The 5 Biggest REALTOR Marketing Takeaways from 2021's Episodes

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Over the course of 2021, we've covered a lot of topics on the podcast! Whether it's the latest trends in social or tried and true techniques that continue to work, my goal is to always share with you actionable advice based on practical experience. 

So, behind the scenes, I'll usher in new marketing ideas and concepts and experiment with what works to uncover the very best. And the very best are the concepts that we talk about on the show. Looking back at all of the content from 2021, I've identified five clear takeaways that you can continue to use in your business heading into 2022.

I hope you've also been spending time getting your game plan ready for 2022. If not, there's no better time to start than right now. So, let's dive into these 5 takeaways that you can use in your 2022 marketing strategy and beyond!

Takeaway 1: Classic Digital Marketing Strategies Can Still Work

Marketing trends come and go, and it can be easy to get distracted with the "new & shiny." However, it's important to identify marketing avenues that continue to work and that you can refine over time. 

I have seen so many agents abandon marketing strategies because they weren't getting results fast enough or they wanted to try something completely different. 

I am all for experimenting to figure out exactly what works for your business - that's how you'll identify opportunities. But I encourage you to look back at some of the more "traditional" digital marketing strategies and don't cast them aside completely. 

Specifically, I'm referring to email marketing and websites.

I understand why many agents no longer focus on these avenues. Email marketing can be unexciting, and getting traction with websites can be challenging. But I'd challenge you to reconsider that mindset. 

Email marketing is boring if your content is generic and not targeted to engage your database. Websites are challenging if you don't have a narrowly defined strategy or compelling branding. 

Yet, they are both opportunities you can easily incorporate into your 2022 plan and see success from. Email marketing is still ideal for engaging those you already know and nurturing new leads. Websites are also an opportunity to generate new business or to use as a platform to differentiate yourself. 

In fact, my email marketing list and website are the two most valuable assets in my own business. So, let's give these strategies a second look! 

To learn more, I'd encourage you to check out the following episodes:

• The 10 Most Costly Email Marketing Mistakes for Realtors (Part 1s & 2) - Episodes 50 & 51

• Why Most Real Estate Websites Don't Work - Episode 63

• Approachable SEO for Local Real Estate - Episode 42

Takeaway 2: Get Organized through Systems & Tech 

Feeling disorganized or overwhelmed will do nothing for your business. So, if you want to hit your goals next year and stay on track within your business, the right tech stack can make all the difference.

Now, I'm a firm believer that organization is key to success. It's easy for things to fall through the cracks if you don't have a system to stay on track. 

Whether it's marketing you need to do or customers you need to follow up with, these tasks can lead to closings. You can't possibly keep up with everything in your mind alone or through systems that you avoid. 

If you've ever been guilty of avoiding tech or systems, it's probably because it wasn't right for you. I don't want to force systems on you - I want the systems you use to empower you throughout the day, month, and year to be your most efficient and happy self. That way, you can spend less time being frustrated and more time being productive!

So, do yourself a favor and find a system that works for you. To do just that, I'd encourage you to check out the following episodes:

• How to Use Evernote + The Full Focus Planner for Real Estate Success - Episode 61

• 3 Top Real Estate Marketing Tools for Organization, Branding, and Social - Episode 73

• How to Decide if a Brokerage's Marketing & Tech is Right for You - Episode 66

Takeaway 3: There's Opportunity on Instagram with an Authentic Strategy 

Instagram is my most talked about topic on the podcast of 2021!

So, if you're looking to grow your brand as an agent, attract and engage customers, and become the go-to agent in a specific market, then Instagram is my recommended social platform of choice. It's a place where you can show up authentically as yourself to further develop relationships and grow your business. It's also a place where you can tap into what's trending - like Instagram Reels - to expand your reach.

{Click here to watch my training on how to create an Instagram Reel for Realtors!}

While Instagram has experienced its fair share of "what next?" moments this year, I foresee it remaining a major player for social media marketing in 2022. 

To keep up with changes on social, I always recommend practicing a social strategy that has a foundation geared towards your business. That way, if new features roll out or what used to work doesn't get as much traction anymore, you can easily pivot and stay on track. 

This is exactly the approach I teach in my Instagram marketing course, IG Unlocked for Real Estate. So, if you want to cut through the noise and learn exactly what works, I'd encourage you to join me inside IG Unlocked for Real Estate! Click here to learn more & sign up.

And if you’re looking for more Instagram marketing resources, here are some related episodes that you can tune in to:

• The Powerful Mindset Shift Successful Agents Adopt - Episode 70

• The 3 Biggest Instagram Myths that are Costing REALTORS Business - Episode 69

• Why Instagram Marketing is an Advantage for Modern Realtors - Episode 68

• How to Get Found on Instagram as a Local Realtor - Episode 67

• The 5-Day Instagram Video Challenge for REALTORS - Episode 65

• Social Media Marketing Myths for Realtors - Busted - Episode 59

• 7 Video Ideas for Realtor Branding on Instagram - Episode 58

• Instagram Reels for Real Estate Marketing - Episode 47

• Your 7-Day Open House Strategy for Instagram - Episode 45

• Social Media & Instagram Post Ideas to Attract Home Sellers - Episode 44

• Instagram Guides for Real Estate - Episode 41

Takeaway 4: The Most Effective Real Estate Marketing is Targeted 

Target marketing is essentially choosing a specific type of customer or geographic area to focus on and then tailoring your marketing to attract those ideal customers. 

It's a simple concept from a 3,000-foot view, but it remains one that agents are unsure of. Unsure if it will work for them, how to implement it effectively, or if it will result in loss of business because they're being too specific.

I can tell you right now that you can't be everything to everybody. If you approach your marketing (especially online or on social) from a place of fear or uncertainty, you're not going to get the results you're looking for. 

By focusing on a targeted approach, you're not losing the potential of customers, you're gaining the opportunity of more customers. A targeted strategy sets you apart from the masses of other agents and attracts customers directly to you.

For the new year, take a target marketing approach to grow your business. To help you put a system into practice, I'd encourage you to check out the following episodes:

• Target Marketing for Realtors: How to Identify & Attract Your Dream Customer - Episode 64

• Where to Find Creative Real Estate Content Ideas - Episode 52

• The Hidden Opportunities of Lifestyle Marketing for Realtors - Episode 54

Takeaway 5: Brand Yourself in a Meaningful Way to Grow Your Business 

Branding yourself as a real estate agent is one of the best investments you can make in your business. We want people to not only know that you're in real estate, but we want them to want to work with you. They know exactly who you are and how you can help them.

Now, modern agent branding extends far beyond your visual identity (which is logos and colors). Branding is essentially who you are AND who you want to be.

It's a strategy. It's a science. And it can be an art. It's also one of my passions when it comes to real estate marketing. I've seen the right branding result in not only self-confidence and marketing direction but also in serious results.

To get started with developing a meaningful brand you can be proud of, check out:

• Branding for Real Estate Agents (Parts 1 &2) - Episodes 39 & 40

• How to Inject Personality Into Your Real Estate Marketing - Episode 53

• The Art of Storytelling for Real Estate Marketing & Branding - Episode 62

• 7 Video Ideas for Realtor Branding on Instagram - Episode 58

If you take the time to implement just one of the takeaways I shared today, I know you will see results in your business in 2022.

{Click here to download my Realtor Branding Worksheet & start establishing your ideal brand}

So, to recap, my 5 biggest takeaways were:

• Takeaway 1: Classic Digital Marketing Strategies Can Still Work

• Takeaway 2: Get Organized through Systems & Tech

• Takeaway 3: There's Opportunity on Instagram with an Authentic Strategy

• Takeaway 4: The Most Effective Real Estate Marketing is Targeted

• Takeaway 5: Brand Yourself in a Meaningful Way to Grow Your Business

And as you head into 2022, I encourage you to find a marketing strategy that not only has potential but one that excites you as well. There's no reason why 2022 can't be your year - the year you accomplish everything you set out do. The year where your business and personal life are exactly where you want them to be. 

And I'll be right here beside you, cheering you on! 

{Click here to join IG Unlocked for Real Estate!}

UP NEXT:

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I’m Heather Colby, host of the “Ideas for Real Estate Podcast.”

If you like what you read here today, I’d encourage you to take a listen to the episodes. :