Social Media Best Practices for Triangle Real Estate Agents

Mar 19, 2024

5 min read

In the competitive world of real estate, social media is a powerful tool for establishing a brand, engaging with potential buyers, and staying top-of-mind with clients. In the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area—collectively known as the Triangle—leveraging social media can make all the difference in a rapidly expanding market. With new people relocating to the Triangle daily, real estate agents in the area can’t afford to miss out on the unique reach and engagement social media offers.

This blog post will cover essential social media practices that Triangle real estate agents should implement to attract buyers, build credibility, and ultimately drive sales.

Why Social Media Matters for Triangle Real Estate Agents

With an estimated 4.89 billion social media users worldwide (Statista, 2023), platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok offer real estate agents unmatched opportunities for visibility. Over 70% of home buyers and sellers now use social media to interact with agents or search for properties, with visual platforms like Instagram and TikTok becoming particularly influential among Millennials and Gen Z.

The Triangle, known for its vibrant tech industry and academic communities, attracts a diverse pool of potential buyers. Agents in the area benefit from staying active on social media to engage both local and out-of-state clients. This online presence not only increases credibility but also creates opportunities to showcase listings, share community insights, and interact with potential clients in a more personal way.

Best Social Media Practices for Triangle Real Estate Agents

1. Showcase Listings with High-Quality Visuals

In real estate, first impressions matter, and social media is often the first place buyers see a property. High-quality images and videos not only capture attention but also allow potential buyers to visualize themselves in a home.

Instagram and Facebook are ideal platforms for showcasing photos and short videos of property listings. Using tools like Instagram Reels or Facebook Stories can add a dynamic element to your listings, highlighting key features like beautiful kitchens, spacious backyards, or neighborhood amenities.

Example: Local agents in Raleigh have successfully used drone footage to showcase properties with unique views or large acreages, enhancing their listings and attracting more engagement.

2. Use Local Hashtags to Boost Visibility

For Triangle real estate agents, using hashtags such as #RaleighRealEstate, #DurhamHomes, or #ChapelHillLiving can help localize posts and reach people specifically interested in the area. Hashtags act as mini search engines within platforms, helping users discover relevant content in their desired locations.

Example Hashtags:

By using a mix of broad and specific local hashtags, agents can reach a more targeted audience, increasing their chances of connecting with people actively looking for properties in the Triangle.

3. Engage with Community Content and Share Local Insights

Real estate is more than just transactions—it’s about communities. Triangle buyers are often interested in the quality of schools, proximity to amenities, and the overall lifestyle. By engaging with local businesses, events, and community news, agents can build their brand as a resource on all things Triangle-related.

For example, agents could share posts about popular local events, such as the Durham

Farmers' Market or Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh. Sharing insights about school districts, local parks, or dining spots can help potential buyers imagine their future lives in the community.

4. Post Virtual Tours and Live Walkthroughs

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual tours have become an industry standard. For agents in the Triangle, virtual tours are especially valuable as many potential buyers are relocating from out of state. Platforms like Facebook Live and Instagram Live are perfect for hosting virtual tours that allow viewers to ask questions in real-time.

Tips for a Great Live Tour:

Start with a greeting and a brief introduction.
Walk through the property, highlighting unique features.
Answer viewer questions live to create engagement.
Use tools like Matterport to create immersive 3D home tours that can be shared across platforms.

Example: A Chapel Hill agent recently used Instagram Live to walk through a newly renovated bungalow in the historic district, attracting significant engagement from out-of-state viewers.

5. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC) and Testimonials

User-generated content, such as client testimonials or photos of buyers in their new homes, can be a powerful marketing tool. Testimonials build credibility and showcase your success as an agent, while UGC adds authenticity to your social media profile.

To encourage clients to share their experiences, consider offering an incentive, like a small gift card for sharing a testimonial or tagging your profile in their new home photos. This can generate positive word-of-mouth and help build trust with new clients.

6. Educate Your Audience with Informative Content

Many Triangle buyers, especially first-time buyers, may not understand the buying process or local market trends. Agents can establish themselves as knowledgeable resources by sharing informative content on social media. This could include market updates, tips for first-time buyers, or common mistakes to avoid.

Examples of Educational Content:

"5 Things to Know Before Buying in Raleigh"
"How the Triangle’s Real Estate Market is Changing in 2024"
"Understanding Closing Costs in North Carolina"

Educational posts can be particularly effective on LinkedIn for targeting professional buyers, or on Instagram Stories where quick, digestible content can be posted regularly.

7. Use Paid Social Media Ads to Reach a Broader Audience

While organic content is essential, paid social media advertising can amplify your reach. Platforms like Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads allow agents to target users based on location, age, income level, and even behaviors like “likely to move.” Triangle agents can leverage this tool to reach both local buyers and people in feeder markets like New York, D.C., and Atlanta.

Example Campaign: An agent could run a targeted Facebook ad showcasing a listing, directing interested viewers to a landing page where they can schedule a viewing.

8. Maintain a Consistent Posting Schedule

Social media success is often about consistency. By posting regularly, agents can stay top-of-mind with their audience and build familiarity with potential buyers. A consistent schedule also improves engagement and visibility on platforms that reward regular posting, like Facebook and Instagram.

Content Calendar Tips:

Plan posts a month in advance.
Include a mix of listings, educational posts, community highlights, and testimonials.
Use tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule posts and maintain consistency.

9. Use Analytics to Track Performance and Adjust Strategy

Monitoring analytics is crucial for understanding what type of content resonates with your audience. Most social platforms provide insights that show engagement metrics, such as likes, shares, comments, and reach. By examining which posts perform best, agents can refine their content strategy to better meet their audience’s needs.

Key Metrics to Monitor:

Engagement rate
Reach and impressions
Click-through rate on ads

Agents can use Instagram Insights and Facebook Analytics to track these metrics. For more detailed analysis, platforms like Google Analytics can provide insights on how social media traffic translates to leads on your website.

Conclusion: Building a Social Media Strategy for Success

In the fast-evolving Triangle real estate market, having a well-planned social media strategy is more than just an advantage—it’s essential. By showcasing high-quality visuals, engaging with community content, posting educational material, and leveraging targeted ads, agents can expand their reach and connect with potential buyers in meaningful ways. Remember, successful social media for real estate is about consistency, authenticity, and a genuine engagement with the Triangle’s unique communities.

Contact Us: If you’re ready to take your social media strategy to the next level, Astro Markets can help. Contact us today to craft a tailored approach that builds your brand, attracts new clients, and elevates your presence in the Triangle market.