EXPERIENCE OF A FINAL YEAR INTERN IN A REAL ESTATE AGENCY

Introduction 

 First of all, let us define some key words: 

Who is an intern? 

A student or recent graduate going through practical training in a specific domain is known as an intern. 

What is a portfolio? 

Also known as “POE”, a portfolio is a collection of work illustrations presenting skills and experiences. The purpose of this blog is to provide a reflective report to guide future PR graduates on the role of a social media manager and content creator in the real estate sector.

Biography

My name is Sarah Mondo, a final-year student at the University of Johannesburg, studying Public Relations and Communication. I interned at African Estate Agency from July to October 2024, where I gained valuable insights into social media strategies and content creation adapted to the real estate market.

Challenges 

As a social media manager in a real estate agency, I encountered several considerable challenges:

1. Content Quality vs. Quantity: Unlike African Estate Agency, many agencies prioritise the number of posts over their quality, leading to diminished engagement and effectiveness as platforms reduce organic reach. It was very challenging for me to get proper materials and tools to create, edit, and post content that would be eye catching. 
   
2. Inconsistent Posting: Keeping a regular posting schedule was not easy and often resulted in irregular updates; which did not align with ongoing marketing efforts. 
   
3. Lack of Communication Plan: With the lack of clear strategies, posts didn’t often have focus and failed to resonate with the target audience, wasting both time and resources. 
   
4. Keeping Up with Trends: Due to the fast-paced nature of social media trends, it has been challenging to create relevant content that engaged users effectively. 
5. Resource Management: managing multiple platforms and interacting with the audience was time-consuming, often resulting in exhaustion and inefficiency. 

Tools that I used to schedule posts 

During my internship as a social media manager at African Estate Agency, several tools were used for managing multiple platforms effectively:

1. Hootsuite: This tool helped me to schedule posts, track engagement, and analyze performance across various social media channels. This process saved time and enhanced productivity. 
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2. Sprout Social: This app facilitated team collaboration and provided in-depth analytics, helping me understand the audience behaviour and optimise content strategy. 

Tips to succeed as an intern managing social media and creating content .

To succeed as a social media manager in a real estate agency, consider these main tips:

1. Promote the Community: Share valuable insights about neighbourhoods, local businesses, and events to attract more potential buyers beyond just property listings. 
   
2. Use Engaging Visuals: High-quality images and videos are very important. Use stories and Reels for dynamic contents that show properties attractively. Make sure the images are clear enough and eye catching. 
   
3. Be Consistent: Maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and informed. As mentioned previously, you can use tools like Sprout social and Hootsuite to schedule your content and study the audience preferences.
4. Engage with Your Audience: Respond simultaneously to comments and messages. Building relationships promotes trust and encourages users to inquire further. 
5. Share Success Stories: Regularly post success stories from clients to increase credibility and showcase expertise in the market.