Many times, agents come into our office and lament the fact that they either don't have the time, the technical expertise or budget to shoot videos for their website and marketing initiatives. They desperately want to get into the game, but they just don't know what they can do, given their limited resources.

Much like I believe it's important in social media to actually "BE SOCIAL," I also believe it is important to generate original content when it comes to video. While I think shooting your own videos and sharing your own view, voice and style is of the highest importance in your video initiatives, using the videos of others (while giving them credit, of course) on your websites is perfectly okay--sometimes.

So when is this okay to do? Here are a couple examples of ways you can use other people's videos to not only solidify you in your marketplace, but also give people value added information they may not be aware of--and therefore appreciate.

Special Events

I happen to live in the Silicon Valley. Being less than 45 minutes away from three major cities, there are no shortage of events, arts, entertainment and good times to be had. The amazing thing to me, though, is that so many of us have no idea what is "actually" going on. We get comfortable in our ways, and used to doing what we always do, and miss out on many great opportunities.

So if you are a REALTOR® that wants to tie into your local marketplace and become the consummate resident area expert, what do you do? Set up a page on your website that showcases videos for seasonal events!

For instance, I did a quick Google search for Halloween and holiday related events in my area, and immediately found these two videos:

• Halloween Haunt
• Global Winter Wonderland

Both videos were shot by people wanting to advertise their events. In both cases, if you advertise their events on your "local area attractions" page on your website, they will actually be appreciative, and the homeowners in your marketplace will appreciate the value added, fun information you are offering them. It's a win-win.

Advertise Local Merchants

Whether you realize it or not, there are nearby merchants (restaurants, clothing stores, local performing groups, etc.) that are posting videos all the time to advertise their places of business, their value proposition, and why people should come in to support them.

Here are three videos that demonstrate such things:

• Firehouse Brewery Commercial
• Ling & Louie's Asian Bar & Grill
• Santana Row Summer Fashion Experience 2012

The final example is from a high end shopping/loft/lifestyle area called Santana Row, in San Jose California that promotes the fashions of the stores their property contains.

So as you can see, video is everywhere, and if you want to make your website more contextually relevant to your marketplace, you don't have to look too far.

To view the original article, visit the Leading Agent blog.