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When the market has slowed down, winning an instruction can be half the battle. Keeping that listing and delivering results is where the real challenge begins.

One of the biggest threats to agents today is touting—when rival agencies attempt to poach your listings by undermining your efforts or luring vendors away with unrealistic promises. 

 
So, how can you protect your hard-earned instructions and maintain your pipeline? Here are practical steps every estate agent can take to reduce the risk of touting and keep their clients engaged and loyal. 

1. Understand Why Touting Happens 

Before you can tackle the problem, it’s important to know why touting is so common. In hot or slow markets, the pressure to win new listings can push agents to cut corners or overpromise. Vendors, especially those who feel neglected or uninformed, may be easily tempted by flashy promises or reduced fees from competitors. 

The key takeaway? If you’re not actively nurturing your relationship with a seller, someone else might be

Tip: if your listing has been on the market for 6 weeks, update the main image with a dusk shot and let your vendor know you’re actively prioritising their property. 

2. Build Strong Vendor Relationships 

At the heart of any long-lasting instruction is trust. Make sure your sellers feel valued and in the loop. That means: 

• Regular communication: Don’t wait for them to ask for updates—be proactive. 
• Set expectations: Explain timelines, marketing efforts, and next steps from day one. 
• Be transparent: If there’s a slowdown in interest, say so. If you’re adjusting strategy, explain why. 

When vendors feel informed and reassured, they’re much less likely to be swayed by outside interference. 

3. Showcase Your Value at Every Stage 

You might be working hard behind the scenes—but if your client doesn’t see it, it may not count in their eyes. That’s why it’s essential to: 

• Present listings professionally with high-quality photos, floorplans, and descriptions – PropertyBox can certainly help you here! 
• Highlight your marketing efforts across portals, email campaigns, social media, and more. 
• Demonstrate results: frequently update your clients by sharing viewings booked, feedback from buyers, and market insights. 

Visibility is a powerful antidote to doubt. 

Tip: create a social media campaign and share this with your vendor. You can do this before the property is live with a “coming soon” campaign, when it goes live with a “now available” campaign or after it’s been live for a while with a “price reduction” campaign.

4. Use Technology to Stay One Step Ahead 

Smart tools can make a big difference in how you protect and promote your listings. For example: 

• Use your CRM to schedule timely follow-ups and track communication history.
• Platforms like PropertyBox can enhance your property marketing, making it faster and easier to produce professional assets that stand out – try it for free today!  
• Automate vendor updates to show them exactly what’s being done to market their property. 

5. Monitor and React to Touting Tactics 

Keep an ear to the ground. If a vendor tells you they’ve been approached by another agent, don’t panic. Stay calm, and: 

• Reassure them by restating the work you’ve done and your current strategy.
• Share performance data—views, click-throughs, enquiries—to show tangible progress.  
• Be honest if things need adjusting. Acknowledging and improving is far more powerful than being defensive. 

Showing composure under pressure builds confidence. 

6. Protect Your Reputation 

Touting can be aggressive and unprofessional. You don’t need to stoop to that level to win. What you should do instead: 

• Continue to deliver excellent service. 
• Ask happy clients for reviews to build social proof. 
• Maintain a consistent and recognisable brand presence in your local area and online 

Tip: make sure all of your listings look great and highlight your brand by having great looking property photos with your logo consistently visible in the corner.  

When sellers see you as the professional, trustworthy choice, they’re less likely to entertain other offers. 

7. Educate Your Clients 

Sellers don’t always understand what’s involved in marketing a property. They may assume switching agents is a quick fix. 

It’s your job to explain: 

• The investment of time, money, and resources that’s already gone into the listing.
• The potential delays or confusion that can come with switching agents.  
• How your current marketing strategy is designed to get them the best result—not just the fastest. 

When clients feel informed, they make better decisions—and are more likely to stick with you. 

Final Thoughts

Touting isn’t going away, but it doesn’t have to be a threat to your business. The best defence is a strong vendor relationship, visible value, and consistent communication. 

By putting the right processes and tools in place (like PropertyBox), you can stay one step ahead—and ensure your listings stay exactly where they belong: with you. 

Want to protect your instructions with better property marketing? Discover how PropertyBox can help you deliver standout listings, faster. 

Jessica Peckett

A data-driven creative, Jessica is a passionate marketer experienced in bringing brands to life on the global stage. With a focus on fostering exceptional customer and employee experiences, she is committed to excite,  engage and empower both in a positive and productive manner. Ultimately, Jessica cares about using marketing and technology to see PropertyBox build long-lasting relationships with customers and employee alike, so that they see real value add from both a professional and personal perspective.

Social media is becoming an increasingly important channel for agents to grow their brand and increase listing views.
 
However, social noise is making it harder to get your content seen on platforms. 

In fact a shocking 1.1 billion pieces of content are posted every day on social media!
 
So how can you get in front of your audience, capture their attention and grow your social media following?
 
One of the most effective strategies for increasing content reach and visibility on social media is the strategic use of hashtags. 

Here’s a quick introduction to what hashtags are, how they work and a list of the best hashtags for estate agents to use on social media.

What Are Hashtags?

Hashtags are words or phrases preceded by the “#” symbol, often included in the caption of social media content.
 
They help sort content, making it discoverable for users searching for specific topics, trends or communities.
 
It might help to think of hashtags like an SEO tool for social media: Think about what your target market might be searching or engaging with on social media, and use this to inform your hashtag strategies. 

Using effective hashtags can significantly enhance the visibility of listings, attract potential clients, and build brand recognition. 
 

How Can Hashtags Improve Content Reach?

Social media can seem complicated and overwhelming, but we’re here to help simplify it. You can also read our Social Media Made Easy: 4 Tips for Busy Estate Agents blog post or try the PropertyBox free trial to see how our Social Media Campaigns can help here.

As for hashtags…

1. Search

As previously mentioned, hashtags are a great way to get your content seen via the search function of social media platforms  
 
For example, a buyer looking for luxury properties in London may search ‘Luxury houses for sale London’ in a social platform search bar.  
 
If your post promoting a new high-end property listing in London has the hashtags #luxuryhomelondon #forsale #luxurypropertysale #newlylisted #homeforsalelondon etc. then this content may appear in that user’s search.

2. Recommended Content

Hashtags can also help your content reach your target audience through recommended content.

This occurs when social platforms display suggested posts on ‘For You’, and ‘Explore’ pages or in-feed.

Social algorithms are designed to maximise engagement by showing users content similar to what they’ve previously shown interest in.

Hashtags play a significant role in determining which content gets suggested.

For instance, if a user has recently engaged with content about estate agents in Cardiff, they’re signalling to the platform that they want to see more related content.

Even if they haven’t interacted with your agency’s profile before, using hashtags like #estateagentcardiff or #propertycardiff can make your relevant content appear in their suggested posts.

Types Of Hashtags For Estate Agents

1. Broad Hashtags

These are widely used and popular hashtags like #estateagent #forsale or #property.

They can help get your content seen by a large audience but may face high competition, however they are important to provide context to your content and also build brand awareness.

2. Niche Hashtags

Smaller, more specific hashtags such as #luxuryproperty or #firsttimehomebuyer target a more focused audience with less competition.

These can be useful to get in front of relevant audiences with high intent.

Examples of niche hashtags include #luxuryproperty, #investmentproperty #firsttimebuyer.

So, whilst you might be ‘casting a smaller net’ with niche hashtags, these are super important to your hashtag strategy to ensure you’re reaching convertible audiences.

3. Location Hashtags

Location hashtags are a form of niche hashtag, but they are particularly relevant to estate agents because of the nature of the industry.

Sellers or landlords will be looking for estate agents in certain areas, and buyers will be looking for properties in certain locations too.

Therefore, including the location of your agency or the property you are promoting in content is key.

Examples include #londonproperty #cardiffpropertymarket #birminghamforsale

4. Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags are hashtags specific to your brand.

These can help with discoverability if social media users are searching your brand name and they could play a part in community building and brand awareness.

Examples include anything related to your brand name and potentially your slogan.

Quick PropertyBox plug: Did you know we make social media content creation, posting and distribution super simple? You can do it all from our platform. Take a look here!

The Best Hashtags For Estate Agents To Use On Social Media: 40 Ideas

Broad Hashtags

• #RealEstate
• #EstateAgents
• #PropertyForSale
• #HomesForSale
• #HouseHunting
• #JustListed
• #JustSold
• #NewHome
• #DreamHome
• #HomeBuyer

Niche Hashtags

• #LuxuryProperty
• #FirstTimeHomeBuyer
• #InvestmentProperty
• #PropertyManagement
• #RenovationProjects
• #SustainableHomes
• #HistoricHomes
• #ModernArchitecture
• #PetFriendlyHomes
• #FamilyHomes
• #RetirementProperties
• #StudentAccommodation
• #HolidayHomes
• #RuralProperties
• #CityCentreApartments

Location Hashtags

• #LocationProperty
• #LocationHomes
• #LocationEstateAgents
• #LocationPropertyMarket
• #LocationHomesForSale
• #LocationRealEstate
• #LocationEstateAgent
• #LocationApartment
• #LocationNewListing

Branded Hashtags

• #YourAgencyName (e.g., #SmithsEstateAgency)
• #YourCityEstateAgency (e.g., #LondonEstateAgency)
• #YourPersonalBrand (e.g., #JohnDoeEstateAgent)
• #YourTagline (e.g., #PropertyMarketingDoneFaster)
• #YourNameEstateAgent (e.g., #JaneSmithEstateAgency)
• #YourCityBrandName (e.g., #LondonBrandName)

Conclusion

Hashtags are an important social media feature for estate agents looking to expand their online presence, attract more clients and get their listings seen.

By using a mix of broad, niche, and location-based hashtags, agents can increase content reach and engage with their target audience.

Remember to monitor engagement and adjust your hashtag strategy accordingly to maximise your social media impact. 

Eleanor Keech

Eleanor has worked in content creation across various industries, including tech, beauty, and fitness. She is excited to support both existing and potential BoxPros through content that will help them enhance their property marketing.

As technology advances, data protection for estate agents is becoming increasingly important.

Estate agents have a responsibility to safeguard sensitive information in visual content like photos and virtual tours.  
 
So, what should you be mindful of, and how can you make privacy protection in visual content easier? 

This blog post will explore the importance of data protection, the risks associated with neglecting it, and practical solutions to ensure compliance. 

Understanding Data Protection in Visual Property Content 

When creating property listings, agents should identify and protect personal data that might be captured in images or video. This includes: 

Family Photos: Ensure these are removed or blurred to prevent revealing a client’s identity, or other sensitive information 

Personal Belongings and Documents: Mail, photos, documents or other identifiable items should not be visible in listing photos or videos. 

Vehicle Registrations: Blur or remove vehicle registrations to protect client privacy. 

Neighbouring Properties: Be mindful of capturing identifiable features of neighbouring properties to respect their privacy too. 

Security information: Although harder to detect, be mindful of capturing where clients’ keys are kept or other details that could pose a threat to clients’ safety. 

The Growing Importance of Data Protection for Estate Agents 

The threat of data theft is escalating, with technology advancing rapidly. 
 
For instance, there has been an 84% rise in digitally-driven property fraud targeting homeowners and landlords.

This is a notable trend across every industry, and one that real estate is certainly not immune to.

But why should agents care? 

Why Should Agents Care about Data Protection? 

The consequences of failing to protect client data can be severe:

1. Fines

Mismanagement of client data can warrant fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of annual turnover, whichever is greater.

Although this is more commonly associated with the management of personal data held on record rather than visual content infringements, this shows the seriousness with which data protection is treated. 

2. Damaged Reputation

Loss of client trust can be irreparable.

A client is unlikely to trust you to sell or rent their most valuable asset if you don’t take their privacy and security seriously. 

Negative experiences regarding something as serious as a data breach or fraud can spread particularly quickly by word of mouth, or in the media. After everything you have done to build your brand, the last thing you want or need is for your brand to be associated with a scandal.

3. Client Legal Action

Clients may pursue legal action if their data is mishandled, resulting in both fees and reputational damage. 

How to Protect Client Data 

Protecting client data in visual content may sound daunting, but there are actionable ways you can make this easier: 

Educating Teams: Ensure all your agents and team members understand the importance of data protection in visual content and their role in it. 

Pre-shoot Preparation: Make your life easier by preparing properties before photography by removing personal items, sensitive documents, and checking for any security risks. 

Cautious Use of Third-Party Providers: Ensure any third-party services used adhere to data protection standards. 

Automation Tools: Utilise tools like PropertyBox, which would automatically blur private information, protecting your vendor or landlord as well as yourself. This allows for sensitive information to be blurred automatically, reducing the need for manual preparation and minimising errors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, protecting client data in property listings is not just a legal requirement but a crucial aspect of maintaining your hard-won trust and reputation. 

Ensure your team understands what needs to be protected, and why. Then implement effective solutions (like PropertyBox) to make your life easier.

Remember, it’s not just about compliance; it’s about genuinely caring for your clients and your brand’s reputation. 

Eleanor Keech

Eleanor has worked in content creation across various industries, including tech, beauty, and fitness. She is excited to support both existing and potential BoxPros through content that will help them enhance their property marketing.

Email marketing for estate agents remains one of the most cost-effective ways to engage clients and generate leads.

With the rise of social media marketing and paid digital ads, email marketing can sometimes be forgotten.

However, data show email marketing remains to be hugely important for businesses.

In fact, 44% of marketers say email is their most effective channel.

When used strategically, email provides a direct line to potential buyers, sellers and landlords – allowing agents to showcase their listings, provide market insights and build trust with their community.

Why Email Marketing Works For Agents?

Emails offer estate agents a reliable channel to reach and communicate with target audiences, helping to establish and reinforce brand recognition.

Some key benefits of email marketing include:

Low cost: Compared to other methods, email marketing is a super cost-effective option as supported by the ROI stat above.

Personalisable: Email allows agents to personalise the content of their emails to the reader, making content more engaging and effective. In fact, personalised emails generate an impressive open rate of 29%!

Targeted reach: Agents can segment their email lists to target specific demographics, interests, and property preferences, increasing the relevance of their messages. Segmented emails drive 30% more opens and 50% more clickthroughs than unsegmented ones.

Content delivery: Agents can share valuable content such as market updates, new listings, and home-buying tips directly to their audience.

Key Email Campaigns for Estate Agents 

1. Property Listing Updates

Keeping clients informed about new listings, price reductions and available properties is an effective way to maintain engagement and ensure properties reach a broader audience.

Including professional visuals like high-quality images and branded floor plans can make your emails stand out, boosting click-through rates. 

2. Neighbourhood Guides

Buyers are often interested in more than just the property – they want to know about the neighbourhood too.

Sharing local insights and highlighting nearby amenities or features builds credibility and positions you as a local expert.

3. Lead Nurturing Emails

Leads who aren’t ready to buy right away may still become clients with consistent, relevant communication.

Lead nurturing campaigns that showcase attractive properties, updated listings or market news keep potential clients engaged and interested until they’re ready to act. 

4. Seasonal Campaigns

Create campaigns around changing seasons.

For example, discuss the opportunity for a new start in the New Year, or the buyer’s dream summer home.

Well-timed email campaigns add value to your audience and can draw attention to new listings or market trends. 

5. Event And Webinar Invitations

Inviting clients to events hosted by your agency, such as educational webinars, is simple with email marketing.

Whether in person or online, email is a great way to build your brand awareness.

Events could include community fairs, charity events or educational workshops.

Professionally branded visuals enhance the invitation’s appeal, encouraging higher attendance rates. 

Tips For Effective Email Marketing

Here are a few tips to give your marketing emails an extra boost:

Segment Your Audience – Tailoring emails to different audiences, buyers, sellers, and landlords; ensures your content resonates with their specific needs and interests.

Subject Lines – Keep them short, sweet and intriguing. Ensure they’re not too salesy!

Optimise for Mobile – Given that most people check emails on their phones, it’s essential that your emails are mobile-friendly, and high-quality visuals help ensure the content looks sharp on any device. 50-60% of open rates came from mobile devices in 2024,

Automate Workflows – Automating your follow-ups after viewings or property inquiries can save time and improve consistency. Email automation lets agents stay in touch without constant manual effort. Research found that automating emails can save up to 80% of time managing campaigns.

Track and Improve – Monitoring metrics such as open rates, click-throughs and conversions lets agents fine-tune their email strategies for maximum effectiveness. 

Conclusion

With branded visuals and enhanced images, using a platform to send emails and automate workflows, email marketing can become a streamlined, highly effective channel for estate agents.

PropertyBox offers a range of easy-to-use tools designed to enhance your property marketing visuals, making it simpler to create impactful emails that engage clients and drive results. 

Eleanor Keech

Eleanor has worked in content creation across various industries, including tech, beauty, and fitness. She is excited to support both existing and potential BoxPros through content that will help them enhance their property marketing.

Energy efficiency has boosted its way to becoming a top priority in today’s real estate market. Buyers and renters are actively looking for homes that are both cost-effective, and environmentally conscious. This is where the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) comes into play and becomes absolutely essential. A property’s EPC rating not only impacts its attractiveness but also plays a significant role in its value and marketability.

What Is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that digs deeps, and rates a property’s energy efficiency. It gives potential buyers and tenants a detailed understanding of the building’s energy utility, likely running costs they’d have to incur, and the environmental impact the running of the household is likely to have. Properties are graded on a scale from A, being the most efficient to G, being the least efficient, with higher-rated homes typically being more attractive due to lower energy bills.

As an estate agent, making sure that a property has a valid EPC is absolutely necessary for compliance. Since 2007, it has been a legal requirement for all properties being sold or rented to have an EPC in place. Failure to provide one can result in fines and potential delays in transactions.

Beyond compliance, an EPC can be a valuable marketing tool. Properties with higher energy ratings often appeal more to buyers and tenants who prioritise cost efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, the EPC includes recommendations for improving energy performance, which can help sellers and landlords enhance their property’s appeal and value.

To streamline the process, estate agents should always verify that an EPC is available before listing a property and guide sellers or landlords on obtaining one if needed.

Estate agents can conveniently access EPC related services with PropertyBox. With PropertyBox, you can check the validity of an existing EPC, or even order a new one. Interested? Learn more here!

How EPC Ratings Affect Property Value

A higher EPC rating can significantly enhance a property’s value, making it more appealing to buyers and tenants. Studies show that energy-efficient homes often sell for higher prices and are in greater demand. Here’s why:

1. Lower Energy Bills – Homes with better insulation, modern heating systems, and energy-efficient lighting consume less electricity and gas, leading to significantly lower utility bills. Buyers recognise these savings as a long-term financial benefit, making them more inclined to invest in a property with a strong EPC rating. For landlords, energy-efficient rentals may also command higher rents, as tenants value reduced household expenses.
2. Increased Demand – Sustainability and eco-conscious living are becoming key factors for homebuyers. Properties with high EPC ratings (A or B) stand out in listings and attract more interest from buyers who prioritise energy efficiency. Additionally, governments and local councils are pushing for stricter energy efficiency regulations, meaning homes with poor EPC ratings could face decreased demand or require costly upgrades before being sold or rented.
3. Mortgage and Lending Benefits – Many mortgage lenders now offer green mortgages or preferential rates for homes with high EPC ratings, as energy-efficient properties are seen as lower-risk investments. Buyers purchasing homes with an EPC rating of C or above may qualify for lower interest rates or cashback incentives, making these properties more financially attractive. As a result, sellers with higher EPC-rated homes can use this as a key selling point to justify a higher asking price.

Key Factors Influencing Marketability:

To sum it up, the key factors that influence the marketability are;

1. Government Regulations – The UK government has set a minimum rating of E for rental properties. Properties below this threshold cannot be legally rented out unless exemptions apply.
2. Eco-Conscious Buyers – Like we said, numerous buyers and investors now factor in sustainability when making property decisions.
3. Potential for Upgrades – Homes with lower ratings might require costly upgrades, deterring potential buyers.

How to Improve Your Rating

If you want to boost your property’s EPC rating, consider these energy-efficient improvements:

1. Upgrade Insulation – Loft, wall, and floor insulation can greatly reduce heat loss.
2. Install Energy-Efficient Windows – Double or triple glazing improves insulation and reduces energy bills.
3. Switch to LED Lighting – A simple yet effective way to improve efficiency.
4. Invest in Renewable Energy – Solar panels or heat pumps can significantly enhance a property’s rating.

How to Find Your EPC and Order a New One

If you’re unsure of your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) status, the first step is to check if a valid certificate already exists. In the UK, you can do this by searching the official EPC register using your property’s address. If the EPC is expired or unavailable, you’ll need to order a new one.

To obtain a new EPC, a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) must conduct an assessment of your property. This involves evaluating insulation, heating systems, windows, and overall energy efficiency. The assessor will then issue a certificate with an energy rating from A to G, along with recommendations for improvement.

For estate agents and landlords, ensuring a valid EPC is in place is essential before marketing a property. Services like PropertyBox simplify this process by allowing you to quickly check an existing EPC or order a new one – helping you stay compliant while making your listings more attractive to buyers and tenants.

Ready to check or update your EPC? Get started with PropertyBox today!

Conclusion

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is more than just a legal requirement – it directly impacts a property’s value, marketability, and appeal. A high EPC rating can increase property prices, attract more buyers or tenants, and ensure compliance with regulations. For homeowners and landlords, improving energy efficiency isn’t just good for the environment, it’s a smart financial move!

The importance of digital marketing for real estate agents is undeniable in 2025.  

Today, estate agents must realise the value of digital marketing to stay competitive and grow their business. 
 
Over 90% of home buyers are using online media to find properties.

Therefore, it’s clear a strong digital presence is key to success when it comes to real estate.

So, how specifically can digital marketing impact your business’s growth?

Here are five reasons why digital marketing is so important for real estate agents: 

Reach a Wider Audience

Digital marketing allows real estate agents to reach a wider audience than traditional methods.  

With search engine optimisation (SEO), social media, and online advertising, agents can showcase their content to a far larger pool of potential clients and buyers/renters.

The geographic restraints of traditional forms of marketing like leafleting, signage and newspaper edits mean fewer of your target audience see your agency’s content.

Plus, traditional content is seen a lot less frequently.

Digital marketing now allows agencies to get in front of their target market more effectively, 24/7, regardless of where they are.

This explains why 54.2% of real estate agents’ marketing budgets were allocated to digital marketing in 2024.​

Increased visibility can result in more instructions being won, and quicker sales.

A Cost-Effective Marketing Option

Compared to traditional advertising methods, digital marketing is often more cost-effective and provides a better return on investment. 
 
Real estate agents can use social media platforms and email marketing to reach potential buyers without spending huge amounts on traditional methods.

For example, email marketing has an ROI of 3,600%!

This is beneficial for estate agencies of all sizes but is especially key for new brands as it lowers barriers to entry and makes effective marketing more accessible.

Additionally, more power is given to agencies to adjust and control their budget.

If a campaign isn’t performing digitally, it’s normally far easier to analyse and redirect the budget than if it were an OOH or print campaign.

This allows estate agencies to be far more efficient with their marketing and attain a better ROI.

More Precise Targeting

One of the key reasons digital marketing can be a more cost-efficient option for agents is precise targeting.

Agents can use demographic data to show their listings to the most relevant potential buyers.

Perhaps most importantly, digital marketing allows agencies to get in front of individuals actively interested in buying or selling property by using their online behaviour.

This is far more specific than the use of traditional media ads which cast a wider net, wasting budget on irrelevant audiences.

Plus, social media accounts and SEO allow relevant, high-intent audiences to find you.

For example, SEO brings 53% of website traffic for agents.

This hyper-specific targeting facilitated by digital marketing results in higher-quality leads and improved conversion rates

Measurable Results

One of the most valuable elements of digital marketing is the ability to track the performance of campaigns, measure engagement rates, and adjust their strategies accordingly. 

As discussed, the ability to pivot and adjust campaigns is hugely beneficial from a cost-saving perspective.

However, it also allows agencies to learn valuable information about their audience, their channels and their content strategy, which can then be applied across their whole marketing strategy.

The ability digital marketing gives agents to learn is vital to generating solid leads whilst supporting any other marketing objective.

Want to dive deeper into these powerful tactics of digital marketing for real estate? Get the complete strategy in our expert Digital Playbook for Estate Agents!

Improved Customer Engagement

Digital marketing facilitates two-way communication between real estate agents and potential clients.

This is key to building trust with your target audience.

In fact, 72% of real estate buyers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations!

Not only can you showcase your expertise via your digital channels, but agents can quickly respond to inquiries, provide valuable information, and nurture relationships with prospects.

This can enhance client satisfaction and improve your efficiency in customer communication – giving your agency a competitive edge.

Conclusion

Digital marketing is key to an estate agency’s success in 2025.

Effectively using your digital marketing channels will help you reach a wider audience, engage with potential clients effectively, and drive business growth through targeted content.

Digital marketing offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, allowing agents to optimise their marketing budgets and stay ahead of the competition. Saving them time and money.

Eleanor Keech

Eleanor has worked in content creation across various industries, including tech, beauty, and fitness. She is excited to support both existing and potential BoxPros through content that will help them enhance their property marketing.

How can you build your brand in real estate?

Building your brand is key for any estate agency looking to stand out and develop long-term success.

In fact, 89% of marketers say that brand awareness is their top priority.
 
Brand awareness helps build trust and credibility within your community, which can be invaluable to winning new instructions; Selling or renting property is stressful, so vendors will opt for an agent whose brand makes them feel like they’re in safe hands.

The problem is that the definition and measurement of brand awareness can be vague, making it difficult for agencies to determine effective strategies for boosting it and metrics for measuring it.

In this blog, we will explore the meaning of brand awareness, how your agency can measure it, and four effective strategies to enhance it.

What is Brand Awareness?

What does it mean if someone has an awareness of your agency’s brand?

Brand awareness essentially means someone has formed an understanding or perception of your brand.

The more people are aware of your brand the more established your brand becomes, increasing trust and ultimately creating sustainable business.

For consumers to move into the interest, desire and action stage of their buyer journey with you (AKA instruct you as their agent), they first have to be aware of your brand.

In fact, there is a 92% correlation between brand awareness and market share for estate agencies, demonstrating that higher brand recognition often translates to greater market presence.

It’s important to note that brand awareness is more than just brand recognition, it’s a greater connection with your agency’s values and the service you provide.

By ensuring consumers are aware of your brand, you can stay top of mind, so when the time comes for them to sell or rent their property, your agency is the one they reach out to.

1. Be Consistent with Your Brand’s Identity

Before you start running brand awareness campaigns, you need to ensure you have a consistent brand identity.

Brand identity plays a huge part in brand awareness. If you don’t have consistent visuals and messaging, consumers won’t have a stable identity to be aware of.

We can split brand identity into two sections: Visual identity and brand messaging

Brand Identity – Visual Elements

• Logo – how are variations used, what sizes, transparency etc.
• Typography – what are your primary and secondary fonts? How are these used?
• Brand colours – ensure your hex codes are defined. Clarify how your brand colours are used together. Did you know colour increases brand recognition by up to 80%?
• Imagery style – graphics, photos or a mix of both?

Brand Identity – Messaging

• Brand voice – what is your tone of voice, does this vary at all across content or channels and if so how?
• Tagline or slogan – what are they, when are they used?
• Brand story – what is the narrative behind your brand, what is your purpose?
• Value proposition – how do you help your clients? What makes you different?

By clearly defining these elements and ensuring they are understood throughout your company, you can build a strong and consistent brand.

This consistency allows your customers and potential clients to develop a deeper recognition and understanding of your agency.

Brands that frequently change their visual identity or messaging struggle to establish brand awareness, as a shifting identity makes it difficult for consumers to recall your agency.

2. Find and Connect with Industry Influencers

Uh-oh, the ‘I’ word.

When we talk about industry influencers, we’re not necessarily talking about TikTok personalities with a ring light and 6 million followers.

We’re talking about the people, companies, or media outlets who can influence your target audience.

Take the time to properly research your industry and understand who people are engaging with.

This normally coincides with which sources people trust.

If you can partner with your true industry influencers, you’re creating an excellent platform to skyrocket your brand awareness with the people who can impact your company’s success.

Some practical examples of utilising industry influencers are:

Collaborate with Relevant Podcasts: Partner with a podcast that your target audience regularly listens to. Consider running an ad or arranging to be featured as a guest. Did you know podcasts can increase brand awareness by over 89%?

Sponsor Targeted Events: Sponsor events that attract your target audience, providing an opportunity to connect and engage with potential clients directly. Almost one-third of marketers believe events are the most effective marketing channel.

Partner with Influencers: Collaborate with social media personalities who have a dedicated following that aligns with your target market. Their endorsement can help enhance your brand’s visibility and credibility.

Strategic Partnerships: Identify brands in your industry that have established trust and credibility with your target audience. Explore partnership opportunities to gain exposure and leverage their audience to benefit your brand.

3. Try Strategic Content Marketing

(Psst! We’re big content marketing fans at PropertyBox – hence why I’m writing this blog. You can also find blogs on video content, social media content and much more on our resources page!)

Content marketing is basically unavoidable in 2024, and it is an excellent tool to increase brand awareness.

It’s defined as the creation and distribution of valuable content to attract and retain business for your company. 

Shockingly, businesses that publish 16 or more blog posts per month receive 3.5 times more traffic!

The chances are you are already participating in some form of content marketing. You almost definitely have a site and you might post to socials.

But do you have a strategy?

To successfully increase brand awareness, you need a thorough understanding of who you want to attract and what you need to post to achieve this.

That means knowing where your audience is, and what they find interesting or useful.

Once you’ve got this figured out, you’ll be on your way to watching your brand awareness metrics climb.

How Does Content Marketing Increase Brand Awareness?

Content marketing increases your brand’s visibility – For example, your content might rank on search engines meaning your site gets more visits. This exposes your brand to new customers who may not have encountered your agency previously.

Content marketing can position your brand as an expert – By creating thought leadership content, you can position your brand as an expert in your niche. This will keep you top of mind within the industry, and likely present you with further opportunities to expand your brand’s reach, such as podcast appearances or PR comments. It will also give people a reason to return to your marketing channels.

Content marketing increases sharing – Content such as blog posts and social media updates can be easily shared by your audience. When engaged followers share valuable or interesting content with their networks, this increases awareness of your brand among new contacts.

Although testimonials and reviews should be part of your content strategy, they are so useful we thought they deserved their own section.

In fact, 85% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family, making them invaluable.

Testimonials or reviews are often content associated with later buyer journey stages like interest or desire.

However, high-level social proof used creatively can also be beneficial in increasing brand awareness.

For example, incorporate storytelling into your testimonial content, and make it engaging for your audience rather than promotional.

A good way to do this is by creating a content series around your client stories.

You could discuss their moving experience, any lessons and advice, and subtly include their review of the experience to make the content less promotional.

How Can You Measure Your Estate Agency’s Brand Awareness?

So we’ve discussed some simple ways to increase brand awareness, but how do we know what is working?

As mentioned, measuring brand awareness can be tricky.

It’s less definitive than metrics such as sales volume.

Additionally, many of the methods used to measure brand awareness have weaknesses.

For example, brand awareness surveys pose problems such as self-reporting reliance and response bias.

This means your brand awareness data is never going to be 100% accurate. But this doesn’t mean it’s not important to measure it.

We can’t suggest one single metric to assess and track your agency’s brand awareness.

Instead, we suggest choosing a few metrics you can track to build an overview of your brand awareness and to use as a gauge.

1. Website Traffic

You can use web traffic to measure your estate agency’s brand awareness in a few ways.

This data is easy to access using platforms such as GA4, Google Search Console or traffic tools like Semrush or Plausible.

Direct traffic – An increase in direct traffic may mean more people are typing your brand name into the search bar, showing an increase in consumer brand recall. Be careful with using this metric alone as direct traffic can sometimes be used as a catchall for unassigned traffic types.

Branded search volume – When more people are searching with your agency’s brand name organically, this shows a greater level of brand recall and awareness. Examples of branded search terms for PropertyBox would include ‘propertybox’, ‘propertybox features’, ‘propertybox reviews’ etc.

Increase in new visitors – A rise in new visitors to your site (people who were previously not visiting your website) is a good indicator that your level of brand awareness is increasing.

2. Social Media

Social media is an accessible way for you to measure your estate agency’s brand awareness.

Here are some metrics you can use to easily monitor brand awareness through your social accounts:

Follower count – An increase in followers means an increase in people becoming aware of your brand, and becoming invested in it.

Reach and impressions – If more people are seeing your content on social, your brand awareness is likely to increase, especially if your content is branded.

Engagement metrics – If your likes shares and comments are increasing this is a strong indicator of rising brand awareness, and it may also indicate progress in brand sentiment.

Brand sentiment is how people perceive and feel about your brand, it can be measured with tools such as Brandwatch.

3. Surveys

Using customer survey data to measure brand awareness is less accessible, and as we mentioned earlier, there is a problem with sampling bias.

Asking people on your mailing list to complete a survey, for example, gives you skewed data. This does not represent the wider population who will naturally have a lower awareness of your brand.

However, if building and tracking brand awareness is a priority within your agency, companies like VisionOne and Mackman Research can conduct brand awareness research for you.

If this falls within your budget, here are some survey questions you could ask:

Have you heard of [your agency]?

On a scale of 1 to 5, how familiar are you with [your agency]?

What brand comes to mind when you think of [your agency]?

How likely are you to recommend [your agency] to others? 

What words or phrases come to mind when you think about [your agency]?

4. Brand Mentions

Brand mentions occur when your brand, product, or company is referenced or discussed on digital platforms.

Media monitoring tools like Brand24, Mention, or Brandwatch can help you keep track of these.

An increase in brand mentions correlates with an increase in brand awareness because it means more people are talking about you!

Setting up a Google Alert for your brand can also help you keep on top of brand mentions for free.

In conclusion, there are numerous ways you can increase and measure your estate agency’s brand awareness.

It’s a little more complex than other business objectives to measure, but it is the vital first step of the consumer journey that you should be monitoring.

By implementing these methods for increasing brand awareness, you can effectively enhance your brand recall, foster customer loyalty, and ultimately drive growth for your agency.

Eleanor Keech

Eleanor has worked in content creation across various industries, including tech, beauty, and fitness. She is excited to support both existing and potential BoxPros through content that will help them enhance their property marketing.

Social media has become essential for estate agents looking to connect with clients, showcase their property listings, and build their brand.  

However, for many busy agents, managing a social media presence can feel overwhelming and even impossible. 

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be!  
 
In this blog, we’ll share four tips our marketing team at PropertyBox use to simplify social media planning and posting. 

These straightforward techniques will help you navigate social media with confidence and help you expand your reach, growing both your agency’s profile and your personal brand. 

How to Create a Social Media Content Calendar

First things first, you need to decide how to organise and plan your content.  
 
Developing a monthly content calendar helps you outline what to post and when. 

This helps maintain posting consistency and ensures a balanced mix of content types.

Aim for a variety of formats including images and videos to keep the feed interesting and to test what performs on each social platform. 

There are numerous tools you can use to build a content calendar, including Trello or Notion.  
 
However, if you want to avoid paying for another tool, Google Sheets or Excel are great tools to create a customisable content calendar.  

 
At PropertyBox, our marketing team plans our content in a spreadsheet. You can download a similar version of the calendar we use here.  
 
We’ve even included a framework for a month of estate agency content, you’re welcome! 

Deciding on What Social Media Content to Post

Your content ‘buckets’ are the core content topics or types you’ll post on your social media accounts.

These should be topics you think will resonate with your target audience, and that you think you can create content around regularly.

You’ll want to keep this to around 4/5 content types. This allows you to have variety in your content without diffusing your online brand. 

Examples of content buckets are: 

Property For Sale/Rent 

This content is focused on highlighting a recently launched property. You want to ensure you showcase a range of property types and areas throughout the month. This will present the diversity of your agency’s portfolio and connect you with all of your target audience.

Behind The Scenes/Personal Brand

This content is about showcasing you as an agent and building rapport through content. It’s a good opportunity to be playful with your content and develop an emotional connection with your audience. 

Property Has Been Sold/Rented

This is an opportunity to highlight your success as an agent. After all, this is what your clients will ultimately care about. Update audiences on properties that have been sold or rented on a weekly basis to showcase your ability to market properties well.  

Testimonial/Review

Nothing is more persuasive than a genuine and positive account of a client’s experience with you as their agent. Start building a stock of testimonials from past clients so you can post them regularly to build credibility and trust with followers. 

Creating a Social Media Posting Method

 

Sometimes, hitting ‘post’ can feel overwhelming, causing it to slip down your to-do list. 

However, this is ultimately the most important part of building a presence on social media. If you’re not posting, you’re not going to grow your visibility.  
 
If you’re serious about growing on social media, schedule 10 minutes daily into your diary to ensure you get your planned content posted.  
 
Doing this at the same time, every day, preferably early, will improve the likelihood of consistency and help social media marketing become part of your daily routine.  

You could also do the same for social media engagement, and pencil in a regular window of your day you dedicate to engaging with your audience and other relevant accounts.
 
If you’re posting super frequently, or to numerous accounts then using a scheduling tool like Hubspot or Buffer can help simplify the posting process.  
 
Or, even better. The PropertyBox Social Media Campaigns tool allows you to create property-specific social content, post to your connected accounts in a click, and monitor the results, all in one place.  
 

Determining How You’ll Measure Success on Social  

Talking of social media monitoring, you’ll need to determine what it is that constitutes a successful social post for your brand. 
 
This way, you can analyse your posts and do more of what is working, and less of what is not. 

Examples of your potential goals as an agent, and supporting metrics include: 
 

• Creating an engaged audience: Look at engagement metrics such as likes and comments  
• Brand awareness: Monitor your post’s reach and impressions  
• Generate leads: Track conversion rates and CTRs 
• Showcase properties: Keep an eye on video views, post reach and property content shares 
• Drive Traffic to your site: Track referral traffic 

Most social media platforms have ways you can view content metrics natively on the platform, which you could then collate to assess content strategy performance.  
 
You can also use social monitoring platforms like Sprout Social to make this process less manual.  

PropertyBox also consolidates your metrics from social accounts for all content shared through the platform, making your social monitoring even easier.  
 
Once you have your data, you can review how each content piece is supporting your goals. Then simply scale what your audience appears to like, and cut down on what isn’t gaining traction. 

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies, estate agents can simplify their social media posting process while enhancing their engagement with potential clients. A well-planned approach that leverages scheduling tools, engages audiences, and adapts to trends will not only save time but also build a stronger online presence. This will help you stand out in the competitive real estate market, helping you to achieve your agency’s goals.

Eleanor Keech

Eleanor has worked in content creation across various industries, including tech, beauty, and fitness. She is excited to support both existing and potential BoxPros through content that will help them enhance their property marketing.

In this blog, we’ll explore 25 real estate statistics that every estate agent should know as they prepare for the upcoming year.

From the impact of professional photography and video marketing to the necessity of floor plans and virtual tours, these facts and figures will help you keep up to date with market trends and enhance your effectiveness as an agent.

The Power of Professional Photography 

1. Homes with high-quality photos sell 32% faster.

2. Agents using professional real estate photography make double the average gross commission income compared to those who don’t. 

3. 43% of vendors select agents based on their ability to market a property professionally. 

Drone Photography: Is it Worth it? 

4. 83% of homeowners prefer agents who use drone photography. 

5. Aerial photos help sell properties up to 68% faster. 

6. Drone photography can increase engagement by 83%. 

 

7. Over half of vendors would not instruct an agent that didn’t offer floor plans. 

8. Floor plans are the second most important part of a listing. 

9. 1 in 5 potential buyers would ignore a listing if it didn’t have a floor plan. 

10. Floor plans can increase click-through rates by up to 52%. 

11. 81% of homebuyers consider floor plans essential. 

12. 80% of visitors head for the floor plan before photos on property listings. 

Video Marketing: A Must-Have Strategy 

13. 73% of homeowners prefer working with agents who use videos for marketing. 

14. 85% of sellers expect a real estate video as part of their home’s marketing efforts. 

15. 46% of buyers cite property video tours as the most valuable content on an agent’s site. 

16. Real estate listings with video receive 403% more enquiries than those without. 

17. Video is 12 times more successful than other content formats. 

The Rise of 360° Virtual Tours 

18. 95% of people are more likely to inquire about a property with a 360° tour. 

19. 80% of people would switch to an agent using 360° tours. 

General Real Estate Trends

 

20. As many as 27 viewings may be needed to sell a property in some areas. 

21. 76% of estate agents predict that the property market will continue to recover in 2025 

22. House prices across the UK are expected to increase by 2.5% over 2025, with variations across regions 

23. The number of property transactions is forecast to reach around 1.15 million in 2025 

24. 69% of estate agents expect house prices to climb in 2025, following consistent upward growth in 2024 

25. Lending to home buyers is projected to increase to £148 billion in 2025, up by 10% compared to 2024 

Conclusion

These statistics highlight the growing importance of visual marketing, technology adoption, and professional presentation in the real estate industry.

As we move into 2025, estate agents who pay attention to these insights, and adapt their property marketing strategies will be better positioned to meet client expectations and achieve success.

Eleanor Keech

Eleanor has worked in content creation across various industries, including tech, beauty, and fitness. She is excited to support both existing and potential BoxPros through content that will help them enhance their property marketing.