10 Tools to Take Your Real Estate Videos to the Next Level
Want to reach more people online? Consider integrating video marketing into your outreach strategy. According to research, people watch an average of 17 hours of online video per week — and they're 52% more likely to share videos than other types of content. But if the response to your content has been lackluster (or if you're just getting started), take a look at the production quality of your videos. Is your lighting poor? Is your audio tinny? Low production values may be preventing your audience from sharing your clips. Fortunately, these things can be fixed with simple equipment upgrades. In the video below, Jimmy Burgess, CEO of BHHS Beach Properties of Florida, shares the equipment his firm uses to produce top-tier video content. Watch it to learn: Basic and advanced methods for shooting videos Effective lighting setups using a window, box light, and ring light The importance of audio quality and equipment, plus an overview of various microphones The difference between shooting with an iPhone vs. professional equipment Tips and tricks for using your iPhone to create quality video And more! Recommended Tools and Equipment If you're intimidated by all this talk of technical equipment, don't be. Burgess encourages starting with what you have and gradually upgrading — and he says that your phone can still be a great tool in your production efforts. All you need is some extra equipment to help you out. Below, you'll find a list of the equipment that Burgess suggests for creating high-quality real estate videos. Lighting 10-inch Ring Light 18-inch Ring Light Soft Box Light Audio Lavalier Mic for iPhone Wireless Rode Go Mic Shure SM7B with Podcast Mic Stand Audio Interface Camera Camera Tripod Camera: Sony A7S3 24-70mm Sigma Lens Related Reading How to Create Video CMAs that Connect and Convert 2 Apps for Editing Real Estate Videos Quickly YouTube Marketing: Fresh Ideas From Real Estate Influencers

How to Create Video CMAs that Connect and Convert
At RPR® (Realtors Property Resource®), we're constantly on the lookout for user feedback that inspires and ignites creative ways to use the platform. And a real zinger just came across our inbox: video CMAs. Here's an email we received from Blake Wallace, a REALTOR® and Broker/Owner of Wallace Realty Group, from Minneapolis, Minnesota: I'm a huge fan of RPR and use it every day! The big game changer for me has been my video CMAs. When I get a request for a valuation or prior to a listing appointment, I'll take the time to put together a Seller's Report and send it in a video email. It puts a face with the name and builds a connection while being able to explain each section of the CMA. I can also track when the video is watched so that I can follow up to see if they have any questions. I can't tell you how often I've shown up to appointments meeting clients for the first time and it's as if we are old friends! Thanks and keep up all the great things you all are doing to make our lives easier. — Blake Wallace From first time to old friends? Well, if that doesn't pique your interest, we don't know what will! While video CMAs aren't a totally new concept, we haven't heard too much about how to use RPR to create them. That changes now… RPR and video CMAs: a game-changing approach to listing appointments With the advent of new technology and video email-focused software and apps, video CMAs have been popular for more than a few years. Here's the gist: an agent takes a CMA (comparative market analysis) or a seller's property report and brings it to life in a brief video walkthrough for the client. This typically entails the agent recording themselves with an attention-getting intro, then guiding the client(s) through an actual report while recording and sharing their screen at the same time. These can be produced with specific video software (which we'll go into more detail later) or simply recording yourself on Zoom. The videos are then sent to homeowners as unsolicited CMAs, or in Blake's case, as a follow-up after a prospecting cold call. One REALTOR®'s way to create a video CMA Here's how he does it: "I run a Seller's Report on their property in RPR and then attach it to an email. I like to use a video platform, called Dubb, which lets you embed video into an email. I record the video, keeping it brief, around 2-3 minutes, where I present this preliminary CMA, which has summaries, some comps and a refined value report from RPR. It's like cold calling on steroids. They see your face and hear your voice. It builds trust." This is where first-time meetings feel like seeing old friends? "Exactly! The other really cool part is, through Dubb, a dedicated landing page is automatically created when an email is sent to them. So they don't click through to YouTube or anything, it plays right there in the message. And this is all trackable! I can see when they open it, how much time they spend engaged with it, what they're clicking on in the email, and so on. Then when I follow up, I know exactly what to focus on and discuss with them." Wow, video CMAs can be quite the icebreaker! If you're curious about your investment of time, Blake says each video takes him about half an hour to complete. For someone like Blake who does cold calls and door knocking for a minimum of three hours a day, that's not so bad. In fact, creating one per day is more than feasible for any agent's schedule. Of course, your first attempts may take longer, but once you get the hang of it, they're more than worth it. Here's an example of the video CMA Blake sends out and a screen grab of what the email looks like in the recipient's inbox. They hit "play" to see your CMA Blake says, "This is a repeatable and a predictable way to build your business." We also asked Blake if he uses any other RPR tools or data to impress or win over clients and prospects. "Absolutely. One thing I really love about RPR is that the reports are super professional looking. They stick to the facts. They can go from a wide scope with Market Trends, all the way down to their home. You share these reports and you come off as an expert, even if you've never even set foot in that neighborhood." Nailed it, Blake! If you're curious about using RPR to create video CMAs, here's a few more things to know and get you going in the right direction: Blake's go-to video email creation software is called Dubb, which is not real estate specific, but more about sales in general. Feel free to check them out, but know that there are many others available, including the popular Bombbomb, loom, and realvolve to name a few. Check out each site for a demo and pricing information. These software subscription sites typically include tracking and metrics, video editing and effects, and some even include AI functionality. For the video recording portion, you can also simply use an RPR Seller's Report and record yourself on Zoom while you share your screen. To really get the attention of your viewer, you'll want a strong opener. Make sure you start out with a full screen of yourself and speak directly to your viewers, using their names and their address. You can also use a dry erase board and write your would-be client's names on it, and use this as your video thumbnail. They'll be sure to open that! Another great trick is to start by putting their address into Google Earth to give a bird's eye view of their home, while you record your opener. For more details and research, and to see how other agents handle the video CMA, check out this video: How I Generated $11M in Listings Doing Unsolicited Video CMAs. We've also recently published a detailed eBook on the video making process — be sure to download and check out: Lights, Camera, Sold! Captivating Consumers with Market Analysis Videos. And good luck in creating your CMA videos! To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

How to Build Your Brand Through Video
In today's digital world, video has become a powerful tool to interact with potential clients and build your personal brand. High-quality video content combined with social media is revolutionizing the industry. Here are some reasons why video is a must-have in leveling up your marketing strategy: Proclaiming your expertise - Video allows you to exhibit your knowledge and expertise in the real estate industry. Share tips and knowledge, answer common questions and give video tours of properties. This helps to substantiate yourself as a trusted advisor in the market and attract more clients. Developing relationships - Videos implement a personal approach that connects you to your audience on a meaningful level. People are more likely to remember and recognize you and your brand if they visually see you and listen to your voice in a video. Additionally, with the ability for messages, you can build relationships with your viewers and interact with them in real-time. Increasing reach and interactions - Video is one of the most consumed forms of content online. By incorporating video into your marketing strategy, you increase the chances of your content being shared and viewed by a larger audience. Plus, video has been shown to raise engagement, making it a powerful and efficient way to convey your message. Higher SEO ranking - Websites with video have a tendency to rank higher in search engine results, which translates to more visibility for your content. By producing video content that is relevant for search engines, you increase your likelihood of being discovered by potential clients who are seeking a local agent. PRO TIP: Make sure your website will host video! Did you know NAR's Premium Websites include a video widget, making it super easy to add video anywhere on your website? Upgrade for only $24.95/month! Learn More! Video by the Stats Social Media Factor - According to NAR's 2022 Technology Survey: 57% of respondents said social media helps build/maintain relationships with existing clients. 41% use social media to find new prospects 46% said the highest number of quality leads in the last 12 months were from social media Video marketing is still significantly underutilized in the industry. According to the 2021 Technology Survey from the National Association of REALTORS® Research Group: 37% of respondents say they use video in their marketing 27% say they do not The remaining 35% say that while they do not currently use video for marketing, they hope to in the near future. 3 Types of Video Every Agent Needs Listing Videos - Sell your listings faster and reach a wider audience with Video tours of your listings. Agent Branded Content - Introduce yourself to new prospective clients and maintain your presence by engaging your existing clients with agent commercials. Market Knowledge - Keep your followers up to date on your market expertise so you are top of mind and the go-to REALTOR® when it's their time for a real estate transaction. Start incorporating video into your marketing strategy today and see the results for yourself! 4 Steps to Create Your First Video Craft an Engaging Introduction for Your Video: Introductions matter—they personalize and localize your video. Keep it simple: "Hi, I'm Sally Smith, your local real estate professional in Anywheresville, Arkansas. Today, let's talk about down payments." Practice a few times but keep it short and impactful. Kick off your video with an engaging intro that sets the stage for an informative discussion. Engage with Questions and Answers: To ensure clarity, use a question-and-answer format. For example, start with a lead-in: "One misconception for first-time homebuyers is the down payment amount." Then, add intrigue: "But did you know you might need less than you think?" Finally, highlight the answer from the blog: "Believing you must put 20% down is a common misconception." Keep it concise and focused to engage your audience effectively. Use Key Points and Takeaways: To establish professionalism and build trust, include data and market insights in your videos. Here's an example key point: "According to Freddie Mac, the myth that a 20% down payment is necessary hinders the home buying process." The takeaway would be: "Contrary to belief, it's typically not required to put 20% down. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals that the average down payment percentage today is only 13%, with even lower figures for first-time homebuyers at just 7%." By highlighting these facts, you provide valuable information that dispels misconceptions and empowers viewers with accurate insights on down payments. Conclusion and CTA: To wrap it up effectively, include a sentence or two that summarizes your main points, and a compelling call-to-action (CTA). For example, "In conclusion, the lack of knowledge about the home buying process is preventing many eager first-time buyers from taking action. However, there's no need to worry! By consulting with a local real estate professional like me, you can gain a better understanding and plan for your down payment options today." And the CTA: "Take the first step towards your dream home. Contact me at [insert your professional contact information, such as your website or email address] to schedule a consultation and explore your personalized down payment solutions. Let's make your homeownership dreams a reality!" In conclusion, while creating real estate videos may initially seem intimidating, it's important to remember that it isn't as difficult as it may appear. With the right approach and tools, you can effectively produce engaging and informative videos that showcase your expertise in the real estate industry. By following the steps outlined in this guide and practicing consistently, you can overcome any initial hesitation and confidently create compelling content that captures the attention of your audience. So, don't be discouraged by the perceived challenges. Embrace the opportunity to showcase your unique perspective and insights through real estate videos, and watch your online presence and business thrive.

2 Apps for Editing Real Estate Videos Quickly
Ever seen a video on social media from a competing real estate team and thought, "Wow, how did they make that look so good?" Sure, they may have had a production team…or they may have simply used an app to give their videos a quick polish and shine. But which apps are best to help you spruce up your content? Where better to start than with what real, on-the-ground real estate pros use themselves? In this short video, learn what team members from Whissel Realty Group use to quickly edit their Reels—and how they use those apps. Check out the apps for yourself here: CapCut VN Video Editor Further Reading 3 Vertical Video Ideas for Real Estate Marketing How to Leverage Instagram Reels for Real Estate Free Video Editing Apps for Real Estate Videos

3 Vertical Video Ideas for Real Estate Marketing
Gone are the days when the traditional horizontal video was king. Thanks to social media and the widespread consumption of content on smartphones, vertical now rules the roost. If you're not already creating TikTok videos or Stories and Reels for Instagram and Facebook, now's the time to start. But don't let the format change intimidate you—let it save you time instead! Because vertical video is more casual and off-the-cuff in nature, it takes less time and effort to create. There's no need to use fancy equipment, set up shots, or spend much time in post-production—your smartphone is all the tool you'll need! Vertical videos are so easy to create that you can get started ASAP. Watch the video above to learn: How to create better content with less effort 3 types of vertical videos to create for your real estate business Tips and tricks for making your videos more watchable And more! Further Reading How to Leverage Instagram Reels for Real Estate 7 Adjustments That Will Make You Better on Camera TikTok: Video Makes the Real Estate Star 7 Fresh TikTok Video Ideas from TikTok Influencers

The Best Listing Photo Is Actually a Video: Here's Why
Homebuyers are consuming content all day long, and videos are an ever-growing share of what they're looking for online. According to Oberlo, 92.8% of internet users watch videos online at least once a week. According to TechJury, 66% of internet users consume video content more than any other kind. Ninety-two percent of mobile users share video content they watch with others. And depending on whom you ask, YouTube (a Google-owned product) is ranked consistently as either the second or third most popular site by search volume, after traditional Google search and Google Image search. In other words, the most important medium for showcasing your listings isn't listing photos. It's virtual tours and property videos. The undeniable benefits of real estate videos Make no mistake, high-quality listing photos are great (and often required), because they're still the go-to for MLS listings and all the resources and platforms that utilize MLS data. But video has undeniable benefits. Let's look at some of those below. Videos catch users' attention People are busy and distracted, so when it comes to consuming content online, what do you think will catch their attention more: a paragraph of plain text, an image, or a well-made video? Chances are most people will choose to watch the video, since it's the easiest (and often the most enjoyable) way to absorb information. Video increases engagement By some estimates, videos are shared 1,200% more than images and text. This is because videos grab users' attention (see above) and are more effective at stirring the emotions that get people to like, comment, or share. When viewers watch videos they like, they usually can't wait to share them with their friends. This is especially true of well-made listing videos! Images show, but videos tell A picture is worth a thousand words, but what is a video if not a thousand pictures strung together? That's a lot of words! Instead of telling viewers what they should like about a listing, a video really shows them. Why talk about high ceilings and an abundance of natural light when agents can take a video showing them to viewers in real time? And there's nothing quite as effective as helping a prospective buyer imagine themselves owning a particular property than sharing a great video or virtual tour (apart from setting up a showing, of course!). Videos boost SEO rankings and drive more traffic to your website and listings Videos are an excellent search engine optimization tool. Remember, more and more people are relying on videos in general and YouTube in particular to find what they're looking for online. Several important factors contribute to boosting SEO ranking: Inbound links – The links you include in your video descriptions on YouTube count as important links back to your website. High quality links like these show search engines that your content is valuable, so they are likelier to rank it higher. Engagement – The increased engagement we talked about earlier drives organic traffic and, if your content is reshared, more inbound linking opportunities. Dwell time – Dwell time, or how long a searcher stays on your page, is an important SEO metric. By showing visitors quality video content, you're likelier to capture their attention for longer, increasing dwell time and showing search engines that users like your page. The rise of the real estate influencer? If you're on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, you've probably seen an explosion of "real estate influencer" accounts. From the informative to the entertaining to the satirical, there's something for nearly everyone, from budding superstar agents to expert brokers to people just looking for a laugh. These influencers may be on to something! Having an online presence that doesn't focus solely on listings and provides useful advice on all sorts of topics of interest to both agents (lead gen tips, personal branding, time management skills, etc.) and consumers (buying their first home, breaking into real estate investing, mortgage tips, etc.) can be a relatively easy way to build your brand and (ultimately) get more leads and more eyes on your listings. Does that mean everyone needs to break out the tripod and start dancing on TikTok? Of course not! But helping your agents post video more effectively online will only benefit your business, both now and in the future. The key ingredients for a compelling real estate video Across platforms and across content areas, there are a few things you can do consistently to make your videos pop: A catchy thumbnail image – Remember, your content is a video, but you still need something to entice users to click on it and watch it. This is where a good thumbnail comes in. Don't just pick a random still from the video: get a high-quality image with bright colors that relates to the video, overlay some key words, and give viewers a taste of what they can expect by watching it. A clear and compelling script and voiceover – People are generally watching your video so you can show them something, but telling them key points is important, too. Catchy words will make the visuals even more appealing. A nice soundtrack – A soundtrack to match the voiceover will give your video a nice, cohesive feel. A call to action – You want viewers to know what they should do next. Call you? Visit your website? Like and follow for more content like this? Different videos have different goals, so customize your CTA to the content you've created. To view the original article, visit the Constellation1 blog.

10 Best Practices for Promoting Your Recorded Real Estate Webinars on YouTube
Webinars are a great way to promote your real estate business and establish yourself as an expert in your community. Recording your webinar and publishing it to YouTube gives you an opportunity to repurpose the material and easily share it with current and potential clients. However, YouTube videos can also be discovered organically. To raise the probability that your content will appear in someone's search, we recommend these 10 best practices: 1. Strategically Name Your Video Selecting a title is one of the most important pieces to remember when uploading your video content. Be specific in the name; match the title you used when promoting the webinar, if applicable. Think about what terms clients might search for within YouTube or Google. Some names are more competitive than others, such as "Buying a New Home." Be sure to add details to the title that match the video content (e.g., Buying a New Home in Denver). 2. Add a Transcript Adding a transcript to your video in post-production, or once you've uploaded the video file to your account, helps increase accessibility and usability. Transcripts can be viewed by anyone watching the video. Some viewers reference transcripts as an easy way to copy and paste relevant information (note taking, for example). Other viewers use YouTube transcripts to quickly skim through the content and jump to specific points in the video (timestamps are hyperlinked). YouTube automatically generates a transcript for you, but you do need to create and post the file in the producer tools menu. Be sure to review the text before publishing it. Fix typos, check the timestamps, and make sure your branding is correct. 3. Enable Closed Captioning When enabled, the Closed Captioning (CC) button displays the transcript copy as text on the bottom of the screen. Similar to subtitles, you can also add key sound effects to closed captioning to indicate tone or other key information for individuals with limited access to audio or who otherwise experience difficulty with hearing. For example, [laughter], [applause], or [cheerful music]. 4. Add a Video Description As important as having an accurate and relevant title, be sure to include a brief description of your webinar in the description field. You can reuse the copy you used to promote the webinar, changing verbs to past tense if necessary. As you add description information, remember to incorporate relevant keywords from the webinar as well as any related hashtags. 5. Add Relevant Timestamps If your recorded webinar is lengthy, consider adding timestamps and a brief test description of the content at the correct point in the video. For example, "At 3:30, we cover real estate trends for 2023," or "Skip to 4:50 to learn how to add new leads to your CRM." If you have enabled transcripts, be sure the timestamps match. 6. Set a Thumbnail Image When publishing a video to YouTube, you'll have the option to select and set a thumbnail that best represents your video. This thumbnail is the featured image linked to your video when promoting the link on social media. You can also upload your own thumbnail image to YouTube (we recommend including the video title and a compelling image or graphic if possible). 7. Use Playlists for Organization and Promotion If you are a regular contributor to your YouTube channel, playlists are an excellent way to organize and promote your video content. Simply having a webinar playlist increases the odds viewers will watch additional videos without any action on your end. If viewers are watching with autoplay enabled, the next video in the playlist will automatically appear on their screens. Playlists can also be added to your real estate website through a plugin or iframe. 8. Encourage Viewers to Subscribe to Your Channel "Don't forget to click that like and subscribe button!" It sounds cliché, but encouraging viewers to subscribe to your YouTube channel can help automatically deliver curated content to their notification feeds without having to manually send that information their way. At the end of your webinar presentation, be sure to mention you'll add the recorded webinar to YouTube and remind viewers to subscribe. 9. Brand Your Channel If you have a company logo, be sure to add that to your YouTube channel as your profile photo/avatar. YouTube recently announced that it will be rolling out handles, similar to what other social media platforms use for tagging with the "@" symbol. Your handle should be your name, brand title or company name and/or match the handle you use across your other channels. 10. Blog About Your Webinar In addition to promoting your recorded webinar in a playlist, on social media, and on a webinar-specific landing page, you can promote the webinar in your real estate blog. Repurpose the title and description, adding any additional content and takeaways to fully round out and provide value to your viewers and readers. Be sure to embed the individual video into the blog, using an iframe or plugin, and add a link to your website playlist or channel.

10 Video Marketing Ideas for Real Estate Agents
While it appears that every Realtor is creating real estate videos these days, some don't seem to get more leads from video. There could be a few reasons why: Focus: Real estate professionals should ensure that the focus is on generating leads while making videos. Video Quality: For marketing videos to be successful enough to generate leads, the quality should be good. Most viewers won't continue watching if the video quality is bad. Video content has become more widely available and accessible thanks to the internet and cellphones. Now more users can easily relate to and engage with the video content than any other content. Therefore, it is essential to create video content that engages your customers. In today's article, we'll discuss effective video marketing ideas for real estate agents. Top Video Marketing Ideas for Real Estate Agents There are countless ways to make real estate marketing videos. Here are 10 video ideas to connect with your audience: About Me/Us Videos An "About me/us" video introduces the authentic side of your real estate brand to your clients and prospects. It gives them an insight into the person behind the brand and why you do what you do.  An "About us" video is ideal for capturing you and your team's spirit and qualities authentically and honestly. Most importantly, it allows leads to relate to and like you easily. FAQ Videos FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) videos are a common marketing strategy for conveying information in the form of questions and answers by an expert who has specialized knowledge in the subject matter. Make videos answering frequently asked real estate questions. By providing helpful answers to common real estate questions, you get an engaged audience and potential clients. Community Event Videos Another excellent video marketing idea is community events videos. Make videos of community events such as street fairs, charity events, etc., to promote the local community. Inform people of a neighborhood's existence. This helps establish a solid local presence for your business, helping attract a local customer base. Property Tour Videos The advantage of using videos for property tours is that you have complete control over what your consumers see and how they view the property. You can take advantage of this by focusing on the most outstanding qualities of the property. However, make sure not to mislead prospective purchasers, as this will come to light during an inspection of the property. Draw attention to the most impressive attributes in a subtle manner. Videos of Virtual Tours There's no denying that the world has adopted a more virtual lifestyle since the pandemic. Many real estate professionals now routinely use virtual tours for marketing their listings. This gives viewers an idea of your services while marketing the property. Testimonials Customer satisfaction is one of the most effective marketing tools at your disposal. Who better to market your product or service than a happy customer, right? By capturing their experiences, Realtors can design a highly effective and effortless marketing asset. While you can write down client testimonials for use on your website or in marketing materials, a video testimonial is an even better option. Video of Market Update Sharing videos of the latest updates in the industry gives your audience the impression that you are a reliable source of information. This encourages them to always check your content to see what's new. Post videos of the latest real estate technologies, market changes, and news about the real estate industry. Tips and Tricks Videos While knowledge is undoubtedly powerful, it is exponentially more so when shared! Create videos sharing tips and tricks that can benefit your audience. For example, you can share videos on how to spot property repairs, educational content, and other valuable information for your audience. Go Live on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter One of the most compelling aspects of social media livestreaming is the ability to include more guests and respond to audience comments directly. Naturally, this increases the video's overall impact. In your livestream, you can answer frequently asked questions and even ask your viewers some questions, share real estate news updates, share information about your product or service, etc., creating a high level of trust with your viewers. Day in the Life Share those your day-to-day experiences and genuinely communicate what it's like to be a real estate agent. This allows you to showcase your professionalism, connect with followers, and keep your audience engaged so they know who to reach out to with for anything real estate related. Conclusion With each new advancement in technology, our reliance on it grows both professionally and emotionally. However, video has remained a reliable source of information and entertainment for most people. And, given recent requirements for virtual connectivity, video marketing is likely to remain effective for an extended period of time. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna blog.

How to Share Real Estate YouTube Videos on Twitter
Real estate agents produce a lot of great video content, such as home tours and how-tos, but sharing them across platforms can be difficult. YouTube and Twitter are the quintessential mix of two separate online channels. The former allows you to easily upload any type of video content, while the latter enables you to easily share it with your followers with only a few clicks. Who knows? Maybe one of your subscribers might retweet the video and make it viral. There are several ways to share real estate YouTube videos on Twitter. This article will discuss the three most common methods of sharing YouTube videos on Twitter. Three Simple Ways to Share YouTube Videos on Twitter You can upload a real estate YouTube video on Twitter in three ways: directly from the video, by pasting the URL into your tweet, and by sharing it through Twitter's creatives library media. Read below to find out how. How to Upload a Real Estate YouTube Video from YouTube's "Share" Menu Step 1 Go to the YouTube video you want to post on your desktop browser when logging in to both your YouTube and Twitter accounts. Step 2 To draft a tweet with the video link attached, press the word "Share" just below the video, and then click the Twitter icon, as demonstrated in the photo below. When sharing the video, you can choose when the real estate video starts and stops by pausing it and checking the box at the bottom to share the video. Step 3 Then, click "Tweet" after inserting whatever text you like on Twitter's "What's happening" bar. The title of the YouTube video will also be added to the tweet by YouTube. How to Share a YouTube Video via a Link on Twitter To share a real estate YouTube video via Twitter, you just have to copy and paste the video's URL into a tweet. You can copy the YouTube URL by right-clicking the video and choosing "Copy video URL" from the URL or directly copying the URL at the top of your browser. After your YouTube link is shared on Twitter, the post will appear on your feed, as seen above. However, Twitter does not appreciate videos shared in this manner, and your post might not get enough reach. Below is the best and most effective method of sharing your YouTube video content on Twitter. How to Embed a Real Estate YouTube Video on Twitter Through Twitter's Creatives Library Media Step 1 To embed a real estate YouTube video on Twitter via its "Creatives" library media, you have to click on the "More" tab on Twitter's Home menu. Step 2 The next step will be to click on the "Twitter Ads" menu. It is not necessarily creating an ad. However, it is a method to embed a YouTube video directly without showing it on your Twitter feed as a link with a caption. Step 3 Insert additional information on the Twitter form provided. You will need to set your country and time zone. After setting this up, it cannot be changed, and it will be used as your billing currency if you want to run a Twitter ad. Then, click "Let's Go." (This video sharing process is free.) Step 4 At this point, you should choose a campaign objective. In Twitter's menu bar, choose a campaign objective, click on "Creatives," and select "Media." But if your Twitter account has never done an ad before, create a Twitter ad account (free of charge). However, you will need to add payment information. Step 5 On your account information page, click on the "Add new payment method." Since our Twitter page already has an existing ad account, the interface is slightly different from that of a page without an ad account. Step 6 Select your tax status by clicking on "Business" and then click "Next." Enter your credit card information or other payment information after this step. Step 7 Go back to Twitter's "Creatives" menu bar and select "Media," and you will be redirected to Twitter's Creatives Media Library. Step 8 Click on "Upload Media" on the top right side of the screen to upload the YouTube video you want to share. Choose your real estate YouTube video from your computer to upload. Step 9 Once the video is uploaded, fill in the required information for Twitter's video media. Add the title of your real estate YouTube video, give a detailed description of your video in the description tab, say what category your video is, and select a call to action. In the "Call to action" tab, you can choose to direct your followers to your YouTube channel or your website. In this tab, you can share your YouTube video link, or a link to your website, depending on what action you want to achieve through the video. This process is mainly for SEO, and won't show on your Twitter feed, so make sure to add information in the required fields. Also, choose a thumbnail on the "Change thumbnail" tab. When this is done, you can either schedule the post or directly Tweet it. Once your tweet is posted, the video will appear on your feed. You should share the post with an accurate description of the real estate video content like you would do for any regular Twitter post to give your followers an idea of what the video is about. Unlike sharing a YouTube link or a YouTube URL directly from YouTube, your Twitter embedded video appears on your feed, where followers can watch or go to your YouTube channel or website through the call-to-action link above the video. And this is all there is to know about sharing real estate YouTube videos on Twitter. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna blog.

Shifting Real Estate Market: How to Create a Video That Clears up Confusion
Most agents are pretty aware that the housing market is changing. A combination of higher interest rates and increased inventory has brought the scorching hot seller's market down a few degrees. Consumers are aware too, but most only hear snippets and their main takeaway is sensational terms such as "shifting," "correcting" or "normalizing." Or worse, scarier phrases like "recession," "bubble burst" and "crash." Of course, this leaves clients feeling anxious, uncertain and out of the loop. Now, more than ever, consumers need advice, guidance and a little clarity as to what's really going on. And that's where you, and your awesome new video content, come in. In this article we'll show you how, step by step, to produce a video that helps position you as THE local market expert. Use RPR data to create a video that cuts through Here's how to create a quick video to send to your prospects and previous clients that will ease their fears, erase doubt and build confidence. Both in their situation—and in you! RPR® (Realtors Property Resource®) has the current and local data to help you do it. First things first: yes, you can create a video! You just need your phone or desktop computer, a simple video editing app, and a script (which we're going to give you!). Sure, you could send an email or post to your social pages, but videos work better than anything. Consumers from Gen X on down (even some Boomers!) prefer them and consume them regularly. They're fast, easy to digest and memorable. Here's how to pull it off. Step 1 – Grab their attention: Begin your video with a question or a really compelling statement. Make it short, sweet and right to the point. "How's the market?" I get this question a half a dozen times a day, and here's the truth… Or, Our seller's market has shifted to a buyer's market. What does this really mean? Ask questions or make statements that engage the viewer right off the bat. Step 2 – Introduce yourself: After your opener, tell the viewers your name, and what area you're from or what neighborhood(s) you work in. Don't bother with your brokerage or brand name yet, just keep it casual and friendly. I'm John Smith, and I too live in Silver Pine. (You will obviously enter your name and area.) Step 3 – Use local market housing data from RPR: This is where you set yourself apart from other agents and position yourself as a local market expert. Using up-to-date data from RPR on specific ZIP codes and neighborhoods is the key to your credibility. Check out this article, "Know Your Market and Your Numbers," to see how easy it is to find RPR market trend stats and graphs that back up your opening statement. In our neighborhood, home inventory has increased, while prices have inched up. And even though it's still a seller's market, things are starting to balance out a bit. Step 4 – Include some graphics or charts: talking about data points is one thing—seeing them is much more powerful. Be sure to add a visual representation of your data. You can either screen grab it right from the RPR Market Trends tab, the Housing tab of a neighborhood, or you can enter the numbers into a templated graphic. And you can always use more than one. As you can see, inventory is up over 21%, but still down from its peak just a few years ago and very similar to inventory levels in 2020. The median sales price is up 1.98% from the previous month. And over or under sales have declined slightly by 2.3%. Step 5 – Tie it all together: Now use your premise and your data to deliver a "What's in it for me?" message. Explain how this current market data applies to them and their situation. Point out opportunities and challenges. What's this mean for you? If you're a seller, don't worry. Home values have eased up, but they aren't decreasing. Now it might take 10 days to sell your home, instead of three. That's okat. And buyers, increased inventory means more options. Over-asking bidding wars may be in the rear view, and you might have just a little more time to craft a perfect offer. Step 6 – The call to action: Now that you've delivered all this great information, the crucial next step is to get them to act. Ask your viewers to reach out and ask you questions. Offer to buy them a cup of coffee to discuss their real estate goals. Have them email you or direct them to your website. Give them some type of call to action to get the ball rolling. I hope this quick video helped clear up any confusion you may have heard about the housing market. And if you have any questions about Silver Pine real estate, please don't hesitate to call or email me. I'm John Smith, thanks for watching. Every market's different: use local stats for local updates When deciding what statistics or data to use, the best part about using RPR's Market Trends and housing charts is that you can pull the data for specific ZIP codes and neighborhoods. Most real estate news stories that people are reading about are reports from national sales statistics, which is fine, but they don't tell the whole story as it relates to an individual's situation. However, using up-to-date data and drilling down to your specific, local market puts you in a unique position. You're providing relevant, hyper local data on their market, which makes you a smart, trusted and informed advisor. Almost like you're a local economist giving out free real estate advice! This is a keen way to check in on previous clients, and a super smart way to break ice with prospective clients. The sample script Here's the sample script, all put together: (Note: the items in BOLD would be filled in with your information and statistics, from whatever article or chart you are referencing.) "How's the market?" I get this question a half a dozen times a day, and here's the truth… I'm John Smith, and I too live in Silver Pine. In our neighborhood, home inventory has increased, while prices have inched up. And even though it's still a seller's market, things are starting to balance out a bit. As you can see, [VIDEO GRAPHIC HERE] inventory is up over 21%, but still down from its peak in 2019, and very similar to inventory levels in 2020. Median sales price is up 1.98% from the previous month. And over or under sales have basically declined slightly by 2.3%. What's this mean for you? If you're a seller, don't worry. Home values have eased up, but they aren't decreasing. Now it might take 20 days to sell your home, instead of five. That's okay. And buyers, increased inventory means more options. Over-asking price bidding wars may be in the rear view, and you might have just a little more time to craft a perfect offer. I hope this quick video helped clear up any confusion you may have heard about the housing market. And if you have any questions about Silver Pine real estate, please don't hesitate to call or email me. I'm John Smith, thanks for watching. This script is provided, but of course you can feel free to change or modify anything. It's your script, so it's up to you! Example of agent-produced market trend videos Here's an example to show you how other agents have tackled market update videos. Watch this agent-produced version to get a feel for how it's done: Nicole Nicolay and Robyn Annicchero from Love Livermore of Compass As you can see, this example is brief, friendly and full of local housing market data. In a shifting market, clients need solid advice Build confidence. Build relationships. And build this video! Providing relevant, factual, timely data to your sphere is a solid way to build trust and credibility. A short, casual, friendly piece of communication that clears up the confusion of today's shifting real estate market, by breaking it down in layman's terms, will be remembered and appreciated. We hope you were inspired and motivated to create your own market update video. And we'd love to see how yours turns out! Post your vid to our Facebook group and we'll be sure to comment and offer encouragement. Good luck! To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

How to Use Video Marketing to Advertise Your Listings
Video marketing is an effective way to advertise your real estate listing. Videos are an effective marketing tool as clients often prefer visual content over written text. In today's article, we will list the reasons why video marketing is beneficial and how you can advertise your listings through videos. Why Real Estate Video Marketing? Video marketing has become very popular in today's real estate industry. Many real estate agents use video marketing as a tool to grow their business and expand their audience. Videos offer various creative options for advertising your products and services. Realtors can benefit from it by taking exciting and engaging videos of the property and promoting it on their website or social media platforms. If you film high-quality videos, it can generate more leads, make you stand out from your competitors, and overall benefit your business. Types of Video Marketing for Real Estate There are various ways to do video marketing. Here are some examples: Property Video Tours The most common form of video marketing is video tours. Video tours are a great way to show your property to potential customers. You can record a 3D walkthrough so that your audience can better understand the property without having to visit it in person. With the help of VR, a.k.a. virtual reality, you can take your tours to a whole new level by making them interactive. VR helps your clients envision their potential home before committing to real changes, making it more appealing. Webinars Real estate webinars are a great way to directly advertise your services and listings to your potential clients. Webinars help real estate agents communicate and build better relationships with their clients by staying engaged with their audience and keeping them up to date with the company's services. Your clients can also ask questions they're interested in and get answers directly from you. Webinars can be recorded and shared on social media platforms, giving your audience an option to view them later. In addition, webinars are a good strategy for video marketing because they directly answer specific questions that your audience may have. Drone Video Tours Another exciting method to market your property is through the use of drones. Drones are a great way to give aerial tours of your property. They help capture the whole area and layout of a place and highlight nearby attractions. Also, drones are portable, making it convenient to take high-quality videos while increasing your work safety. Clients Feedback and Testimonials Presenting your clients' feedback and testimonials in video form is another good way to advertise your listings. This makes it easier for your future clients to envision what your company offers. It is an excellent way for them to know your services and find out what others liked the most about you. Having a video of your clients' testimonials provides a sense of comfort for your prospective clients, knowing that they are in trusted hands. Social Media Ads Another way you can market your listings through videos is by using social media platforms. For example, Instagram provides features like Reels and IGTV. IGTV consists of quick 1-5 minute videos that allow you to show a glimpse of your property. You can also use IGTV to share a short video that shows parts of your original video, making your audience curious to check out the full version. With Instagram Reels, you can share fun 15-second videos about your listings to your followers. Furthermore, besides Instagram Reels and IGTV, you can also attach a link to your property video tour in your bio, giving your audience a choice to check it out on your website. There are many more ways to advertise your listings through videos. Another way is with the help of TikTok. If you are interested in learning more about marketing through TikTok, check out our article on Fresh TikTok Video Ideas from TikTok Influencers. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna blog.

4 Things Kids Can Teach Us About Engaging Video Content
Now more than ever, real estate professionals understand the value of using video in their marketing. The pandemic has catapulted the use of video by agents. Before March 2020, about one in 10 agents used video to sell a home. But, according to the National Association of Realtors, since April 2020, that number spiked to nearly one in five agents. Yet, real estate agents still struggle to find an audience for most of the video content they create. For example, the typical virtual video tour of a home rarely generates many views. As a result, real estate as an industry overall lags in using video compared to other sectors. According to video research collected by HubSpot: 64% of businesses said in the last 12 months, a video on Facebook resulted in a new client. (Animoto, 2020) 83% of video marketers say video has helped them generate leads. (Wyzowl, 2020) 84% of people say they've been convinced to buy a product or service by watching a brand's video. (Wyzowl, 2020) People are 1.5x more likely to watch video daily on a smartphone than on a computer. (Facebook, 2020) 93% of brands got a new customer because of a video on social media. (Animoto, 2019) 88% of video marketers say they planned to use YouTube in 2020. (Wyzowl, 2020) People are twice as likely to share video content with their friends than any other type of content. (Wyzowl, 2019) Over 2 billion logged-in users visit YouTube each month, and it is now the fourth-largest social network. (YouTube, 2020) Understanding the power of video isn't the problem for most real estate professionals. Instead, the challenge is what content can you create that prospective clients will watch? Ask a digital native How can agents create more popular videos? A good start is to look at digital natives: our kids who have grown up, first clutching a tablet in their hands. Technology has surrounded our children their entire lives. Millennials and Gen Z are huge consumers of video content. Research tells us they like video – a lot. Statista reports that YouTube was the top social media platform among U.S. Gen Z and Millennial internet users in 2019, regardless of gender. What kind of video do kids watch? According to researchers, the most-watched type of videos are explainers, demos, how-tos, and testimonials. Lessons for real estate The most common real estate videos? Home tours. The problem with home tours is that they have a highly limited appeal. Think about it. How many homes are sold in your market in a typical year? Compare that number to your local population. A video touring a single home doesn't appeal to a large population. So it shouldn't be a mystery that the home tour on YouTube only has a couple of dozen views, at best. Kids watch videos that a lot of other kids watch. So, ask yourself this question, "What kind of videos can I create that appeals to a large audience?" 1. Explainer videos Some of the most popular videos our kids watch are videos that explain something to them – whether it's something they didn't quite understand in school or something they want to try to do themselves. As a local real estate pro, you are in a perfect position – as the local expert – to create explainer videos that appeal to many people. Think Top 5 lists (local restaurants, stores, parks, and more), tours of local neighborhoods, insight into your local schools, and features on seasonal events in your area from festivals to parades. You also can leverage your expertise with explainer videos that help people understand real estate. For example, create videos about the buying and selling process or the difference between an inspection and an appraisal. Or perhaps a video about the value of a home warranty or what to expect at the closing. Again, you have a lot of knowledge that you might assume others know, but they don't, so share it. 2. Testimonial videos There's a reason why companies hire YouTube Influencers to promote their brands: because it works. Research tells us that "me" marketing in real estate doesn't work. Videos are much more effective and popular when they are not about you and your achievements but your clients and the experience you gave them. Few videos are more powerful and persuasive than unscripted testimonials. No one can sell you better to others than a happy client, not even you. 3. How-to videos Kids learn from video. When they want to learn how to fix something broken, the first step many will take is to search YouTube for a step-by-step video. How can you apply this to real estate? A video about how to sell real estate, focusing on all the steps you take, as an agent, to sell their home. When someone realizes all the things their agent does for them, they recognize the actual value of your commission. A video showcasing many things you do that are rarely seen can give prospective clients insight into you, your process, and your worth. 4. Demo videos Kids love to watch other kids play video games they love. Unfortunately, it can be challenging for adults to understand this addiction. But when you think about it, this game-playing is one long demo, often showing shortcuts or hacks that an expert player uncovers throughout their game-playing. Flip this for real estate, and a demo video can be a great way to showcase different aspects of your process. For example, staging a home may be part of your standard listing process. But sellers might not fully understand or appreciate the value of this service. Creating a video that demos the staging process from a previous listing – going from an empty room to selecting the items, furniture location, color scheme, and then showing the impact of a finished product – can eliminate any seller apprehension. A demo video also can be used to showcase one or more of your partners – such as a title company, your closing agent, or your mortgage partners. Again, peeling back the curtain gives more transparency to what happens behind the scenes by showing someone each process, which helps position you as the trusted source of real estate knowledge. Remember that kids watch a lot of videos that relate to their offline interests. They might have a passion for music or a penchant for baseball. Watching others do things hands-on is one of the most powerful ways to learn. Using video to showcase what you love – your community and all that it offers – will appeal to many potential clients. And your Tech Helpline can answer your tech questions or troubleshoot tech issues. Call, email, or chat with us. We're here to help you. To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

How to Master Video Content with Little Investment
You have probably heard a lot about how valuable video content is as a digital marketing tool for real estate agents, and for good reason. Integrating video content into your marketing strategy is a dependable way to build trust, showcase your real estate expertise, provide valuable advice to your audience, market properties, and give your social media presence a significant boost. On top of that, creating video content is more accessible, more affordable, and easier to do than ever before. Getting started will still require some effort, but you really can master video content with minimal investment and the potential for major returns. The Right Tools for the Job When you hear about video content, you might be thinking about expensive cameras, specialized lenses, drones, and other fancy tech. But the only fancy piece of technology that you truly need to get started is the smartphone in your pocket. A newer generation of phone is ideal because cameras, lenses, and filming technology all tend to advance with each new generation. You'll also need a few apps, like a film app and video editing app, along with a mini-tripod to ensure you get stable shots. You can certainly choose to invest in more expensive equipment if you fall in love with creating video content, but other than your phone it takes very little investment to get started. Getting Started with Video Content Once you have the minimal equipment necessary, it's time to start experimenting, getting used to the tools, and building confidence. Rather than worrying about publishing something right away, make some practice videos to experiment with filming strategies, get used to speaking in front of the camera, and try out your video editing app. Watching videos from experienced real estate content creators is a great way to gain inspiration and pick up some tips on creating your own videos. After that, it's all about practice and preparation. Some videos might require a script, some might be more off the cuff, and some videos like property tours will require more careful planning. All of these things will get easier the more you do them. The Most Popular Types of Real Estate Videos The "About Us" Video Adding a face and personality to your brand is so powerful for your online marketing. Whether you're introducing yourself, your whole team, your company, or a new agent who has joined, "about us" videos are relatively easy to make while offering significant benefits. Sharing Your Real Estate Expertise Providing advice to buyers, sellers, and homeowners is a staple for real estate video content. It's also a great way to show off your real estate knowledge and give your audience a look at the many ways that you can help them. Short real estate advice videos are ideal for social sharing, and you can also break down longer videos into short, shareable clips. Property and Guided Tour Videos Guided property tours take more preparation to film than some other types of video content, but doing the work up front makes the process of filming a tour much easier. Given the number of steps required to make them, these videos often take longer to master. But once you have it down, you'll have a general formula for every property video you make in the future. Neighborhood Videos It's not just properties that your audience wants to see. They also want to learn all about the neighborhoods where homes are located, and neighborhood videos can really help them build connections with your markets. Whether you're touring local attractions or just showing them around the neighborhood, these videos are a powerful supplement to your property tours. Testimonial Videos Written testimonials from clients are excellent marketing tools for any agent, and video testimonials take the concept of social proof to the next level. A filmed testimonial adds a level of authenticity that text can't match, which makes it perfect for online marketing and social media sharing. If a client is willing to film a testimonial, take steps to make it happen. Are You Ready to Become the Next Real Estate Video Star? Now that you know a little more about the tools required, the steps that you'll need to take to create video content, and the most popular types of real estate videos, all that's left is to work on the craft. You'll notice that many of the most popular real estate videos have a polished, professional look, and that's no accident. It takes practice to create great videos, but the payoff is well worth the investment. Perhaps one day you'll be the real estate content creator that other agents look to for inspiration and advice when they begin their own journey with creating video content. RE Technology readers can get a jumpstart on video content creation with a FREE 30-day trial of DeltaNET 6. To view the original article, visit the Delta Media Group blog.

New HomeJab Survey Says Agents Prefer Video Over 3D Interactive Tours
While immersive 3D interactive tours are soaring in popularity, more real estate agents today still prefer video tours, according to a new survey we recently completed at HomeJab. More than one in three real estate agents – 36 percent – said they preferred video tours versus 21 percent for 3D interactive tours. Nearly one-third of agents said they use both video and 3D tours, depending on the seller. Real estate agents know that use of high-quality images and video drives online traffic and engagement. Great photos and videos also raise active real estate agents' local visibility while enhancing their reputation. As a result, professional photographers play an essential role in today's real estate market as they fuel better promotion of property listings. According to the National Association of Realtors, with 97 percent of home buyers using the internet when searching for homes, professional photos, video, and other advanced imaging tools are more important than ever. Using professional imaging can mean a faster home sale and enhance a real estate agent's reputation in the marketplace. At HomeJab.com, we provide on-demand professional real estate photography and other visual production services nationwide for real estate agents and brokers. We are watching new imaging technologies, including virtual staging, virtual twilight photos, and aerial photography, rapidly adopted and used to sell homes faster. Hot new trends One of the hottest trends is virtual staging, which agents prefer slightly more than traditional staging, 30 percent versus 29 percent, respectively. Aerial photography also is one of the fastest-growing trends, being used by agents to elevate their online listings and sell homes faster. More than two out of three (67 percent) real estate agents surveyed said they used aerial photography with their listings. However, the majority (55%) said their use depends on the property. And 12 percent said they use aerial photography with every property listing. While virtual staging showcases a home's interior features, twilight photos grab the viewer's attention. Think about it: how sweet is life during a sunset? It's one of those moments in which everything looks its best, including your home. We know from other research we've done that property listings with twilight photos get three times more engagement from buyers. Most agents – over 76 percent – told us they have either used twilight photos to promote their property listings or are interested in using them. Currently, 40 percent of agents said they use twilight photos, with 35 percent saying they love them. And 5 percent of agents said they use them but don't love them. The more (photos), the merrier We also polled real estate agents on the average number of photos they provide to consumers via their local Multiple Listing Service. We found that for a typical listing, 79 percent of agents surveyed said they upload at least 30 images to the MLS. A breakdown of responses shows that 51 percent of real estate agents upload 30 photos to the MLS for an average-sized home. Nearly 20 percent of real estate agents upload 40 photos. Almost one out of 10 agents upload 50 or more images. Some MLSs limit the number of photos per listing, or this number would likely be much higher. Every day, we work with thousands of professional real estate photographers coast-to-coast who provide real estate agents with a full range of imaging services, edited, and delivered within 24 hours. Accessible through our one-stop-shop for real estate listings at HomeJab.com, every listing comes with a property landing page and full ownership rights. Having easy access to professional real estate photography allows agents to do their jobs better and more efficiently. Professional photography helps agents win more listings and sell homes faster. You can learn more about how we can provide fast and affordable shoots for any sized brokerage, individual agent, or team at HomeJab.com. Joe Jesuele, founder and CEO of HomeJab, America's most popular and reliable on-demand professional real estate photography and video service for real estate pros, is a leading expert on real estate photography and emerging visual technologies for real estate.

How to Optimize Your Real Estate Video Marketing
Video isn't the next hot thing--it has been the hottest for a while now. What's changed during the past few years is how videos are created, marketed and consumed by viewers. You no longer need professional-grade equipment and expensive editing software to produce engaging content. Low barriers to entry is one reason there's been a boom in new content. And this accessibility is exactly why real estate video marketing needs to be among your top priorities this year. More importantly, consumers are watching videos at a higher rate than ever before. Currently, Americans average 18 hours of video-watching per week, which is two hours more than a year ago. It's increasingly the go-to method for learning about a product or service, with more than two-thirds of people preferring videos to text or other types of content. If you're ready to put more fuel into your real estate video marketing, then read on. We'll discuss techniques for maximizing video and leveraging the right platforms to promote it. Three Tips for Better Videos Although consumers are gobbling up video hours like candy, it's just as easy to flip to the next shiny object if the content isn't interesting. So, how do you maximize your precious video time? Keeps these three main points in mind when you're creating your real estate video to ensure it's as engaging as possible. This goes for listing videos (e.g. walkthroughs) as well as brand awareness/promotion (e.g., an intro to you and your services). 1. Keep it short When people are browsing social media, their attention span is limited. The interesting thing is that the length of time they are willing to watch a video differs by platform. This mostly has to do with expectations. For example, people go to YouTube specifically looking for video content, so they expect it to be more in-depth and are willing to watch longer. On social media, on the other hand, consumers are only willing to spend so much time per post before moving onto the next. Here are ideal video lengths by platform that HubSpot's research uncovered: Instagram: 30 seconds Twitter: 45 seconds Facebook: 1 minute YouTube: 2 minutes The takeaway here is that you need to get your message across as quickly as possible and cut out any fluff that lengthens your video but isn't engaging. Front-load your videos with need-to-know content at the beginning in order to both hook watchers to stick around longer and ensure they learn the most important points before exiting the screen. You can and should publish longer versions with your MLS listings or on your real estate website. Buyers browsing those spaces are similar to YouTubers in that they are expecting and want to watch an in-depth video. 2. Include audio and subtitles A majority of people don't turn up their volume to listen to audio (hence the "volume up" and "sound on" emojis and stickers that appear on many videos). While you should include audio for those who do want it, you must also include subtitles for everybody else. It's the only way for you to provide context or important details if they aren't listening in. Many programs will be able to intelligently apply subtitles for you, but just make sure that the text is accurate and well-spaced throughout your video. If not, go in and make edits to ensure you're publishing high-quality, accurate content. 3. Be visually engaging You may think "easier said than done," but that's not true. Your best judgement will guide you in the right direction. Chances are you also enjoy watching videos, so you will instinctively know whether the video you make is snooze-worthy or worth watching. There are a few things you can keep in mind that will help you ensure you're keeping it visually engaging. First, make sure the rooms are well-lit. Don't shoot at night, and when you record during the day, open all the windows and let natural light flood the space. Use indoor lighting when you don't have a window to open or if the level of sunlight is too low. Second, don't move the camera too fast or too slow. If you're doing a walkthrough, you don't want to speed through a room so quickly that you force viewers to pause or rewind. Move too slowly and you'll lose viewers, especially those who have their audio off. Finally, ensure there is an interesting focal point in all shots. For example, if you are doing a walkthrough and there isn't staging furniture set up, don't pause on a wall as you describe the room. Keep panning the camera or move to another room so you keep viewers interested in learning what's behind the next door. One last step When you've finished your video, share it with close friends or colleagues who can give you honest feedback. You won't need to do this forever—you can sign off on the video yourself once you become more accustomed to real estate video marketing. Where to Promote Your Videos Too many real estate agents fall victim to publishing their videos with the MLS property listing and stopping there. You did the work, so you should promote it far and wide! Here are a few locations across the web where you can reach interested buyers and sellers. 1. Social media If you already have a following on specific social media platforms, like Facebook or Instagram, then you should definitely share your video natively so your fans can interact with your content. It's also important to invest some of your advertising budget in your real estate video marketing. Push it out to those who don't already follow your business pages but are in your sphere and target audience. When your sphere sees your ads, it's a reminder that you work in real estate (so many people forget!). By promoting your content to your target audience, you are widening your sphere of influence by introducing yourself to new potential leads and improving your brand awareness each time they see your ad. Homesnap can help you set up and target your video ads on Facebook and Instagram in just a few clicks, and you get to choose everything from the dynamic design to the lead form to the daily budget. Check out our video ads for real estate agents for yourself. 2. Your Google business profile No matter what type of video you create—whether brand-focused or a walkthrough of a listing—you should publish it to your Google business profile's media section. This is just another piece of content that will help leads and prospects get to know you better and see you in action. If you don't already have a Google business profile, now is the time to claim your space and get started. In addition to being a key place to extend your real estate video marketing, it's integral for branding and establishing credibility. 3. Homesnap Buyers and sellers browse Homesnap daily, looking at new listings, comparables and, of course, agents and their real estate profile. If your listing videos are already in the MLS, they will automatically be attached to your property listing in Homesnap. But you can take it one step further and create unique content just for buyers and sellers who check you out in Homesnap. Homesnap Pro agents can add a Story (similar to those on Instagram and Facebook) to each of their MLS listings. You'll record content and add text, graphics, filters and more right inside the Homesnap Story creator. Your completed Story will be available to those who look at your individual listings, as well as your public profile in Homesnap. See how easy it is to get started! You can also promote your Homesnap Story as a targeted ad on Facebook and Instagram just by selecting the boost story option. A final thought If you aren't already creating marketing videos for your real estate business, today is the best day to start. Don't forget: Practice makes perfect. The more often you produce content, the more natural it feels to be in front of and behind the camera. After you see for yourself the high level of engagement that videos get, you'll be wondering why you didn't start making them sooner! To view the original article, visit the Homesnap blog.

3 Stand-out Video Hacks: Making Videos that Get Clicks!
You probably have heard that video is one of the most powerful and persuasive forms of communication. The statistics for the impact of YouTube alone are staggering: 2 billion monthly users, 74% of US adults use YouTube, and it's the world's second-most visited website, right after Google, which owns YouTube. On Facebook, the popularity of video is equally stunning. More than 4 billion views occur on Facebook daily, totaling 100 million hours of viewing. Facebook also wants your videos posted directly to Facebook, as they get 478% more shares on Facebook than videos linked from other sources, like YouTube. A Forrester Research analyst estimates that a minute of video is worth 1.8 million words, equal to more than 3,500 web pages. Most importantly, research by the National Association of Realtors found that 85 percent of all buyers prefer to work with an agent who uses video. However, NAR says fewer than half of all agents rarely or never use video. While many agents may use video in their marketing and promotional activities, even then, their efforts often fall short. Video tours have long been the primary type of video agents create. However, most video tours yield only a handful of views. While some video tours may generate hundreds and sometimes thousands of viewers, those are the exception, not the rule for video tours. How can you get more clicks when using videos? Here are three hacks to help you generate more viewers and engagement when you upload and promote your videos on both YouTube and Facebook: Create community tours: When someone buys a home, they are not just buying a property; they are buying into a community and the lifestyle their local area offers. What the internet often fails to do is visually showcase local communities with video tours. You can stand out from other agents by being the local expert and capturing tours of what people want to see: the local stores, parks, community centers, schools, restaurants, hiking, or biking trails – whatever makes your community unique and livable. Creating videos that showcase the area where they are buying will gain many viewers and perhaps more deals for you. Local Market Updates: Being the local expert also means you know what is happening in your marketplace. The internet is filled with big picture real estate statistics, but often misses the local picture. With video, you can share what's happening down to the local neighborhood level: how many homes sold, their first offer price and final sales price, how fast homes are selling, new developments planned, and more. Giving context to local trends – year-over-year and month-to-month changes – helps communicate your expertise and trustworthiness. Market update videos are great to share with both prospects and past clients as a way to stay both in touch and top of mind. Top 5 videos: One of the greatest challenges that agents face is figuring out what to share that people will be interested in reading or watching. Creating fresh and engaging content isn't easy. But there is a tried-and-true formula that has worked for many agents who create videos that grab a lot of eyeballs. The concept makes it easy to figure out video content you can create that others will be interested in watching. It's highlighting the "Top 5" in your community. Being a local expert, you know more about your community than just the real estate market. You know the best places to shop, dine, relax, and explore. You can capture and share that knowledge on video. Top 5 videos can include the Top 5 places to eat, Top 5 parks, Top 5 hiking trails, Top 5 places to shop, and you can even get more specific, such as the Top 5 pizzas. If you are in a market with seasons, you can create the Top 5 things to do in the winter/spring/summer/fall, or feature the Top 5 community events. There are many ways to create fresh and exciting videos around this theme. Most importantly, these types of videos can help solidify your position as the go-to local expert. As you can see, the one thing all these types of videos have in common is they have a local focus. Connecting your brand as the local expert by creating local videos helps you stand apart from other agents. By making video a key component of your marketing and promotional efforts, you can expand your reach significantly, reminding prospects and past clients about you and your real estate business. And remember, if you ever have general tech questions, a Tech Helpline expert is only a call or click away! To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

Everything You Need to Know About Real Estate Listing Videos
According to Wyzowl, over 80% of marketers have increased traffic to their websites by incorporating video content in their marketing campaigns. They've also reported more user dwell-time across their web pages and an influx of qualified leads to drive sales. With these stats, it's no wonder real estate listing videos have become increasingly popular over the past few years! In this post, we'll cover everything you need to know about video content for real estate and take you on a journey of the home-buying process as seen through the lens of a video camera. Why create real estate listing videos? According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 73% of sellers prefer to work with a real estate agent who can market the property with a video listing. What's more, the NAR's 2021 Homebuyers and Sellers Generational Trends report showed that real estate videos are steadily climbing up the list of top resources that homebuyers consider "very useful" on an agent's website. The rise of real estate listing videos is also outperforming virtual open houses: So, if you're a property agent or homeowner who hasn't yet jumped on the real estate video production bandwagon, you do yourself no favors. Skip the FOMO and schedule your video listing today! What does a high-quality real estate video look like? A great real estate video is made manifest with top-notch equipment. Think full-frame DSLR cameras. Motion control gears (a.k.a. video camera stabilizers). Adequate tripod heads for extra stability and streamlined panning. Also, you might opt for a wide-angle lens to capture more depth in the room. Then, there's post-production to consider. Is the sound crystal clear? Does the music add value to the experience or does it detract from it? How's the editing? Do the shots and scenes flow sensibly from the very beginning of the real estate video to the end? These are important questions to keep in mind when producing real estate listing videos that will engage and delight the viewer. And we get it — not everyone has the time to ask and answer them! This is where HomeJab comes in. Keep your inner Spielberg contained and let us produce high-quality real estate video content for you. How long should a real estate listing video be? The average human attention span has fallen from 12 seconds in the year 2000 to a mere eight seconds today (yikes!). In light of this information, it's good to remember that an optimal real estate video will highlight the property's best features in a relatively short amount of time. Two to three minutes should do. Within this time span, you can offer the viewer a taste of the home vicariously through the lens of a video camera. This includes an exciting journey through the front door, kitchen, living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, and then out to the yard (if the property has one). A well-produced and successful real estate listing video will impel the viewer to contact you for an in-person tour. Or better yet, to purchase the home! Granted, an 8,000 to 10,000 square foot property requires a bit more screen time than a standard two-bedroom house. But no matter how large the property or estate is, try not to go past seven minutes. Remember, the human attention span is a fickle thing! Types of real estate listing videos When you think about real estate video content, what comes to mind? More often than not, a property video listing will present itself as a walkthrough of the home, such as the "front door → kitchen → living room" flow mentioned above. Alternatively, a real estate listing video can focus exclusively on the neighborhood where the home is being sold. After all, they don't say "location, location, location" for nothing! In fact, a survey conducted by the NAR found that 78% of prospective homebuyers preferred neighborhood quality over the size of the home. And a survey completed by Trulia reported that 84% of millennials were willing to forego key home features to live in their ideal neighborhood. At HomeJab, we offer a neighborhood package to ensure that your real estate listing video stands out from the rest of the crowd. This way, you can feature the best schools, amenities and outdoor activities that your neighborhood has to offer. Lastly, if you're looking to pull out all the stops with engaging real estate video content, our elite package will help you gain maximum exposure while enhancing your personal branding. The elite service is essentially a mini feature film that focuses solely on your listing and helps your prospective buyers envision themselves living in your home as they watch! Should you use drone photography in your real estate listing video? Drone photography is an excellent way to show off your property's exterior features that a camera simply won't be able to capture from the ground. Aerial footage of your home can also be a compelling opening shot to your real estate video — one that hooks in more viewers, like this one: Furthermore, if you're dealing with some serious acreage or photographing an estate, real estate drone photography can do wonders for your listing video. But it could also come in handy even if the property's much smaller. For instance, real estate drones can capture the dock of your lakeside house from an optimal angle by hovering above the water. They could also photograph your brand new roof much better than a handheld camera. And if you have a lovely gazebo in your yard, a 360-degree aerial sweep of it can make it look even more striking. When booking HomeJab's drone photography services, you leave the nuances of piloting these compact gadgets to us. That way, you can focus your time and efforts on planning your next open house, contacting prospective buyers, and crossing off more important items from your to-do list. To learn more about drone photography — including its evolution from a reconnaissance tool in wartime to a lightweight, easy-to-fly gadget — check out our post, "A Brief History of Real Estate Drones." Should you make a cameo in your real estate video listing? Real estate video listings can be a great opportunity to introduce yourself to prospective homebuyers and engage viewers with your unique personality. As a matter of fact, some real estate agents create video listings that feature more of themselves than the actual home. And this isn't a gimmick — the role of personality in sales can shape the buyer's views and feelings towards the home. If the buyer doesn't like you — or even worse, if the buyer doesn't trust you — it could affect their perception of the home and compromise the deal. So, to break the ice and get a head start on building rapport and trust, consider filming a real estate listing video that you can showcase as evergreen content on your website or include in your email marketing campaigns. Funny Real Estate Videos Our final thought on real estate listing videos? Have fun! At HomeJab, we've gathered the best funny real estate videos for your viewing pleasure. And if you want even more hilarious real estate video content, we've got you covered. All that said, are you ready to scale your real estate business and create professional real estate listing videos? If so, let's ready the clapperboard and yell, "Action!" To view the original article, visit the HomeJab blog.

25 Real Estate Video Marketing Ideas
Lights, camera, action! Today's article is a simple one. We give you 25 ideas to give your on-camera personality some inspiration. We have also included a free download of our Guide to Online Video for Real Estate Agents. We discuss video editing, video platforms, camera options, and everything you need to get started. Here are 25 video marketing ideas for real estate agents: About You Introduce yourself to your leads Explain any specialties or niche markets you focus on Reveal three traits that help you stand out from other agents Read some of your client testimonials Explain any unique marketing or real estate services you provide About the Community Provide a visual tour of local hotspots in your neighborhood Discuss highlights of the community Highlight independently owned small businesses in the area Explain why your town is worth living in compared to others nearby Discuss benefits of each neighborhood in your area in detail Have an interview with long-time residents Illustrate popular architectural styles in your area Discuss median cost and advise buyers on where to look for properties that fit their budget Explain market trends and provide timing advice Create seasonal videos to highlight the best events and places to visit throughout the year Videos About Real Estate Provide tips and best practices for first-time home buyers or sellers Announce an upcoming open house and highlight features of the property Offer advice to leads considering selling on what home improvements provide the best ROI Do a video walk-through of a newly listed property Ask past clients to submit questions and explain the answers in your videos Discuss mortgage prequalification and home loan opportunities Offer advice on how to identify serious issues vs. cosmetic damage on home tours Talk about the foreclosure market in your area Discuss the timeline of a traditional sale Provide advice on how to prioritize needs to land on the perfect neighborhood (school district vs. commute time, etc.) Need advice on online video marketing? Download our guide for real estate agents! To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

5 Benefits of YouTube for Real Estate
Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine on the planet? It is only slightly less popular than Google, who happens to own YouTube. This is a platform that unfortunately not all real estate agents are utilizing to their full potential. If you aren't on YouTube yet, we have a few reasons why you should reconsider. Here are five benefits to having a YouTube for real estate:

Prepare Your Business for a Post-Covid Market with These Tips
The real estate market is different during COVID-19 compared to what we have seen in the past. Homes are selling faster and for higher prices than ever before. With everything going on in the market, are you prepared to tackle the real estate market post COVID-19? Recently, Rob Levy, a top Realtor out of Portland, Ore. and practicing agent of 32 years, joined us for a Secrets of Top Selling Agents webinar, where he shared some of his best tips and practices to manage your real estate business post COVID-19.

How to Leverage Instagram Reels for Real Estate
Instagram Reels is a sensational new feature in the world of video production and creation. It allows users to create and combine short video clips, set catchy music, and adorn your video clip with text and stickers. Sound familiar? If you think it's a carbon copy of TikTok, you're not the only one. Instagram launched Reels back in July/August. After India instituted its TikTok ban, Instagram introduced its beta version of Reels. With tensions rising between America and China and Tiktok's possible ban in the US, Reels presents a new opportunity for video content creators specializing and capitalizing on short video content. Real estate agents are no strangers to short video content. TikTok became quite a popular platform for real estate agents. Turns out people love watching listing tours and receiving quick tips from real estate agents. Reels is a new platform with as yet untapped potential for a possible new audience. Considering that the Instagram algorithm is heavily favoring Reels content since it's a new platform, we think real estate agents might see surprising results by posting on Reels. How to Use Reels Using the Reels feature is pretty easy: You open the Instagram App. Access the Instagram Stories camera and near the bottom of the screen, you'll see the Reels option. You can start recording by tapping the Record button. Add audio via the Audio icon. Change the speed of the video by tapping the Speed icon. The Timers icon helps you control the video recording time. The Align button helps you to line up the objects with the next clip for a seamless transition After your short clip is ready, you can move to a share screen, finalize your video by adding a cover image as well as a caption and hashtags. You can tag your friends and share them with your followers. You also have an option to showcase your Reels on your Feed, or just keep them in the Reels section. As you see, Reels is similar to the TikTok platform. The main difference is the duration of the video. How Can Real Estate Agents Benefit from Reels? Real estate agents have seen great results from platforms such as TikTok. We see that short-duration videos work perfectly for the real estate industry. They are easy to record and often they match thematically with the video type. For instance, if a real estate agent is planning to record a short tip video, Reels is perfect for that. So what type of video can real estate agents record with Reels? Market reports Market updates Short tips for homebuyers and sellers Educational tips for fellow real estate agents Personal content. You want to have a strong connection with your followers. What can strengthen this bond more than showcasing you're just a fellow human being? Breach the fourth wall! Listing tour. Short-duration videos are perfect for listing videos. Funny real estate agent stories. Spice up your Reels stories with funny content. Day in the life of Realtor. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna blog.

Guide to YouTube Ads for Real Estate Agents
Despite YouTube being one of the most successful and popular social media platforms, for real estate agents, it's still a relatively untapped territory. Of course, many real estate agents have a YouTube presence but it's still not enough, just toes dipped in the water. What real estate agents don't realize is that YouTube is a huge marketing platform that gives you the opportunity to reach every kind of audience you need: whether you're a real estate agent targeting millennial homebuyers, or your clients are people over 50, YouTube can help you target them.

Real Estate Video Marketing Made Easy
You may have heard you should be using videos in your online content because videos help convert leads. That sounds great, but how does the average agent get started without spending a bunch of money? The good news is you don't need to be a professional videographer or have fancy equipment to reap the benefits of video content that will help your business.

Restream for Real Estate: How to take a home showing live everywhere
Real estate is a corner of the economy that has been largely spared from the economic impact of the COVID pandemic. Low interest rates, federal economic support, and the spirit of wanting to be a homeowner in uncertain times have led to massive expansion and record setting transaction volume. But we must think of safety first. Many buyers are purchasing homes subject to viewing and inspection. In other words, buyers are submitting offers sight unseen. The belly of homebuyers today are relying on livestream showings. It's a simple concept. An agent turns on their camera phone and walks through the house talking and pointing the camera.

Tips for Launching a Virtual Open House
With social distancing guidelines and regulations set in place by local governments, one thing that has taken a hit in the real estate industry is showings. Showings allow potential buyers to view a home that they are interested in. While agents are unable to show homes in person, they do have another opportunity to show listings virtually. To better understand how to conduct a virtual open house and what tools you need, we recently had Sue Pinky Benson and Barbara Betts on our Secrets of Top Selling Agents webinar program. Benson and Betts, both notable Realtors in the industry, came together on a live panel to share ideas on how to conduct the best virtual tour.

How to Use Video to Increase Conversions: 4 Templates for Real Estate Agents
According to Cisco, 82% of internet traffic will be video by 2022 and 90% of consumers state that video helped them make purchasing decisions. In fact, people watch one billion hours of YouTube videos every day, which is more than Netflix and Facebook video combined. If we take this into consideration when talking video marketing, YouTube videos are the best thing for your real estate business. The next big question is how to produce the kind of content that will not only drive your leads to action, but help you generate new leads. There are a few tested and approved methods for video marketing that could be freely used for real estate services.

5 Fun and Easy Video Content Ideas to Try Today
With stay-at-home orders back in place in many places and a rocky road to re-opening ahead, real estate agents are adapting to the conditions and working with tech to keep business and cash-flow consistent. The video sharing platform YouTube was launched only 15 years ago, but with over 2 billion users, it's already one of the most popular social media sites and can be a powerful weapon for a real estate agent to add to their arsenal. In a highly visual world, watching a short video can communicate much about your brand. However, we're not all digital natives. Before you pull out the camera, get started by creating a content calendar filled with content that your potential clients will actually want to watch. Here are some video content ideas that real estate agents can use right now to build your credibility and get leads. Before you start, don't forget these super important ground rules! Practice, Practice, Practice - Try to temper your nerves by doing a couple of practice runs. Rehearse in front of a mirror first for a few times before getting in front of a lens. It's all right if your first tries don't go exactly the way you want. Don't stress—consider them as just more practice runs! The more video content you film, the more comfortable you become. We promise. Have Fun! - Of course you're a friendly, amiable person—you're a real estate agent! But it might be a struggle to convey all of this in front of the camera. Here's a quick secret: try to have fun. Your viewers will respond to your energy. If you can keep up a good level of enthusiasm, your potential clients will respond in kind. We don't have to tell you that the real estate business is the business of relationship, so show what entering into a professional relationship with you would look like. Get to Know Your Equipment - Cameras and video editing suites like iMovie can be easy to operate, but if you have no knowledge of them, it's easy to feel out of your depth. YouTube has a lot of easy-to-follow tutorials that will get you up to speed on the latest best practices. iMovie is not difficult to pick up and watching 20 minutes of tutorials is time well spent. Keep it Quick - Think short and sweet. Just like you, your clients are busy and won't have time to sit through hours of content. Incorporate a few longer pieces—a conversation between you and a another real estate agent where you break down market conditions, for example—but don't push yourself to extend content. A few minutes to show off your neighborhood or do a listing walkthrough is enough. YouTube Content Idea for Real Estate Agents 1: Neighborhood explorations The goal of neighborhood explorations is to show yourself as a neighborhood and area expert ready to guide a newcomer to an area that they'll love. You can still make this content if your neighborhood is under lockdown orders—you'll just have to take increased safety precautions. Sell your area as well as your listing. Let the viewer follow you around as you soak up the local atmosphere, get a cup of coffee, or do some shopping so they can envision themselves doing the same. It'll be like Google Street View, only better. Quick Set-Up Ideas: Begin in your car or at your home, speak about the benefits of the neighborhood. Show the viewer your journey to the neighborhood spot. If you're able to safely enter and purchase something from the store, go ahead and buy something you love. If you can't, spend a little bit of time letting your client know the store's offerings. YouTube Content Idea for Real Estate Agents 2: Listings walkthroughs Listing walkthroughs are a great way to show your listings and generate more interest. In typical market conditions, videos can help a viewer envision themselves in the space and can provide a refreshing variation from the usual slew of social media photos. With COVID, virtual walkthroughs are often the only way a potential client can see a listing. So take this content seriously. Quick Set-Up Ideas: Walk through your listings Show the home's or building's amenities End by encouraging your viewers to contact you if they think this listing is right for them. YouTube Content Idea for Real Estate Agents 3: Q&A Solicit questions from your clients and answer them in detail. Is no one asking you questions? Don't wait for adoring fans to flood your mailbox. Ask yourself questions. What would you want to know the answer to? What questions do you get asked on showings? Challenge yourself to come up with a brief, helpful answer on film. YouTube Content Idea for Real Estate Agents 4: Connect with other pros Two heads (or more!) are better than one. Join forces with another real estate agent for a collaborative video where the two of you can discuss real estate trends, the life of a real estate agent, tips for renting or buying, or major red flags to watch out for. The goal of this is to simultaneously create partnerships with other real estate agents and generate leads with your deep insight and knowledge of the real estate market. Quick Set-Up Ideas: Introduce your guest on the channel. Choose two talking points that the two of you can discuss. Have a natural discussion. YouTube Content Idea for Real Estate Agents 5: Real estate forecast and report Right now, uncertainty is pervasive and scary. Real estate agents have the power to become a powerful source of calm. What do you see in cards for the market? What amenities are becoming increasingly popular? Share your expertise on the real estate market to position yourself as a knowledgeable thought leader and a reliable source of information. Also, think about the type of information you present. How are you collecting your news? Who is your target audience and what do they want to know from you? If your client base seems to consist of young renters, perhaps a report of rental prices in your neighborhood might be beneficial. To view the original article, visit the RentalBeast blog.

Let Listing Pictures and Video Do the Talking on Instagram
Are you searching for a new and exciting way to connect with potential buyers in your market? Instagram is a perfect resource for real estate agents and brokerages. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Instagram is a treasure chest. Imagine showing your target market every delightful property in your portfolio without seeming intrusive or overly "sales-y." Sharing great listing images on Instagram isn't difficult. In fact, developing this type of content and seamlessly integrating it into your current marketing strategy is easier than you'd believe.

Best Practices for Video Tours
With millions of people working remotely during these uncertain times, the real estate industry is rapidly adapting digitally to connect agents with consumers. One marketing tool that has become vital for agents now more than ever are video home tours. According to a study by Realtor.com, listings that come with a video tour gain 87% more views than listings without video tours. Even before the pandemic, research from the National Association of Realtors said that half of all home buyers find video tours influential in deciding on a home. Today, with nearly all home shoppers starting their search online, here are some of the best practices to make your best first impression. Create a video plan Professional videographers create a video treatment and a storyboard. These documents help to map out precisely what they will shoot and how they will shoot it. You don't need to be that elaborate. You should create a video outline document that lists the order of your shots and what you are going to say to develop your script for both on and off-camera. Also include what time of day is best to shoot inside and outside shots, and what you will focus on: the most marketable features of your listing. Think of your audience first as you develop your plan. Video script Even though authenticity works better in a video than a stilted script or narration, you need to know what you are going to say and the keywords you want to emphasize. Every home has a story, and doing a video tour as if you are telling a story will help you to write down what you want to say. Remember: with the average attention span being just eight seconds, shorter is better. Research shows YouTube video views decrease sharply once a minute has passed – with average engagement dropping 70% when they exceed two minutes. Video recording If you have a newer smartphone, you have the right video camera to do the job. Today's top smartphone can shoot the highest quality videos and have pretty good built-in recording capabilities. Proper lighting Most videos fail when poor lighting is present. It gives your video a grainy look. Crystal-clear high-resolution video recording typically requires bright light. Avoid standing in front of any area that provides backlighting: windows or lamps behind you will make you appear like a dark shadow. A detachable selfie light can help overcome backlighting issues if backlighting is unavoidable. Great audio is vital Believe it or not, the sound is more important than video image quality. When you have both – great audio and excellent video image quality – your video has a far greater chance of engagement. People will tolerate a video that is less than perfect, but if the audio is difficult to understand – too soft, too much echo, feedback or background noise – the people you are trying to reach will click away. Deliver perspective One of the biggest mistakes in video tours of a home is shooting too much up close. What home shoppers want is perspective: where does the house sit on the lot, not just a closeup of the front door or framing just the house in your shot. They want to see more of the yard and wide shots of the yard or yards. The same applies inside – wider shots give more perspective of the home's floor plan. It's one of the reasons why interactive 3D digital tours from firms like Matterport, while admittedly more expensive, are popular with consumers, as they offer an exceptional perspective throughout the home. Bonus tip – add captions to your video Did you know that when you upload your video to YouTube, you can select automatic captions? YouTube's built-in AI capabilities will write captions for you. But it's recommended you go into the settings and fix any mistakes, as its accuracy varies. Video captions are great because it expands your reach to a vast population that includes those with impaired hearing. Video captions also help your audience watch a video during those times when they don't disturb others. Creating the perfect video tour to showcase a home can be a challenge, but with the right tools and tips, you can connect digitally with potential buyers who are interested in your listings. By following through with these best practices, you'll also be able to expand your video's reach and engagement with your target audience. If you have any challenges or inquiries technology as you create your video tour – and your MLS, association or brokerage offers Tech Helpline – reach out with an email, go online for chat, or call in for tech support! Tricia Stamper is Director of Technology at Florida Realtors®, which owns and operates Tech Helpline and Form Simplicity.

A TikTok Guide for Real Estate Agents
When a new form of social media takes precedence over other platforms amongst one of the largest generations, it's important to understand what it is and why it's become so popular. Unlike its other social media counterparts like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, TikTok is a video-only social media platform that launched in the U.S. in 2017 and quickly rose in popularity.

Video Tours: Buyer Tested, Social Distance Approved
Listing photos are a great way to highlight the best and most important features of a home, but the showing is when buyers get a true feeling for whether or not they want to purchase a particular home. Showing a home is one of the most important steps in selling, but arranging a time when the house can be clean, the sellers can be out, and the buyers and their agent can view can be a handful. However, a lot of the logistics involved with showing your listings can be solved by creating a video tour. With a video tour, buyers and agents can get a good feel of a house without interrupting the homeowner or current renter. It also helps promote safe physical distance and reduces the opportunity to spread germs.

5 Fun and Easy YouTube Content Ideas for Real Estate Agents
YouTube, a video sharing platform, launched only 15 years ago, is one of the most popular social media platforms and can be a powerful weapon for a real estate agent to add to their arsenal. After all, in a highly visual world, watching a short video is great advertising. However, we're not all digital natives. It can be pretty daunting to start creating a video series. But before you pull out the camera, it's important to have a few ideas of content you can create and release.

Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone Using Video Conferencing
Years ago, we had a house for sale (YES, I used a REALTOR; if you were thinking I would FSBO--NEVER!). I was the perfect seller--never there for open houses or showings, kept the house clean and a bunch of stuff either boxed up, sold or donated to reduce clutter. I used my own social media and web presence to help get the home noticed. One day after a showing, I came home and a lady was sitting in front of the house in her car on the phone. I gave her a few minutes and walked out and started a conversation. She told me she was telling a friend that lived out of state about the appearance of the house. Her friend requested she check out the house and neighborhood.

7 Reasons Why Real Estate Video Marketing Is a Wise Choice for You
Marketing has evolved at breakneck speed and Realtors that don't keep up fall behind fast. Take video, for example. What wasn't even a "thing" in digital marketing a few short years ago is now the THING that catches the attention of your prospective clients. Moreover, video isn't just for your website. Video has come to CRM, even to the most common communication channels like email and text. What makes using video with your CRM so powerful for real estate, you might ask? Just count these ways – seven to be exact:

Real Estate Agent's Ultimate Live Streaming Guide in 2019
In 2019, live streaming content for your real estate business is one of the most lucrative social channels on which to generate tons of organic traction. Most real estate agents are not using the power of live streaming to its full potential. While hosting one of our webinars with local real estate agents, we found out that the biggest obstacle agents are facing from doing live streams is lack of training. Agents do not know how and what kind of content to create for their live videos. In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about creating live streaming content for your real estate business. We will also share some blueprints of how to use live streaming videos to reach out to homeowners.

23 Resources to Grow Your Multimedia Marketing Skills
June is Entrepreneurs' DIY Marketing Month--and who's more DIY when it comes to marketing than real estate agents? We'd be remiss if we let the month pass without acknowledging all the hard work you do to market your brand and your listings. After all, to keep up with today's marketing trends, you need to employ a host of multimedia skills--from graphic design to video creation to photography and beyond. To keep your knowledge fresh and your skills up-to-date, we've compiled this guide of 23 resources to help grow your mastery of multimedia marketing.

10 Ways to Build Video Confidence
A lot of real estate trainers tell agents that all you have to do to make a video is develop a no excuses attitude and "Just do it!" That may be inspiring to agents who are already confident, but doesn't really help agents who don't have that initial level of video confidence. According to Deb Helleren, Secrets of Top Selling Agents webinar host of over a decade, anyone can develop video confidence, especially real estate salespeople. "Most real estate agents already have sunny personalities and love helping others, so they should be very good at building their confidence," explained Helleren. So here are some helpful tips to build your video confidence—before you hit record!

Generating Leads on a Budget
Paid lead sources are an easy and efficient way to fuel your business' lead funnel. But if you're just starting out or haven't found your real estate rhythm yet, you may be on the hunt for some free lead generation strategies. Check out these five free lead generation strategies below:

How to Sell Your Listings Using Video and Social Media
Have you ever wondered what you can do to take your real estate business to the next level? Sue "Pinky" Benson figured out the best option: use videos. Benson is a Realtor based out of Naples, Fla. When she moved there three years ago, she found that the market for real estate was extremely competitive. She knew she needed to create a competitive edge that would separate her from the other Realtors. Two and a half years later, her idea to branch into videos paved the way to her success.

5 Highly Creative Ways to Use Video to Connect with Real Estate Clients
Using video to connect with your clients and prospects can help you to develop a richer, more trusting relationship with them. In the real estate business, there are few things more important! So how can you start integrating video into your marketing without investing a lot of money in a professional videographer? Here are a few video ideas that you can do on your own using a smartphone, laptop, tablet or video camera.

Friday Freebie: Create Pro Real Estate Videos in 60 Seconds (or Less)
Don't have the time--or the will--to shoot, edit, and promote real estate videos? Here's a bit of advice: outsource it! In this week's Friday Freebie, we're highlighting a platform that lets you create and distribute an array of marketing videos--all in just a few clicks. Read on to find out how you can try it for free.

Real Estate Video Marketing 101
Real estate photography is something we've talked about often. From drones to VR, tech adds greater options. This week, we're going to simplify it down and cover traditional real estate property video marketing. Get the Right Video Equipment If you want to shoot video content on your own, you're going to need dedicated hardware. You don't want to use your phone to do a walkthrough. Even the best phones can't do video well and you're going to end up with something shaky with poor composition—which will scare off potential buyer leads and harm your brand!

Video Tour or Virtual Reality: Are Both Necessary?
Virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D imaging, mixed reality – overwhelmed yet? These flourishing technologies are just getting started. Yes, even imagery and video are getting more advanced. If you think these things aren't going to start seeping into your role as a real estate agent, think again. They already have.

IGTV and Video Marketing for Your Business
In light of reaching 1 billion users, Instagram released their newest product, IGTV! IGTV stands for Instagram Television and is a new app designed for watching longer, vertical videos. You can now post videos that are 15 seconds to one hour long! This is a huge step for the platform, which previously only allowed 1-minute video clips.

Easy Steps to Creating Your First Interview Video for Real Estate Marketing
Listing videos are easy for most agents to dive into. Interview videos, however, can make some break out in a cold sweat. Rest assured, whether you're camera shy or a natural in the spotlight, it's possible to quickly add a winning interview video to your real estate video marketing arsenal. Why an Interview Video? Interview videos are faster to compile than memorized, scripted videos, requiring minimal prep and delivering footage with a more genuine feel. Steps to Success:

Real Estate Videography: 12 Tips to Get You Started
You've built the perfect website, published plenty of great content, and are on the way to becoming a social media aficionado. But there's one marketing channel few Realtors dare to tackle: Real estate videography. Online real estate video content is the latest real estate marketing tool with high returns on surprisingly little investment and, even more surprisingly, little popularity. A study from The National Association of Realtors® revealed 50 percent of prospective home buyers use YouTube as their primary research method and 85 percent of buyers and sellers prefer to work with agents who have video experience. Naturally, every Realtor in your zip code is using video content to their advantage, right? Wrong. Only 15 percent of real estate agents leverage video content! But as more and more realtors turn to real estate videography, here are a few tips and best practices to give you an edge over the competition:

4 Visual Extras to Give Your Property Marketing Plan a Boost
Nearly 90 percent of overall consumers search online when buying a home. Today's consumers can use online tools to refine and narrow down their property choices. This makes the buying process quicker and more efficient for both buyers and their agent. This means agents must think beyond a few grainy photo snaps from a cell phone to market their listings. Marketing a home is about highlighting the best features of a property. If your property marketing plan needs a boost, think beyond the photos! Consider using these four visual extras to give your next property marketing plan a boost.

Live Video Chat: The Must-Have Apps
Business owners often feel like automation is the key to efficiency. However, whether it's through email, text, direct message on social media, or pre-recorded messaging systems, as automation continues to expand, clients are beginning to notice the lack of human interaction. This is especially true in an experience as personal as finding a home. Stand out from other Realtors and give your clients the connection they've been searching for with live video chat. Most smartphones today already have a video calling app installed (like Apple's FaceTime); however, that particular software might not be compatible with all devices. Here is a list of top video chat apps to install and get connected with your clients today!

25 Resources for Mastering Real Estate Photography, Video and Beyond
When it comes to their skillset, real estate agents are a bit like a Swiss Army knife. They need interpersonal intelligence, negotiation know-how, sales chops, and a whole lot of patience. But when you started out in real estate, I bet nobody told you how important multimedia skills were to the job—and how many different types of media you'd need to be comfortable with. From taking property photos, to creating listing flyers, to shooting video, agents in today's DIY digital age are expected to be media whizzes. Of course, there's only so much time in the day. To lessen your workload, we advocate automating where possible, and then filling in the gaps with a little do-it-yourself chutzpah. To that end, we've combed through our library of educational content to find the best, most helpful articles on media of all sorts—everything from photography to graphic design to virtual tours and beyond. Consider it your crash course in multimedia skills for real estate.

Using Video Marketing to Reach Your Full Potential in Real Estate
Many businesses have discovered the secret weapon of online video, but amazingly, real estate agents are not using video to its full potential. A home purchase or sale is the biggest transaction of a person's life, so people want a real estate agent who is trustworthy and relatable. Using online video marketing will allow you to make a much more personal connection with your clients. Different Types of Videos Listing Videos: