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30 Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas with Real-Life Examples & Templates

Mahnoor Sheikh
Written by Mahnoor Sheikh
Published at Jan 11, 2024
Edited by: Unenabasi Ekeruke
Reviewed by: Victoria Taylor
30 Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas with Real-Life Examples & Templates

Real estate is a competitive industry. To stand out, you need to make connections with potential buyers and gain their trust through a blend of traditional and modern marketing methods.

In this post, you’ll discover 30 ways to generate high-quality real estate leads by engaging more deeply, understanding client needs and building a network across multiple channels.

We’ll also show you examples of lead generation for real estate agents as well as templates you can use right away to implement these tactics for your own business.

 

Table of Contents

 

Quick Read

  • A strong online presence helps you tap into a wide audience and attract the right leads. Use tactics like SEO, blogging, email marketing, lead magnets, PPC ads, virtual tours, engaging in online forums, creating landing pages and using automation.
  • Traditional methods are still effective, and real estate companies can use lead gen tactics like direct mail, networking, print advertising, sponsorships and partnerships, cold calling, becoming a speaker and hosting open houses.
  • Social media is an excellent place to find leads. Share posts and stories on Instagram, join groups on Facebook and LinkedIn, run native social media ads, make vertical videos for TikTok and Reels, share video tours on YouTube and collaborate with influencers.
  • Visme can help you maximize your lead generation efforts across various online, offline and social media channels. Leverage professional real estate templates and lead magnets, centralize your branding, share marketing materials and track performance all on one platform.
  • Build interactive lead generation forms and boost your conversion rates with Visme’s online form builder. Seamlessly integrate these forms into your blogs, newsletters and landing pages so you don’t miss any potential leads.

 

Online Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas

A strong online presence helps you tap into a wide audience and attract the right kind of leads. Below are 10 ways to generate leads using online channels like SEO, blogging and more.

1. Optimize Your Website for Search

Search engine optimization (SEO) helps your real estate website rank higher in search results, which makes it easier for potential clients to find you.

Research keywords to understand what terms buyers use when looking for properties or realtors in your area. For example, if you're in Denver, you might find that keywords like "Denver family homes" or "buying a home in Denver” are highly searched terms.

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Optimize Your Website for Search

Then, naturally incorporate these keywords into your website’s content. Don't forget to optimize your images and ensure your site is responsive and loads fast. Regularly updating your content also signals to search engines that your site is a current, credible source of information.

2. Create a Real Estate Blog

Blogging is a proven strategy to not just attract leads but also build authority in your niche by becoming a go-to resource for buyers and sellers alike. It’s also a great way to keep your site fresh with valuable, up-to-date content.

So, what can a real estate agency blog about? Here are some ideas:

  • Tips, how-tos and guides: Provide practical advice for buyers, sellers and investors. For example, share how to prepare for a home purchase or understand mortgages, tips for first-time buyers or strategies for investing in rental properties.
Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Create a Real Estate Blog
  • City and neighborhood profiles: Help potential buyers get a feel of different areas and assist them in making informed decisions. Provide them with specific details about the amenities, schools, demographic data and unique characteristics of each place.
  • Home improvement and lifestyle content: Share tips on how homeowners can enhance the value of their property through various home improvement projects. This could range from DIY decor to major renovation ideas.
  • Case studies: Publish stories about successful deals, highlighting how you helped clients navigate the buying or selling process. Talk about the challenges you overcame, the negotiation tactics you used and the overall journey.

Ideally, your content should align with the keywords your audience is searching for and the questions they’re asking. This will get your articles the right kind of exposure and traffic.

3. Launch a Weekly Newsletter

Offering a newsletter is a surefire way to generate leads. Add an opt-in form on your real estate website to capture visitors’ contact information or collect emails in person at open houses.

Use Visme’s form builder to create interactive lead forms that potential leads won’t be able to resist filling out. Use characters, animations and more to capture attention and convert.

Lead forms template - lead nurturing
Customize this template and make it your own!Sign up. It’s free

Sending out a weekly newsletter also helps you keep in touch with your network of existing and potential clients. Use it to share real estate insights, market trends, new listings and more.

Here’s an example of an email newsletter from Zillow:

Looking for a stunning newsletter template to quickly share news and updates with your audience? This template is a great starting point.

Home Talk Real Estate Newsletter
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

4. Offer Ebooks, Reports and Guides

Newsletters aren’t the only thing you can offer in exchange for contacts. You can also leverage lead magnet ideas like engaging ebooks, market research reports and in-depth guides.

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Offer Ebooks, Reports and Guides

Identify topics your audience finds interesting. Create well-researched, professionally designed documents and showcase them with mockups that look good and drive clicks.

Use Visme to make all kinds of documents and lead magnets. Browse hundreds of templates, customize them in the drag-and-drop editor, make them interactive and animated, and then download them in PDF format or share them online.

Customize the ebook template below and share it as a lead magnet to attract leads.

How to Maximize Investment in Real Estate Ebook
How to Maximize Investment in Real Estate Ebook
How to Maximize Investment in Real Estate Ebook
How to Maximize Investment in Real Estate Ebook
How to Maximize Investment in Real Estate Ebook
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

5. Invest in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

PPC advertising (e.g. Google ads) lets you run ads on search engines and other websites, targeting people who are searching for real estate services in your area. For example, you could place ads for keywords like "homes for sale in Scranton" or "real estate agents near me."

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Invest in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

You'll only pay when someone clicks on your ad, which makes it a cost-effective way to generate leads and drive traffic. Monitor your campaigns regularly to adjust keywords, messaging and budget for the best results.

Create irresistible ads with the help of this ad template.

Real Estate Large Rectangle
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

6. List Properties on Real Estate Websites

The good thing about real estate marketing is you don’t have to go at it alone. There are plenty of real estate marketplaces you can list your properties on.

In fact, it might get you more leads than your own website because these sites have existing authority and reach you can capitalize on. Websites like Zillow and Realtor.com get millions of visitors each month who are actively searching for homes.

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - List Properties on Real Estate Websites

Create attractive listings complete with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions and all the necessary information potential buyers might need. Don’t forget to regularly update your listings to keep them accurate and engaging.

7. Offer Virtual Property Tours

Virtual property tours allow potential buyers to explore properties from the comfort of their own home, expanding your reach to those who might not be able to visit in person.

Use high-quality video or 3D technology to create immersive, interactive tours of your listings. Then, share these tours on your website, real estate portals and social media.

Here’s an example of a 3D virtual tour by Sothesby’s International Realty:

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Offer Virtual Property Tours

Virtual tours make your listings more accessible and attractive and can be a great option for out-of-town buyers or those with busy schedules.

8. Engage in Forums and Q&A Sites

Participating in real estate forums and sites like Quora or Reddit can help you connect with potential clients and demonstrate your expertise.

Look for questions related to buying, selling, renting or owning property in your area and provide thoughtful, informative answers.

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Engage in Forums and Q&A Sites

This helps build your reputation as a knowledgeable and helpful agent and can drive traffic to your website or listings. Remember to include your bio and contact details on your profile to look professional, increase visibility and help interested buyers get in touch.

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Engage in Forums and Q&A Sites

9. Create Targeted Landing Pages

Creating separate landing pages for high-volume keywords can help you draw in targeted leads. For example, you could make pages for different types of clients or properties, such as "Luxury Homes in LA" or "Beach Condos in Florida."

Create specific copy that speaks to your target audience and include a clear call-to-action on each landing page, like a form to book a consultation or request more information.

Pro Tip: Need help? Use Visme’s AI text generator to quickly create engaging copy for your landing pages. Take things further and use the AI image generator to make unique, original visuals that add more flare to your website.

Optimize your landing pages for search and use them in your PPC campaigns, social media ads and emails to direct potential clients to the exact information they’re looking for.

Easily turn your landing page traffic into potential by creating attractive online popup forms.

real estate lead generation ieas - pop up forms
Customize this template and make it your own!Sign up. It’s free

10. Use Marketing Automation Software

According to a study, companies that use marketing automation software are able to generate up to 80% more leads than those that don’t.

Here’s why it works. All these lead generation activities we’ve mentioned? You can streamline and automate most of them with the help of the right software, saving plenty of valuable time you can invest in nurturing leads and building relationships.

Create engaging landing pages for real estate agents, automate emails and newsletters, track analytics across multiple platforms and more.

 

Offline Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas

Despite the success of digital marketing channels, traditional methods are still an important part of any real estate strategy. Reason? They offer a personal touch that’s hard to replicate online.

Here are 10 offline lead generation strategies to connect directly with the local community and build lasting relationships with clients, investors and partners.

11. Send Direct Mail

Direct mail still works. In fact, 88% of millennials take the time to look through their mail, and more than half of them find the information more useful than email. For real estate businesses, direct mail is a non-negotiable lead generation tactic.

Create eye-catching postcards or brochures with compelling images and messages about your services, achievements and current listings.

Visme offers hundreds of print templates to help you send engaging, personalized and branded mail to attract local buyers. Here’s a real estate brochure template you can edit now:

Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

12. Attend Networking Events

Head over to local business mixers, real estate seminars or community events to expand your network and meet potential clients and partners face-to-face.

Bring business cards and be prepared to discuss your services in a friendly, professional manner. Here’s a real estate business card template by Visme you can customize:

Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Follow up with any contacts you make with a personalized message or offer to meet for coffee. Building a strong local network can lead to direct leads and valuable referrals.

13. Host Open Houses

Open houses are not just for showing off properties; they're also powerful lead generation tools. You can collect contact information from visitors and follow up with a thank you message and additional information about the property or other listings.

Promote your open houses through your website, social media and local signage to attract attention. Make them more inviting by providing refreshments, detailed property information and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Even if visitors aren't interested in the specific property, they might remember your impressive service when they are ready to buy or sell.

14. Partner with Other Businesses

Collaborate with local businesses to expand your reach and provide added value to your clients. Offer special deals or packages to make these additional services convenient and attractive.

Use this partnership proposal template to seal more deals with likeminded firms:

Partnership Proposal
Partnership Proposal
Partnership Proposal
Partnership Proposal
Partnership Proposal
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

For example, you could partner with a home staging company to revitalize outdated properties and sell them faster and at a better rate. Similarly, you could partner with a moving service to help clients shift to their new home.

15. Sponsor Local Events and Teams

Sponsoring local events, sports teams or community programs can increase your visibility and goodwill in your area. Choose events that align with your target audience and offer substantial exposure for your sponsorship.

Provide branded materials or services, such as free home valuation booths at community fairs or branded jerseys for a local sports team. Sponsorships show your commitment to the community and can keep your name top of their minds when people are ready to buy or sell.

16. Advertise in Newspapers and Magazines

Just like direct mail, traditional print advertising still has a place—especially in certain markets and demographics. Take advantage of that and advertise your services, listings or success stories in local newspapers, real estate magazines and community newsletters.

Pay attention to the design and craft enticing copy that stands out. Want some inspiration? Check out this real estate newspaper ad template from Visme:

Real Estate Newspaper Ad
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

17. Invest in Outdoor Advertising

Outdoor advertising, such as billboards, bus benches or signage in high-traffic areas, can significantly increase your real estate company’s visibility. Choose locations your audience visits frequently, and design your ads to be bold and clear even from a distance.

While outdoor advertising is more expensive than other offline lead generation methods, it can be very effective for building brand recognition in a local area.

18. Pick Up the Phone

Cold calling is a direct and personal way to connect with potential clients. Create a script to briefly introduce yourself and your services, and make sure you offer some kind of value, such as a free home evaluation.

Create sales battlecards for your agents to ace their calls and get more positive responses.

Visme has a large repository of sales battecard templates you can use

Sales Battlecard Templates

Create valuable sales battlecard online quickly and easily by getting started with one of Visme’s premade templates. Provide your sales team with a strategically crafted sales battlecard that is packed with talking points to help them close more deals. Find a free sales battlecard template that you can easily customize.

Create your sales battlecard View more templates

Be respectful of people's time and be prepared for rejections—not every call will lead to a client, but persistence can pay off. Also, don’t forget to track your calls and log any feedback you receive to continually improve your approach.

19. Build a Referral Network

A robust referral network can provide a steady stream of leads for your business. Build relationships with past clients, other real estate agents and professionals in related fields, such as mortgage brokers or attorneys.

Keep in touch with your network regularly and consider offering incentives for referrals. And always provide exceptional service to every client so they’re more likely to refer you to others.

20. Become a Speaker

Speaking at local events, workshops and seminars can establish you as a knowledgeable authority in real estate and attract attention to your services.

Look for opportunities related to home buying, selling or investing, and prepare presentations that provide genuine value to your audience.

Visme’s presentation software can be a game-changer for your speaking engagements. Here’s an example of a real estate presentation template you can edit right away:

Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

If you're running out of time and need to create a presentation quickly, let Visme's AI presentation maker do all of the hard work for you.

 

Social Media Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas

In this section, we’ll explore lead generation tactics specific to social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Here are 10 best real estate lead generation ideas to get more leads through social media.

21. Build a Network on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for connecting with professionals, including potential clients and referral sources. Create a detailed, professional profile and actively participate in discussions related to real estate or your local area.

Moreover, share content that demonstrates your expertise, such as mini case studies, advice or your take on market trends.

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Build a Network on LinkedIn

Regularly engage with your connections by commenting on or sharing their content. A strong LinkedIn network can bring you direct leads and valuable partnerships.

To learn more about generating leads on LinkedIn, read this LinkedIn Lead Generation Guide. We’ve covered strategies, tools and tips to help you master LinkedIn lead generation

22. Share Instagram Posts and Stories

Instagram—primarily a visual platform—is perfect for showcasing properties and sharing a behind-the-scenes look at your real estate business.

Share high-quality photos and videos of your listings, stories offering glimpses into your daily work, customer testimonials, recent projects, deals and more.

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Share Instagram Posts and Stories

Use Visme’s Instagram story templates to take your story game to the next level:

Real Estate Investment Locations Instagram Story
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Use relevant hashtags and keywords in your posts and stories, and tag your location for local discovery. Remember to add your contact information and CTA buttons to your profile to make it easy for leads to get in touch.

23. Make Short Videos for TikTok

TikTok's short, engaging video format can be a fun way to reach potential clients, especially younger homebuyers. Share quick tours of listings, home buying tips or funny insights into the life of a realtor.

Use popular music and hashtags to increase your videos' reach. Be authentic and try to create content that encourages viewers to engage, share or follow you for more. While less traditional than some other platforms, TikTok can get you lots of leads you might not find elsewhere.

24. Create Viral Instagram Reels

Similar to TikTok, Instagram Reels use a vertical video format that users can quickly view and swipe through. Reels offer a wide reach and you can put your content in front of relevant audiences who are already interested in real estate.

NYC realtor Omar Labock does this really well. Here’s an example of one of his Reels:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Omer Labock (@realtoromer)

Share quick tips, highlight unique property features or participate in popular challenges or trends related to real estate. Like with TikTok, the key is to be creative and authentic, creating content that viewers want to share. Regularly posting engaging Reels can also increase your followers and lead to more inquiries about your services.

25. Run Social Media Ads

We talked about Google ads and PPC campaigns above. But you can also run native ads on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Well-targeted social media ads can drive significant traffic to your site and generate leads. Want to create a social media ad? Visme offers a library of social media templates for all networks. Here’s a real estate Facebook ad template you can use:

Real Estate Facebook Ad
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Nearly all social media networks offer built-in advertising tools that let you get granular with your targeting and analyze results. Make sure you use optimal dimensions for each platform to maximize the impact of your ads. Here’s a quick social media size guide to help you out.

26. Share Video Tours on YouTube

With over 2.7 billion users, YouTube is the second largest social media network in the world. In fact, a whopping 500 hours of video content is uploaded every minute on the platform.

If you’re not sharing your real estate videos on YouTube, you’re missing out big time on potential reach, engagement and leads. Create in-depth video tours of your listings, offer advice on home buying or selling, share interviews with past customers and much more.

Here’s a video tour of a luxury home in Nashville by The Coleman Johns Group:

Pro Tip: Optimize your videos with YouTube SEO. Add keywords into your titles and descriptions, share your videos on other platforms and encourage users to engage and subscribe.

27. Collaborate with Influencers

Influencer marketing is an excellent way to build credibility and increase your reach. People trust other people more than brands, especially those they look up to.

Look for influencers in your area with a following that matches your target audience. Collaborate on content that draws attention to your listings, services and business.

28. Participate in Facebook Groups

Facebook groups related to real estate or your local community are goldmines for finding leads. Join groups where you can contribute valuable insights and connect with potential clients.

Share your expertise, answer questions and participate in discussions. Be careful not to spam groups with your listings or services. Instead, focus on building relationships and establishing yourself as a helpful, knowledgeable resource.

29. Share Real Estate News

Follow relevant news sources, thought leaders or local organizations on social media and repost content that would be valuable to your audience. For example, X (formerly Twitter) is a great platform for sharing news and insights into the real estate market.

Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas - Share Real Estate News

Add your own insights or comments to personalize the content. Regularly sharing relevant news can help you stay top-of-mind with your followers and establish you as a knowledgeable and up-to-date professional.

30. Share Customer Testimonials

Customer testimonials are powerful endorsements of your services. Share positive reviews, quotes, stories or videos from satisfied clients on your social media channels.

Here’s an example of a testimonial video from LEAGUE Real Estate:

Make sure to get permission first and respect some clients' right to stay anonymous. If you want to spice up the way you share customer testimonials, check out these video testimonial templates from Visme.

Customize and share them on social media or your website:

Video Testimonial Templates

Create valuable video testimonials online quickly and easily by getting started with one of Visme’s premade templates. Visualize customer testimonials to grab attention and build trust and credibility with potential customers. Find a free video testimonial template that you can easily customize.

Create your video View more templates

 

Maximize Your Lead Generation Efforts with Visme

There are dozens of ways to generate leads, but the best strategy for real estate businesses is omnichannel—combining online, offline and social media channels.

The good news is, Visme can help you maximize your lead generation efforts across all three. Create stunning assets for print, digital and social. Leverage tailor-made templates designed specifically for real estate businesses to save time and effort.

Better yet, centralize your branding and even share and analyze the performance of your sales and marketing materials from within the platform.

Use Visme's lead forms to capture visitor information through engaging, interactive and professional forms. In fact, Visme forms have been proven to boost conversions by up to 207%!

Seamlessly integrate the forms into your blogs, newsletters and landing pages to ensure no potential lead slips through the cracks.

Learn more about how teams can use Visme to streamline their sales process and enhance collaboration. From presentations to property portfolios, develop all kinds of content, keep your team aligned and establish consistent branding.

Mahnoor Sheikh
Written by Mahnoor Sheikh

Mahnoor is a freelance writer and content strategist for B2B SaaS brands (and a toddler mom). She loves to talk about marketing, sales, branding and visual design. When she’s not working, she’s chilling at home (or the beach), cooking gourmet dinners for her family or traveling the world. She’s currently based in Antalya. Connect with her on LinkedIn or check out her website.

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