So, you’re a real estate agent who has managed to build up a decent following on your real estate business’ Facebook page. Maybe you’re even getting a few likes and shares on your oh-so-clever posts.

Now what?

What can you do to increase your page’s following further? More importantly, what can you do to leverage your page’s popularity for more business?

Believe it or not, the best way to accomplish both of those goals simultaneously isn’t complicated, expensive or even time-consuming. It’s something people started doing over a decade ago, back when Myspace was still the king of social media: giveaways.

What’s the big deal about giveaways?

Not convinced? I don’t blame you.

I scroll through tons of boring giveaways on my Facebook feed daily. If they’re not getting my attention, why would they get anyone else’s?

The problem with most failed Facebook giveaways is that the potential winnings aren’t compelling enough. Who’s really going to take the time to like, comment on and share your post when all they stand to gain is a $15 gift card to some run-of-the-mill pizza joint.

Almost no one.

Most agents aren’t social media gurus, but luckily for you, it doesn’t take a social media guru to run a successful Facebook giveaway. All it takes is a good giveaway idea.

Proven Facebook giveaway ideas

Having trouble coming up with good giveaway ideas of your own? Don’t worry about it. Most successful giveaways use the same or similar items depending on the audience type, so why try to reinvent the wheel?

The giveaway ideas below have all been proven effective for real estate Facebook pages.

1. Free access to a local attraction

Photo by Daria Kopylova on Unsplash

You’re the local market expert, right? Put that expertise to use by offering free access to one of your area’s hottest attractions — a place that’s guaranteed to get your audience’s attention.

Do you have a waterpark or amusement park nearby? If so, a set of day passes is probably more than enough to capture your followers’ interest.

Not your high-end clientele’s cup of tea? Well, how about a free dinner at that snazzy (expensive) restaurant downtown instead.

2. Tickets to your team’s upcoming game

Photo by Ryan on Unsplash

Is there a major sports team in your market? If so, offering tickets to an upcoming home game can be a great way to generate excitement in your giveaway.

Even if you don’t have a big-time team representing your area, tickets to college games can be quite effective as well.

3. Good seats to a popular concert

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

Don’t you hate when you hear about an awesome upcoming concert only to learn that the best seats have sold out? Yeah, well, you’re not alone.

Stay on top of the major musical performances coming your way, and snatch up tickets for some good seats before they’re gone (or outrageously overpriced).

When you use these as a contest giveaway, you’re guaranteed to see some success.

4. The latest, greatest smartphone

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Who doesn’t want a newer better phone? This is one high-end item that nearly everyone will be interested in, so you need not worry about whether or not people will be willing to participate.

Keep in mind that the cost of a smartphone giveaway isn’t insignificant, so this is one contest that the average agent will want to hype up far in advance and run only once or twice per year.

Sharing is caring

Likes and comments are good for engagement, and they can help get your page in front of new eyes, but the main goal is to get your giveaway shared so that as many people as possible are able to see it and participate.

Unfortunately, you can’t force participants to share your giveaway on their timeline. What you can do, however, is encourage them to do so.

Often enough, a quick line like “Know someone who needs _______? Share this giveaway so that they have a chance to win!” is more than enough to get some shares going.

Now then, do you know people who need some good giveaway ideas? If so, do them a favor and share this post with them.