If you're wondering why Homesale Realty is so successful in the digital age, here's one big reason: Our real estate agents use social media to make our clients' listings more visible online.

Most people looking to buy a home go online first, so it makes sense to have a digital marketing strategy in place right away. Over the last few years, social media has emerged as a terrific tool to get listings to the right audience.

With social media, it becomes possible for you to respond to queries about a listing right away. Instant feedback means you can set up tours of a home faster. More interested buyers are attracted and take the next steps. Ultimately, that accelerates time-to-closing.

Of course, not all real estate agents come to the industry with social media savvy. When you are on the outside looking in, it can seem more complicated than it is. The learning curve isn't so fearsome, and the results are definitely worth it.

To get current with social media, there's one place to begin: The small, yet mighty hashtag.

The Hashtag: A Truly Important Part of Social Media Branding and Visibility

A hashtag—the same symbol also called the pound sign—has a special and essential use in social media. It makes searching for a certain kind of post easier by specifying the subject matter.

This is vital since millions of users could be searching for all kinds of topics at any given time. The hashtag helps the social media platform connect users with posts based on their searches.

Hashtags got their start on Twitter, but all modern social media platforms have adopted the hashtag as the key to classifying a post's topic. These days, you should try not to make a single post on Facebook or Instagram without using a hashtag.

For example, you might visit Facebook and see the following active hashtags:

• #RealEstate: Posts about general real estate topics.
• #HomesForSale: New and active real estate listings.
• #JustSold: Homes for sale that have recently closed.

Here's the most fun part: Hashtags aren't set up by any central authority, so you can create and use them however you want. That means you can (and should!) develop branded hashtags for your business, including your active listings.

How to Use Hashtags Successfully in Real Estate

Here's a primer on getting a strong start with hashtags:

1. Use Only One or Two Hashtags Per Post (Usually)
   Studies have shown you can include up to two hashtags on a post before the cluttered look starts to turn people off. Plus, hashtags you use will subtract from the character limit on platforms like Twitter. So, choosing the right hashtags is crucial. The exception is Instagram, where using up to 30 hashtags is the norm.
   
   
2. Make Your Hashtags Descriptive
   Sometimes, it makes sense to use a general-sounding hashtag like #RealEstate. After all, that's precisely what people will search for. If you're using hashtags to promote a listing, be sure to include the location and property type: For example, #ChicagoLuxuryHomes.
   
   
3. Use Branded Hashtags
   It takes branded hashtags longer to catch on, but if you use them consistently, you can stand out. Create short, snappy tags for your name, team name, or brokerage—or pick out a short slogan.
   
   
4. Set Expectations with Hashtags
   If you hold weekly or monthly events—such as a Q&A—hashtags drum up the anticipation and attract possible attendees. They're excellent for open houses: For example, #DenverOpenHouse.

Contact BHHS Homesale Realty to learn more about social media marketing for real estate.