Outsourcing can be hugely beneficial for estate agents, particularly when it comes to marketing activities. Not only can it save you time, it can also increase efficiency and help you improve your service.
There are certain things that estate agents should always outsource, such as property photography or property videos. But what about social media? Posting high-quality content on a consistent basis is something that many estate agents struggle with. Whether it’s not having enough time or not being sure what to post, there are many reasons your social media might not be performing as well as you would like. Here are a few things to consider about outsourcing social media.
Consistency
Keeping to a regular schedule can be one of the most challenging things about running your social media. You may start out with the best intentions, but when other things inevitably come up, social media becomes the last thing on your mind.
Outsourcing can be a great way to combat this. Someone outside of your business won’t have all the other commitments and distractions that come with selling houses. When their main responsibility is to manage social media channels, you can guarantee that they will be producing content on a regular basis. This not only helps with consistency, but helps to free up more time for you to focus on selling.
Content
Knowing what to post on social media can be tricky. While there are lots of resources out there to help guide you in the right direction (including our blog) it takes time and effort to get it right. Social media is by nature a rapidly changing thing, and when it isn’t your main job it can be hard to keep up. What worked a year or even a month ago might not get the same results it once did.
Social media marketers already know what kind of posts work and what kind don’t. They are up-to-date with the latest algorithm changes and new features of any given platform. Outsourcing your social media can help ensure that your online efforts aren’t being wasted due to outdated information.
A Personal Touch
One of the things that can put people off outsourcing social media is that no one else will have the same brand knowledge or expertise to be able to do it justice. It’s definitely a valid concern. There are plenty of companies out there who will use basic templates and stock photos as ‘filler’ content. This will never help you reach your goals and frankly, will be a waste of your money.
However, there are also plenty of companies who take a more personalised approach to their social media management. Good social marketers understand that social media is all about brand personality. This means that they will take steps to create original content just for you.
In-House vs Outsourced
You may have decided that you need a dedicated employee to manage your social media. But should that person be in-house or should you outsource?
If you are a small agency with just one or two branches, then you may end up overspending if you hire a part-time employee. Marketing companies will usually offer a set fee for social media management, and it will usually work out cheaper than the costs of taking on a new member of staff.
If you have a large agency however, it may make more financial sense for you to hire a full-time social media or marketing manager. This is beneficial when managing accounts for numerous different branches as it maintains a sense of consistency.
Conclusion
Outsourcing social media can be a great decision for your estate agency. When done right, it will save you time and get better results, leaving you and your staff to do what you do best. The key is to make sure that you are working with a company who will put in the time and effort to get to know your brand.
These days, it’s easy to spot generic content, and it won’t get you the results you are looking for. But find a company who will take a personalised approach, and your social media strategy will go from strength to strength.
