Last week, Facebook's Instagram released a big update to their mobile apps, adding the ability to shoot short video clips to their picture sharing service. If this particular feature sounds familiar, it's because this latest update is a direct response to Twitter's popular micro video app Vine, which specializes in six second or less clips that I wrote about back in February. While this looks like Facebook's latest volley back at Twitter in the ongoing social media battle, both apps seems to have enough different about them to carve out niches of their own.

Today I want to look at what Instagram video brings to the table and how you can put it to use in real estate. Instagram has over 100 million registered users, so there are definitely lots of users you can tap into when it comes to your real estate niche.

Longer Videos

With Vine and its six second video cap, Instagram Video and its 15-second length almost feels like shooting a feature length movie by comparison. It definitely makes the videos feel like they have a bit more substance to them versus being micro snippets of a video.

Delete Latest Take

One of the biggest complaints about Vine is the fact there really isn't any way to edit takes. Instagram Video remedies this with the ability to delete the most recent take in your video clip. While it's not quite full on editing of your video, it does go a long way to helping if you're trying to create a video with lines or acting in it and don't nail it on the first take.

Filters

Filters are pretty much what put Instagram on the map and they are definitely present in their new video product. With 13 different filters, this allows you to apply a unique look to any of the videos you shoot. Though do note that you will be sacrificing some image quality and resolution in applying the filters to your videos.

Image Stabilization

I'm sure a lot of people out there wish they had a steadier hand when it comes to shooting video. Instagram Video has a solution for that as well with software based image stabilization. I tried it out in my video and it definitely made a difference in the overall smoothness of the video I shot. Though like the filters, the image stabilization comes at a cost of image quality and resolution for your video.

Cover Photos

One of the neatest features about Instagram Video is the ability to pick a cover image. This allows you to pick the initial image that displays before you press play on the video. This allows you to pick the most engaging preview photo to draw the viewer into your video when they see it on their timeline.

All in all these new features make creating a micro video of one of your listings a snap. Being able to show off a quick visual of the property you're showing could be just the tool you need to make your next sale. Many of the suggestions I made in Getting Started With Vine For Real Estate definitely still ring true with this new service. Get out there and try things out and get a grasp of the new tools available in Instagram!

To view the original article, visit the Lone Wolf blog.