Billions of people log into Facebook on a daily basis. Many of them don’t live in your area and aren’t shopping for a new home right now, but Facebook remains a tremendous tool to use when selling a home. Many homeowners and real estate agents are beginning to recognize the massive potential that Facebook has to change the game when it comes to marketing Seattle homes for sale, from Bryant homes to Ravenna and Laurelhurst real estate. Here are a few things to know about how Facebook advertising is changing the marketing approach.
1. You can target by interests
Photo courtesy of Pexels
Facebook has recently removed many of the targeting options that they had previously used. However, you can still use the remaining specific interests to target your ad to the most relevant buyer group.
When you’re putting together your home’s Facebook ad, it’s important to think about how your home could appeal to specific interest groups. Perhaps your home is located on a golf course, and this leads you to think about how you could use your ad to attract golfers. Take a look at the list of interests, and think about how you can strategically use any of these categories to your advantage.
2. You can target by location
Facebook usually requires you to set a location with a minimum of a 15-mile radius. This doesn’t provide you with much of an opportunity to get specific with the geographic area that you’re targeting. One way around this requirement is to place the center of your advertisement in a rural or less populated area. In this situation, the outer sections of the radius would be the area that you want to target specifically. You can attract buyers from the desired area without having to deal with exposure among less qualified potential buyers. Also, thanks to geo-targeting, you can choose whether to target people who are visiting the area or only people who permanently live nearby.
3. You can choose a CPC model
CPC stands for “costs per click.” This is one way that Facebook charges for advertisements. The other option is CPM, or “cost per thousand impressions.” The question you have to think about is which strategy will lead to the most impressions or engagements for you. If you go with a “cost per click” model, you won’t be charged when someone simply sees your ad. You will only have to pay anytime someone clicks on your ad. This will likely save you money in the long run.
4. You can benefit even more from pictures that are sharp and engaging
Most realtors will highly recommend that you invest in professional photography when you’re getting ready to list your Seattle home. Most people have smartphones with high-quality cameras, and the temptation to simply snap a few pictures of your home with your phone and upload them to the online listing is real. However, these pictures rarely attract interested buyers as professional pictures will.
Take a minute to envision the pictures from your family’s last professional photography session. Now imagine the selfie that you took while on vacation last year. Can you spot the differences? It’s usually pretty easy to tell the pictures apart. The same is true when a buyer is shopping for a home. Professional photographers know how to use the best angles and the right amount of natural light to capture a home in its best essence. The extra expense of working with a professional photographer is almost always worth it.
5. You can collect user data
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
One of the most interesting things about using Facebook advertisements is that they will automatically collect user data even if an individual doesn’t provide their email address or connect with your realtor. Once they click on your advertisement, Facebook automatically flags the ad as relevant for them. This increases the likelihood that the advertisement will show up again in their newsfeed. Facebook doesn’t want to show ads that their users will consider to be irrelevant, and they will sometimes stop showing ads that don’t generate any clicks or engagements. However, if someone simply clicks on your ad to see more pictures or search for more information, chances are high that they will see the ad again in the future.
6. You can engage with potential buyers in real time
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
As a social media platform, Facebook makes it easy for people to engage with listings by liking, commenting, and sharing. This can be a great way for you to attract more potential buyers to your home listing. You can communicate with buyers quickly by using Facebook messenger or by commenting on the post. If someone comments on your listing, it may show up in their friends’ feeds even if you aren’t connected directly with them. This puts your ad in front of more people, which expands your potential reach. Having a presence on Facebook also makes it easy for people to share your listing with different groups or to their own profile so that others can see it.
7. Facebook ads are surprisingly affordable
Facebook has a price point for everyone. You can set a budget for the amount of money that you want to spend, and Facebook won’t spend a penny more than what you authorize. Some people find that they can reach a large number of potential buyers without paying more than the cost of a cup of coffee per day.
Top-notch agent Shannon Campbell understands the importance of a strong presence on Facebook when selling a home. She loves the Seattle region and takes great pride in helping her clients find their dream property in Laurelhurst real estate and other incredible communities in the Greater Puget Sound area. Her expertise in the local community and her vast knowledge of the current state of the Seattle market will be tremendous assets for you as you search for a new home. She works hard to provide unparalleled customer service, and she frequently receives business from referrals and repeat clients. Reach out to Shannon if you’re thinking about buying or selling in the Seattle area.
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash