8 Ways to Up Your Hyper-Local Marketing Game

It's time to up your game. Competition is heating up and the busy season is right around the corner. What will you do to grow your business this year? We suggest embracing hyper-local marketing. Here's why...

First of all, what does hyper-local mean? It means localizing your marketing efforts down to a specific neighborhood. Rather than blanketing your efforts over your state or metro area, it's all about focusing in on those specific neighborhoods that you operate and specialize in.

A key reason for this tactic is to increase the quantity and quality of traffic to your agent website. This means showing up for real estate-related searches for the exact neighborhoods in which you work. This opens up massive lead generation opportunities, being one of the first agents homeowners come across. It also narrows your competition as you only appear alongside other agents that actually work in your area, rather than every other agent in the state. Take it one step further and add consumer data to your marketing strategy. When you have aggregated public data on all of your contacts, you're now the local expert providing clients with an experience tailored to them. Then the referrals and repeat business follow.

Hyper-local marketing positions you as the local expert for all things real estate. Here are ten ways you can begin upping your marketing game right now:

1. Localize your content

All of your content, but especially your blog content. Your blog is the perfect place to weave in your expertise of the local neighborhood.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Is there a new local restaurant or an old favorite that you go to every Sunday? Write about it.
• Hikes that you've done in the area – maybe you can wrap in good homes for families who love the outdoors?
• Review day trips or weekend getaways that you've done. What getaways are available for homeowners in the area?
• Talk about the community events you attend or are involved in and why they're important for the neighborhood.

The list could go on, but the idea is to cover topics that will make you searchable and valuable for your target audience.

2. Get involved

Get involved with neighborhood events such as fundraisers, seasonal festivals, and local markets. Participating in community events exposes you to huge numbers of people, offers a networking opportunity, and positions you as an involved member of the community. Plus, they're fun. It's truly a win-win.

Go one step further and consider hosting an event. When you have access to consumer data, it makes it easy to segment your contacts so you can make sure you invite the golfers to the golf tournament, the art lovers to the art walk, and the families to the kickball fundraiser.

3. Localize your social media

Take your social media activity to the next level by adopting the hyper-local method. Share your adventures as a Realtor in that area, posting photos and videos from recognizable local places. When people see you active in your local area in your updates, you'll be top of mind when they think about Realtors in their neighborhood. Be the local real estate expert. Share local homes that are currently on the market, and post updates on your successful sales, placing an emphasis on their location.

4. Bring your sponsorships home

If you like to put marketing dollars towards sponsorships, spend that money wisely. Be intentional about the people, events, or organizations you sponsor, ensuring they're aligned with your personal brand and are hyper-local. When people see you supporting causes or businesses that are just around the corner, they'll appreciate you as a contributing member of their community.

Pro tip: As with community events mentioned above, leverage consumer data to invite the right people to the right sponsored events.

5. Localize your website and profiles

This one's a given. Do a quick scan of all your online profiles to ensure they're up to date. Your website and online profiles are your digital first impression, so make sure you're putting your best foot forward by communicating your current areas of expertise and showcasing your most recent successes.

6. Offer local real estate trends

Be the source for local real estate trends by offering insights to your sphere. One way to do this is to offer newsletters that include insights on the local real estate market. People love to know what's happening in their neighborhood. For those of you who use Moxi Engage, try Neighborhood News. Just select the contacts in your sphere who you'd like to receive Neighborhood News and they'll receive monthly automated newsletters with real estate metrics specific to their area. It puts your sphere marketing on autopilot.

In addition, make sure you include local real estate trends in your CMAs and interactive presentations. These presentations are the perfect opportunity for you to be the expert and showcase your knowledge of the local market.

7. Share success stories

Sharing client success stories will open the door for people to relate to your clients and connect with you. When you close a deal, ask your client about their experience. Don't only talk about the house, but also talk about the family and why it's the perfect home for them. Ask them to tell the story of their home buying process, then ask for their permission to share that story (on your blog, social media, etc.) Take photos (and/or videos!) and include a quote from the client. These are stories that people can relate to and share with their sphere, which, in turn, grows your sphere.

8. Be a resource for homeowners

You want to be top-of-mind for anything home-related. That might sound odd, but think about it—if you're well known among homeowners in your area, they're likely to refer you to their friends, colleagues, and neighbors who mention moving. Be a resource for homeowners by offering preferred vendors that homeowners might be looking for. The fact that you're a real estate agent means that you also have a lot of connections in the area. Keep a list of the small businesses you support and your preferred contractors, so that when homeowners need to know who they should hire, they come to you.

Take it a step further and tour homes that are on the market in the area and talk (blog) about trends and thoughts. Be the voice of local homeowners and create a stockpile of content on your blog that you can share at any time.

Stay in tune with what's happening in your area and arm yourself with consumer data to bring a hyper-local, exceptional experience to prospects and clients. Bringing hyper-local marketing to your toolbox will take your business to the next level.

To view the original article, visit the Moxi Works blog.