Real Estate Leads – Free and Automatic

Generating leads is a big part of being a real estate agent — when business just magically lands in your lap it’s nice, but waiting for that to happen is a guaranteed way to the poorhouse.

The most common way of lead generation for real estate is through the “For Sale” magazines found in every community. While that’s proven to work, the downside is the cost. Depending on your location, you might be spending $500 to $1000 or more per month.

One free method to generate real estate leads is through article marketing. You can write simple little articles that appeal to your target market. Besides being free, articles can be lead generators that never stop — they can bring in targeted prospects for months or even years to come.

In article marketing you’re going to write small articles, typically 400-700 words, that give great information. And at the end of the article is your “call-to-action” — what is it you want the reader to do? In the case of real estate, you might want the reader to call for a free CMA or to get tips on how to find the right home.

Those articles contain information that every real estate agent can spout int their sleep, but that most non-agents have to search to find. By offering this information in easy-to-read formats, you’re creating a link between yourself and the prospect. You’re also being proven an expert in the field — articles are a huge credibility booster.

Let’s take a look at a couple ways you can use those articles to generate leads.

1. Use articles as giveaways rather than business cards. Instead of leaving a stack of business cards at the local title company, leave a stack of articles that give great information. Most people are more likely to pick up and take an article that helps them than to take a business card.

2. Compile articles into special reports. Once you have 8-10 articles on buying a house, and 8-10 articles on selling a house, compile them into “special reports.” You can still use the articles by themselves, but now you have a great reason for people to contact you — to get the reports.

Those reports can be offered to the “looky-loos” at open houses, given to people who wander into the office just to see what’s available, etc.

Plus, for those real estate agents who aren’t afraid of FSBOs, the reports can be given to those people just to help them out. You and I both know a large percentage of those will turn to a real estate agent and if you’ve given them something helpful in the past, you’re the one most likely to get their business in the future.

Using articles as a way to generate real estate leads is simple, fast, and “different enough” that you’ll really stand out from the crowd. And that can mean the difference between the poorhouse and The Big House.