Recently, Gary Vaynerchuk spoke at Inman Connect San Francisco and said that every real estate agent is a media company.
This has never been more true or more necessary than now. We are in a battle for the consumers’ attention. Our ability to create consistent and relevant content will dictate the influence we build and the market share we take.
But what if we run out of things to say?
In the writing world, they call this “writer’s block.” It’s common, but it’s curable. Your influence depends on your ability to be consistent and relevant in your posts.
5 ways to inspire your Facebook posts
Here are five ways to get inspiration if you ever find yourself drawing a blank for what to say in your next Facebook post.
1. Move around — literally.
Physiology affects psychology. Increasing your blood flow gets the creative juices going. When we relax our brains, it frees them up to access all the content they hold. Ideas come faster and easier in a relaxed brain.
So if you’re stuck, try taking a walk for five minutes.
2. Find others who have something to say and interview them.
People love what they help create. This doubles as great networking. Assuming your Facebook page is dedicated to your local community, find businesses with large fan bases and interview them about their business.
Tip: Don’t just interview them about their history. Dig in to find content that your audience would love and can’t find anywhere else.
For example: Is there a restaurant that’s known for a famous cocktail? See if the bartender will let you video him or her making it and walk you through how your audience can make it at home.
Is there a plumber with a big fan base on Facebook? Ask him or her about the five most common causes of clogged pipes and how to fix them.
Over time, you’ll come up with a template of questions you like to ask businesses that your fans find valuable. The more you interview, the easier it gets.
If you’re stuck, interview others.
3. Listen to motivational podcasts.
Sometimes, you just need to be reminded of what has inspired you before so you can pass that inspiration on to others.
We often make the mistake of thinking that because we’re agents, we have to post real estate-type things.
But that isn’t always the most engaging or relevant content. It’s not why people come to Facebook.
Find topics and subjects that inspire you, and share them with your fans on your page.
For example, if you like TED talks, take a walk and listen to your favorite TED talk, and let it inspire you. On your phone, open a note app and write out the inspiring thoughts that arise.
Compose this piece in a way that makes sense to your fans and pass on your inspiration to them.
If you’re stuck, listen to motivational podcasts.
4. Journal where you’re stuck and then solve it.
Sometimes simply writing down where you’re stuck or why you’re stuck engages your brain for the solution.
When I’m stuck, I might simply write “I feel stuck. What do I want to say? What is my message to the world? Who am I talking to? What do I want for them?” These types of questions help my brain reconnect to what I have to say.
Which brings up an interesting side note: You should use your Facebook page to highlight how you see the world or your community.
Don’t just pass on information. Your fans can use Google for that.
If you want them to love where they live, for instance, then share something on your page about what you love about where you live.
Talk about the importance of loving where we live or serving where we live. Talk about how to love where we live.
I see a lot of agents pass on information about local events without actually saying anything unique or personal about these events. You don’t build influence that way.
Say something about the event that might inspire me or compel me to engage in your post as well as the event.
For example, if there’s a concert series coming up, tell me why the venue is cool from your past experience, or give me a tip on how to avoid traffic or find a good parking spot.
As you journal about how and why you’re stuck, your brain will find an angle.
If you’re stuck, journal about it.
5. Answer the questions your fans are asking.
This is packed with value. Find out what questions your fans have, and then answer them.
If you don’t know what questions your fans have, ask them.
Ask them on your page. Ask them on your personal profile. Ask them offline next time you see them.
Always be listening for what your people have questions about.
Again, this doesn’t need to be limited to real estate content.
What questions do they have about the schools? What questions do they have about family? What questions do they have about pets? What questions do they have about health or fitness?
You have to find inroads to what they want to talk about. It helps if what they want to talk about is also something you want to talk about.
We live in communities because they facilitate a lifestyle we envision for ourselves. So, as agents, we have to get beyond just thinking of what we do is attached to the house.
What we do is help facilitate lifestyles. Selling a house is only a small moment of that.
Engage your community. Find out what they value. Look for overlap in what you also value. Then answer questions they have about the subject.
If you’re stuck, answer your fans’ questions.
The more relevant your content is the more engagement you’ll earn. But you have to be consistent in your posting. I tell my agent clients to post at least daily.
This takes some work in the beginning, but as you build the habit, it will get easier. Your influence and income depend on it. Influence is built as much on consistency as it is empathy.
Keep these ideas close by in case you find yourself stuck for what to post about, and keep posting daily!
Like this article? Connect with me on my Facebook Page for more real estate success principles.
Chris Angell is an author, speaker and coach with Groundswell Business Consulting. You can find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/