When done right, a real estate newsletter can be one of your most effective tools for staying top-of-mind with clients and generating new leads. But there’s an art to it—simply sending out your brokerage’s monthly market stats or a round-up of this weekend’s open houses isn’t going to cut it.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your newsletter journey, here are seven tips to help you make your agent newsletter a must-read for your audience.
1. Know Your Audience—And Speak Directly to Them
Not all buyers, sellers, and renters are the same. Perhaps your database skews toward first-time buyers who need to learn the basics or maybe you spend significant time abroad and have cultivated international clientele who enjoy learning about market trends across several cities and countries. No matter the answer, take some time to analyze your database and understand what your clients care about.
Savvy marketers segment their databases and craft specific messaging for each segment. For example, first-time buyers get educational emails, investors see investor-friendly deals, and vendor partners receive referral reminders. Many agents don’t have the time to warrant such segmentation, but it goes to show the power of crafting content that resonates.
So drill down into your audience and brainstorm three topic pillars that resonate. A client of ours often works with artists so we make sure to call out art openings, new museum exhibits, and gallery spaces. When you know who you’re speaking to, you can address their specific needs, questions, and pain points, thus positioning you as a thought leader in real estate.
Neon Wolf Tip: Lead with value-driven content but don’t forget to include the fun stuff too! Whether it’s a new song you can’t stop listening to, a pop-up event, or some motivational advice, your newsletter should be informative and well-rounded.
2. Keep It Short, Sweet, and Scannable
How many emails do you receive each day? According to a study by Venngage, the average person receives 121 emails per day! People don’t have time to read an essay. They’re skimming to find what matters most to them. The important thing is to keep your formats consistent and your name top of mind. To make your content easy to digest:
- Use bullet points and subheadings to break up the text. (Always talk about the same topics. For example, if your audience mostly lives in the same city, you can always include a segment for weekly happenings and upcoming events.)
- Bold key points to draw the reader’s eye.
- Keep your paragraphs short, ideally 2-3 sentences, and include imagery to break up the text.
Neon Wolf Tip: If you want to provide more in-depth information, include a ‘Read More’ link that directs them to your website blog.
3. Mix Up Your Content Types
If every newsletter is just a list of properties, open houses, or new market data, it’ll get old quickly. Spice it up! Here are some ideas:
- Real Estate News: Pick a trending real estate topic or article and explain your take on it and what it means for your audience.
- Client success stories: Share recent client wins to build trust.
- Niche, local events: Focus on cool, niche happenings in the neighborhoods you service. Yes, everyone knows when a long weekend is approaching, but is there a restaurant hosting a ticketed event or dinner that might be of interest? Did a new cold plunge facility open nearby that you want your readers to be the first to know about? Give your audience a reason to look forward to your newsletter and a reason to read it now.
- Expert tips and tricks: Offer actionable advice, such as how to prepare a home for sale or things to know when buying a co-op.
Neon Wolf Tip: Think of your newsletter as a mini-magazine—your goal is to keep people curious and engaged with a variety of content.
4. Be Consistent With Your Email Sending Schedule
I’m sure we’ve all heard the adage “content is king” but did you also know that consistency is queen? Many agents send their newsletter haphazardly, skipping the weeks or months where they’re too busy to write it and then inevitably struggling to pick up a regular cadence again.
After deciding whether your newsletter will be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, your primary goal should be sticking to it! Consistency shows your clients that you are dependable and they can trust you. It’s just as much a reflection of your brand and the level of service they can expect when you become their agent as it is a marketing tactic to keep you top of mind.
Neon Wolf Tip: Block time on your calendar on a weekly or monthly basis to ensure you get your newsletter written, formatted, and scheduled. If you feel like you can’t keep up, either adjust the format and cadence or outsource it to us.
5. Add a Personal Touch
This is your chance to be directly inside your client’s inbox and start a conversation so don’t be shy to let your true personality shine through! Keep the tone conversational—include a personal anecdote about your latest deal, a quick story from your life lately, a recent lesson you learned (in life or business!), or simply a new recipe you’ve been enjoying cooking.
Make sure it sounds like you. Personalities are a big part of a real estate agent’s brand, so never shy away from showing your clients who you really are. These personal touches build rapport with your network and invite them to respond back with the same candor.
Neon Wolf Tip: Think about adding a “Message From [Your Name]” section to each newsletter. A few sentences from you can create that personal touch.
6. Include Strong Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
The goal of your newsletter isn’t just to inform or entertain—it’s to encourage action. Whether you want your readers to reach out, schedule a consultation, or read your latest blog, a strong and clear CTA is imperative. Use phrases like:
- “Interested in a home tour? Book one now.”
- “Want more insights like this? Click here to read the full article.”
- “Have questions? I’m just a phone call away.”
Neon Wolf Tip: Limit the number of CTAs to 1-2 per newsletter so that readers only have a few options for what to do.
7. Measure What Matters
After each newsletter, look at your analytics to see what’s working and what isn’t. Metrics like open rate, click-through rates, and the most-clicked links provide valuable insights. When something performs well, double down on it. If a particular subject line gets a high open rate, take note and experiment with similar styles in future newsletters. Use these insights to fine-tune your content strategy and subject lines moving forward.
Neon Wolf Tip: When it comes to testing, it’s more than just content and copy. Test send times, emoji use, and formats too!
Email is one integral piece of an agent’s marketing plan. A great real estate newsletter is more than just information—it’s a valuable resource that keeps you in your audience’s inbox and consistently on their radar. By focusing on relevance, variety, and consistency, you can create a newsletter that not only builds relationships but scales your business. Ready to take your newsletter to the next level? Reach out to us today—we’d love to help you strategize!