As a REALTOR®, you're probably always on the lookout for ways to bring in new leads and earn more business. And though there are plenty of tried-and-true methods for boosting your business, such as real estate email marketing, there are a few new(ish) ways you can embrace technology to do the work for you. This guide explores drone photography, virtual staging and paid Instagram ads as methods of increasing your real estate business.

Drone Photography in Real Estate

If you're not using drones to take pictures or videos of your listings, you may be missing out. Drones can help you capture a property's best features from a unique perspective, making it more likely to stand out from the competition. Naturally, potential buyers will impressed by aerial shots of a property and you'll be able to use the fact that you offer drone photography as a perk to your sellers. These photos make your listings more exciting, and what seller doesn't want people to get amped up when they see a property?

How Does Drone Photography Work in Real Estate?

Though you can purchase your own drone, it takes time to learn how to use it - and in most places, you have to get the right permits to operate one. Usually, it's easier to hire a professional photographer (preferably the same one who's going to photograph the interior of your listing). The photographer will know the ins and outs of taking drone photos of a property. There's a caveat to this, though: Drone photography can be expensive, so it may be best to reserve it for high-end listings or properties that need a little extra push to sell. Related: Real estate blogging basics

Virtual Staging in Real Estate

Virtual staging is relatively new, but it's made significant leaps in quality over the past few years. If it's done well, buyers will never know that you used this trick. Virtual staging involves superimposing furniture and decor on a photo of an empty room. It's a great way to show buyers how a space can be used, and it can make a listing more attractive. Of course, if you're going to use this tip, you need to make sure that your staging looks realistic. Also, be sure to use high-quality photos the last thing you want is for your listing to look like a bad Photoshop job. Many companies offer this service if you're not ready to test the waters yourself. Related: 10 things to consider when you're looking for a broker

Paid Instagram Ads in Real Estate

You're probably familiar with using Instagram for business - but have you tried using paid ads? Paid ads on Instagram work just like they do on other social media platforms, such as Facebook. You can target a specific audience, and you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. Paid Instagram ads can be a great way to increase brand awareness and get more eyes on your listings. And because you can target potential buyers in your area, you're likely to get leads that are actually interested in what you're selling. But paid ads are just one piece of the puzzle you also need to make sure that your listings are high-quality and that your Instagram profile is appealing. If you have all of those bases covered, paid ads could be a great way to give your business a boost. Some people hire ad experts to run these types of ads, because there is a little bit of a learning curve. However, there are Instagram marketing courses you can take everywhere from Udemy (where you pay for classes) to Meta (which offers the courses free because it owns Instagram and wants you to spend your money there). Related: 3 essential branding tools every agent needs to use

Ready to Explore Your Career With Benchmark Realty, LLC?

If you're an agent who's ready to explore your options with a brokerage that has your back, discover Benchmark. Take a few moments to learn about our company and what we offer including:

• Three simple broker plans, all with 100 percent commission
• Cutting-edge marketing tools and consistent training, all free to you
• 24/7 access to any Benchmark office
• No franchise fees, no desk fees and no technology fees

When you're ready, apply to join the Benchmark family. With offices all over Middle Tennessee, including Nashville, Clarksville, Cool Springs, Murfreesboro and Hendersonville, there's a place for you to be better... Be Benchmark. [gravityform id="12" title="true" description="true"]