The 10 Best Multimedia Posts of 2012

Photography and video related articles were among our most popular of the year. As a crucial part of an agent's real estate business, it's easy to see why. Strong listing photos and property videos can convert a mere browser into a buyer.

Read on to learn more about the best ways to visually present your listings to potential clients.

1) 5 Simple Steps to Making the Best Real Estate Videos - by Homes.com
Real estate professionals know how important video has become to the industry. There are millions of video tours on Youtube today and video blogs have become all the rage for top real estate pros. The problem with many real estate videos is that the quality can be poor. Just because you are taking an amateur video doesn't mean it has to look like an amateur video.

2) 10 Tips for Better Real Estate Photos - by Kelly Phelan
Good real estate photos are essential for turning people casually browsing listings into potential leads. If the photographs of your listings are grainy, badly lit, or poorly composed, you may be losing out on buyers. Our guide to great interior and exterior shots provides easy tips for beginners that can improve the quality of your photos.

3) Using Video in Your Marketing Content - by Homefinder.com
There is value in using video in your marketing materials. If you do your research, it's possible to record your own video or get one made without breaking the bank... but the question is, what do you want the video to communicate besides virtual tours/walk-throughs? Here are five ideas to help you get started/continue using video in marketing content.

4) 3 Quick Composition Tricks to Enhance Your Real Estate Photos - by Kelly Phelan
Thoughtful composition separates compelling real estate photos from mere snapshots. While there are no hard and fast "thou-shalts" in photography, using established composition principles can lend your photos a natural balance and harmony. Implement these simple guidelines to move your photos from amateur to eye-catching.

5) How to Add Depth of Field to Your Photos - by Stephen Schweickart of VScreen
Why is depth of field important, you ask? Good question. Depth of field allows your camera see the way the human eye does--with your subject in focus and the background softly unfocused. Think of all the amateur snapshots you've seen where the subject blends into a busy background! Using depth of field instantly creates more professional looking photos.

6) Top-Ranking Cameras from Consumer Reports - by Emily Williams
A good camera is an absolute must for most real estate agents. Whether you're taking listing photos, snapping pics for a blog post, or using your camera for social media – you may find that you're rarely without this tech tool. If you don't yet have a digital camera or you're in the market for a new one, you'll be as interested as we were in the top picks from the August 2012 issue of Consumer Reports.

7) No photo is a big mistake - by Victor Lund
Real Estate agents sometimes fall into stinkin' thinkin'. In the exuberance of getting a new listing, they rush to put it into the MLS before getting even a single photo taken. This is a big mistake.

8) How to Enhance Property Videos with Split Screens - by Kelly J. Phelan
Ready to take your real estate videos to a more professional level? If you're comfortable with editing techniques, consider using a split screen effect in your next video. Property videos are best kept brief to hold viewers' attention. Using a split screen is a great way to display more of a listing in less time.

9) 3, 2, 1, ACTION! Tips and Tricks for Real Estate Video - by Zack Hanebrink of BoomTown
It's easy to feel inundated by technology and social media on a daily basis. From Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare to Pinterest and Blogging, where do you start and what makes sense for your business? Focus only on what you can handle rather than doing a little bit on each platform without making an impact. Video is a great way to increase your SEO and will be a time saver once you've created a few basic videos to have on hand.

10) 3 Things You Need To Know About HD Virtual Tours - by ePropertySites.com
There are a few things to remember when creating an HD virtual tour. The bottom line is this: it isn't as complicated as it sounds. Here's what you need to know.