Can You Make a Living as a Real Estate Copywriter?

Are you looking for a real estate copywriter to help you write property listings or web content? Contact Susan Greene. Susan and her team write for many real estate agencies, helping them to attract buyers and sellers as well as build their brand.

Freelance writer wonders how to approach a career as a real estate copywriter.

Hello Susan. I’m a budding copywriter. 

I’m passionate in the real estate niche.

I’m getting massive value from your articles that revolve beautifully and professionally on real estate industry.

Now, as a matter of fact, I’m undecided whether to specialize in writing real estate web content or property listings because I don’t know which is more lucrative.

Realtors often need help writing MLS listings as well as web content.

 

Moreover I would like you to advise me on the best mechanism to pitch my potential clients.

Please, I know you’re very busy and involved.

But, if possible, please consider giving me your most treasured advice because you’re intuitively an expert on this.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Regards, 

Kelvin Kariuki

Kenya

Hi Kelvin,

It’s nice to meet you.

I’ll answer your question about whether to specialize in writing real estate listings or web content with a question back to you: Why can’t you do both?

Plenty of realtors need help writing up their MLS listings/property descriptions AND content for their websites. Offering both services makes you more valuable to realtors. They can look to one resource for multiple needs.

Doing both also gives you better insights into real estate marketing. If you know what goes into writing a winning listing, you have a better understanding of the industry and can write more effective real estate web content, and vice versa.

Plus, real estate agencies need to continually improve their visibility and build their brand. Quality web content or blog posts can give them a good return on investment in terms of attracting buyers and sellers.

Real estate copywriters shouldn’t limit themselves to promoting residential real estate. Other related areas could also prove lucrative.

Let’s go one step further. Expand your capabilities beyond the individual residential realtor. If you understand real estate, you can work with developers who are building new subdivisions or condos. They need content for their websites to attract buyers.

You can even consider writing for commercial realtors who need help promoting office space, warehouses and shopping malls. Or consider writing for owners of apartment complexes attempting to attract renters. You can even go the route of property management companies or architects, both of which are related to real estate as well.

Copywriters may be able to find work promoting shopping centers for sale or malls looking to attract retailers to their location.

As you can see, there may be many more ways to capitalize on the real estate niche. While it’s nice to be a specialist, don’t put such tight constraints on your service offerings that you limit your earning potential.

With regard to getting clients, you’ll first want to build up a portfolio so you can demonstrate to prospects that you have real estate copywriting expertise. Do you know any realtors? Are any relatives or friends realtors? If so, they’re a superb place to start in getting work.

Initially, don’t be concerned with how much money you’re making. In fact, you may even have to offer your services for free. But know that that’s a short-term situation. You are gaining experience and writing samples that you can soon use to pitch paying clients.

Find realtors willing to try your copywriting services, even if that means working for free. You are building your portfolio.

After you’ve done some work for realtors, ask them for testimonials. They should explain how you helped them to generate leads and sales for their properties. If they were pleased with your work, you may even be able to talk them into becoming real clients.

If you struggle to find a realtor who will use your writing services for free at this early stage, then write some listings on your own. Craft copy about a family member’s home or some other property with which you’re familiar. You can even look for homeowners who are selling their property by themselves, without the help of a realtor. Offer your services to them. 

Next, come up with 10 ideas for articles you can write related to real estate. Pick the best ones and start writing. Then you can offer the articles to realtors who have websites or blogs. If they’re not willing to pay for the articles, make sure you get a byline. That is, your name should appear as the author of the article so that you can show other realtors that you’ve been published.

Seek out property developers who may need help writing copy to sell condos or office space in their buildings

As I said, you can’t be concerned with making money initially. Your priority must be on getting experience and samples of your work, both of which will be critical to attracting paying clients.

At the same time, start building your own real estate copywriting website. You can host it on a free service initially such as Wix or Weebly. Having a website will provide legitimacy in the eyes or your prospects and will be a necessity for your business’s development.

As a real estate copywriter, you’ll want to build a website to market your services.

Finally, keep reading and learning. Study realtors’ websites. Read real estate listings. Get books on real estate marketing. See if there’s a real estate association in your area and look into attending meetings where you can learn and begin making some industry contacts. 

Most importantly, practice your writing skills any way that you can. You should commit to write something every day. That’s how you’ll grow and improve. You have the passion to do well in this field; now you just need experience and confidence. Start today! 

Susan Greene

Real Estate Copywriter 

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