Pop quiz: of all social media platforms, which one is used the most?

If you’re here reading this, you probably already know the answer to that question: YouTube.

And guess what? The popularity of it grows more and more every day.

But here’s the thing: despite it being one of if not the most important parts of your social strategy, only 9% of small businesses have their own Youtube channel.

Whether you think it’s too much work, don’t have the time or are just plain old intimidated, this is your opportunity to set yourself apart and tap into an untapped market of potential leads your competitors aren’t. It’s also a goldmine for enhancing your marketing at every step of the journey: lead generation, nurturing and conversion.

Here are some easy tips for setting up a real estate YouTube Channel and setting yourself up to make sure it’s a success.

The first step you have to take is obviously getting a Youtube Channel set up. Thankfully, this is extremely easy!

All you have to do to create a YouTube Channel for your real estate business is follow these steps:

Sign up for a Google Account or sign-in using your existing one.

This could be a business account or personal one. However, when dealing with anything digital marketing related for your real estate business, we recommend opting for something professional versus personal.

Go to YouTube and create a channel.

You’ll be prompted to then give your channel a name. Stick with something simple and easily searchable. For example, Jane Smith Real Estate or Jane Smith – Richmond Real Estate. If you’re creating a channel for a brokerage or agency, then use the agency name and location.

Personalize your YouTube Channel with your branding.

Before you start uploading your awesome videos, you’ll need to make sure your YouTube Channel is personalized to your branding. You’ll need to:

Upload a profile picture

Make sure your photo is consistent with your other social media channels. This could be a headshot or your company logo.

Add a channel banner

Channel banners are important because it’s one of the first things someone sees when they go to your page. The good thing is, it could be as simple as an image of some homes or a graphic customized to your brand. Design programs like Canva have pre-made templates that make it easy to create your own and personalize it to your branding.

Write a channel description.

Again, consistency matters! Your about description can be the same one on your website, Facebook page, etc. It should be at least 250 words long and have the most important information in the first 100-150 words.

Create some playlists for the types of videos you intend on creating.

Looking for real estate video ideas for your channel? Check out these 3 easy ones that are perfect for getting your page up and running.

Upload an introduction video

This is the first video a visitor will see when they visit your page so make it count! Think of it as a promo of your business. It can be as simple as an introduction to you, your business and a brief explanation of what you intend visitors to gain from your YouTube Channel. Since it’s the first video, make it count! But remember that this is also optional for your page.

  → FREE DOWNLOAD: An Agent’s Guide to Video for Real Estate ←

Compose a long-term strategy for your YouTube channel

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make with their YouTube is they just start uploading random content without a strategy. The key to a great channel is variety and consistency. Taking a look at what other agents are doing is a great way to get started but here are some content ideas to get you started:

• Market Update Videos
• Common Buyer & Seller Questions
• Listing Tours
• Client Testimonials
• Neighborhood tours
• Local market highlights

Keep your visual branding consistent

Consistency in visual branding is key to looking professional. So make sure that when you’re setting up your YouTube Channel that you’re sticking with the same profile picture as other social media channels. Also, make sure your logo, thumbnails and beginning and end card also match your branding.

Create evergreen content

Topical content is important but timeless content can be just as impactful. Especially when you think about all the ways you can utilize these videos in other areas of your marketing: emails, website, social media, etc.

Great ideas for evergreen videos for your YouTube Channel are buyer and seller tips videos (think renovations with highest ROI, what not to do when applying for a home loan, etc.) as well as answering common buyer and seller questions (how much do I need for a down payment or should I update my home before I sell it?).

Pro tip: KCM Blogs & Infographics make great content for videos like this! 

Optimize your videos for search

Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine next to Google? That means there are a lot of opportunities to reach new potential clients with your videos. The best way to do this is to tap into your local market.

Creating neighborhood tours or local attraction reviews are a great way to do that. Also, make sure that you’re mentioning your location in video titles and descriptions. Those are easy ways to enhance your SEO and optimize all your videos for better discoverability in your area.