Zillow : ROI Roundup: 9 Real Estate Marketing Tips for Agents

You have a marketing budget, but how can you be sure you're allocating it in the best way? With so many marketing strategies available to increase your business, you don't always know which ones will be most effective when it comes to meeting your goals. Sometimes you just need help getting - or keeping - the ball rolling.

Here is a roundup of our nine top Zillow for Pros Blog tips to help real estate agents stay on track with their marketing activities.

Today's consumers do their research online, evaluating and comparing real estate agents while investigating their other home buying and selling options. Reach them where they spend time with an email marketing, or simply give your website a tuneup.

Marketing through social media is no longer optional; any real estate agent who isn't reaching out to contacts and leads through online social channels is letting an enormous opportunity slip through their fingers. It's easy to set up social media business accounts, then use posts and tweets to quickly and effectively communicate your brand.

It might seem as though "everybody" has a blog or that it's impossible to come up with original story ideas, but neither is true. As an industry professional and a neighborhood expert, there's a wealth of topics you can address with readers. If TV writers can make an entire show about the teenage goings-on in a single Beverly Hills ZIP code, you can certainly find something to write about in your area.

Forget the idea that every real estate video has to be a slick Hollywood production. The most memorable (and effective) videos are often ones that feature a confident and knowledgeable agent engaging viewers by telling a story - for example, illustrating a home's key amenities or describing why a neighborhood is so appealing. There's no need to distract viewers with smoke and mirrors; just use good visuals, keep your videos short and always include a clear call to action. Experiment with your smartphone camera or, if you feel ready to step up your video production, investigate a more professional setup.

There's still a place for "old school" marketing methods - because they work. Consider postcards. For a relatively low cost per unit, the humble postcard can give you a strong return on your investment.

The primary purpose of holding an open house is to sell the home, but it's also an opportunity to add home buyer contacts to your database. Kill two birds with one stone by using the open house as a way to make you and your listings stand out.

Remember that you're marketing yourself as well as your services, so take stock of the tools you currently use. Do your profiles feature a professional, up-to-date photo? If not, it's probably time to retake a professional headshot. Do you feel there are gaps in your knowledge? Attend a real estate conference or seminar, or brush up by reading industry publications.

There's nothing like the personal touch when it comes to customer service. Whether you're trying to work your sphere of influence or ask a past client for a review, nothing could be easier than inviting someone out for a cup of coffee to reconnect. At the very least, drop your clients a handwritten note to say hello.

Take a look at your efforts to see what's working and what could be improved. There are dozens of ways to make your marketing efforts stand out and be noticed; often the first step is simply to try something new or to take a different approach with a tactic you already use.

These tips are just part of your overall marketing strategy and can help you jumpstart your efforts if you feel your idea tank is running on fumes. Effective messaging doesn't always require a lot of time or money; often, it only takes a little thought and planning. When you don't have time for a deep dive into your comprehensive marketing plan, try taking a single step instead.

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