Utilized by real estate agents for years…
The power of smell is something that real estate agents have been using for years. If a staged home smells good, potential buyers are more likely to visualize themselves living there. They’re also more likely to spend a longer period of time there. That is scent branding. The longer they spend in a home, the more likely they are to purchase it. For a long time, sellers have been doing things like baking cookies or bread before showing a home. Nothing smells like “home” more than something baking.
This little secret can be used in other types of properties – not just homes. More recently, sellers of commercial and retail spaces have been utilizing this method. Many business owners have adopted aromatherapy as well. They quickly learned that the more customers enjoyed themselves, the more they purchased. They also learned that if they consistently used the same scent, customers were more likely to return. This quickly became known as “scent branding.”
Similar to a logo or a familiar phrase, scent branding can instantly tell consumers more about your business. This is where essential oils come in. Unlike baking, essential oils don’t need an oven. They have a wide variety of scents so you don’t need to make your business or home smell only like food. Your customers may even begin to associate your scent with your company. And the best part? They’re easy. You can purchase the same scent each time, and by doing so, you’re strengthening your scent branding.
When to scent brand
Here is a popular dilemma amongst sellers: with an enormous selection of essential oils available, how do you know which one will work for your business and your customers? This can seem overwhelming. It’s easy to narrow down the choices. According to American Home Shield, most scents are subjective. What smells great to one person may smell awful to another. In order to avoid this, your best course of action is to pick subtle scents. Pick something strong and you may find people leaving your business rather than supporting it!
There are a few scents that, universally, smell inviting and pleasant. Vanilla is one example. Vanilla has the cozy and calming feel that many real estate agents like – it’s similar to baking before open houses. Another universally accepted scent is typically cedar. Cedar offers a “homey” scent that typically relaxes people. Or if you’re looking to energize your clients, green tea essential oils can offer some clarity of the mind (great for making decisions).
It’s a good idea to try out different scents before choosing one for your brand. Once you find one that both you and your customers are enticed by, you will find yourself choosing it time and time again. Don’t be deterred with a bad oil experience. You may not like the brand of the oil or the scent, but there are thousands of other options to choose from.
Air Diffusers for Scent Branding
When you’ve found the scent for your brand, you may choose to purchase a high-end air diffuser. This allows the scent to permeate the area without much upkeep on your end. Another idea is to start using essential oils while cleaning. You can add any scent to your floors or walls either during or after washing. This is a more subtle way to introduce your favorite scents to your clients.
