Outsourcing real estate marketing? Here’s what you need to know

Should you consider outsourcing real estate marketing?

Yes. Outsourcing real estate marketing gives realtors expert help at a lower cost, so they can win more listings without building a big in-house team.

• It can cut marketing salary costs by as much as 70%.
• It opens the door to specialists in SEO, email, social media, and ads.
• It frees agents to focus on clients and closing deals.

Marketing is a core part of the real estate business. First, realtors need to know the right people. Just as important, they need the right people to know them.

In the US alone, the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) counts over three million active and licensed real estate agents. On top of that, the US Census Bureau recorded over 300,000 brokerage firms across the country.

These numbers show how tough the competition is. As a result, many realtors turn to outside help to stand out. So how exactly does outsourcing help real estate firms? Let us break it down.

Benefits of outsourcing real estate marketing services

Cost savings

Outsourcing real estate marketing opens up plenty of ways to cut costs. In fact, this approach lets firms save as much as 70% on staff salaries.

The gap in living costs between countries makes this possible. Because of this, firms can hire skilled workers at much lower rates.

Firms also save on overhead. Most business process outsourcing (BPO) companies handle the full hiring, onboarding, and training of your team. In addition, these providers already have the tools and software needed for real estate marketing. Many also help agents build a real estate SEO plan, so you can drive more traffic and sales without hiring in-house.

Access to specialized marketing expertise

Most BPO firms have marketing specialists with years of experience. Marketing trends change fast. Keeping up with them takes a lot of time and money.

Outsourcing real estate marketing gives you seasoned specialists for a lower price. As a result, you save both time and money. From search engine optimization (SEO) and email marketing to social media and telemarketing, outsourced experts have the skills needed to deliver.

Improved market targeting and personalization

Another benefit is access to better tools. Often, BPO companies like Outsourced have industry software built to meet client needs.

In real estate, this means tools for lead generation (such as Bold Leads, Zillow, and REDX), customer relationship management (CRM) software (such as Salesforce, Pipedrive, and Monday.com), and market data tools (such as JotForm, AreaPulse, and Showcase IDX).

These tools help realtors target the right buyers. Because of this, agents can make pitches more personal and connect better with clients. Many firms pair this with a skilled real estate virtual assistant who keeps the CRM clean and the follow-ups on time.

Improved marketing outcomes

Better tools and skilled people lead to a better marketing outcome. So strong results become far more likely for firms that outsource.

Through outsourcing, real estate firms tap into years of marketing know-how. As a result, they no longer have to guess which campaigns will work. Their outsourced real estate assistants already know what gets results.

6 types of real estate marketing services you can outsource

As noted earlier, outsourcing gives you access to expert marketing help. Still, it helps to know which services deliver the most value.

As with any campaign, betting on just one channel seldom results in success. Good marketing uses many channels to reach as many buyers as you can. However, more is not always better. Knowing which channels fit your firm helps you avoid wasted spend.

Below are some real estate marketing services you can hand off.

Social media marketing

These days, almost every business is on social media, and for good reason. Social platforms are a great way to boost your visibility.

In social media marketing, your outsourced assistant runs campaigns from your business profile. They engage your current audience and reach new ones too. So this approach meets your customers where they already spend time, right on their feeds.

Email marketing

Email is still one of the most popular and effective marketing channels. Here, marketers use email to promote your business to current and future clients.

Email gives you a direct and personal way to reach people. As a result, an experienced email marketer can help realtors close more deals.

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising

PPC is another way to put your name in front of buyers. For example, the top search results marked “Ad” in bold are PPC listings. Because your site shows up for chosen keywords, PPC can bring in quality leads. As the name says, you pay each time someone clicks your ad.

Marketers most often use PPC on search engines like Google or Bing. However, you can also run it on social media, where cost-per-mile (CPM) is often the better fit. Many firms choose PPC outsourcing to manage bids and budgets well.

Search engine optimization (SEO)

Visibility is vital in real estate. After all, you cannot sell homes if buyers do not know you exist. SEO helps improve how easily people find you online.

In short, SEO means shaping your website content so it ranks higher in search results. Better ranking helps your pages reach the first page and get seen by your target market. So outsourcing real estate marketing to SEO experts gives you an edge over rivals without strong sites. For a wider view, see the many benefits of SEO for brands.

Content marketing

Content marketing means publishing written and visual content online. This strategy does three things at once.

First, it draws leads to your site or social profile. Next, it grows your presence through organic content. Finally, it builds your authority in the field.

Here are common types of content marketing:

• Online content marketing. All content marketing happens online. Still, this refers to the material on your own website, such as blog posts and how-to guides.
• Social media content marketing. Social media marketing sits under content marketing. As noted earlier, it means posting text, videos, and photos on social platforms.
• Blog content marketing. Blog posts are strong inbound tools. Also, they give marketers room to write in a way that connects with readers. In addition, blogs can point to other useful content.
• Podcast content marketing. Podcasts have grown into a popular channel. They work well for sharing insights and building a loyal community.
• Video content marketing. Video is another great way to hook potential leads. According to Wyzowl, a video production firm, 91% of businesses use video as a marketing tool. The same data shows most buyers rely on video to learn about products, and many say video convinced them to buy.

Website design and development

Website design shapes how well your site captures your target market. With the right look and an easy-to-use layout, your landing page can attract buyers and convert them.

When you design your site, keep these factors in mind:

• Aesthetics. No matter how strong your content is, a dull design will turn visitors away.
• Usability. A site that is easy to use keeps visitors happy.
• Content quality. Once your site looks good and works well, also make sure the content is just as strong.
• Speed. Web users have short attention spans. So a slow page is a major turnoff.
• Mobile-friendliness. Mobile devices now drive over 50% of online traffic. Because of this, your pages must work well on phones.

How to choose an outsourcing company for real estate marketing

There are many things to weigh when outsourcing real estate marketing to a BPO. Ideally, a good partner should have:

• A solid track record for quality work
• Strong systems to protect your clients’ data
• Skill across many marketing strategies
• Clear and honest pricing
• Values and goals that match yours

Before you sign on, it helps to inspect the provider’s facilities in person. If that is not possible, a virtual tour works too. Doing so shows you whether their setup meets your standards. It also helps to plan how their team fits your workflow, since a good real estate appointment setter can book showings while marketers drive leads.

If you want to outsource a real estate marketing assistant, Staffwiz, one of the Philippines’ leading providers of remote workers, is a good place to start.

For a full guide on everything you need to know, visit our real estate outsourcing hub. It lists thousands of BPO firms and offers many helpful articles on outsourcing.

FAQ on outsourcing real estate marketing

How much can I save by outsourcing real estate marketing?

In general, firms can save as much as 70% on marketing salaries. The gap in living costs between countries drives most of these savings. In addition, you cut overhead, since the provider handles hiring and training.

What real estate marketing tasks can I outsource?

For example, you can hand off social media, email, PPC ads, SEO, content, and website work. Many firms start with one or two channels. Then they add more as results come in.

Will outsourcing hurt the quality of my marketing?

No, not when you pick the right partner. Good BPO firms use skilled specialists and proven tools. As a result, quality often improves rather than drops.

How do I pick the right outsourcing partner?

First, look for a solid track record, strong data security, and clear pricing. Also, make sure their values match yours. Finally, a quick facility tour, in person or virtual, helps confirm the fit.

Is real estate marketing outsourcing only for big firms?

No, it is not. Small teams and solo agents benefit too. In fact, outsourcing lets small firms compete with larger rivals at a lower cost.

Key takeaways

• Outsourcing real estate marketing can cut salary costs by up to 70%.
• It gives you specialists in SEO, email, social media, PPC, and content.
• Access to CRM and lead tools helps you target and personalize better.
• Use several channels, but only the ones that fit your firm and goals.
• Choose a partner with a strong record, tight data security, and clear pricing.