The 5-Day Instagram Video Challenge for Realtors
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Video works for real estate marketing, bottom line. It not only captures people's attention, but it's memorable and creates connections that can lead to closings. This strategy is ideal for agents who are looking to grow their businesses in authentic ways.
And when you combine the effectiveness of video with the popularity of Instagram, you have a unique opportunity to engage potential home buyers and sellers while establishing your agent branding. From Instagram Stories to IGTV to Reels, you have a variety of features to engage with Instagram's over a billion users!
Whether casual or professional, video empowers you to speak directly to your target customer about what's important to them and how you can help as an agent.
But I get it. Video can be challenging for most people. So, I've created a 5-day challenge for you to start implementing video on Instagram ASAP!
The 5-Day Instagram Challenge Overview
Does video make you uncomfortable? Do you never seem to have the time to do video? Do you want to get started but need a confidence boost?
This challenge will help you step outside your comfort zone and make video a priority for your marketing. Each day, we'll use a different feature in Instagram and progressively put ourselves out there more. By day five you'll have tackled every aspect of video on Instagram! So, you can see what you like, what worked for your target customer, and what you're going to continue to do.
And the best part? I have 5 easy video ideas for you to try for each day! That's 25 ideas total to get you started! Click here to join the challenge. You'll have access to ALL the video ideas, get daily accountability and more tips along the way.
Day 1: Instagram Stories - Video Voiceover
If you're not using regularly using Instagram Stories (for your real estate business!), think about this - "58% of people say they have become more interested in a brand or product after seeing it in Stories." Can you imagine if that stat applied to all marketing and advertising? If almost 60% of people were more interested in you after seeing your yard sign or Facebook ad? That's the case at all. We're lucky if people remember a lot of traditional advertising.
Yet, Instagram Stories is not advertising. It's a chance for you to be real, show off behind the scenes, and come from a place of sincerity, not always overt sales. People enjoy the casual nature of Stories. There's less pressure for perfection, and the emphasis is on sharing. At the same time, you can strategically use Stories to promote your real estate business.
To get you started with the challenge, we're beginning with a video where you film an idea and record your voice. Then, you can use the Instagram feature to add caption to your Stories. This strategy will get you into the habit of creating video and content without the pressure of you being in front of the camera.
Idea 1: Your Workspace and Daily Big 3 - Simply record a video showing off your workspace and office. While you're recording your workspace or to-do list, share your "Daily Big 3" or the top 3 tasks you're looking to accomplish for the day. Learn more about the Daily Big 3 here. This idea will give your viewers an insight into your daily life as a Realtor and allows you to be personal while going behind the scenes. For extra engagement, you can use the question sticker in Stories and ask people to share one of their top tasks for the day.
Ideas 2-5: To access the full set of ideas, sign-up for the 5-Day Instagram Video Challenge for Realtors!
Day 2: Instagram Stories - You On Camera
Now, once you've shared your first video on Instagram, you can see that it wasn't so bad! Hopefully, you'll also have some great engagement as well. Because on Stories, you have the option to involve your audience with features like stickers where you can create polls or quizzes, have people ask you questions, or even use the emoji slider.
As you continue to create your videos, you can work on more ways to engage people within the platform further. And if you sign up for the challenge, I send you more tips for this.
For day 2 of the challenge, you're getting on camera! It doesn't have to be fancy. You can hold the phone and record yourself selfie-style or use a tripod and stand in front of natural light to look your best.
Idea 1: Guess My Truth & Lie - Have some fun while sharing more about you to grow your agent brand and connect on a personal level! Film yourself revealing one truth and a lie and have your viewers guess which is which! You could say "I thought it would be fun to play a little game today. I'm going to share two facts about myself. One is completely true. The other is completely false. Can you guess which is which?" Then, you go on to share. You can also end the video by using the poll feature. Instead of choosing the standard "yes" or "no" option, edit the text for people to vote on which was the truth or lie!
Ideas 2-5: To access the full set of ideas, sign up for the 5-Day Instagram Video Challenge for Realtors!
Day 3: On Your Instagram Profile or Feed
Videos that are under one minute will display right on your profile! And a study found that videos received more engagement for comments than image posts or carousel posts.
The added benefit to these videos is that you can easily repurpose them as well. I'd recommend filming outside of the app and uploading directly to Instagram. Once you have that video content, you can easily reshare on YouTube, Facebook, or use in your email marketing strategy!
Idea 1: Share How You Create CMAs & Why- Record a video where you go over the process of creating CMAs. From the research you do for your customers to the information included, cover why a CMA is valuable. You can use this video as a potential lead generator for listings or as a value add for your past customers who might like an updated CMA on their homes. It's also a creative behind-the-scenes video that will come off more authentic than advertising the traditional "get your complimentary CMA." Be as personal as possible and share your process!
Ideas 2-5: To access the full set of ideas, sign-up for the 5-Day Instagram Video Challenge for Realtors!
Day 4: Create a Reel!
Reels is THE trending feature on Instagram and an entertaining way to build your community. To get started with this idea, I'd recommend you read or listen to Episode 47: Instagram Reels for Real Estate. You can also view my Reels on Instagram @IdeasForRealEstate.
The key to Reels is to choose trending music, keep it entertaining and short, and to choose topics your target customer would find interesting. You can hop on a trend and look for inspiration from the app.
I recommend you create a note on your phone or use Evernote to keep a list of Reels that you like. (You can copy the Reel link by clicking the three dots when viewing in the Reels section of Instagram). From there, you can jot down notes about how you'd like to try something similar.
For more ideas and examples, be sure to sign-up for the challenge!
Day 5: Go Live and Reshare as a Reel
Today we're reaching the top of the mountain and stepping far outside most people's comfort zones!
When you're on Instagram, and you hit the plus button on your profile, you have the option to go "live." And there are many benefits to going live. First, when you're live, you jump to the front of Stories and your profile is highlighted as live. Alerts also appear in the app and on people's phones, depending on settings.
So, "going live" is an optimal way to capture people's attention, which is what we want to do with your real estate marketing! You can share the live when you're finished recording as a Reel. This Reel will then show up on your profile and continue to live on.
Going live is exactly what I've been doing on Instagram! Each week I'm talking about a hot topic in real estate marketing related to that week's podcast episode. So, the week we talked about "why most real estate websites don't work," I went live answering the top questions that I received about real estate websites for agents.
If you can go live, even for a short time, you're going to be so proud of yourself, and the next selfie video you film will be nothing. This is the pinnacle of our challenge. And I know you can do it!
To be successful, start with a plan. I'd suggest you write bullet points for what you want to talk about, and you can refer to your notes during the live.
Don't worry if it's not perfect. Nobody will expect it to be! Focus on your dream customer and how what you're sharing can help them. Focus on how doing this can help you reach your goals as a real estate agent. Maybe turn the music up before going live and get excited.
Idea 1: Share the "Top 3 Questions You're Getting from Buyers and/or Sellers" - Create a list of the top questions you're receiving and know would be valuable information to share. You can start of your live with, "In today's real estate market, I've been fielding many questions from my customers and friends. And I wanted to take the opportunity to address them with you today. Hi, I'm (insert name), and today I'm covering the top 3 questions buyers have in (insert area)." Then, you can go on to answer your questions.
Ideas 2-5: To access the full set of ideas, sign-up for the 5-Day Instagram Video Challenge for Realtors!
Success with the Challenge
This Instagram Video Challenge for Realtors is exactly that, a challenge.
If you want to show up on video and tap into the marketing opportunities of video on Instagram, you might need to get uncomfortable or schedule a set time in your day to get it done. It might not be perfect. In fact, don't expect it to be. The more you do video, the easier video will get for you. And the more you do video, the more people watch your videos!
You're not just another real estate agent. Your dream customers know exactly who you are as a person and how you can help them. So, give video a try through this fun challenge, and be sure to tag me in the videos you create - @ideasforrealestate. All you need to do is press record to get started.
UP NEXT:
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. :
It's time for seasonal marketing! Fall-themed real estate content and marketing on social media is not only trending, it also works in your Instagram Reels, posts, carousels, and more. The secret is to customize this content with photos and videos of you. So, in today's episode, let's plan an easy fall content shoot for you as a REALTOR to use in your marketing strategies this season!