The real estate market is one of the most competitive industries in the game. The amount of competition out there can make it seem near impossible to get a lead, but that's not entirely true.
There are many different ways to generate leads regarding property sales and rentals, both old and new. Below we’re sharing with you five sources that have proven to be pretty effective, and may help you if you're looking for new and creative methods to find leads!
5 Ways To Start Generating Real Estate Leads
Here are five real estate lead generation ideas that can be implemented almost immediately in any real estate business - whether you are a new or seasoned agent.
1) Ask your friends, family, and neighbors if they know anyone looking to buy or rent a property. When starting, getting real estate leads for new agents can be difficult. The most accessible places to begin many times are those that are closest to you.
2) Start attending events and meetings where real estate is a topic of discussion. Though this method can be very hit or miss depending on your area, events such as Real Estate Investors Association (REIA) meetings can sometimes yield new leads for your CRM system. Simply by putting yourself out there, you will have a better chance of meeting someone interested in buying or selling, and it can lead to other results.
3) Join online social media groups associated with your local area. This method can give you access to people who may not even know they're interested in selling or renting yet. One social share later, and they’re ready to buy or sell. That said, it’s a good idea to join online property management groups, MLS groups, and agent groups. Join the Facebook pages for your preferred city and neighborhood too.
4) Run Google Adwords, Facebook Ads, and any other form of ads. This one can be a bit tricky, but as long as the copy is on point, is highly targeted, and has information that would interest your ideal client, paid advertising can yield results.
5) Create a blog that includes tips, tricks, advice, etc. Link it to your past posts from other blogs you have written and Facebook posts you've created that are related to real estate or property management. If nothing else, this is one of the best marketing methods for branding yourself as a knowledgeable agent.
Old School Methods That Still Work
Want even more real estate lead generation ideas? The methods below may seem archaic, but they still work even in today's tech-savvy world. The most successful real estate agents have done some if not all of these methods to grow their brand and generate new real estate leads for their business.
1) Door to door soliciting
- Pro - An endless amount of people to prospect
- Con - Can be time-consuming and may rattle someone who has never been approached by a stranger promoting business at their door before.
2) Flyers and printouts in mailboxes
- Pro - An easy method that allows you to get awareness out fast without the need for human contact
- Con - This method can be costly and produce little to no results if your messaging is off
3) Home show handouts
- Pro - This is a great way to network with some local heavy hitters and begin to brand yourself
- Con - There is a potential for competition with more seasoned agents who have an established network
4) Cold calling
- Pro - A classic method to gain real estate leads for new agents, and seasoned vets with an endless potential of prospects
- Con - It takes some time to master cold calling and handle rejections/objections
5) Referrals from existing clients
- Pro - This is an easy (and arguably the best) way to get leads that are welcomed with positive feedback from a previous customer's experience
- Con - Although this is an excellent method for some fantastic leads, it requires having a network of existing customers
Next Steps
If you're struggling with generating new leads or converting sales, try some classic methods first to develop your lead generation skills. While you may be tempted at some point to buy leads, you will soon realize that other lead sources such as those mentioned in this post are critical to have a long-term career as a real estate agent.
Luckily, with the power of social media, online marketing, and classic marketing methods, you can continue to build a flourishing real estate career. Of course, it’s worth noting that different lead sources work better for specific demographics than others. Don’t fret if it takes a bit to get your bearings. Use this article as a guide when deciding which real estate lead generation methods will be the best fit for you and your business.
While you’re building your list of leads, be sure to automate your real estate lead follow ups with an Agent Legend account. After all, what good is a lead if you don’t keep in touch with them throughout the entire buying/selling process?
Click here to learn more about what Agent Legend can do for your real estate business.
