UTILIZING THE INTERNET TO EFFECTIVELY MARKET UNITS DURING COVID

UTILIZING THE INTERNET TO EFFECTIVELY MARKET UNITS 

Now is the perfect time for you to make the best first impression marketing your property online.  Below are some tips to utilize the power of the internet to market and successfully rent units.

WEBSITE

If you do not already have a website in place to showcase your property, now is definitely the time to get the ball rolling.  People have been researching online for places to live even before COVID-19 came around.  

The option to scroll through different communities comparing floor plans and amenities from the comfort of one’s home is extremely valuable.  

Audit your existing website

• Photos: Make sure the site shows photos of the interior and exterior of the units, as well as amenities and common areas.  If necessary, hire a professional photographer to come out and take updated well-lit photos.
• Virtual Video Tours: Virtual video tours are perfect for situations like we are in today, as well as after conventional welcome center office hours.  Popularity has grown tenfold for a potential client to have the flexibility to watch pre-recorded video tours of the different model units (or even the particular unit they are interested in renting) and are essential to establishing trust with renters.  You can create these video tours using your smartphone or enlist a 3rd party company who will create a 3D virtual tour where the prospective tenant can do their own self-guided walk through.
• Content: Proofread all content to ensure it is up-to-date and properly details all of the great things your community has to offer!
• Digital Forms: If possible, streamline the application process with an online form. The easier it is for an applicant to apply, the better!  

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media platforms have become modern-day search engines.  Facebook and Instagram, especially, are used to research companies, brands, and places to live.  

Use these platforms to showcase your community.  Post photos of available units, the community center, amenities, and the entryway leading into the community.  

Introduce the social media world to your leasing specialists via a snapshot or quick intro video.  Potential residents can relate to someone once they can “see” them – even if not in person.  

Social media accounts allow for you to also engage with potential residents.  You can showcase specials on upcoming rentals as well as fun events that are scheduled at the community.  

LIVE STREAMING TOURS

Along the same lines as the pre-recorded video and 3D virtual tours mentioned above are live tours.  By using applications such as Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp, and/or Skype you can live stream a tour with potential residents.  

All that is needed are your smartphone and a WiFi connection.  Schedule a convenient day and time, connect with the client and walk through the unit. You can highlight both visually and verbally some of the features of the unit.  This is a great way to answer, in real time, any questions that the client may have.  

Each project that we work on begins and ends with a photo and video shoot.  We pride ourselves in the work we do and look forward to seeing the before and after transformations.  The digital assets are then shared with the asset owners for their website and other marketing needs.  

Finding a way to make potential clients comfortable when viewing new apartments, signing a lease and making a move during these trying times is of utmost importance to management companies nationwide. Technology has become our best friend and something to embrace more so now than ever!