Content marketing is a cost-effective way of driving traffic to your site, building your own audience, and saving money on marketing in the long run.

Although it is not difficult to create your own blog site and share your considerable experience in the real estate field, the way in which you present that information is important.

If you want your content to look good, the best thing to do is to hire a graphic designer. However, that can be expensive.

We don’t have to spend a lot of money to get started or to compete.

We’ve created a list of free real estate marketing resources that will help you create content, strengthen your brand, and get more appointments.

Design & Photography

If you can’t get custom graphics, stock photography can be a good alternative. You can find free resources if you know where to look.

If you want to use free stock photography, you will probably need to attribute the author, and follow any licensing restrictions that come with it.

What’s a Creative Commons License?

Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that provides creators with a free license to decide how they will allow the public to use their work.

The website or artist largely determines what rights you have when using their work.

What Does “Royalty-Free” Mean?

This means that you can use an artist’s work without having to pay royalties or license fees each time you use the image.

If you want to attribute someone for their work, Creative Commons has a guide on how to do so. You should also be aware of the different types of CC licenses.

1. The 2020 Social Media Image Sizes Guide

Save this page as a bookmark for easy reference later. It provides recommended images sizes for the 7 most popular social networks.

2. Canva 

Canva is a free drag and drop graphic design tool that is often given praise on The Spark. It has tons of free assets such as icons, photos, and templates.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing is a free, web-based editor that you can use to create images, videos, and GIFs.

You can begin with a blank canvas or an existing asset, like a photo or video, and then access Kawing’s tools.

Sharing the project editor with your team is as easy as sending them a link.

4. Coolors

Why? Well, once you start using it, it’s hard to stop. Coolors is an addictive color palette generator that is hard to stop using once you start.

Pressing the space bar starts and stops the random palette generator at the color of your choice. The generator will continue for the rest of the swatch and will only generate colors that match the first one.

The extraction tool allows you to adjust saturation and even upload an image to extract a color palette.

5. Adobe Color

Adobe Color is an interactive color wheel that lets you create custom color palettes. It has a lot of customization options and comes with a variety of palette templates.

Paletton functions in a similar way to Coolors, but with a more grown-up personality. You can also upload an image and create a color palette from it, like with Coolors.

6. Pexels

Free stock photography website

7. Unsplash

More free stock photography

8. Pixabay

We understand that you may need a photo of a smiling new homeowner for your blog post on “Why buying is better than renting.”

9. Imgflip

This is an easy-to-use online meme generator that we used for our 100 real estate memes article.

10. Pixlr

Pixlr is a free photo editor that can be accessed online from any web browser. It offers a more basic set of features than Gimp or Photoshop, but is still able to perform most common photo editing tasks.

11. Gimp

GIMP, which stands for Gnu Image Manipulation Program, is a free and open source alternative to Adobe Photoshop that has been around since 1995. It has a strong online community and active forums.

This software has nearly all the features that Photoshop has, as well as tools for advanced photo editing and graphic design. There are many tutorials available on just about anything you need, written by users on the forum or on the official website.

12. Piktochart

I’m looking for a design tool that allows me to create charts and maps that are interactive. Something similar to Canva would be perfect.

13. Iconfinder

There are millions of free vector graphics and icons that you can use to make your posts and marketing materials more interesting. You can also customize icons using their web-based tool before downloading them.

14. Flaticon

Icons on this site are designed in a flat style, as opposed to the more three-dimensional style of Iconfinder. If you’re interested in trying something different, give this site a look. You can also edit icons before downloading them, as on Iconfinder.

15. piZap

You can even create memes! PiZap is a free, web-based photo editing tool that has a range of features like brightness, contrast, colors, saturation, stickers, borders, filters and more. You can even create memes with it!

16. Nathan Cool Photo’s Photography Tutorials

Nathan Cool is a professional photographer that offers real estate photography and virtual tours. He is an author of multiple books about the techniques of real estate photography specifically and remote one-on-one training like our industry’s real estate coaches.

His YouTube channel provides a wealth of information and clear explanations to help you develop practical skills in photography and editing that will be useful throughout your career (or until you have the money to hire professionals).

17. Inside Real Estate Photography

Inside Real Estate Photography is both a YouTube channel and community of real estate photographers that shares techniques and insights on the industry.

The website provides step-by-step guides on how to take photos and videos, how to operate a drone, how to edit footage, and also features conversations about equipment, methods, and recommended procedures.

Video

Cisco believes that by 2021, over 80 percent of internet traffic will be video-based. All social media platforms now offer some form of video functionality.

The increasing demand for 3D tours and virtual open houses will have a significant impact on the real estate industry.

The following text is discussing the fact that many consumers are more likely to watch a video if it has captions available. This is important to keep in mind when creating videos, as it can make a big difference in how many people view the final product.

18. OpenShot Video Editor

The learning curve is a little steeper than some competing products, but it’s worth the effort. OpenShot Video Editor is a free, open-source, fully-featured editing tool that is more than adequate for professional quality real estate marketing videos. Although the learning curve is a little steeper than some competing products, it is worth the effort.

19. Kapwing

If you’re looking for a way to create marketing videos for your real estate business, Kapwing is a great option. They have a variety of tools that will allow you to create high-quality videos.

You can do all of the following within your browser: creating montages by combining video clips and photos, adding captions and subtitles, syncing audio, cropping videos for social media, adding filters, text, and watermarks.

20. Animoto

Animoto is a free tool that allows users to create videos by dragging and dropping photos and videos, as well as using their own content. The videos can be customized to match the user’s brand, with 50 color swatches, 3 standard fonts, and 50 music tracks.

21. Cueprompter

This teleprompter is very simple to use. All you have to do is type or paste text into the field, and then choose the color combination you want between black text and white background, or black text and yellow background. You can use the up and down arrow buttons to speed up and slow down the scrolling, and the space bar will pause it.

22. Teleprompt.me

The web teleprompter’s defining feature is that it can be controlled by voice. This makes it very new normal friendly.

However, the app is not perfect and may have difficulty transcribing words if you speak too quickly or use words that are not in the dictionary.

Although it is not the best solution for live video, it is still decent for pre-recorded video where you do not mind repeating yourself a few times. A new app version is coming soon.

Top 20 COVID-19 Real Estate Blog Ideas

Real Estate Insider Knowledge

1. Our Team’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

What measures has your team taken to keep team members, clients, and vendors safe during business operations?

The Houston Properties Team has developed a Safe Seller Program to show that they can still conduct business while following safety guidelines. This program allows sellers to sell their homes without having to worry about their safety.

2. How Technology is Keeping Me in Business

The business world has done a great job of adapting to the pandemic. You can finish an entire real estate deal from your house. How do you do it? How are other businesses succeeding in this environment? What kinds of technology make this possible?

3. What is Virtual Staging?

Virtual staging is a great way for sellers to show their homes during the pandemic. You can do a software review or walkthrough of your favorite software to show how it works in action.

4. How to Take Exceptional Photos of Your Home

Some helpful tips for taking good home photos and videos are to use natural lighting, avoid clutter, and focus on the home’s best features.

We encourage you to use some of the tips from our similar article, “Take Your Real Estate Photography to the Next Level With These 12 Tips,” in your own article!

5. My COVID-19-Proof Marketing Plan (For Sellers)

What are your plans for continuing to provide excellent service to your customers during the pandemic? What is your marketing strategy? Are you going to have a virtual open house? List with a 3D virtual tour?

There are certain things you should do to keep yourself safe during a showing, especially if you are going to be alone. 1. first of all, try to go to the showing with someone else if possible. 2. If you can’t bring someone with you, make sure to let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. 3. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, leave. 4. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t get too close to strangers and be aware of exits. 5. Don’t give out too much personal information. 6. Pay attention to the agent’s behavior. If they are being pushy or refuse to answer questions, that is a red flag. There are several things you can do to keep yourself safe during a showing, especially if you are going to be alone. 1. First of all, try to go to the showing with someone else if possible. 2. If you can’t bring someone with you, make sure to let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. 3. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel

When attending a showing of a property, there are simple best practices that buyers should follow in order to avoid spreading germs. These practices include avoiding touching surfaces like door knobs and instead using disposable gloves or hand sanitizer.

Houston Properties made a simple but solid infographic on the subject:

If you’re looking to buy or sell a house in (location), you’ve come to the right place! We are the leading real estate company in the area, and we’re here to help you through every step of the process.

If you have established trust with your audience, they will be more likely to trust referrals that you make. Do you have reliable agents in your network in different locations that your audience would be interested in? You can promote them on your blog.

8. The Basics of Online Contract Signing

This post is great to share with clients who are closing while the quarantine is still in effect. Just write about what equipment and requirements they need to prepare, what to expect, how to operate the software, etc. Focus on making the process as clear and easy as possible.

9. Understanding COVID-19 Contract Addendums

before meeting with clients to ensure that they feel comfortable and have all the information they need. This will help to reduce anxiety and create a more positive experience. For more information, please see the NAR’s Transaction Guidance during COVID-19 post.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re selling your home during a pandemic. If you’re selling your home during a pandemic, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you’ll need to be extra careful about cleaning and disinfecting your home. Second, you may need to be flexible about when potential buyers can view your home. Lastly, you should be prepared to answer any questions potential buyers may have about the pandemic and how it has affected your home.

FSBOs can learn from the pros by improving their own COVID-19 strategy. Some basic best practices include making sure you have a clear understanding of the market, being flexible with showings, and providing virtual showings. For people who are discouraged, the best thing to do is reach out to a real estate agent for help.

11. Relocating During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many people have had their plans to move put on hold, but there are just as many people who cannot afford to stay. Are there any moving services that are still in operation? What guidelines should be strictly observed during the move? Can you make moving possible for your clients?

If you’re considering moving during the coronavirus pandemic, here are some safety guidelines to follow, according to the New York Times.

Hyperlocal Knowledge

12. What Local Fundraisers Can You Donate To?

Our local volunteers are on the frontlines right now fighting for their cause. The cause is to provide a better life for everyone in their community. The link is below. https://www.gofundme.com/f/1v73q2-fighting-for-our-lives?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

13. What Businesses are Open?

What local businesses are open and how can they help you? For example, is the pharmacy still open but requires customers to wear masks and stay socially distanced? Are there any plumbers or babysitters still working? Use your connections to find out!

14. Want to Volunteer?

Different groups of people in various communities came together to do things such as open community kitchens and run food programs. They also provided assistance to seniors. Additionally, there are patients who still need blood donors.

Most people want to help others in times of crisis. The Red Cross of Northern Ohio has a post about how people can help in their community. See if you can promote a similar initiative in your community.

15. In-Demand Jobs TODAY in (Your Neighborhood)

This may seem like an unlikely topic to write about given the circumstances, but your friends or the people they know might really be in need of financial security right now. The fact is that the world still needs to function even during a pandemic, and it needs people to do so.

A recent LinkedIn post discusses opportunities that have arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The author argues that although the pandemic has been devastating in many ways, it has also created opportunities for growth and innovation. They encourage readers to consider how they can take advantage of these opportunities to improve their lives and careers.

ew LinkedIn Data: Coronavirus Drives Demand for These Jobs.

16. Local Help Directory

Make a list of local organizations that can still take in volunteers or donations, like the Red Cross, hospitals, emergency medical services, etc. The goal of this post is to help others help others.

Information

17. Weekly Market Updates

Share valuable market information, like current updates and predictions for future market movement, in your blog post. Update the post regularly and feature it in your newsletter each week to attract new readers and establish yourself as an expert.

This post by the Sereno Group is an excellent example of a post that is both informative and useful.

18. COVID-19 Stats by State

Your sphere may have relatives living in other states, and providing this information will help to reduce anxiety and keep family members informed.

This article from The Cut provides an overview of the coronavirus situation in the United States. It covers the basics of the virus and its origins, how it is spread, and what the symptoms are. It also provides information on the current outbreak in the U.S. and what is being done to try to contain it.

19. Setting the Story Straight

People are panicking because of all the speculation and misinformation going around. Be a voice of reason and authority by explaining the “big picture” of the pandemic and how it will affect real estate.

KCM has an article on how a recession does not automatically mean a housing crisis. This is reassuring and helpful in these difficult times.

Best Practices/Education

20. How to File for Aid, Insurance, Relief

The Stimulus Bill is a government initiative to help people affected by the pandemic. You may not need this information directly, but somebody you know might. Depending on your area of expertise, you may want to focus on the most relevant information.

Conclusion

We hope this article was helpful on your journey to becoming the hyperlocal expert and real estate extraordinaire in your neighborhood.

This article provides everything you need to get started and see results.

The most important part of real estate marketing is being consistent. Don’t give up, because the rewards can be great.