If you’re anything like me, your social media newsfeeds look a little something like this: millennial major-life announcements, political news, world events and Pokémon GO! Pokémon GO, a new gaming app for iOS and Android devices, has taken over social media and day-to-day activities. Since its release on July 5th, Pokémon GO has been downloaded around 7.5 million times and is expected to surpass Twitter in daily active users. With all the social buzz surrounding this new app, many agents have started to question whether it could be a game changer for connecting with a new, millennial audience.
While some have immediately said “no” to the idea, others are pushing this app’s usefulness in the industry. One argument is that the millennial nostalgia for the original Pokémon game released in the 1990s and the fact that many of these millennials are spending a lot of time talking about themselves on social media create an excellent opportunity for agents to connect with these potential homebuyers. If you’re already playing the game, and wondering if you should incorporate into your real estate business, I have a few examples of how you might use it to maximize your business. If you’re not familiar with Pokémon at all, no problem – I’ll show you the ropes. The popularity of this app could help boost open houses, help buyers find their dream homes in ideal locations and even build your credibility as the local expert.
What is Pokémon GO?
So what is Pokémon? Pokémon debuted in the late 1990s-early 2000s as a Japanese anime cartoon. The Pokémon monsters come in various shapes, sizes and colors, all with special abilities. The goal is to “capture” these creatures and “train” them to fight other ones. The game’s augmented reality technology is some of the best on the market, harnessing the power of Google Maps with video game technology, forcing users to physically get up, get outside and explore the world around them in search of these creatures! Ready to try it out? Here are four ways you can use Pokémon GO in your real estate business.
Pokémon GO for Listing Exposure
Now that you have an idea of what this game is, the real fun can begin! When preparing for an open house and trying to draw as many possible prospects, think about how you might drop some popular Pokémon GO terms into your listing’s description. It makes it fun and lighthearted, and you can attract a new type of millennial buyer you may not have reached otherwise. Here’s an example:
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Once you’re at the open house, send out Facebook, Twitter or SnapChat updates about the great listing location, the great stops you passed along the way and – you guessed it – Pokémon GO attractions! Maybe there are a number of Pokémon gyms or Poké Stops in the area that could entice big gamers to take a look around. Or, find out if a rare Pokémon monster was captured in the area. Whatever the case, share this information with your followers. If gamers come to the open house just for a creature they found in the backyard, ask for referrals – there’s always a way to drum up new business!
Helping Buyers Find Their Dream Home
As a real estate professional, you know how rewarding it is when your clients finally find their dream home. For your Pokémon GO-obsessed buyers, showing them listings in neighborhoods with great game attraction could help make the difference in a sale or seeing another listing. Even if your clients are unsure about an area or want to get to know a prospective neighborhood better, using Pokémon GO to let them explore the area can help sway them into going under contract.
Build Local Credibility
Local businesses are also getting on the Pokémon GO trend. Businesses here in Norfolk, Va. are catching Pokémon fever and publicizing the creatures they found in their backyard. Our zoos, aquariums, colleges and more are posting pictures as social status updates, inviting folks to come explore. Take advantage of this population boom by visiting these places and talking to the gamers! Chances are you could meet potential prospects at these places. Strike up a conversation, introduce yourself and you could either have a new friend or a potential lead. Not only could you connect with new leads, but keeping up with local happenings in your community helps to brand you as the local expert.
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Speaking of great community offers, if you specialize in relocation services, publicizing the great attractions in your community is a perfect way to attract potential leads and clients. Add a layer of Pokémon GO to the equation to keep everything relevant and show your audience that you’re on top of emerging trends.
Local Market Reports
We all know that local market reports are not always consumer-friendly or easily digestible. Pokémon GO could help solve this. Use this trend to your advantage and make these seemingly boring reports something fun to read. Write up a mock market report, but insert Pokémon GO terms throughout. Don’t forget to mention high inventories of Poké Stops, various landscapes that attract a wide range of creatures, fun places to go for the whole family and much more. Doing so can help boost your exposure and credibility.
Extras
If incorporating Pokémon GO into your social strategy seems like a stretch, you could also consider using it as team building exercise for the agents in your office or on your team. Divide into teams, go on quests together and become stronger as a unit, all while getting exercise and enjoying the great outdoors. At the same time, your agents will become even more familiar with the area, which could help them field questions from prospective buyers.
Pokémon GO popped up overnight, and the jury is still out on whether or not it is here to stay in real estate. However, if leveraged properly, it could offer a new way to reach millennial buyers and sellers. Using social media and current trends to your advantage is a great way to stay in the conversation with a younger audience and get an edge over your competitors
Want to keep up with all of the latest social media trends, but don’t have the time? Homes.com Social can help! Keep your social pages fresh so you can connect with those millennial buyers and sellers in your area. Set yourself apart from the pack and be the agent clients flock to!
