Top Realtors are Selling from Instagram: Selene Hanna's Blueprint for Authenticity Over Algorithm

Welcome to the first installment of our "Top Realtors Sell from Instagram" series, where we spotlight agents who've cracked the code on building real business through social media—not just followers.

Selene Hanna doesn't fit the typical real estate agent mold. At 18, while most teenagers were figuring out college applications, she was getting her real estate license. By 22, she added a loan officer license. At 24, she earned her broker's license. Now, at just over 8 years into her career, she's built a $60M portfolio in Orange County, California, and grown her Instagram to 30,000 followers who actually convert into clients.

But here's what makes Selene's story different: she didn't follow the guru playbook. She doesn't duplicate trending content or chase viral moments. Instead, she's built her entire strategy around one principle that most agents overlook—being so original that viewers don't know what to expect.

We sat down with Selene to understand how she turned Instagram into a lead generation machine without losing herself in the process.

The Early Years: When Hope Wasn't a Strategy

Selene's start in real estate wasn't glamorous. Growing up watching her dad in the business, she had the passion—she spent her childhood glued to HGTV, constantly redecorating her room because of how good it made her feel. But passion doesn't pay the bills.

"The first few years were TOUGH," Selene admits. "I looked and felt young, and our family brokerage wasn't equipped with the right training program. I didn't know how to get clients, so I would just post on Instagram and hope for the best."

Sound familiar? Most agents start exactly where Selene did—posting random content and praying something sticks. But Selene learned what separates agents who struggle from agents who scale: the first 3-5 years are about figuring out what actually works, not what looks good.

Fast forward to today. Selene's confidence isn't just about follower count—it's backed by $60M in sales and a content process that consistently delivers.

What Most Agents Get Wrong About "Good" Content

When we asked Selene what separates successful content from noise, her answer was immediate: authenticity.

"I think most agents struggle to be authentic," she explains. "It's good to get inspo from other agents, but it's also important to be original. Don't rip-off and duplicate (R&D) ALL the time."

Her philosophy? Take an idea and spin it—but not for every piece of content. Don't chase trends blindly. Many of Selene's most successful videos are completely original concepts that audiences haven't seen before.

But originality alone isn't enough. Selene spends hours scripting videos in advance because she's committed to adding real value. Every video serves one of three purposes: education, humor, or emotional connection. No filler. No vanity metrics. Just content designed to make the viewer feel something or learn something worth their time.

Inside Selene's Content Process: From Idea to Inbox

Here's the exact system Selene uses to create 10 videos per month without burning out:

IDEA: Start with value (educational tips), humor (something that makes viewers smile), or an emotional story.

SCRIPT: Develop your hook, body, and call-to-action. This might take minutes, hours, or days depending on the concept. Don't rush it.

ORGANIZE: Plan where you'll film. Schedule 2 shoots per month, filming about 5 videos per shoot.

FILM: Stop obsessing over hair, makeup, or lighting. "Don't worry about filming with a fancy camera, none of that matters," Selene insists. "Your iPhone and a ring light can go a long way."

EDIT: Use CapCut or Instagram Edits yourself, or outsource to someone else.

POST: Share on as many platforms as possible. Then comes the hard part—don't obsess over engagement. "If you're putting your best foot forward, people will notice and engage with you."

The key insight? Selene films in batches but plans strategically. She's not creating content for content's sake. She's building a library of valuable material that positions her as the go-to expert in her market.

What's Actually Working Right Now

When we asked Selene about her top-performing content, three categories stood out:

Skits (Educational): "Honestly skits have been performing well and they're so easy to do!" Selene uses skits to educate in an entertaining format—breaking down complex real estate concepts through humor.

Personal/Storytelling: A recent video where Selene shared her goal to learn Arabic performed exceptionally well. Why? Because it was genuine, unexpected, and gave followers a reason to root for her beyond transactions.

Emotional Stories: Her video "hi i'm 1924 w oceanfront"—a spin on another agent's concept—connected with viewers through the emotional narrative of a home. Notice she didn't just copy the idea. She made it her own.

The pattern? Her best content either teaches something valuable, reveals something personal, or connects emotionally. Sometimes all three at once.

The Mindset That Changes Everything

Perhaps the most valuable part of our conversation with Selene wasn't about tactics—it was about mindset. When we asked what she'd tell agents who feel behind or discouraged by comparison, her response deserves to be printed and pinned above every agent's desk:

"Comparison kills contentment. You're not competing with any other agent because you provide a unique set of skills that no one else has."

She continued: "There is plenty of business to go around, so try not to have a scarcity mindset. The only agent you should try to be better than is the agent you were yesterday."

Even with 30K followers and $30M sold in 2025, Selene still experiences moments of doubt and insecurity. "It's natural," she says. "All it means is that you want more for yourself." The difference? She doesn't stay in those phases long.

The One Thing to Focus On

We ended our conversation with a question: If you had to simplify your approach to just one focus for the next 90 days, what would it be?

Selene's answer might surprise you: "I would focus on having more in-person conversations with people. Social media is great, but nothing beats a face-to-face connection."

There it is. Even from an agent who's built her business on Instagram, the reminder that social media is a tool—not a replacement for genuine human connection. Use it to open doors, but walk through them in person.

Key Takeaways from Selene's Strategy

• Authenticity beats algorithm: Original content that reflects your unique perspective will always outperform copied trends
• Script with purpose: Every video should educate, entertain, or create emotional connection
• Batch your content: Two filming sessions per month (5 videos each) creates consistency without overwhelm
• Don't obsess over production: Your iPhone and ring light are enough to get started
• Stay out of comparison: The only competition is who you were yesterday
• Balance digital and in-person: Instagram opens doors, but face-to-face closes deals

Selene Hanna is a real estate agent and loan officer serving Orange County, California and Florida. With over 8 years in the industry and $60M in career sales, she's built her business on authentic content and genuine connections. Follow her on Instagram to see her strategy in action.

This is the first feature in our "Top Realtors Sell from Instagram" series. Have an agent you'd like to see featured, or questions about the strategies shared here? Let us know in the comments.