What Social Media Marketing Means for New CRE Brokers: A Complete Guide

As a new commercial real estate (CRE) broker, breaking into the industry can be challenging, but social media marketing offers a powerful way to build your brand, expand your network, and reach potential clients. In an industry that traditionally relies heavily on relationships and in-person connections, social media allows new brokers to level the playing field by offering a platform to showcase their expertise and engage with a wider audience.

Here’s how social media marketing can transform your career as a new CRE broker and how to use it to grow your business.

1. Building Your Personal Brand

One of the biggest advantages of social media for new CRE brokers is the ability to build and promote your personal brand. Social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter, give you a space to showcase your unique strengths, knowledge, and personality.

As a new broker, creating a personal brand that stands out is critical. Your brand is what clients, colleagues, and partners will associate with you, so you need to carefully shape your online image.

Tips for Building a Strong Brand:

• Define Your Niche: Whether you focus on retail, industrial, multifamily, or office spaces, make sure your social media presence reflects your specific expertise. By narrowing your focus, you’ll attract the right audience.
• Showcase Your Personality: People want to work with brokers they trust, and social media gives you the chance to let your personality shine. Share insights, post property updates, and engage in meaningful conversations, all while staying true to your authentic self.
• Consistency is Key: Post regularly and make sure your branding (profile pictures, bios, and messaging) is consistent across all platforms. A cohesive brand builds trust and credibility with your audience.

By consistently sharing relevant content and insights, your social media presence becomes an extension of your professional identity and a reflection of your value as a broker.

2. Expanding Your Network

In commercial real estate, who you know often matters as much as what you know. Social media marketing allows you to connect with industry professionals, potential clients, and investors in ways that aren’t limited by geography. With platforms like LinkedIn, you can easily expand your network and create new opportunities for collaboration and deal-making.

How to Grow Your Network on Social Media:

• Engage with Industry Leaders: Follow and connect with experienced brokers, investors, and industry influencers. Comment on their posts, share their content, and engage in conversations to put yourself on their radar.
• Join Real Estate Groups: Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook have groups specifically for CRE professionals. Joining these groups allows you to participate in discussions, share insights, and learn from others in the industry.
• Stay Active in Local Markets: Many real estate professionals and businesses post local market updates or property listings on social media. Follow them to stay up to date and engage in conversations about market trends or property opportunities in your region.

Social media gives you access to a larger, more diverse network than you could achieve with traditional networking alone. The more you engage with others, the more visible you become in the industry.

3. Generating Leads

One of the most significant benefits of social media marketing for new CRE brokers is the ability to generate leads and find clients online. As more property owners, investors, and businesses turn to the internet for information, having a robust social media presence ensures you’ll be noticed when they’re looking for a broker.

How to Use Social Media for Lead Generation:

• Share Market Insights: By posting market updates, property tours, and expert insights, you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. This positions you as a go-to resource for clients looking to make informed decisions.
• Post Property Listings and Video Tours: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to post high-quality images and video tours of your listings. A well-produced video can catch the attention of potential buyers and generate interest in a property.
• Utilize Hashtags and Keywords: On platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, using relevant hashtags such as #CommercialRealEstate, #CRE, or #OfficeSpaceForLease can help your posts reach a wider audience. Keywords make it easier for potential clients to find you.

Social media makes it easier to reach decision-makers who may not be actively searching for a broker but could be influenced by your consistent presence and valuable content.

4. Showcasing Your Expertise

As a new broker, you may not have an extensive portfolio of completed deals, but you can still showcase your expertise through educational content. Social media platforms provide an opportunity to position yourself as a thought leader and trusted resource in the CRE space.

What to Post to Demonstrate Expertise:

• Industry News and Trends: Regularly share articles, market reports, or your thoughts on industry trends. Providing your take on new developments in the CRE market helps you build authority and stay top of mind.
• Property Spotlights: Showcase key features of properties you represent by posting walkthroughs, video tours, or photo galleries. Highlighting what makes a property unique or valuable helps potential clients understand your market knowledge.
• Client Success Stories: If you’ve helped clients close deals, share their success stories on your social media channels. Testimonials and case studies help to validate your skills and demonstrate the real-world impact of your services.

Over time, your audience will start to view you as an expert in your niche, which can help you win more business as you continue to build trust and credibility.

5. Learning and Staying Current

As a new CRE broker, staying up to date with the latest industry trends is crucial for success. Social media offers an abundance of real-time information, educational resources, and insights from industry professionals.

How Social Media Keeps You Informed:

• Follow Industry Influencers: Top real estate experts, investors, and organizations often share their thoughts on market trends, emerging technologies, and economic conditions. Following these accounts helps you stay informed and sharpens your expertise.
• Participate in Webinars and Live Events: Many CRE associations and influencers host webinars, live Q&A sessions, and panel discussions on social media platforms. Attending these events allows you to learn from the best in the business and stay current with market developments.
• Read and Share Market Reports: LinkedIn and Twitter are great platforms for discovering and sharing market reports. Whether it’s a new report on multifamily housing trends or an analysis of office space demand, sharing this content not only educates you but also helps your audience stay informed.

Being well-informed and up to date with industry trends allows you to provide more value to your clients, making you a more attractive partner for potential deals.

6. Driving Traffic to Your Website

While social media is an essential part of your online presence, your website remains a key destination for potential clients. Social media marketing can drive traffic to your website, where prospects can learn more about your services, browse property listings, and contact you directly.

How to Drive Traffic Using Social Media:

• Include Links to Your Website: Whenever you post about a new property listing, market report, or blog post, include a direct link to the relevant page on your website. This encourages followers to explore your services in more detail.
• Utilize Paid Social Ads: Platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn offer advertising tools that allow you to target specific audiences. By running paid ads, you can drive highly targeted traffic to your website, ensuring your posts reach decision-makers.
• Engage with Followers: Respond to comments and messages, and invite followers to visit your website for more information. An engaged audience is more likely to take the next step and explore your offerings.

By leveraging social media to drive traffic to your website, you create a funnel that can turn passive followers into active leads.

Conclusion: Social Media Marketing as a Game-Changer for New CRE Brokers

For new CRE brokers, social media marketing is more than just an optional tool—it’s a critical component of building your brand, expanding your network, and generating leads. By leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, you can effectively showcase your expertise, connect with industry professionals, and create opportunities that can accelerate your career growth.

At VidTech.com, we know how important it is to stand out in the crowded commercial real estate landscape. With our video solutions, you can take your social media marketing to the next level, using high-quality videos to showcase properties, market trends, and your unique approach to CRE. Let us help you make an impact online and build a lasting brand.