A solid social media presence is one of the best ways to generate real estate leads and stay connected to clients. A real estate agent has innumerable responsibilities that help keep their business booming. So, how do you take some of those things off of your plate?
Social media management can seem more like a burden than a benefit. It’s often difficult to decide which strategies are worthwhile. There are several third-party management tools help business professionals save time on social media. Additionally, you should know that top real estate agents and brokerages use social media management tools to schedule posts and review statistics.
Is social media important for real estate agents?
Social media platforms can help you build your real estate brand and generate buyer and seller leads.
A whopping 47% of real estate professionals say that their most valuable leads derive from social media. You close the door to profitable opportunities without social media.
Additionally, real estate professionals can use social media channels to elevate their brand and promote their listings through posts or sponsored ads. The best social media platforms for real estate professionals include Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
What should you look for in a social media scheduler?
Social media is essential and time-consuming without the right management tool. A social media scheduling tool can alleviate the daunting aspect of social media management.
There are several social media management companies to consider. Many of these management platforms offer the same features, so choosing the right one for you may be difficult.
Here’s what you should look for when considering a social media management tool:
- A user-friendly dashboard
- Easy social media scheduling
- Option to cross-post on multiple platforms
- Guidance on best times or days to post
- Comprehensive statistics reports
- Mobile-friendly capabilities
- Within your budget – what is your time worth?
Top 6 Social Media Management Tools for Real Estate Agents
We discussed why real estate professionals should use social media platforms. We also covered what to look for when selecting a social media management tool.
Now, let’s review the top six social media management tools for busy real estate agents:
Buffer
Buffer, one of the OG social media management companies, supports Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Users can schedule posts on three social media channels with a free account.
Pros of Buffer
- Affordable pricing options, including a free plan
- Simple user interface
- Supports the most popular social media channels
- Free 14-day trial for paid plans
Cons of Buffer
- The free plan is limited to only ten posts a month
- No post mockup/preview
- No built-in ads manager
ContentCal
ContentCal is an Adobe-owned software with an easy-to-navigate calendar interface. With ContentCal, you can create and arrange your post drafts before scheduling.
ContentCal offers several tiered pricing options to suit your business’s needs.
Pros of ContentCal
- Facebook tagging
- Extensive application integration (Zapier, WordPress, and Dropbox, to name a few)
- Consolidated inbox for social media direct messages
Cons of ContentCal
- No direct publishing to Instagram (on the waitlist)
- The mobile app lacks capabilities
- Limited social channels
CoSchedule
CoSchedule is an excellent management tool for brokerages and teams. The paid plan allows multiple users to manage several social media accounts from one place.
CoSchedule promises clarity and accountability between teammates with progress reports and a clean calendar interface.
Pros of CoSchedule
- Simple calendar interface
- Great for teams and brokerages
- Publish to Instagram
Cons of CoSchedule
- Limited to 5 scheduled posts at a time (free plan)
- Not the best option for individual agents
- Sometimes posts fail to publish
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is another OG in the social media game. With an all-in-one dashboard, detailed analytics, and extensive app integration, Hootsuite is favored by many.
Hootsuite tends to focus more on the management aspect of social media versus content creation.
Pros of Hootsuite
- Direct publishing to Instagram
- The mobile app allows post scheduling/publishing
- Built-in link shortening
Cons of Hootsuite
- No Facebook tagging
- Cluttered user interface
- Poor customer support
Loomly
Loomly is more than a social media scheduling tool. The application offers users relevant content ideas, editing and design tools, and a library to store all of your professional real estate images.
The developers behind Loomly consistently improve the application with bug fixes and fresh features.
Pros of Loomly
- Plans are affordable, starting at $26/month
- Provides post ideas and tips for optimal results
- Built-in ads manager
Cons of Loomly
- No free option
- Calendar sometimes disconnects from accounts
- The application can run slow at times
SproutSocial
SproutSocial is an excellent management tool for those who rely heavily on social media marketing. It’s more expensive than other solutions but offers users powerful tools and significant insights that help improve marketing performance.
Pros of SproutSocial
- Social Listening tool for tracking mentions
- Social CRM and review management
- Easy and attractive user interface
Cons of SproutSocial
- Price is per user per month.
- Limited integrations
- Some difficulties with Instagram posting
Managing your real estate social media accounts can feel like a weight on your shoulders. Instead of neglecting your content calendar, consider using a social media scheduler. Any management tools described above can help you automate your real estate posts, which frees up more time for you to show and sell homes.
