6 Free Lead Sources For Real Estate Agents

While everyone is paying for Facebook and Google ads, there are agents finding leads organically.

And here is how to do it.

With over 51% of home buyers finding their home online. And over 220 million people in the US with a smartphone. It is no coincidence that being online is the best way to capture leads. Now this isn't a “how to” on how to close them, But, certainly with these free sources you can build up leads and your reputation without having to pull the trigger yet on paying to run ads.

1. Start and utilize a business page on Facebook & Other Social Media / Cost $0.00

This is a topic that gets overlooked and mishandled quite often.

It should read, “Start a business page on social media accounts that YOU USE”. Only start on platforms that you engage with daily. Having a Youtube, Snapchat or Tumblr page does not do any good if it isn't something you are constantly checking and putting content in. Yes. Now you have to oversee two Facebook accounts (Business and Personal) but in the long run this a feature does help grow businesses. A business page across social media platforms gives you a hub to share and distribute your posts. It also provides you with analytics and insight to measure audience reach which is a good gauge on what content you will want to post next. Having a business page also comes in handy when users are searching for services you offer and will be necessary if you want to run paid / sponsored ads at some point. The most popular are Facebook Business, Instagram for Business, and Twitter Business.

2. Facebook MarketPlace / Cost $0.00

I cannot speak highly enough about the importance of being on this platform. In Oct. of 2016, Facebook launched Market Place and an estimated 550 Million

Users worldwide use it. Posting an ad for properties for rent or for sale generates strong lead engagements. Make sure you treat this like any other ad and include great photos, a great description and a call-to-action. The post allows up to 10 Photos and up to 3000 words in the description.The post will have to be

manually renewed every 7 days. Your response time will be ranked

by Facebook. So the faster you respond the higher it will place your listing, so be sure to set those ringtones and alerts. In Marketplace all engagements will be done through Facebook Messenger so the app will need to be downloaded (Apple / Android) if you don’t have it already. Marketplace listing example. .

3. Local Buy, Sell, Trade Facebook Groups / Cost $0.00

These are user-created Groups that can have an audience between 2,000-50,000 followers.

This is a great place to send your existing MarketPlace posts for more reach and engagement. Currently, the most favorable posts on Facebook are post that are 80% you and 20% business. Believe it or not Facebook already uses an AI (artificial Intelligence) to determine this. This arena is a little more, “social” and has the ability for interested parties to leave comments on the actual post. The analytics on this post will be view able on your Facebook business page and limited analytics inside Marketplace. These groups have great numbers. Interactions are most popular in Messenger. How to post from a Facebook Business Page can be found here.

Note**Treat it like an Ad, make it fun.

4. Craigslist / Cost $0.00

Yes, I said it... Craigslist. The data reveals that Facebook Marketplace IS growing—fast! But it also shows that shoppers are not substituting Craigslist for Facebook.

On the contrary, with stable usage on Craigslist, and growth on Facebook, shoppers are most likely adding Facebook Marketplace to their list of online searches in order to find the right product at the right price. Craigslist has made some modifications to their posting rules for housing which I have included here. Their contact system is still clunky so you will need to you get contact information right away to put in your CRM and start any follow up protocols you may have.

5. Email Campaigns / Cost $0.00

So you've collected a bunch of email addresses, now what? Best practices are to send them newsletters to keep your name relevant to the consumer.

More and more people are sharing articles on social media which increases your reach. Email open rates in the Real Estate industry are low as it is. To change this ratio the consumer seems to be responding better to market info summed up in a small graph style stat box and the rest of the email body should be tips and local events and businesses that are highlights of the community. Make it something that it is a “must have” for inboxes. (Keep in mind 20% business content) The free forever version of Mailchimp is currently our go to platform.

6. Digital Circle of Influence / Cost $0.00

According to the NAR, 64% of sellers found their agent through a referral from a friend,

neighbor, or relative — or used an agent they had worked with before to buy or sell a home. This is an oldie but goodie but let's give it a digital world twist. If you haven't been on Social Media in a while you will get best results by creating a video letting everyone know you are still on the hustle and please ask for likes and shares. This will re-engage a portion of your audience and their friend lists which oftentimes increases page relevance in the Facebook analytics. This tends to yield the best results for a business page ranking and connection with new leads.

Have any strategies of your own that we overlooked? We would love to know, comment below. If you find this article helpful please like and share and let us know your thoughts. Also, Stayed tuned for our other finds on the web and our video tutorials. See ya on the next blog!

If you you are a member of the Southland Regional Board Of Realtors this blog will have a "Lunch & Learn" based around these tips and how to implement them.

P.S. I know there is a lot to unpack in these tips. I will be doing a free video series on all 6 of these. Please comment below on which one you think I should do first.