Almost half of the world population uses social media platforms. And the number is continuously growing. Modern social media is no longer just a place for communicating with friends and reading the news – it is also a powerful tool to promote products and services. Naturally, professionals in all fields, including architecture and design, try to make the most of it. Architects can use social media platforms to showcase their best works, build long-lasting relationships with clients, and find inspiration. By maintaining a strong online presence, they can attract prospects and improve their brand exposure. But to achieve all these goals, it’s not enough to create valuable content. It is also vital to choose the best social media platforms for architects to share it. And here comes the question: which ones to pick?
Being an architectural 3D visualization company, we can answer it in detail. So far, we have helped many architects to prepare brilliant promo materials. That is why we know all the ins and out of creating effective social media strategies for architecture businesses. And we decided to share this knowledge with our readers. So, which 7 platforms are the best for generating new leads and getting more work opportunities? How to use them effectively? And how can 3D architectural visualization help to create a fruitful marketing campaign? Read on to find out!
#1. Houzz
Let’s start our overview of the best social media platforms for architects with ones created specifically for the professionals in the field. So, we open the list with Houzz – an online community for architects, designers, their clients, and everyone else related to the industry. Being a large social network with 40 million monthly users, it allows those who need architecture and design services to easily find the best experts. There are more than 130 000 specialists and firms registered in the Architects and Building Designers category only. Also, Houzz allows one to find and contact the best interior designers, decorators, builders, remodelers, and any other specialist needed to create a lovely home.
Needless to say, Houzz is one of the most useful social media platforms for an architect’s business. First of all, unlike on Facebook or Instagram, all users on Houzz are interested in architecture services by default. So, turning them into clients is easier. However, standing out among other architects on this social media still needs some effort. How to prove that you are the best expert on Houzz? Here are few basic tips:
- One should regularly update the profile with quality photos or 3D renders of new projects.
- It is vital to make a profile look professional: add a decent cover photo and a good-looking picture of an expert. Also, architects should write detailed information about themselves or their firm.
- It is essential to add contact info.
- One should use the right keywords. Houzz operates like a search engine, so keywords will make a profile more discoverable.
- It is wise to ask clients to leave positive reviews about an architect – the more, the better.
- It is important to always respond quickly to all queries.
- Getting Houzz badges and awards helps to prove architects’ credibility.
#2. Archilovers
Number two in our list of the best social media platforms for architects is Archilovers. This international network is like Facebook for specialists in architecture and design fields. It allows architects and designers to connect with each other, get inspired by great designs, and showcase their works. Also, there is an option of writing stories on a blog. The best stories have a chance to be featured in Archilovers’ homepage and get seen by a wide audience.
Archilovers has all the common features of social media platforms. Here, one can exchange instant messages, create groups, follow people, like posts, etc. But there are also additional options. Namely, it is possible to create not only a personal profile but also one of a whole team that works together. Also, one can tag products used in designs, so that anyone could learn details of a project. Finally, projects can be put in themed albums. This way, those interested in the particular topic can easily find a project if it is relevant to what they search for. For example, if an architect has designed a beautiful rooftop terrace, it will be seen by everyone interested in rooftop terraces. Overall, Archilovers is a great place to establish useful professional contacts, show the best works, and find inspiration.
#3. Instagram
Instagram is considered as one of the best social media platforms for architects, and for a good reason. The heart of this platform is visual content, which offers great opportunities for architecture professionals to demonstrate their best works and impress prospects.
For the SMM strategy on Insta to be productive, it is best to post daily. Also, it is highly recommended to add appropriate hashtags, since they help to target an audience and build a social media following. Other Instagram features that can help attract more prospects include live video, IGTV, and stories. Architects can use these options to showcase not only their ready designs but also the working process of the firm. This can include work meetings, site visits, live streams from industry events, and so on. Showing the inner workings of a company is a great tool to build trust with prospects on Insta.
Instagram also offers paid ads, which can help greatly in reaching a wider audience. Architects can run ads with new posts or promote already existing ones. To start using this feature, an architect should have a Facebook page and create a business profile on Insta. Then, using Ads Manager, they can specify the purpose of an advertisement, its format, and the preferred audience. The platform can even help to define the latter. It offers to automatically create an audience similar to a page`s followers.
#4. Facebook
Facebook is one of the best social media platforms for architects for numerous reasons. First of all, it is the most popular SM network in the world with over 2 billion users. Also, this platform uses the same advertising system as Instagram. Which offers almost unlimited opportunities for targeting.
In FB, an architect can identify the appropriate target audience by choosing their location, age, gender, interests, behavior, and so on. If everything is done right, the professional will reach out to plenty of people potentially interested in architectural services.
To make the most of Facebook, it is essential to track progress in the analytics section. It is also called Facebook Page Insights. It helps to figure out what kinds of content the audience prefers the most, and at what time it is best to post. A beginner architect should consider also joining Facebook groups related to the industry. They are excellent for networking with other specialists and finding inspiration.
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#5. Pinterest
Pinterest does not work like traditional social media platforms. Here, the users do not need to write long posts or reply to hundreds of followers’ comments. The main idea of this site is for the users to save the images they like on their boards. And every time someone pins an image, it gets more chances of being seen.
To use this platform as social media for architects, one has to register and build an extensive portfolio. It should consist of high-quality visuals and be updated regularly. It is also essential to use keywords and hashtags to attract the right crowd to a profile. And when adding a new image, architects need to write a short description to it. These texts should be no longer than 200 characters, otherwise, people are unlikely to read them.
Also, if a professional has a business website, it is best to link it to the posted pins. This way, the interested prospects will be led directly to an architect`s site. This will not only help them to find more info but also strengthen the website’s SEO presence.
Another good idea is to make use of paid ads on Pinterest. They run on a PPC system, so the architects pay only if someone clicks on their advertisement. It is very useful to sort out those who are genuinely eager to find more info about architecture services.
Sometimes, even the best architects run out of steam. Luckily, Pinterest is not only one of the best social media platforms for architects but also a wonderful site for finding inspiration. Here an architect can get new ideas for the projects and keep track of the latest trends. It is vital to remember that other people also use Pinterest for finding inspiration and not for choosing products and services. Therefore, it is better to share pins that inspire than ones that sell.
#6. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the ideal social network for connecting with other professionals in the architecture field, staying up-to-date with the best practices, and getting new ideas. But it is not just about doing business. This platform has various interesting groups, making it easier for people with similar interests to communicate and share their experiences and knowledge.
LinkedIn, as one of the best social media platforms for architects, is a perfect place for showcasing the specialist’s level of expertise. By sharing valuable content and adding high-quality photos and CG renders of projects, an architect will be recognized as a reliable professional.
#7. Youtube
YouTube is the most popular video-sharing platform visited by 2 billion users every month. Architects can find a lot of inspiration and helpful tips here. Also, they can showcase their works and share useful ideas to attract the target audience. To take full advantage of this platform, an architect should have a personal YouTube channel and run a video blog, also called vlog.
A vlog can feature any kind of useful information related to the topic of architecture. Architects can not only show their designs but also share the experience of working on projects, interviews with former clients, advice on how to master the profession of an architect, tips on working with specialized software such as AutoCAD, and more. Provided in the form of architectural 3D animations and videos, this information is easily digestible. It can be interesting for experts in the field as well as for prospects. In such a way, engaging Youtube videos can help to build a whole online community of people loyal to the architecture company. Which will increase the number of its potential clients.
All of the best social media platforms for architects mentioned in this article have their own distinctive features. But the one thing that is common for Houzz, Archilovers, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Youtube is that all of these platforms require sharing catchy visuals. But architects do not always have enough images and videos of their ready works. That is because new projects are often under construction or exist only as concepts thus far.
Luckily, professional 3D visualization studios can help architects with this problem. Skilled 3D artists can create 3D images and animations showing the expected results of projects that haven’t been completed yet. Architects can then use these visuals as content for social media platforms. It will help them to promote their services and engage with prospects.
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Jimmy Ward
Marketing Specialist, Media Buyer
Jimmy is the senior magician of media and stunning ads. He loves a good joke, his beloved dog Mario and craft beer. But don’t be fooled by his smile: Jimmy is ruthless when it comes to lead generation.