The Secret Weapon No Agents Do: How to really set yourself apart on another level and get more mentions in AI
By now, most agents are hip to what needs to be done with reviews and our Google Business Profile. And most now understand that much more time and effort needs to be put into our websites. But there is still a part of local SEO that most real estate agents are missing.
This is the part agents either don’t know about, or do not have the resources to pull off. And it’s the hardest. And some of the items have a cost associated with them. But if you do these things, it will really set you apart from the others. Very little agents do this part, making it a great opportunity.
Google (and by proxy AI) sees when people are interested in you on the internet. If people are interested in you and clicking on your stuff and spend time on your online properties, then Google will see that people like you, and that Google should show you to more people who are searching randomly for an agent. So we have to show Google that people like us and choose us by giving Google the signals it needs.
Google and AI also see when you have a strong local presence across the entire internet and on places that have local authority. Getting mentions and links in the right places can help solidify you to Google and AI, helping prove that you are the one to call.
Here are a few things you can do each week
- Get people to Google you specifically (Example: “Derek Bicksler, Realtor”) and then click on and spend time on your website and Google Business Profile. They could even like some images and reviews while they are there. Or click the call button and/or directions button.
- Get people to search for “real estate agent near me”, find you in the list (do for Google Business Profile and Website), and click on you and spend time on those two things.
- Get people to enter your website specifically into their Chrome browser (Example: “CarlisleHomeListingSpecialist.com”) and then spend time there scrolling, reading, and clicking on things.
To further build your authority, here are a few things that should be done for initial setup (and some will be recurring to keep them going)
- Make sure all your online profiles are consistent with your Google Business Profile (name, contact info, what you do) and look great. And if the platform has reviews, make sure you have some and have a good rating there. Don’t sleep on other platforms. Google traditional cares about your standing across the internet for ranking you. And now with AI (Gemini, ChatGPT, or otherwise), the systems are definitely looking at your entire online presence.
- Join Local Chambers, Business Organizations, Networking Groups, Pay for Better Business Bureau Accreditation, etc (in order to get your Name, Location, Profession, and Website link/url on their websites).
- Sponsor Local Events (to get your Name, Location, Profession, and Website link/url on their website and possibly in the news coverage).
- Guest article writing on other well ranking local sites (should include you as the author and your Name, Location, Profession, and Website link/url).
- Do press releases when you do something press release worthy (should include your Name, Location, Profession, and Website link/url).
Generally be in the news and all over the place locally.
