Other ideas for crowdsourcing on Facebook or Twitter are to ask for moving day tips from former customers, compile thoughts on the best restaurants in the area or simply ask about their favorite thing about owning a home.
On Instagram, the same idea applies. For example, for the upcoming Halloween season, a broker can ask those in a neighborhood he or she represents to post photos of their decorated house complete with pumpkins, ghosts and witch displays. Add in pictures of the kids in costumes trick or treating, and you’ll show a buyer with a family the spirit of the season. This works wonders at Christmas time, too.
Homes.com has had success with running photo contests on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook, asking homeowners, buyers, sellers and renters to submit photos based on a specific theme for a chance to win prizes. Contests like The Coolest Place in Your Space, Red, White and BBQ, Summer Staycation photo contests and even a spooky scavenger hunt on Pinterest.
Crowdsourcing through these contests and sweepstakes on our social sites have garnered hundreds of photos and content (i.e. “intel”) from our members, which in turn, allows us to evaluate the trends and deliver the resources and information that meet their needs, keep them engaged and coming back for more.
Remember, the idea of crowdsourcing for a broker is to get a collective group of people to help your marketing efforts by making it easy for a prospective buyer to find photos, get advice and learn information all in one place, from the people who know the community best.
Erica Campbell Byrum is the Director of Social Media, Homes.com and ForRent.com.
