In Technology on May 31 by jason Tagged: photography
Thumbing through the numerous hosted virtual tour options can seem mind-boggling and endless. However one of the best, and free, options I’ve found for search engine visibility has been Google Video.
You’re probably saying, “Wait a minute. They only do videos. I don’t even have a video camera!” Take a look at the current Home For Sale tours on Google. There are many that are simple photo slideshows.
Making Photo Tours
Windows folk can use the free Photo Story software. Photo Story will allow you to easily create a video from your property photos. Here are a few things you can do or add:
- Burn DVDs
- One-click processing (i.e. crop, rotate, auto color, etc.)
- Background music
- Narrate shots
- Titles and captions
- Transitions
Once created, just upload your video tour to Google Video.
What about YouTube for tours?
YouTube and other types of services are very similar. In fact, YouTube is great with search engines. I highly recommend posting your videos to multiple video hosts.
Though If I were to pick one host, it would be Google. Why? YouTube tends to get itself blocked by various corporate and ISP filters.
Virtual Tour Alternatives
Yep, there are a lot. I’m working on a semi-comprehensive list of photo and property tour alternatives. I’ll post it when I have it ready. Any suggestions?
In Real Estate on May 29 by jason
Is the question really about money? I say no. When 60 minutes aired a segment on RedFin.com, an online discount brokerage, the endless debate of full-service vs “no-service” was refueled.
More than marketing
Truthfully, I think the founders of RedFin.com and other innovative business plans should be commended… for their innovation. It brings about good ol’ competition. Beyond that, I have no desire to enter the debate of whether they’re good or not. However, as a non-real estate agent, I’d like to point out the real issue at hand is not money, it’s representation.
The big issue that people tend to point out is broker/agent fees, a.k.a. commission. But as with any business, all have the unregulated right to set their own fees. Consumers should be made aware of their options and choose intelligently. Discussions of marketing and other value-added services happen at this level.
To serve and protect
The bigger issue for discussion is representation. Most consumers don’t understand the power of representation that an experienced agent can provide. Representation takes a person beyond property marketing and into the deeper realm of protection.
I think good agents recognize the power of protection that they can provide for their clients. Unfortunately, I rarely see it leveraged. If someone considers themselves a full-service agent, they must discuss protection with their clients.
Good agents
I took the classes. I took the tests. And I’ve been in the real estate industry long enough to know that good agents stand as a shield of defense for their clients. Good agents negotiate powerfully. Good agents protect confidential information. Good agents do things in the best interest of their clients.
Whether a consumer pays 8%, 6%, $2995, or $500, it’s their prerogative. It’s the responsibility of the consumer to know their options. It is ALSO the duty of agents to let them know what they’re getting.
What say you?
In Blogging,Marketing on May 25 by jason Tagged: blogger
In blogging, your sidebar is a great place to provide a list of links. Here’s a quick tip: keep it relevant.
Think about it. Are links to every real estate agent or mortgage broker really helpful to your potential clients? Probably not.
You have to give your visitors what they need. Don’t devalue your site with meaningless link exchanges no matter how beneficial the email cover letter was.
Seal of Approval
Give your visitors what they’re looking for. Here are a few kinds of links that are beneficial to your visitors:
- Links to mortgage brokers that you trust and would recommend.
- Links to insurance companies that you trust and would recommend.
- Links to real estate agents in local markets that you don’t service (that you trust and would recommend).
You don’t have to limit your links to this list. You can also do other businesses, official city websites, etc. The point is only add links to websites that “you trust and recommend”. After all, each link is considered your seal of approval.
…And for you Blogger.com’ers! Uh… What’s “Link 1″?
