If you aren’t using video in your online strategy, you should be. By 2019 video is expected to claim more than 80 percent of all web traffic, according to this article from Hubspot.
It’s important to invest in quality videos to showcase yourself on your website and through social media. You are a professional and this might be someone’s first impression of you, you want to impress them right? Buyers are online researching realtors, how are you going to stand out from the crowd? This doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars each time you create a video. There are plenty of free apps and tools you can use that can make the process easy and can save you a lot of time.
What types of videos should you make?
- New listings – Have a new listing you want to show off? There is no better way than through video. Take potential buyers on a tour of your newest listing!
- Testimonial’s – Have your clients record a short testimonial for you on camera.
- About Me – Tell everyone about your interests, hobbies, and what you love most about being a Realtor. What makes you stand out from the crowd.
- Questions and Answers – What are some of the most common questions your clients ask you? Make a short video answering these questions to reach other potential clients.
- Neighborhoods – Tell new residents about the neighborhoods in your area. It’s more than just a house you are selling, tell them why a neighborhood is a great place to live.
- DIY and How-To Videos – Share your tips for staging a house, decorating a small space and more.
- Market Updates – Keep people informed about the local housing market.
- Team Videos – If you work with a team of realtors like we do, make a video to introduce your team and show off your team culture.
- Bloopers – Show off that personality, people love a good sense of humor.
- Events – Get out into your community and explore local events and festivals. Combine video clips from these events to show off your city.
Best Practices
- If you are filming on your phone always film horizontally not in portrait mode.
- Film outside in natural light when possible. If you are shooting inside make sure you are in a well-lit room to film in.
- Use a tripod or make sure you have a friend with a steady hand to help you.
- Set your auto focus and auto exposure built into your camera phone.
- If filming on your phone, tablet or iPad make sure you keep an eye on your battery. Filming for an extended period of time will drain your battery. Keep your device plugged in when possible.
- If you plan on posting your video on Instagram you may want to consider recording in a square format. These apps make it simple to do just that.
- Use a mic for the best sound. You can find a mic to plug into your smartphone for under $15. If you don’t have a mic pick a room or area with little to no background noise.
For more tips and tools click here.
Live Streaming
There is a reason you see more and more live videos on your Facebook and Instagram feeds and if you are not doing it you should start. Let people get to know you, tell them about an open house you are hosting, show them your newest listings. Go live! If you are unsure how to start a live stream, Gadgets 360 explains how step by step in this article.
Apps
Never make the mistake of shooting in portrait mode again. This app will shoot horizontally no matter how you hold your phone.
Imovie (iOS device only)
This video editing tool is great to easily cut together multiple video clips and photos.
Adobe Spark Video (iOS device only)
Use this app to make quick animated videos and add your favorite photos and video clips. You can record voice over right in the app and publish to your social media channels or download to your photo library to use later.
Vine Camera (iOS device only)
Make quick 6 second looping videos to post directly to Twitter or download to your photo library and post to your other social media channels.
Upload your photos and videos, choose from a wide variety of built in themes and pick your music. You’ll have a video ready to go in just a few minutes.
Make quick slideshow videos by uploading your photos and videos. The app has built in themes and a variety of songs to choose from.
Create 32 second slideshows from your photos or record your own video right from the app.
Vont (iOS device only)
Add text to your photos and videos by choosing one of the pre-made templates or creating your own. You can even animate your text.
Title Master (iOS device only)
Add animated text and graphics to your photos and videos and choose your own custom music.
Cameo (iOS device only)
This app is made by the popular video hosting site Vimeo. You can choose a theme with one of the built in font options and just simply add your photos and videos.
From the makers of GoPro comes this great video editing app. With just a few clicks you can edit one or multiple video clips and photos to the beat of the song.
What do you do with your video after it’s completed?
- Upload to YouTube – YouTube is the second largest search engine on the internet.
- Post on your website – It’s obvious enough but drive traffic to your website with your videos.
- Post on your Facebook page – Grab your audiences attention by posting your videos directly to Facebook. Set up a video campaign or boost a post that includes a video.
- Post on Twitter – You can post a 2 minute 20 second video directly to Twitter. Tease a longer video or make a short video just for Twitter.
- Post on Instagram – Post a short video up to 60 seconds to your Instagram page. Instagram is a visual platform and a perfect place to distribute your videos.
Leave a comment with your favorite video editing app or tip?
