Becoming a successful real estate agent is a combination of investing time in education, having a strong work ethic, and being a people person, but the number one thing about being a successful real estate agent is the ability to generate real estate leads. Below are the top ways to generate real estate leads:

Database / Referrals

  • Monthly Newsletter: Send a monthly newsletter to your database, your past clients, and your referral sources. Keep the information relevant and be sure to ask for referrals.
  • Scripts: Call your database to ensure that you are keeping on top on their real estate needs. By reaching out, you stay top on find and can keep the clients that you already have, and you can generate leads from your database by asking for referrals.
  • Referral Program: Having a referral program will encourage people to refer you.
  • Ask for Referrals: A great way to generate leads is to ask your friends, family, and anyone you have a relationship with, for any referrals.

Social Media / Online Marketing

  • Twitter: Find leads with Twitter advanced search. Most likely there are customers on Twitter already looking for your business. How do you find these individuals? The Twitter advance search is a terrific tool that lets you narrow your search down to the key information relevant to your business. Simply type in the keyword in the search box, then Twitter will update the feed with Tweets using your specific keyword. Using the advance search tool technique you will help you find new leads every day in a matter of minutes.
  • Facebook Ads: Facebook Ads generate qualified leads. Facebook Ads lets you target your precise audience, you can also generate new leads by running contest or giving away a free e-book for an exchange of an email.
  • Instagram: Allows you to showcase your services, homes for sale, and etc. The crucial part of gaining new leads is using the proper hashtags. Make sure to include your location, your brand keywords, and product category this will ensure to target individuals in your specific area.
  • Video Marketing (YouTube): To showcase your expertise, create a short personalized video answering prospect’s questions. This will help you stand out from your competitors, shows that you listen to your audience and will increase your credibility. Make sure that you link your videos to your website, and share them on Facebook.
  • Pinterest: This is another powerful technique to help you find leads. Pinterest is a visual bookmarking tool that helps you showcase your homes, services, or products. Make sure to use beautiful images, add a short description, a relevant hashtag, and a link to direct them to your landing page.
  • Website: Every real estate agent should have a website that will help you solidify your brand, and showcases you and your services. Everything you do online, should link to and from your website. Your website should also have a ‘Subscribe Button’ so that people visiting your site can join your newsletter.
  • Ebook: Create a free informative Ebook about real estate for an exchange of an email.
  • Run A Contest: You can run a contest to generate new leads.

Networking

  • Garage Sales: Drive around your neighbourhood looking for garage sales, when you find one, stop and make small talk to find out if the garage sale is the start of their to get ready to move.
  • Block Party: Organize / Sponsor a block party on your street with your neighbors. It’s a great way to help create community on your block and get new leads.
  • Join a Sports League / Hobby Group / Book Club / Volunteer: Joining a league, club, group, or volunteering is a great way to meet others who share your interest and a great way to generate leads.

Advertising

  • Classifieds: When done properly, classified ads can easily generate targeted leads. Classifieds ads are a great way to list items, services, or properties for sale. Some of the best to place ads are: www.backpage.com; www.craigslist.com; and www.kijiji.ca.
  • Radio, TV, and Print: The mediums can be very expensive, but if you have the budget they can be very effective for getting your name out there and will provide name recognition in support of all of your other lead generating techniques.
  • Community / Market Bulletin Boards: Check out your local spa, grocery store, coffee shop etc., and place a flyer on their bulletin board.
  • Pizza Box Advertising: A newer concept in marketing is advertising on pizza boxes.
  • Door Hangers: This is an effective marketing form of door to door advertising and only requires a small amount of time and funds to complete.
  • Direct Mail: Provides you with the ability to target your audience. Canada Post offers a service called Smartmail Marketing.
  • Flyers: Using flyers effectively can promote your business. Print out flyers and head to a ‘Home Depot’ or a home renovation and place them on each car. The chances of someone being a home owner at a home reno store are greater than other chain stores.
  • Sponsor a Sports Team: Sponsoring a community sports team is a great way to get your name out.
  • Logo: Place your company logo and your name everywhere you can; pens, shirts, hats, flyers, business card, calendars, note pads, magnets, etc., and give them away.

Co-written with Martin Breeze, Mortgage Broker, TMG The Mortgage Group