- The world is going mobile, and real estate is following suit. One in four visitors to agents' websites are from mobile devices.
- This shift means that agents must change their marketing and start thinking about mobile-first tactics. Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter are three excellent options.
- Crowdfire is an app that can help agents establish a mobile presence and grow a following on these platforms.
If you’ve been taking the advice of Inman’s social media experts, you’ll know that establishing a presence on social media, namely Twitter and Instagram, is a worthy cause.
As of 2015, one in four real estate agent website viewers used mobile devices, and that number is only trending upward. If the future of your business is in mobile, then developing a mobile strategy on social media is a must.
You know that setting up your profiles and posting useful and interesting content is the first round of winning the mobile battle. What comes next is growing your audience and gaining trust with your followers. But how does a real estate professional find the time to engage with the right audience and ensure that his or her message is reaching potential prospects?
That’s where we at Cave Social love to recommend Crowdfire.
Crowdfire is a mobile app, which makes sense. If you’re not building your mobile presence on a mobile device, you’re missing the point. The world is going one way — it’s time for you to join in.
Once you’ve downloaded the free app on iOS or Android, you’ll have the ability to add up to two free social media accounts. Be sure to add your professional Instagram and Twitter accounts. This is where the fun begins.
After verifying your accounts, swipe to the left and take a look at the menu. This is your home base. From here you can see who’s following you back on your accounts, who is not, who you are not following back, who’s inactive on social media and who your most recent followers are.
Although this might be a lot to take in for some, there are a few essential tasks to complete right away.
1. Check your recent followers
Check to see who your most recent followers are. If they live in the same area that you service or look like prospects, follow them back right away.
2. Lose dead weight
Check the “Inactive Following” tab. If anyone you’re following hasn’t shared anything for the past six months, go ahead and click unfollow. This helps keep your list fresh and your follow to unfollow ratio healthy.
People who haven’t logged on to Twitter or Instagram in the past six months aren’t going to connect with you on that platform.
3. Location, location, location
Open the “Nearby” tab. It allows you to connect with users who are physically close to you. Apply filters and search for users with particular keywords and hashtags to narrow down your search. Follow those who look like prospects.
4. Find your perfect audience
Finally, test out the “Copy Followers” tab. Here you can enter in usernames for people (including competitors) and search to see who’s following them. Then, straight from the app, you can choose who to follow from their list. It’s a quick and easy way to find the right audience in your area.
Take the time to download the app, and try out these four easy steps. If you’re strapped for time, do it while you’re waiting in line at the dry cleaners or during commercials when your favorite show is on.
After all — you can do it all from your phone — also known as your secret weapon. Tweet me @CaveJustin, and tell me what your favorite mobile tool is.
Justin Kerby is the co-founder of CAVE Social.
