have the opportunity to showcase what it feels like to walk in the door and what the vibe is of the neighborhood. This is a great opportunity to ask your seller what are the one or two things that they fell in love with – when they first purchased the home.
Here is a great example of a Realtor who does just that:
What is the story of the home?
Here are some additional tips to think about when creating Instagram content:
- Have fun
- Be creative and timely
- Repurpose your content
- Celebrate your clients
- Use video
- Create local content
Are you already creating content on Snapchat or other social media platforms? Instagram is a great place to repurpose that content!
Repurpose your content!
How about video? I love using apps like Legend.Im, Ripl and PicPlayPost to create quick and easy videos on Instagram. Here is a great example:
Use video to enhance your Instagram posts!
What about Instagram Stories? With the launch of Instagram Stories this year, you now can create photos and videos that are stitched together to create your ‘story.’ This story lives on Instagram for 24 hours and is a great way to showcase the moments throughout your day, give a sneak-peek behind the scenes or answer frequently asked questions.
For additional tips on how to use Instagram and Instagram Stories to grow your network, as well as a complete list of some of my favorite mobile apps I use with Instagram, view my slides below:
Looking to take your Instagram strategy to the next level? Check out our Instaguide to Instagram for Real Estate eGuide here! (note, if you are already part of our #GetSocialSmart Academy, log into your account to access the guide for free!)
I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment below or connect with me on Instagram!
