Maybe you didn't do as much business this spring as you wanted to. Maybe you're seeing market shifts on the horizon in your niche or in the neighborhoods you serve. Whatever the case, summer is a great time to focus on value-added content and summer-themed marketing.
As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, the summer season presents a prime opportunity for real estate agents to elevate their marketing efforts. Whether you're looking to attract buyers or secure more listings, implementing effective summer marketing strategies can make a significant difference.
Here are 20 proven tactics to help you make the most of the summer months as you boost your real estate business.
1. Seasonal content and themes
Leverage the vibes of summer by creating content that resonates with the season.
Blog Posts and Articles: Write about summer home maintenance tips, outdoor living space ideas, or the best time to buy or sell a home in the summer.
Social Media Campaigns: Use vibrant, summer-themed visuals and hashtags like #SummerHome, #SummerSelling, #DreamHome.
Email Newsletters: Share market updates, featured properties, and tips for buying or selling in the summer.
2. Highlight outdoor spaces
Summer is all about enjoying the outdoors.
Property Descriptions: Emphasize features like pools, gardens, patios, and outdoor kitchens in your listings.
Virtual Tours and Videos: Create video tours that showcase outdoor spaces, highlighting their summer appeal.
Staging: Stage homes with summer decor, including bright colors, flowers, and outdoor furniture.
3. Host summer events
The kids are out of school and the days are longer, creating perfect conditions for event marketing.
Open Houses: Organize summer-themed open houses with refreshments like lemonade, ice cream, or BBQ.
Community Events: Sponsor or participate in local summer festivals, farmers’ markets, or charity runs. Set up a booth to engage with potential clients.
Client Appreciation Events: Host a summer picnic or a pool party for past and prospective clients to strengthen relationships.
4. Leverage seasonal trends
Check out geographic and demographic movements in your local market and in inflow and outflow markets.
Vacation Homes: Market properties as ideal vacation homes or investment opportunities for seasonal rentals.
School Year Transitions: Highlight properties in good school districts to families looking to move before the new school year starts.
5. Digital marketing
Take advantage of the potential offered by targeted and themed ads.
Social Media Ads: Run targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google focusing on your key demographics.
SEO and SEM: Optimize your website and content for summer-related keywords to attract seasonal traffic.
Retargeting Campaigns: Use retargeting ads to reach visitors who have shown interest in your listings but haven’t yet made a move.
6. Local SEO and listings
All real estate is local, so focus on location-based marketing.
Google My Business: Keep your Google My Business profile updated with summer hours and any special events.
Local Listings: Ensure your listings are optimized for local searches, highlighting proximity to summer attractions like parks, beaches, and recreational areas.
7. Client testimonials and success stories
Add a storytelling element with the added benefit of authority-building.
Video Testimonials: Share video testimonials from clients who bought or sold homes during the summer.
Case Studies: Write case studies about successful transactions that took place in the summer, showcasing your expertise.
8. Collaborations and partnerships
Connect with business and non-profit leaders in your community.
Local Businesses: Partner with local businesses for cross-promotions, such as discounts for new homeowners at local furniture stores or landscaping companies.
Influencers: Collaborate with local influencers to reach a broader audience, especially on social media.
9. Print marketing
Use a graphic design platform like Canva to find easy and affordable themed marketing collateral.
Flyers and Brochures: Distribute summer-themed flyers and brochures in high-traffic areas.
Postcards: Send out postcards with a summer motif to your mailing list, featuring new listings and recent sales.
10. Track and analyze
Know your numbers and take note of changes in engagement and timing.
Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics and social media insights to track the performance of your campaigns.
Adjust Strategies: Be ready to adjust your strategies based on what’s working and what’s not, ensuring you maximize your ROI.
Looking for even more summer marketing for real estate ideas?
11. Host a summer scavenger hunt
Neighborhood exploration: Organize a scavenger hunt in the neighborhood where you have listings. Participants can collect clues at various homes, giving them a chance to explore the area and see properties in a fun, relaxed setting.
Prizes: Offer attractive prizes for winners, such as gift cards to local restaurants or home improvement stores.
12. Summer-themed photo contest
Encourage participation: Ask your audience to share their best summer home photos, whether it’s their beautiful garden, outdoor party setup, or favorite relaxation spot.
Social media engagement: Promote the contest on social media and offer a prize for the best photo. This increases engagement and creates user-generated content for your channels.
13. Pop-up ice cream stand
Community outreach: Set up a pop-up ice cream stand at your open houses or in a local park. It’s a great way to attract families and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Branding: Use branded napkins, cups, or signage to keep your real estate agency top of mind.
14. Virtual reality home tours
Tech-savvy appeal: Invest in virtual reality (VR) technology to offer immersive home tours. It’s a novel way to showcase properties, especially to tech-savvy buyers or those who can’t visit in person.
Interactive experience: Allow potential buyers to "walk through" homes virtually at community events or open houses.
15. Host DIY workshops
Hands-on learning: Partner with local home improvement stores or craft shops to host DIY workshops at your listings. Topics can include gardening, home decor, or simple renovation projects.
Engagement: This not only attracts potential buyers but also positions you as a community-oriented agent.
16. Create a local summer guide
Resourceful content: Compile a guide to the best summer activities, events, and hotspots in your area. Share this guide with your clients, in your newsletters, and on your website.
Added value: Position yourself as a local expert, which can help build trust and rapport with your audience.
17. Community cookout
Client appreciation: Host a cookout for your clients and prospects in a local park. Include games, music, and entertainment to create a relaxed environment for networking.
Casual conversations: This informal setting can make it easier to discuss real estate opportunities without the pressure of a formal meeting.
18. Outdoor movie night
Community building: Organize an outdoor movie night in a local park or even in the backyard of one of your listings. It’s a great way to bring the community together and showcase a property in a unique way.
Highlight your market: Choose a movie that was filmed in your local area or state, or find one that is set in your area.
19. Pet-friendly events
Engage pet owners: Host pet-friendly events like doggie playdates, pet adoption drives, or even a pet costume contest. Many potential buyers are pet owners, and this can be a great way to connect with them.
Showcase pet-friendly properties: Highlight features like fenced yards and nearby parks in your listings.
20. Sponsor local sports teams
Brand visibility: Sponsor a local little league team, soccer club, or other community sports team. Your brand will be featured on uniforms, banners, and promotional materials, increasing visibility.
Community involvement: This shows your support for the community and can create goodwill among local residents.
By combining these elements, you can create an effective summer marketing plan that attracts buyers and sellers, highlights seasonal property features, and leverages community events to build relationships and generate leads.
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