Michael Krisa, licensed real estate broker and freelance Internet marketing consultant, believes that real estate professionals are missing out on a great opportunity by not taking advantage of their iPad and its video possibilities.

According to Krisa, agents and brokers who do not use the all-in-one studio applications of the iPad are essentially buying a Porsche and leaving it in the driveway, using it just to listen to the radio. Eighty-five percent of consumers say they are more likely to make a purchase after watching a video (Invodo), making videos an essential part of any marketing plan.

"You can shoot with some simple apps and create high-quality videos, edit them and upload them directly to the web," Krisa says. "When people watch videos, the subject is perceived as an authority. If you can articulate, you can be seen as an expert in your niche."

Still not convinced? Then consider these statistics: 4 billion videos are viewed every single day and 25 percent of them are seen on mobile devices (Mashable). In fact, it's expected that 69% percent of global mobile traffic will be video by 2017 (Invodo). Furthermore, one of the most popular search terms in Google starts with "how do you..." and a large percentage of the content that Google displays is video.

Homeowners want to know that an agent is utilizing every tool available to get their home off of the market, which is why seventy-three percent of homeowners want to work with an agent doing video, but less than three percent know how to do that," Krisa says. "It's a sad truth, but an awesome opportunity for those willing to roll up their sleeves, do a little work and tap into this marketplace in order to reach those home sellers who are looking for those that do video."

"It's too expensive, too hard, or I don't have enough time." These are all excuses that Krisa hears from real estate professionals who are reluctant to start using this valuable tool. Despite all of these excuses, Krisa believes that it just comes down to the fact that agents don't know how to create these videos or they just don't want to look foolish.

For videos to be truly effective, the content needs to be specific to the audience you are targeting. Fifty-eight percent of your audience will stop watching a video within the first 90 seconds (SocialMediaToday), so it's important to grab their attention right out of the gate. "If you are answering a question or solving a problem, they will watch your content. People want someone they know and trust."

Here are a few tips that Krisa says will help you create awesome real estate videos with your iPad.

Great Audio is Key

How long would you continue watching a video if you had to strain to hear it? Probably not long, which is why Krisa says 70 percent of what makes a great video is audio. To achieve this quality audio, Krisa recommends that iPad users get the Makayama case, which the tablet can easily snap into and then be mounted on a tripod. The good news is that you can also snap on a light and microphone, all of which totals around $200.

An additional tool that Krisa recommends is a wide angle lens. Krisa calls this a "Realtor's best friend" when showing a property or listing because it's vital to get the best image and have the whole room in a frame. While all of this may seem like a hefty price tag, once you see how effective a video can be, you'll be happy you made the investment.

The Best Apps to Use

Although the iPad comes standard with a video app, it doesn't offer the quality that you will need to make a great video. Krisa recommends downloading one or all of these apps to optimize your video.

• ProCamera 7: This app is also available for the iPhone and it lets you zoom in and better control the focus and exposure of your video. If the lighting of a room distorts the quality of your video, simply change the exposure and you're ready to go!
• Vizzywig: The most important feature of this app is its focus lock, but it also allows you to build a movie by taking clips and adding effects (like dissolve and fade). "I can build a movie in live time and I can put pictures in the video," Krisa says. "This funky app also has the ability to let you have six different mobile devices all shooting at the same time and using the iPad like a switching control."
• Green Screen: Krisa says that this is the app that most real estate agents really like. It makes it easy to create impressive green screen videos directly on your iPad. Using something as simple as a shower curtain, this app allows you to add in images or backdrops to tell your story even better!
• iMovie: This is the ultimate movie making app, which lets you create a movie from start to finish and even make project trailers! Much like the other apps mentioned above, it should be easy for any real estate professional to master and will allow you to create awesome videos in no time at all!

Think you might need a little guidance when creating your first video? Take a look at this helpful checklist and find all the advice that Krisa offers on optimizing the iPad to create awesome videos by watching Krisa's webinar with Homes.com!

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