6 Tips to Help Agents Effectively Market Themselves and Their Listings On Zillow

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Some agents love Zillow and other agents hate it, but no matter where you fall on that spectrum, there’s no denying the fact that this company continues to play a big role in real estate. With that in mind, we’ve brought you some tips for how to effectively market yourself and your listings on Zillow’s platform. Read them over to get a sense of how to make this marketing tool work for you.

1. Sign up for Zillow Premier Agent (ZPA)

Zillow offers a lead generation platform and marketing tool to agents who are willing to pay a fee. Known as Zillow Premier Agent (ZPA), this tool comes with the following benefits:

• Lead generation in your preferred zip codes
• Exclusive promotion as the listing agent for all of your listings
• Promotion across Zillow’s collection of websites as a premier agent
• An IDX website with a custom URL
• Access to Zillow’s CRM system and 3D Homes app

As for how much you can expect to pay for these benefits, that all depends on a few different factors. Namely, the zip codes in which you choose to be advertised and the level of competition you have within those zip codes. Fortunately, you have the ability to set an advertising budget when you sign up for the service.

2. Optimize your agent profile

Once you’ve signed up for Zillow Premier Agent the next step is to fill out your agent profile. To do this, you’ll want to start with picking the right real estate headshot. In this case, you’ll want to avoid using logos or team photos. This is one instance where a clear, individual shot will work best.

Next, you’ll want to fill in any relevant information. Start by taking the time to make sure that your contact information and brokerage information is correct.  Then, fill in any additional information that applies to you, such as your education and any awards or designations that you may have received.

Finally, write your “About Me” section. Here, rather than providing more information about yourself, focus on making yourself stand out from the crowd. Write a short paragraph about why you’re uniquely suited to help buyers and sellers in your area and what makes you different from other agents.

3. Claim your listings

After you create your profile, the next thing to do is claim your listings. This will ensure that you’re advertised as the listing agent for these properties and that your contact information is prominently displayed. You can claim the listing by searching for the address while you’re logged into your ZPA account and clicking the “claim your listing” button at the top of each property page.

Once you’ve finished with all of your current listings, you may want to do the same for past listings as well. Put simply, having a robust profile of listings shows that you’re an active agent in the community and lets prospective clients know which areas you serve.

4. Invest in professional photography

Going forward, whenever you put a new listing on Zillow, you should do your best provide eye-catching photography. Often, pictures of the property serve as buyers’ introduction to the home and help them form their first impression. Like it or not, photo quality can mean the difference between asking their agent to schedule a showing and passing over your listing for other options.

With that in mind, investing in professional photography is a must. In addition, it can be a good idea to stage the home before any photos are taken. While these two services are an expense, for the most part, they are well worth it. The more eyes that you can get on your listing, the more likely it is that you’ll receive an offer.

5. Follow up with leads quickly

On the other end of the spectrum, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your advertising budget. To do that, you need to do your best to quickly follow up with any leads that you receive. The Zillow CRM makes it easy to follow up with potential leads via email or text message. Plus, the mobile app allows you to quickly respond to leads even when you’re away from your desk.

Many agents use auto-responding tools to help ensure that they are the first person to connect with an incoming lead. These tools allow you to send out an instant email or text message, usually one that asks the lead when is a good time to connect. Then, you have the ability to follow up further at their convenience.

6. Ask past clients for reviews

Finally, you’ll want to round out your profile by asking past clients to give you a review. Zillow’s system includes both a star-rating and a text-based portion. Ideally, you’ll want to shoot for your profile to include a 5-star rating and a handful of glowing reviews.

As for why this matters, many prospective buyers and sellers use these reviews as a tool to help them zero in on who they intend to use as their agent. The more positive feedback there is on your profile, the more likely it is that you’ll be a contender.