Earth Day is a time to celebrate and appreciate this place we call home. While we know that things like recycling and conserving water are great for the environment, how can you celebrate Earth Day in a way that shows love for your local community as a real estate agent? In real estate, a big part of your job is keeping up with what’s going on around you. Becoming the local expert and being able to provide local information to potential buyers are great ways to increase your value as an agent, and celebrate the place you live. Here are three ways to connect with both local consumers and those looking to move into your area, and show them why you love your community.
1. Get Involved in Your Community
The current generation is becoming more and more service minded. In fact, 61 percent of consumers state that they would like their favorite brands or companies to play a bigger role in their local community. Local love is about getting involved and showing that you’re more than just the local real estate expert—you’re a part of the community. Is there a community garden that you could tell prospective buyers about? Do you participate in an annual tree-planting event in your community? Do you help with a bake sale that supports a local school or church? Share these with your clients and invite them to come.
While giving back to the community can be a selfless act, it doesn’t necessarily have to be so altruistic. Volunteering can boost your or your brand’s visibility, and can help to strengthen your own business skills. Fundraising, promoting charity events or even building a house through a community outreach program will get your name out there while giving you the opportunity to practice new skills. These could include anything from learning better promoting practices to hands on home repair skills. In turn, with your new found skills, you can provide even better service to your clients. Give back to your local community and, as a nice perk, you’ll reap the rewards of staying top of mind in your area.
2. Share Local Content
Another way to connect with and promote your local community is by posting local information on your blog or social media pages. Establish yourself or your brand as the local expert in your area. Share local events, such as community theater shows, farmer’s markets or concerts, to show prospective buyers that they’ll be getting more than just a home – they’ll become part of a community. By doing so, you’ll be the go-to person for all things local.
According to a recent survey, Millennials are, “more likely than any other age group to be concerned about serious environmental issues.” If you’re working with Millennials, focus on the environmental impact of your community. Is there a park in the area that focuses on sustainable features? Are they stores that sell environmentally-friendly products? Visit these places to learn more about them, and then post about them on your blog or social media pages.
3. Advertise in Your Local Area
When it comes to real estate, it’s important to put yourself and your brand in front of people in your local area. While some agents purchase billboards or park benches, there are more targeted ways to attract consumers who are searching online for their next home. Options such as Facebook Ads allow you to run campaigns with clear, specific messaging to help you target the customers that really need you. Select the people you want to reach by zip code, purchase behavior, interests, age, or gender to build an ad to help deliver serious prospects to you. For a step-by-step breakdown of how to create the perfect Facebook Ad, check out our post “Tackle Facebook Ads like a Pro!”
Another great option is Homes.com’s Local Connect ads, providing you with the ability to target consumers during their home search process. A key way to generate more online leads is by connecting with the right consumers at the right time. Local Connect ads instantly bring you property inquiries from active buyers and sellers when they are ready to engage with you. Through this, you’re prominently positioned in front of transaction-ready consumers in your target zip code, while showing your photo or logo, phone number and endorsements.
Earth Day presents a great opportunity for you to connect with more clients. By showcasing your community, you’ll be able to not only promote yourself, but also show prospective buyers why they would love living in your area.
For more information, visit www.homes.com.
