Before the Internet, property managers only had a handful of ways to market their services. For those working with tight budgets, the list of options was even smaller. Thankfully, the web has opened the doors to many opportunities for reaching the masses, regardless of how large (or miniscule) your marketing spend happens to be. Whether you’re just starting out or are looking for a few fresh ideas for getting your brand in front of more prospects, here are five ways to promote your property management business online without spending a single penny in the process.
Get Listed
There are a number of popular local listing sites that are not only free, but also rank extremely high on search engines. Make sure you’re taking advantage of those by claiming and setting up your property management business details. Three of the major ones are Google My Business, Yahoo! Local and Bing Places. You may also wish to set up your business on review sites like Yelp. And check to see if there are any relevant online directories in your area that you could get your company listed on as well.
Start a Blog
Did you know that websites with blogs have 434% more indexed pages and 97% more indexed links? That’s pretty powerful stuff, and if you’re not leveraging this tool for your property management services, you’re missing out on tremendous opportunity. Blogs are a great way to attract traffic to your site and also an effective tool for nurturing leads. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are a few ideas for creating engaging content.
Be Social
These days, social media has become an integral part of our everyday lives. We use platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected with the people – and businesses – that matter to us. Simply put, your audience is on these social networks, so your brand should be as well. There are countless ways to use social media to promote your property management services and engage with prospects and customers. Here are some tips to get you started.
Share Videos
There is, perhaps, no online medium more powerful today than video. In fact, according to a survey by Renderforest, 78% of users saw more traffic to their website after using videos. Additionally, 71% claimed videos increased the average time spent on their website, 69% of users generated more leads with the help of video content, and 54% of users increased their sales. The best part is, you don’t have to invest in a professional production company. Just shoot some footage with your smartphone, post it on your property management website and share it on YouTube and your other social channels.
Join a Community
There are lots of different online communities that you can get involved with that are relevant to the property management industry (think landlords, real estate, etc.). Join a few and start contributing. Don’t jump in with a heavy marketing push. Just focus on adding value. Share relevant content. Post thought-provoking questions. Offer advice and guidance. Over time, you’ll build a reputation as a trusted resource and the next time the need for a property manager arises, it’s your name that will be top of mind.
The Internet is absolutely teeming with marketing opportunities that don’t cost a dime. You just need to know where to focus your efforts. The five areas above should provide you with a good foundation for getting the word out about your property management services, even if you’re working with a shoestring budget.
