The TikTok Takeover

[Abigail_S]

You're either team TikTok or a TikTok hater. The only in-between are the people who watch Instagram Reels and catch up with the latest trends from TikTok. Whether you love it or hate it, you have to admit, TikTok is a great way to get short form content out there, gain the views, and reach a plethora of people fast. 

In the era of doom scrolling, viewers are spending a lot of time on TikTok (more time than we care to admit). Virtual home tours have become all the rage when it comes to social media marketing for real estate. So if you're not on the bandwagon yet, what's stopping you? 

So what, exactly, is TikTok? 

The greatest addiction there ever was! I'm only half joking. I did, however, have to set a time limit on my phone for how long I can use the app for because you truly get sucked in. Hint: I set it for 2 hours, which seems like A LOT of time...but trust me, it's not nearly enough when you get into scrolling and learning new topics. 

Understanding how TikTok works and using it effectively shows your clients that you’re one step ahead of your competition. With TikTok, you have the power to give your clients valuable information without spending hours generating the content.

Averaging around 1 billion monthly users, TikTok is described by its developers as “the leading destination for short-form mobile video.” TikTok is considered the most engaging social media platform due to the amount of time people spend on it. An average TikTok session lasts around 10.82 minutes.

Why is using this app a good idea for you?

As a realtor, you may find yourself wondering what you have to contribute to a platform used mainly by millennials and Gen Z looking to kill time. You may be surprised to learn that some real estate agents have reported huge success after using TikTok, with one agent claiming to have received hundreds of inquiries for a single listing through the platform. 

Millennials and Gen Z are quick to hit the "share" button and expand the reach of your videos. It's also quite easy to get sucked into the rabbit hole of visualizing a life in these homes for these generations who are simply trying to get their head above water long enough to move out of their parent's basement. I won't mention the economy, but *cough* *cough* it's rough out here. 

As a social media platform, TikTok is unique in that users go there looking to engage with content from all sorts of people, not just their friends. It may be easier for your content to gain traction on TikTok and easier for content to go viral than other social media platform. 

The default page for users is the “for you” page (FYP), which displays content based on a user’s previous engagement with the site. Because TikTok’s algorithm always looks for new content to show users, people may find your videos promoted in their feeds, especially if you can get your tagging right and create engaging real estate content. 

While TikTok can be used for organic lead generation, it can also be monetized in its own right, generating a secondary income source for your agency. 

What are some practical ways to use TikTok?

The key to using TikTok successfully is to create short-form video content that engages users in some way. Some ideas include: 

• Real estate tips and tricks
• Property tours
• Information about prepping a house to be sold
• Do’s and don’ts in the industry
• FAQs

It’s also encouraged to let your personality shine through in your videos. As you generate leads, you want to give people an idea of who they’ll be working with if they reach out to you. So tap into your creativity and let yourself shine! You're the expert, so once you hit record, let your knowledge and passion shine through. 

What are the top tips for using TikTok? 

As with any social media platform, there are best practices you need to know when you’re first getting started. Here are the four top tips to get you get off and running: 

1. Follow trends. Be careful because trends on TikTok change from day-to-day. You want to hop on the trends fast and utilize them in creative ways that fit your "brand." 
2. Use both organic posts and ads. It all starts with creating! 
3. Have a consistent posting schedule. It's recommended to post at least 1 video a day. Start with one and then once you get more comfortable dive into 3 times a day and see how that helps. Adjust as needed. 
4. Use hashtags to reach your audience. Hashtags, in my opinion, are a huge help in making your videos appear on viewers FYP. Get creative, while also showing what your video entails #realestate #condo #housetour

Let the scrolling begin!

The great thing about using TikTok is there’s almost no barrier to entry. As long as you have a smartphone and information to impart to your audience, you can start an account that focuses on real estate (if you want). 

No one is of course forcing you to make a TikTok account, but I would love to see what you come up with for content. I think you all have a lot of tricks up your sleeve and would know exactly how to utilize TikTok as an aid for marketing strategy. If you have an account, share your username below. Feel free to also share any success you've had from making content on TikTok. 

And if you haven't pulled the trigger yet, what's stopping you?