As real estate agents look for more innovative ways to market the homes they are trying to sell, it should come as no surprise that an increasing number are choosing to create videos of the homes they are handling. After all, if a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million! But, is creating a video of your home the right marketing strategy for you? And, if so, how do you go about shooting a successful home marketing video?
According to most industry experts, creating a video of the property for sale is appropriate with nearly every listing. Even those properties that are lacking curb appeal can benefit from a video, as the videographer can shoot the video in such a way to draw attention to the most positive aspects of the property. In fact, the only properties that really won’t benefit from a video presentation are those that are expected to move quickly without the help of extensive marketing.
While you might thing that producing a professional video is too costly, the reality is that the process is less expensive than most people think. Compared to traditional marketing media, such as producing television and radio ads, creating print materials and utilizing billboards and benches, shooting a professional video and posting it to the Internet is far more affordable and can fit within virtually any marketing budget.
Of course, in order to enjoy the benefits of using a video as marketing strategy, you need to know what characterizes a good Web video. In short, a Web video needs to focus on three primary areas:
- Providing an authentic presentation
- Delivering an interesting and compelling message
- Presenting a quality production that is enjoyable to watch
As with any ad campaign, your Web video also needs to encourage the viewer to take action. Clearly, your goal is to get the viewer to contact you for more information or to set up a viewing of the home. As such, your video needs to show the viewer enough to generate interest while also answering the key questions the potential buyer might have. At the same time, a video that is clearly nothing more than a sales pitch is going to turn off potential buyers. After all, when it comes to Web video, the viewer has no incentive to watch the entire video unless he or she is truly interested in learning more about what the home has to offer.
Once you have mastered the art of producing compelling Web videos, the distribution opportunities are virtually endless. While YouTube is an obvious option for posting your video, you can also place your videos on other social media Websites such as Facebook. You can even put your videos on your real estate Website or you can send them via email to potential buyers.
The bottom line is that a large number of potential buyers are now starting their property searches on the Internet. By providing them with as much Web-based information as possible, you will be certain to generate more leads and to satisfy the needs of a broader range of interested buyers.
About the Author: John Allen is a Sarasota real estate agent specializing in Downtown Sarasota condos and other fine residential properties. For more information, visit his award-winning website http://www.buysarasota.com
