Create Marketing Plan

Step 6: Professional photos, listings, and promotion strategy

Marketing Makes the Difference

In today's digital world, 95% of buyers start their search online. Your marketing strategy determines how many qualified buyers see your home and how quickly you receive offers. Professional marketing can increase your home's visibility by 300% and reduce time on market by weeks.

95%
Buyers start online
84%
Use mobile devices
87%
View photos first
50%
Reject based on photos

Professional Photography

High-quality photos are your most important marketing tool. Homes with professional photos sell 32% faster and for 47% more money than those with amateur photos.

Essential Photo Types

📸

Exterior Shots

Front view, backyard, side angles, and neighborhood context

🏠

Main Living Areas

Living room, kitchen, dining room from multiple angles

🛏️

All Bedrooms

Master suite, secondary bedrooms, and closet space

🚿

Bathrooms

Full baths, powder rooms, and luxury features

Special Features

Fireplace, built-ins, upgraded finishes, storage

Photography Best Practices

Timing: Shoot during golden hour or with professional lighting
Staging: All lights on, curtains open, fresh flowers visible
Angles: Wide shots that show room flow and proportion
HDR Processing: Balanced exposure for interior and exterior views

Virtual Tours & Video

Interactive media helps buyers connect emotionally with your home before visiting in person.

3D Virtual Tours

Benefits:
  • 24/7 virtual open house
  • Reduces unnecessary showings
  • Attracts out-of-town buyers
  • Increases online engagement
Investment: $150-400

Video Walkthroughs

Benefits:
  • Shows home flow and layout
  • Highlights unique features
  • Perfect for social media
  • Increases listing views
Investment: $200-600

Drone Photography

Benefits:
  • Showcases lot size and location
  • Highlights neighborhood amenities
  • Creates premium listing impression
  • Great for unique properties
Investment: $100-300

Online Listing Strategy

Your MLS listing is the foundation that feeds all other marketing channels.

Compelling Description

❌ Weak Example:

"Nice 3 bedroom home with updated kitchen. Good neighborhood. Must see!"

✅ Strong Example:

"Stunning 3-bedroom home in desirable Brookside featuring chef's kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances. Hardwood floors flow throughout open living areas. Private backyard oasis with deck perfect for entertaining. Walk to trendy restaurants and shops!"

Winning Formula:

  1. Hook: Compelling opening line
  2. Key Features: Top 3-5 selling points
  3. Lifestyle: How buyers will live there
  4. Location: Neighborhood benefits
  5. Call to Action: Encourage showings

Strategic Keywords

Style & Features: Updated, Modern, Spacious, Open Concept, Hardwood, Granite, Stainless
Location: Walkable, Convenient, Quiet, Tree-lined, Established, Desirable
Lifestyle: Entertaining, Relaxing, Family-friendly, Move-in Ready, Turnkey

Multi-Platform Marketing

Maximize exposure by marketing across all relevant channels where buyers search.

Primary Listing Sites

MLS (Multiple Listing Service)

Feeds to all major sites automatically

Zillow

Most popular site with 36M monthly visitors

Realtor.com

Official NAR site with high buyer traffic

Redfin

Growing platform with detailed market data

Social Media Marketing

Facebook

Targeted ads to local buyer demographics

Instagram

Visual storytelling with photos and stories

YouTube

Video tours and neighborhood highlights

LinkedIn

Reach relocating professionals

Traditional Marketing

Yard Signs

Capture drive-by traffic and neighbors

Print Flyers

Leave-behind materials for showings

Open House Signs

Direct weekend traffic to your home

Agent Network

Broker tours and agent-to-agent referrals

Measuring Marketing Success

Track these metrics to evaluate your marketing effectiveness and make adjustments.

Online Performance

Views

Total listing page views across all platforms

Saves

Buyers who favorited or saved your listing

Shares

Social media shares and forwards

Inquiries

Phone calls and emails from listing

Showing Activity

Requests

Number of showing appointments requested

Attendance

Actual visitors vs. scheduled appointments

Feedback

Comments from buyers and agents

Return Visits

Buyers who schedule second showings

Healthy Marketing Benchmarks

Week 1: 50+ online views, 5+ showing requests
Week 2: 100+ total views, 10+ showings completed
Week 3: 150+ views, multiple return visits
Week 4: Offers received or strategy adjustment needed

Ready for the Next Step?

With your marketing plan in action, it's time to prepare for showings and open houses that convert interested buyers into offers.