6 Tips For Creating Viral Real Estate Property Reels in 2023
Updated: November 28th, 2023
Introduction
Social media reels stand out as one of the most impactful methods for marketing real estate properties and communities. However, the mere act of posting a reel does not guarantee that it will go viral. Several factors influence the likelihood and potential virality of social media reels for properties and communities including the content of the reel, the platform algorithm, and consistency in posting. Regardless of whether your reels are posted on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, here are 6 tips for creating viral real estate social media reels.
1) Vertical is better than horizontal.
The predominant viewership of reels occurs on mobile devices, which are configured for portrait orientation (vertical), unlike the landscape orientation (horizontal) of computer screens. Therefore, posting social media reels filmed in a landscape orientation is a waste of on-screen real estate. Filling up the entire screen of your viewers’ mobile devices is crucial in capturing their attention. Take a look at the difference below:
This image shows the difference between a video filmed in landscape orientation (left) and a video filmed in portrait orientation (right) posted as a reel on Instagram.
Simply put, a vertical reel equals to more on-screen real estate which leads to increased viewer attention which increases the likelihood of them watching resulting in a higher retention rate and ultimately, algorithmic promotion.
2) The first 3 seconds matter the most.
Viewers demand instant captivation which means your reel must capture their attention within the first 3 seconds. If the content of your reel does not excite them in the first 3 seconds, you will have lost their attention causing them to swiftly skip the reel. Don’t waste any time getting to the most interesting and exciting shots of the properties. One of the best ways to begin a real estate social media reel is with a dynamic and creative drone shot. See the next point for an example.
3) Dynamic motion and fast-paced editing leads to higher retention rate.
Static and stationary shots are boring. Shots with dynamic motion are way more interesting to watch. Fast-paced editing also leads to higher retention as it keeps the viewers hooked onto the video. Take a look at the following example of dynamic motion coupled with fast-paced editing:
This reel was produced for Rand Developments to market Aspen Fields, a stunning community of 34 townhome units in London, Ontario.
4) Creativity is rewarded.
While copying popular trends may generate positive results, the most lucrative reels often exhibit originality and creativity. Viewers are more inclined to share reels that are original and creative. This may seem difficult as it requires investing more time into developing an original concept and script however the reward of virality is worth the effort.
5) Call-to-action drives results.
The whole purpose of real estate social media reels is to drive action. Often people post reels with their call-to-action at the very end, or worse, not at all. It’s crucial for your call-to-action to be present, either at the top or bottom, throughout the entire duration of the reel.
6) Consistent posting = more viral opportunities.
Consistently posting reels increases chances of virality. It’s important to note that not every reel will garner a substantial amount of views. Virality is rare and the only way to increase its chances of happening is to increase the number of opportunities. Every posted reel is another opportunity.
I produced seven reels for one of my clients over the course of several months. While the initial six amassed only a few thousand views, the seventh reel garnered a staggering 170,000 views. The unpredictability of virality means that the only way to increase the likelihood of it happening is by consistently posting without compromising on quality.
Final Thoughts
Social media reels can really drive action because of their potential to reach tens of thousands, if not, hundreds of thousands of people. Leveraging this form of marketing is crucial for real estate professionals to effectively promote their properties and communities.
If you’re an agent, brokerage, developer, or a homebuilder looking for real estate media services, reach out to us at connect@relavix.com or go to www.relavix.com to learn more about our services
