Looking for a Unique Value Proposition? Check Out 360° Video!

Did you know that videos are expected to account for up to 79% of internet traffic in 2016 (Cisco)? From Vine to GoPro, there have been many advancements to video in the past several years, which makes it easy to take and share video anywhere. Now there is a new tool practically made for real estate: 360° video.

What is 360° Video?

At first, 360° video involved several cameras in a single framework with the lenses pointed in different directions so each camera could individually record separate videos. These videos would later be "stitched" together to form one video. Now, 360° cameras come as a single unit with different lenses pointed in various directions so your viewer can use their mouse or phone to look up, down and all around the shot.

How to make 360° videos:

Once you have a 360° camera, all you have to do is hold the camera or position it with a tripod, and press record. There are several options for a 360° camera with software that will automatically do any editing required to make the various angles come together into a single video.

What to record:

360° video was created with extreme sports enthusiasts in mind, but this format works really well for real estate, too. Do you have a listing with a fantastic garden? Take your camera out to the yard to allow buyers to get a peek at the gorgeous opportunity waiting for them. Create 360° video tours by walking your camera through a listing so viewers can get a feel for the layout of the property. You can also record videos of neighborhood parks, open houses, "about us" office videos, etc. For more ideas, be sure to check out these 5 Tips to Nail Your Next Real Estate Video!

Where to post them:

As of 2015, both Facebook and YouTube can display most 360° videos. When choosing your camera, make sure yours will work with major social sites. Those viewing your 360° videos on their computer will be able to use their mouse to change the angle they see. Mobile viewers can move their device to change their perspective. Right now, Firefox and Chrome have the display incorporated nicely, but people viewing your videos on Internet Explorer may not be able to change from the frontal view of your video.

If a picture is worth a thousand words and a one minute video is worth over a million, how much is a 360° video worth? It can definitely be a good way to distinguish yourself from other agents in your market, and that alone is worth a lot.

To view the original article, visit the Homes.com blog.