I want to start this post with a warning. No auto-scheduled posts on social media will perform as well as native posts (posts you create with care directly on the social media platform). If you set up any kind of social media automation, you need to pair that with genuine social interaction.
However, using IFTTT can be a great way to automatically get listings out into social media the moment they hit the market. Especially during the very busy spring and summer months. If you're the Realtor that never remembers to post new listings, open houses, and your closings to social, this is one way you can do that automatically. In this post, I will show you how to use IFTTT (If This Then That) and a listings feed, in this case Dakno, to automatically push listings to social media. |
For auto-posting to work, you must use a feed link. If you're not sure if your listings link will work, you can test it online.
If you have a Dakno real estate website, all of your saved IDX searches will have an RSS link that is very easy to use for this.
Before you can set up auto-posts with IFTTT, you will need to have the following accounts set-up if you want to use them to auto post:
As of this writing, auto-posting with IFTTT will work on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Let's jump in to the nuts and bolts!
If you have a Dakno real estate website, all of your saved IDX searches will have an RSS link that is very easy to use for this.
Before you can set up auto-posts with IFTTT, you will need to have the following accounts set-up if you want to use them to auto post:
- IFTTT
As of this writing, auto-posting with IFTTT will work on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Let's jump in to the nuts and bolts!
Create An Applet
The Applet you create will be your recipe telling IFTTT what you want it to do.
Choose Your "THIS"
Your "This" will be an RSS Feed.
Choose Your "Trigger"
Next, you need to choose your Trigger. Select "New Feed Item"
Complete Trigger Fields
Now you need to put in the RSS feed link that IFTTT will be pulling from. For Dakno users, you need to find or create the saved search link you will be using. If you are an agent on a team that uses a Dakno site, and you want to promote your own listings, you will likely find a link you can use on your profile on your team's Dakno website.
For this example, I will be using a saved search I created for my client Kelly Straughn.
The results link is: http://realestate.fivecountyspecialists.com/search/results/kelly-straughn-listings
Keep in mind that the results link is NOT the RSS feed link. All you have to do to make the above link an RSS Feed link is change "results" to "rss" like this:
http://realestate.fivecountyspecialists.com/search/results/kelly-straughn-listings
http://realestate.fivecountyspecialists.com/search/rss/kelly-straughn-listings
Paste your RSS Link into your Feed URL field.
For this example, I will be using a saved search I created for my client Kelly Straughn.
The results link is: http://realestate.fivecountyspecialists.com/search/results/kelly-straughn-listings
Keep in mind that the results link is NOT the RSS feed link. All you have to do to make the above link an RSS Feed link is change "results" to "rss" like this:
http://realestate.fivecountyspecialists.com/search/results/kelly-straughn-listings
http://realestate.fivecountyspecialists.com/search/rss/kelly-straughn-listings
Paste your RSS Link into your Feed URL field.
Click on Create Trigger to start setting up your "THAT."
Set-up Your "THAT"
The "THAT" you set up is where you will tell IFTTT what to do with your Trigger.
Once you have created your Trigger, the next page will be where you start your "THAT"
Notice in my screenshot below the "THIS" is now a Feed icon. Click on THAT to start the next steps.
Once you have created your Trigger, the next page will be where you start your "THAT"
Notice in my screenshot below the "THIS" is now a Feed icon. Click on THAT to start the next steps.
Choose Your Action Service
For this example, we're going to use Twitter. Twitter is an ideal platform to set this up. You can also use IFTTT to post to your Facebook Business Page or LinkedIn Profile.
Choose Action
Next you will choose your action. Select Post A Tweet With Image.
Please keep in mind that if you list a home without an image, IFTTT may pull your profile image if that appears on your listing details page. This is especially something to keep in mind if you are setting IFTTT up to post new listings. I highly recommend you list your homes on the MLS with images.
Please keep in mind that if you list a home without an image, IFTTT may pull your profile image if that appears on your listing details page. This is especially something to keep in mind if you are setting IFTTT up to post new listings. I highly recommend you list your homes on the MLS with images.
Complete Action Fields
This is where you put in what you actually want your posts to say. Remember that this will be posted each and every time until you change it (which you should do periodically), so it needs to make sense for every listings that goes out with this applet.
In my example below, I kept it basic just to show you the ingredients you will be using and what they do in the post.
Don't worry about adding an Image URL, that is already part of this recipe because we chose "Post A Tweet With Image" above.
In my example below, I kept it basic just to show you the ingredients you will be using and what they do in the post.
- "Entry Title" is going to be the street address of the property. It will only show the house number and street.
- "Entry URL" will put a shortened link to the property itself into the post. You will have to add this by clicking on "Add Ingredient"
Don't worry about adding an Image URL, that is already part of this recipe because we chose "Post A Tweet With Image" above.
Review And Finish
After you have your post content written, click Create Action to Review and Finish your Applet.
Here you will have the option to leave on or turn off notifications when the Applet runs (posts for you). I personally turn off the notifications because I would get way too many notifications if I left it on for every Applet I have running, but it's up to you.
Here you will have the option to leave on or turn off notifications when the Applet runs (posts for you). I personally turn off the notifications because I would get way too many notifications if I left it on for every Applet I have running, but it's up to you.
Watch And Edit
While you may have just finished creating your applet, you need to monitor the posts and make adjustments as needed to the applet.
Also, go back every quarter or every year and change the phrasing of your Applet. This is also a good opportunity to change up your hashtags. For instance, if you create an Applet for your new listings with #NewListings, later you can switch it to #JustListed.
Also, go back every quarter or every year and change the phrasing of your Applet. This is also a good opportunity to change up your hashtags. For instance, if you create an Applet for your new listings with #NewListings, later you can switch it to #JustListed.