Smart apartment marketers know that a strong social media presence is crucial, but many simply don’t have the time to manage numerous accounts for even one property or brand. Hence the reason we focused on quick social wins during this week’s #AptChat.
We discussed which platforms give you the most bang for your buck, how you’re getting in front of more people, and what new trends and features you’re using; these are the highlights. (Click on the links to jump straight to a specific question.)
- Q1: What social media sites are you using most often in your marketing/communication efforts today?
- Q2: What are some things that you make sure you do consistently to get more out of your social media? Any tips you can share?
- Q3: What are some of your favorite ways to get your social content in front of residents/prospects? How do you help them find you?
- Q4: What are some new ways you’re trying to use social sites? FB Groups or Marketplace? Twitter Moments? IG Stories?
What social media sites are you using most often in your marketing/communication efforts today?
@AptChat We’ve done a lot with Instagram this year, and FB is still used often! Q1 #AptChat
— 8Wonders Flagstaff (@FlagstaffApts) October 11, 2016
@AptChat FB: Notifying of events, event pics, sharing blog posts; Instagram: contests to gain followers, trends (Pokemon Go). #AptChat
— 8Wonders Flagstaff (@FlagstaffApts) October 11, 2016
@AptChat FB, IG, TW, and Snapchat. But I feel we get the most value out of Facebook! Can you believe that? #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 @AptChat I feel like all the others have more specific purposes & FB is the traditional one w/something 4 everyone #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) October 11, 2016
@AptChat Feedback from customers! We instantly know, thanks to comments, whether customers like our product. Then we adjust Q1 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 @AptChat Do you match up/track those comments to leads (emails/calls/tours/rentals) you receive? #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) October 11, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat Unfortunately no
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
We’re using snapchat more with every campaign. Love the exposure. Got 20k+ eyeballs on our logo in one market & only spent $160 Q1 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
With Snapchat, of course those are only impressions, but we are satisfied so far. Can take to next level, next push. Q1 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 Was that through a geo-filter? I think that should be a given for apartment communities today … easy exposure. #AptChat
— Mike Whaling (@mwhaling) October 11, 2016
@mwhaling Yes it was 🙂 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
What are some things that you make sure you do consistently to get more out of your social media? Any tips you can share?
@AptChat Something simple? Use a photo with every post. Words alone get lost. Images help posts stand out. Q2 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@AptChat Our design team creates the filters. We are in the very beginning stages. No telling how this might grow.
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
Our team went with an emoji focused renewal campaign this year. Audience = students. This is one piece of many. Whatcha think? #aptchat pic.twitter.com/t3W73HSjqs
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 Ha Ha! That’s awesome! I’ll take one unicorn, please! #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) October 11, 2016
— Apartment Chat (@AptChat) October 11, 2016
Always respond to comments, of course. Even the bad ones.
Listen, and adjust your strategy accordingly. Q2 #aptchat— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
Property photos always get better reach & engagement than shared links. Go find a dog or a cute toddler to photograph! #aptchat Q2
— Claire Collins (@clairec345) October 11, 2016
Twitter has not been very helpful for us. Anyone else? #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 I think it’s got to be utilized more for social listening than mktg./advertising. #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) October 11, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy Referring to Twitter? I stalk people on Twitter… a lot. You can literally type a phrase and follow the convo #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@AptChat Yes. We like to cover all bases around here. 🙂 But hey, when the budget’s tight, it’s the first to go. #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
What are some of your favorite ways to get your social content in front of residents/prospects? How do you help them find you?
@AptChat Speak their language, promote on other marketing materials, and we also do custom email targeting ads on social Q3 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 Yep, this is one of our “quick wins” … use your email leads to reach people on social. Super focused audience. #AptChat
— 30 Lines (@30lines) October 11, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 Makes it easy to extend referral campaigns, too … only spend on ads you know are reaching current residents. #AptChat
— 30 Lines (@30lines) October 11, 2016
@30lines We did tons of referral ads earlier this year using targeted emails #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) October 11, 2016
@AptChat With paid ads, content should fit the platform. Take action shots instead of stills. Sell experiences. Not amenities. #aptchat
— Respage (@Respage) October 11, 2016
What are some new ways you’re trying to use social sites? FB Groups or Marketplace? Twitter Moments? IG Stories?
You mentioned Music.ly. My 5th grader and his friends love it! Not our target market, though.Q4 #aptchat
— Claire Collins (@clairec345) October 11, 2016
@clairec345 We’ve had a couple clients try some Dubsmash contests … they always end up with hilarious results. 🙂 #AptChat
— 30 Lines (@30lines) October 11, 2016
Our next #AptChat is slated for Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 12 pm Eastern, and we’ll be discussing marketing best practices for acquisitions and management takeovers. In the meantime, be sure to sign up for #AptChat updates to get these recaps and more delivered straight to your inbox!