When you don’t have a plan, REI lead generation can feel overwhelming and daunting. I mean, it can even feel like you’re trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat or turn water into wine. (Mmmm, wine.)
But the sad truth is that REI leads aren’t gonna magically fall into your lap.
If you’re committed to growing your REI business, you will have to invest time, effort, and maybe even some cash into finding people who are motivated to sell their homes.
A riddle for you: Where do people spend a lot of time mentally but not physically?
Answer: Facebook. Sad but true.
So, we’re gonna join ‘em. But with 1 purpose in mind: to use Facebook for REI lead generation.
Let’s dive in!
What Is REI Lead Generation?
REI lead generation is the building block of your entire business as a real estate investor. If you want to have a successful business, then you need a constant pipeline of leads! It seems obvious, but lead generation is often what stops REI businesses before they even get started.
But not yours, friend, not yours. You are going to have a successful business because you’ll know how to use Facebook for REI lead generation.
Generating interest in your product as a real estate investor means showing motivated sellers that you are ready and willing to make an offer — today.
You want to be a seller’s first call before their home even hits the market.
REI lead generation is about collecting data and metrics — think phone numbers and email addresses — to obtain people’s contact information and see which parts of your marketing strategy are working and which aren’t.
Pros & Cons of Facebook REI Lead Generation
FB is an awesome tool for lead generation because you’re meeting motivated sellers where they’re at. You’re going straight to their phones and computers with an appealing offer. Still, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of every part of your business strategy.
Pros:
- Eyes on your REI business — around 3 billion active monthly users
- Targeted leads
- Easy to use
- Sharing potential
Cons:
- Some investors don’t know how to use ads effectively, so they waste money.
- You’re not directly reaching out to potential leads. You’re hoping they see and engage with your content. If you knock on the door and introduce yourself to a homeowner, they’re more likely to remember you, right?
- Facebook ads can be expensive.
- It can take time to see results. It’s not an immediate or definite return on your investment.
Why Do REIers Use Facebook for Lead Generation
REIers use Facebook for lead generation because it’s a way to reach motivated sellers. Lots of ‘em. Make sure to use many different lead generation techniques — don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Not every lead will generate business, but that’s why you need the maximum number of eyes on your ads and content to find that needle in the haystack, and hey, maybe there will be more needles than you thought!
How to Use Facebook for REI Lead Generation
Straight from Meta’s website, here are the steps for setting up a Facebook ad:
- Create a business profile on the Facebook website
- Go to Ads manager
- Choose the type of ad you want to run
- Decide on a goal for your ad
- Add text and visuals to the ad template with a call-to-action
- Pick your audience using specs such as location, age, characteristics, etc.
- Decide where you want the ad to appear: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger?
- Set daily budget and duration
- Publish the ad
What are the Different Types of Facebook Lead Gen?
There are several different types of Facebook ads you can use for your REI business. Here are some examples:
- Photo: Photo ads are a great way to show your target audience the types of homes you invest in. The text accompanying the photo should give the photo context. For example, “I buy houses — all cash.”
- Video: In a video ad, you can combine visuals and audio to tell the story of your business and catch the eye of motivated sellers.
- Stories: Stories are full-screen ads that typically lean into the authenticity of your REI business’s messaging.
- Messenger: Messenger ads show up directly in potential leads’ Messenger inboxes. By creating a call-to-action in your ad, you can establish an instant, direct line of communication with potential leads.
- Carousel: A carousel ad is great if you have multiple images or web pages you want to market to potential leads. You can showcase houses similar to the types of properties you buy, highlight that you buy houses “as-is,” or offer “quick cash closing.”
- Slideshow: A slideshow is a great low-production-cost ad option. This is a series of images and/or videos set to music that highlights your REI business.
- Collection: Collection ads showcase a grid of images with a video as the main interactive piece of the ad.
Ok, now you’re probably wondering, “Is paid or organic Facebook marketing best for my business?”
The truth is that using a combination of both paid and organic marketing will help you reach as many eyes as possible on the platform. Creating an organic presence on Facebook allows you to build trust with potential leads who will see you as a resource, helping you build brand recognition.
Final Thoughts — How to Use Facebook for REI Lead Generation
Learning how to use Facebook for REI lead generation is an excellent tool for your business. With so many daily users and technology that allows your ad to be shown to people in the areas where you want to invest in houses, Facebook is a must for REIers looking to grow their business.
By posting high-quality ads and content on Facebook, you can make your business stand out in what can sometimes feel like a void of opinions and dog photos.
Lead generation is one of the most crucial parts of an REI business… and using social media is essential to keep up with the competition.
Lead the way to FB!
Facebook isn’t the only social platform that’s great for real estate lead generation. Check out our guide on how to find properties using TikTok.
