The Importance of Digital Marketing
More so, real estate has been at the forefront of many social media platforms and rightfully so. The Quebec market was faced with a lockdown at the beginning of 2020, followed by an integration of virtual means only and then, the final curtain call of getting back in the trenches – where the market only continued to showcase that nothing was going to stand in its way.
As we were confined and as many business operations ceased to exist, those in the game of buying & selling relied not only on their realtors, but they went to the internet. In the age of window shopping, retailers put on their best seasonal marketing campaigns via their window displays – showcasing their latest collection and finest creations. With streets now being deserted and malls being empty, the pandemic has forced not only the way we shop for our personal items, but how we shop for our homes as well.
Digital marketing isn’t limited to a properties’ online presence through our MLS system, it is beyond that. We are the retailers, and we must showcase our products the best way possible, thus creating the relevant online traffic and views. This is where other digital forces come into play.
SOCIAL MEDIA
With more time indoors, people turned to their phone for engagement and that is why a strong social media presence is important. People rely on their phone for news, updates and for plain old entertainment. In the midst of all that are photos and descriptions of homes for sale. Having a property showcased on social media is not just for the exposure, but it also gives a faster call to action from one realtor’s network to another. Realtors scroll too and they may just see something new that will match their buyer’s latest request!
DIGITAL MARKETING
It starts with photos and it could end with a plethora of graphics to catch the eye. Keeping it simple is what’s best. Videos and virtual tours (Matterport for example) have now become increasingly popular in order to capture a home’s footprint or lifestyle. As much as sales were concluded virtually during a lockdown, many buyers still do not have the confidence to fully commit to a home sight unseen. A home must give you that “feeling” of comfort and for many, that is an important factor in their decision-making process. With the help of videos and virtual tours, a potential buyer can eliminate the best from the rest.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
We find ourselves leaning more onto what we see online versus what we hear on television. People have put down their remotes and have zoned in on tinier screens for information. Whether it may be through websites, social media, newsletters or other – many have quickly tilted the scales in favor of the world wide web. Still there are those who are loyal to their local paper, but we have increasingly seen media outlets project reports, stats and stories via their online platforms. And why not? These can be easily shared & viewed with perhaps a greater audience.
Even though the pandemic has changed our way of living, how we conduct real estate remains simple yet refined. We also had to quickly pivot in our own business to provide an even better service, one that combined expertise and exposure into one package – regardless of the hot seller’s market!
Jessica Di Re
Your #Lifestyle Broker
