< Back to The Hood
It's Official: No More Slide Shows on WellcomeMat
Up until now, WellcomeMat's method of operation has been to greet slide show users with open arms, knowing that they will eventually find powerful uses for video. This turned out to be true, and we are happy that we went about things in this way. However, slide shows and video are not the same things, regardless of the fact that slide shows can be exported/saved into a video format. They are not video...period.
WellcomeMat's platform has always been meant for people that love video. We are not downplaying the effectiveness of slide shows by eliminating our support of them on our platform. Rather, WellcomeMat is finished with slide shows because they do not represent our passion (video), and they do not represent our strengths as a company.
In anticipation of some questions that we'll surely get as a result of today's announcement, here are some notes/QA regarding this change:
1) What will happen to slide shows that I uploaded to WellcomeMat?
Nothing. We will not penalize our members for using our system in a way that worked at a previous date. Your slide shows will remain active on WellcomeMat for as long as you want them to be.
2) What will happen if I upload slide shows from this point on.
Your slide shows will be rejected from the system and you will get an email that details this action.
3) What if I mix my videos up and have slides integrated into video clips?
You are fine! We will support you as we always have.
4) Why now? Does WellcomeMat hate slide shows?
WellcomeMat loves any/all tools that give a better perspective. We have decided to stop allowing slide shows because our platform is being used in un-intended ways and there are real costs related to supporting slide shows. We just want to stay focused, and do justice to the medium that we love: video.
Personally, I would rather see a well-done slide show than the shaky, poorly lit, horribly narrated and overall unprofessional videos that usually represent listings for sale. Wouldn't it have been a better idea to simply segregate the slide shows from the videos?
Sorry to hear that. I loved your sight. Unfortunately, I feel slideshows can showcase the home in the most professional way for me with much more affordability. We agents need that these days. We had lots of hits and also much praise from people about this sight. It was nice to be a part of it. Good luck and farewell.
Lisa Imbasciani
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
HOMESITE REALTY, LLC.
Full motion video is a technique. Word War II and the Civil War would have never been produced without the use of Ken Burns included within panned digital stills. The benefit of Welcome Mat is not in wether or not the images are digital stills. There is no difference in supporting a .mov file with panned digital stills or a .mov file with SD resolution or a movie .mov file with hd recording capacity. What matters is the player, presentation and price point delivered to the consumer. You have missed the mark as you try to cater to a niche. Is bad video, bad audio better than excellent panned images? The answer is clearly no. You have chosen to alienate a portion of the market without accomplishing a thing.
Best of luck.
Happy to see it. Anything to help NOT blur the lines between PHOTOS and video.
In regards to poor Ken Burns.... 99.999% of the 'slideshow videos" on the internet would make Ken Burns' head explode. It's not even REMOTELY the same.
Ken Burns used controlled movement over still photos for a particular effect. It was a combination of panning across photos and zooming in - all done for a specific purpose. It was done in combination with a narrative as well, which most of these slideshows don't have.
These slideshow programs are merely on zoom "auto pilot". There's no rhyme or reason to the zoom, other than "it's time to zoom in...." and now "its time to zoom out'. More often than not you're zooming in on the corner of the sofa, a barstool, a window pane or a vase. Why? Are you selling furniture? No! it's because that's where the dumb program zooms to! This has nothing whatsoever to do with Ken Burns or his technique.
It's increasingly more difficult for Realtors who do true video to sell the concept to sellers when every Tom, Dick and Harry comes in and claims to do "video" - which in almost every case is a slideshow of (usually bad) still photos. I do think it's misrepresenting your marketing strategy just a wee bit.
I have nothing against slideshows. I do slideshows and still photography for many of my clients. But I will never try and disguise my still photos as a video! They all serve their own purpose.
I would strongly suggest that people who want to do slideshows use a site like ZIPVO. Even though they promote it as "video" site, 90% of everything there are merely slideshows!
Good move Christian. If I were the consumer and visited a video site or clicked a link for a video tour only to find a slideshow, I'd be turned off. The best answer for those that like the slideshows or for anybody for that matter, is to intergrate photos along with your video clips.
I can appreciate any/all comments with regard to choices. As a professional who performs video, the answers provided are consistent with the profession. The question becomes is it good for Welcome Mat to be exclusive? Does it encourage participation? Will Welcome Mat not allow bad video? Is there a sliding scale of acceptability? Is the site designed to make money or make artistic choice?
Slide shows = KMART; Videos = Nordstroms
Sure, quality video making is a practiced craft, but it's well worth the invesment of time, energy and resources.
Agents who don't embrace full-motion graphics are not only selling themselves short, but their clients as well. Producing quality video and developing strategic distributuon strategies will soon become a core competency for agents everywhere. The ones who do this the best will dominate their local market in the not-too-distant future.
It's o.k. by me to see my slide-showing competition flee this space in droves--just means more business for me. My guess is you'll be back.
And yes, an agent prouced this video: http://www.wellcomemat.com/video/F4485195BE
Because a panned image file is uploaded does not mean that anyone is trying to disguise anything. The question is whether the information is conveyed to the consumer or not? Does a television station that posts a viewers cell phone camera image deny the art of television? What matters to property sellers and buyers is not how the information is presented, but what is the quality of the information. Is it accurate. Is Welcome Mat exclusive to the real estate issue or are they planning on becoming a provider of microvideo information to anyone or any company that needs the information? Companies looking to downsize? Product explanations and meeting minute notes? It is often difficult to look out beyond our own skill set and look at the broader picture. Is now the time to become exclusive?
I would like to think that Welcome Mat has a longer strategy than only designed to provide real estate agents with a listing presentation tool.
The question remains,"Is bad video better than good still photography"? It all depends on who you ask. Who is receiving the financial reward? Yes, I have an inhouse video studio and use it very frequently. Video is an excellent tool.
Are we to decide that we will not use the color red next?
Christian, I agree with you and WellcomeMat 1000%. For years, I've been correctly calling my videos "full-motion video" because other Realtors' fake motion videos -- with pieced together photos -- have been a pet peeve of mine, because regardless of piled on zoom and pan effects, such slide shows cannot compare to real video.
Don't even get me started on panoramas, a.k.a. "virtual tours" -- that try to appeal to hapless real estate consumers with bent-out-of-shape rooms. I discarded that format about 15 years ago and can't believe people still use it.
Stills have their very limited place in full-motion video -- perhaps as an intro logo or a quick duplicate of a property's primary MLS shot, for easy recognition by the consumer. But when you make a video, you should be shooting video, not loading up stills to make a continuous slideshow. Gimme a break!!!
Gutsy move on your part, but then, full-motion video is video, right?
Regards,
Peggy Madsen
Rockies Real Estate Network http://www.rerockies.com
First real estate company on the Internet.
Tim:
I viewed the link you posted. Very nice. You are one of the more skilled Realtors. Just one thing, that was of the area and not a home.
On your site, there was only one home and I noticed you did not shoot the bedrooms. Not an actual depiction of the size?
If WellcomMat is become a video only site, so be it. I am quite sure, in fact most realtors WILL be leaving this site in droves. Especially with today's market conditions.
Lisa Imbasciani
Wow Christian...I'm very surprised and after reviewing the comments to this point I would have to agree with the ones who think this is not a good move. I've been with you from the start and even discussed with you via e-mail how pleased I was with the quality platform you have offered...to the point I even stepped up to full paid version. I don't really know what to say but I would take the quality of what I do and have done with wellcomeMat any day over an amateur or shaky video, for example, click here. Very surprised and I guess if they is the course I'll have to discontinue my paid service.
@James,
You make good points and we appreciate you taking the time to do so. However, we have considered every angle of this decision. We are a video site....there is exclusion built into that statement and we are comfortable with it.
Our platform has always been meant for more than listings. Using video for listings is proven to be a means by which to market the agent, moreso than a tool to win more buyers. Strange twist, yes, but true nonetheless. This speaks to our precise direction as a company:
WellcomeMat is a site that drives business to local professionals. It is an outlet for them to BE the local media, and a means by which to be the information source about what they know best. There is not a single medium on the planet more capable of emotionally connecting customers with the people they would want to do business with.
The short answer to your question is "yes...WellcomeMat is way more than a listings tool, although we are pretty darn good at that."
Thanks for taking this step. There are many wonderful platforms for motion slideshows out there in the marketplace. I understand, respect and applaud WellcomeMat's reiteration of mission. While some may not be able to use the service, there are OTHER options. Stand for video!
While I can appreciate a slide show, I only use it as a temporary way to show out of town clients homes and properties of other agents listings who brand their virtual tours. So side shows are used in order to provide a service to out of town home buyers. But to get the real bank for your real estate buck, I choose video for my real estate listing clients.
Good luck.
Suzi Enders
Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Select
Paradise, California
No text should be allowed over video. Music must be piano. The obvious, I do not have an ownership stake in the business and he who has ownership stake, eats the steak. The choices are yours.
I guess I just don't see the point of having full-motion video when you're showing something that (for the most part) doesn't actually move. I think the "real" video is great for community tours where you can see some type of action like people walking/biking or cars driving by ... even a water feature splashing. But if you're trying to convey selling points of a house, where is the benefit in a video? I'm not trying to be difficult, but I've yet to see a compelling reason to use video over a well-made slide show.
I'm sorry to hear this. Slideshows with added audio and panning of stills is a great and affordable way for Realtors to virtually show their properties. The fact of the matter is that we are Realtors, not videographers. Some of us do a really nice job with our slideshows. Hiring a professional video person would be a luxury but no during a time when we are all cutting back.
While we have been working toward doing 'real' video however, the slideshows look better by leaps and bounds! Like I said, we're realtors, not video people. WellcomeMat gives us a platform to enhance our slideshows on craigslist and to post on MLS.
At our office, we dont misrepresent what we are doing. We simply put our product together and then send it to our sellers for their approval. They usually love them and maybe tweak an audio comment here and there.
I truly understand and support that WellcomeMat has to follow the passion of video. And, I can't speak for all of us but I am sure many Realtors would love to master video skills. Can I say anything to make you want to reconsider?
Would you dump your best girl if she was learning to cook and trying really hard but just couldn't master that delicate souffle yet? Please don't dump us!
It’s about time. We buy the video cameras and about 90 percent of us don't use it to it full potential. I love video and I getting tired of agents putting up slid shows as video. (Lazy)
It's sad when you hear veteran agents crying about learn something new or it going to cost more money. Hey doesn't your clients deserve better? If these agents had it their way there would be no MLS on the internet.
Christen don't worry they be crawling back. Once they see there competitors using your service they will be on amazon.com, going to library checking out CS3 Premiere Pro or calling someone to help.
Nice point Abel and a lot of other folks. I applaud everyone who tries to learn and use video to its fullest potential. We all had to start somewhere...and yes, some were shaky even when the best started.
CRS actually is hosting a webinar tomorrow on this very topic at www.crs.com. Many agents are jumping on board for REAL video. Jump, jump!
Defining services is what opens markets for competition. There will be another provider who will step in to fill the niche some folks are looking for. Create a video opening sequence, a video closing sequence and insert the stills within the framework. Does that work for you Christian?
Then videographers should be content to demonstrate the quality of their services as being superior. The data should be able to show that those listings with video tours sell at higher prices and in shorter times than those with any other type of presentation. The three words in real estate are not video video video. They are price price price. That is an unfortunate reality in this market.
Technology is advancing; for slide show technology got to slide.com. To see the potential of video and what it can do look here visualdreamsinc.com.
Don’t get me wrong I prefer professional photos but not when its pawed off as video.
Yes wow.
Russell,
If it be that this is a move to connect videographers to realtors that want or need your service that is fine. But if you think we are not cutting it, you have not done your research. I have driven thousands of people to this website and closed three deals in two weeks.
I'm sure some of my real estate customers could use videographers weddings, business marketing, etc.
Good luck Christian, when I tackle the technique of making videos, I will be back. I have too much on my plate to try that at this time.
Thank You Christian,
For those of us who have moved to video, there is a big difference between video and slide shows. Financially, time and creativity is completely different between the two.
I really think that there are plenty of options for slide shows in the RE.net. It was really disappointing to see you put Slideshows on the same footing as Videos espcially when you would name the 5 videos of the week.
Ted Mackel
http://www.homebuysblog.com
Right on! The whole battle between real videos and "the Moving Pictures", so to speak, to me boils down to what you like. I agree with your decision because I think there is a huge difference between the two. If you are happy with the slide show method, good for you. But there are many people and agents that like a true video better for many reasons.
The comment implies that they, panned stills and motion cannot exist together. I can appreciate how some videographers would like that to happen, dreams of money, Martin Scorcese's of the bathroom. The reality is that as long as some type of virtual tour exists on Realtor.com with Multiple photos, the property will appear higher in the search listings and buyer's will look at it more often. Real estate professionals know this because we receive traffic data that supports it. The question is, will Welcome Mat institute controls over the quality of the video? Fred Light does a beautiful job...others do not. Is bad video better than good photography. Will there be a judge who prequalifies videographers so real estate people are not duped? SD vs. HD? HD vs. Super de duper D? Will videographers have to submit professional applications and references in order to participate? Gear list? What about pan rates on rooms? Zoom rates on full motion video?
I like video, no question about it. It is a useful tool. Does that mean that the power screwdriver replaces all screwdrivers in the toolbox?
This is a shame. I have heard from my clients that they actually prefer to see a well-done slideshow rather than a poorly produced video.
I can understand wanting to stick to and promote a medium, I think that you will be excluding a good portion of market share with your move. A decently produced slideshow is much more cost effective and can display much of the same content at a better price for realtors who employ them. Unfortunately, I will be cancelling my pro subscription because of this.
The last thing I would ever want to be a part of is spreading discontent with respect to a service. The service offered here is an excellent value and the quality offered by Welcome Mat is exceptionally high. I would like to find the common ground between what some present as being exclusive. I am probably saying the wrong thing here. I should probably be encouraging agents to leave, that would send a message to the management and encourage change. Christian is the owner. How about it Christian? How many stills are acceptable? Opening titles? Credits? Text over video?
Welcome to Pandora's Box!
I think the bottom line here is that there are many, MANY sites out there that do the slideshow thing! Just like Realtors who have a niche market, Wellcomemat has chosen the niche of video. It's not necessary to be all things to all people. For those who DO want to do slideshows, there are many, many alternatives out there.
Many people are commenting on the economy and it's effect on hiring videographers. I'm finding that people ARE hiring videographers and photographers because of the economy. It's more and more important to do something that will put your listing ahead of the pack - to make your listings stand out and to make you, the Realtor stand out among your competition. When all of your competition is doing the slideshow thing.... those realtors doing video stand out like a breath of fresh air!
With more properties on the market than ever before, its even more important to stand out from the rest of the pack in whatever you choose to do online. Price ultimately sells all property, but you need to get 'em in the door!
I am very disappointed with this decision. I do "slideshows" I guess you can call them. But they are more then picture flippers. My "tours" provide a narrative and set a mood/emotive quality to my properties. With the "video" platform verses a virtual tour platform I can customize and control the focal points, add narration, music and titles to my "slides." Other then Wellcomemat there is no other video hosting/player that allows me to have this much control and produce the kind of tours my clients deserve.
Can anyone suggest another hosting platform that works as well as wellcomemat for me to try that isn't YouTube? I would greatly appreciate it. I do not feel that actual motion video capture would serve my properties as well (not if the video is in my hands that is) adn honestly I can not afford to hire out a videogrpher for each home. That and the small community I work in doesn't have many to choose from let alone affordable options.
Christian, Would welcomemat concider starting a sister site that is a platform for advanced slidshows in a video file format? This would be very helpful. I was just goignt o sign up as a pro paying member this week too before this horrible news.
Any advice welcome...
Great Move! There is BIG difference from throwing a bunch of still photos into a video player and calling it a video (I hate that). I agree the platform of Wellcome Mat should be that of true video! Way to go!
I think we are all forgetting what "WellcomeMat" is there for. It's to assist in helping us, REALTOR's, sell our clients home. Instead of the wasting time with posting messages why not do something productive...like prospecting for buyers for our clients home or for new listing. I mean who really cares what format we use or don't. For the ones using video...GREAT! For the ones who use whatever...GREAT! All of us are way ahead of 99% of the other agents out there. I know now why individuals think we are all a bunch of Egotistical Maniacs.
I wish I knew how to opt out of receiving feedback because this is such a waste.
This is a fun read.
I am sorry to the disapointed agents, but there are services to help with slideshows.
I thought Wellcommat was about "Video connecting people and places"
There has been more than one comment comparing high-quality slideshow vs. poor quality video...
What about high-quality video vs. slideshows?
I understand you may not have a quality video pro in your area, or it may be too expensive - that is a big reason for Wellcomemat's existence. To promote local video.
We apologize to anyone/everyone that feels alienated by today's announcement. Ultimately, we have never projected our company as one that's meant to compete in the slide show arena. There are tangible costs for us supporting slide shows on our platform, and we can't eat them for another day, especially when we have no desire to compete in the slide show market. Additionally, if you had the glass ball of our product roadmap, you would realize that today's decision was an absolute must in regards to our long-term goals.
We are not being mean-hearted: we are being focused.
I'll pay someone a million dollars if they will tell me how to get out of this madness of the back and fourths...this is crazy. Is there a way to get out of the notifications when someone post a comment? Thanks.
As a person who has worked in broadcasting for over 35 years, I understand the concern over the "quality" of the product. Over the years I have produced some award winning commercials. I have also produced some really bad commercials that have been a waste of broadcast spectrum, and a waste of the clients advertising dollars.
We've all seen the commercials with the owner shaking hands with the customer, and everyone standing outside the front of their store waving happily, (sometimes even the family pet is included in the shot.)
They tell you the hours they are open, they tell you they have a friendly courteous staff, and the cliche "..it's the customer that counts with us". That's what the client INSISTED on having in their commercial. But unfortunately, it didn't motivate anyone to come to their store. The client blames the TV station, they say that TV advertising doesn't work, and they leave very unhappy.
There are other advertisers who make their product look very appealing, they help your imagination see a picture of YOU owning their product. They create a need, and then they fulfill that need. They stay in business a long time, and rival businesses seem to fade away.
Whether or not the TV commercial was done in full motion, whether or not they panned and scanned slides, or whether it was simply a text scrawl isn't the issue.
The issue is it sold the product.
As videographers, we are here to help our real estate clients sell their homes. Period.
I have seen some very amazing and frankly award winning videos on this website. No doubt these videos helped the real estate agent sell the home. If nothing else it increased the volume of interested buyers.
I have also seen very poor quality presentations here. The cheezy music, the inane captions, the washed out color from too much backlighting are embarrassing to view. Watching someone walk through a home with a shaky video camera can be quite nauseating, and I can't imagine that a prospective client would sit through the whole video, and then say "wow, I can just picture US living in that home!"
Owning a camera and having some software does not make you a videographer, anymore than possessing ten fingers makes you a concert pianist.
If you create a visually stunning presentation, one that entices someone to actually want to purchase the home, you have success. Your real estate agent will be happy, and will want to hire you again and again.
Someone who can create an artistic video, through good shooting practices, excellent editing skills and an eye and ear for good taste and quality will be successful. It's about quality, and how well you tell your story. It's about making someone buy a home.
Full motion video, stills, text....it's not the format....it's the presentation.
Make your production visually and aurally appealing....make it sell the home!
Bravo to Wellcomemat in incorporating this move!
It's time to end the confusion of what a video is and what a video is not. A video is not a bunch of randomly moving pictures that you take with a still camera. Video is an established technique that truly can show off a home's finer details, with music, a voiceover, or presenter on camera to highlight the home.
Anyone who is referring to bad camerawork, shaky video, and convoluted audio as a typical video tour has obviously not hired a professional! It's time to separate our videos from the blurred line that a typical realtor thinks of, and Wellcomemat has moved that ideal into the right direction!
For those who are still using slide shows be sure to check out ZIPVO. We'll take your content!
We feel the decision to use a slide show vs. full motion video is up the agent and the right choice differs per property. Sometimes even having both is the right decision.
More here: http://www.zipvo.com/Blog/?a=blog&post=268
WellcomeMat, I appreciate your vision for full motion video world, and wish you luck!
James
I'll take Wes' million. You are trapped in Welcome Mat Hell! Bravo to Jeff Davis. An excellent comment. That Zipvo shot should be taken down. Nice service though!
If a file is uploaded as a .mov file or mpg or .wmv how is there any additional cost to WellcomeMat? The file types and sizes are the same for slide show or video? Christian has stated that the reason WellcomeMat cannot continue including slideshows is cost. Is there something missing here?
@James
If someone doing slideshows calls or emails WellcomeMat's support team, that is a tangible cost (this happens every single day, 7 days a week). Serving slide shows is a tangible cost because we pay our content delivery network per gigabyte for data transfer. The cost of companies muddying the waters between what is and is not video is also a cost. Hopefully this makes sense...
Thanks for pointing that out, James. I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around that one.
Great job Christian, now I'm really excitied about becoming a pro videographer! There is a future in video................. I see it !
We all know that a 1 minute slide show at 30fps, 480x360 with audio will be the same file size as a 1 minute video at 30fps, 480x360 with audio. The upload, download and viewing will be the same as any other video. If you do not want slide shows, simply state that. Techno babble unnecessary.
I personally cannot tell many of the video presentations from Slide style presentations. They are pans in, out, left right on still objects. The primary difference is that the video often shakes, the videographer is operating the camera in auto mode and the f stop is going crazy every time they pan past a window or hit a light. Light dark light dark light dark. Still cannot hear the noise of the road, squeak of the stair.
I will continue with the service, because it is very useful. I like the features. I will just have to host content for homes at other sites. I am really excited about becoming a pro videographer too....there is a future.
Love it Christian, I really appreciate that decision.
It's funny you see all of the realtors who try to get off the cheap way and whom create slideshows themselves all complaining about the switch. Why not pony up and hire a quality videographer and then you will see the difference between video and slideshows. You have to spend money to make money.
On the flip side I don't see the difference between a For Sale by Owner listing and using a realtor. Both put a sign in the yard, make flyers, advertise in the paper, take crappy pictures and host open houses, and FSBO doesn't cost you 6% to boot.
Same comparison except now the realtor is on the bottom side of the equation. (it isn't that fun is it?)
Gee Todd, that's a pretty unique way to market your services to Realtors. Perhaps you could learn a think or too about selling your services from a professional Realtor. Trust me, the insultive approach is not the way to go.
Tim,
Finally, I found a way James to get out of this WelcomeMat madness. What a waste. If you use Outlook...just create a rule to delete "Welcome Mat Community Forum." Wow! What disappoint this has been.
Todd,
I think your comment regarding FSBO is often legitimate. There is a strong FSBO market out there and there are a large number of people who have very limited amounts of equity remaining in their property. A 6% commission can be all of their equity or force the Seller to write a check at closing, or worse be the final straw that convinces the Seller to walk away and leave the rest of us to pay for the default. I offer FSBO support services. The people who use those services the most are mortgage originators, builders and real estate agents. Stunned me too. In fact, they are my best clients.
Crap is crap. If it is video it is video, if it is digital stills it is digital stills. If it is a combination of both then it still is crap. Judging crap is a tough job and WellcomeMat does not want to become involved with artistic translation, they want to make money. As much money as they can. They owe it to themselves and their families. If videographers do not get enough referrals for real estate work through this site, they will stop paying, they owe it to themselves and their families. If it becomes more profitable to encourage real estate people to upload video and pay the fee, then that will become the business plan.
It appears to be in the company's best interest to cater to videographers seeking business from real estate professionals. The idea appears to be that real estate people are basically all the same and that the during the listing presentation, the real estate person who uses video will have a competitive edge to gain the listing. Time will tell if it is the right strategy.
I do think there is a boat load of money to be made by having a central place to upload real estate video. When I found WellcomeMat, that is what I thought I had found. Having the variety of players, the Craigslist feature and the email feature are brilliant...
Bet there is more traffic on here tonight then any other Realtor social network. All because a lot of Realtors are feeling that they are being kicked out from an elite club. Being a Videographer for over 30 years, providing media services to Realtors for over 20 years, and calling myself a professional, since I make 100% of my income from it, makes me a bit biased. A lot of the Realtors are arguing that slide shows are sharper and clearer, and they are right. I hate to be a critic but there is a lot of crappy videos on here and elsewhere on the web. Usually its because a lot of DIY’s are supplying it. I posted a item last weekend about the story from Good Morning America. They reported that homeowners wanted video, they wanted the cool moves, and sweeps across countertops, not virtual tours or slide shows. I am now catering to FSBO’s. They are asking and willing to pay for extras, like, dolly & crane shots. They are watching HGTV, and asking to see their home done the same way.
As far as expense goes, I agree, it costs money to market a product. Should I print my own business cards or should I have them printed. One could argue that making them myself would be cheaper, but I, on the other hand would rather purchase quality cards, then save a few pennies. Unfortunately the market now is flooded with repo’s and bank owned properties that do now require any marketing, and are easier to sell, so acquiring quality listings not always a priority. I have been on WellcomeMat for a couple of years, and have not actively participated in quite a while, due to all the slide shows, and poor video. Now I am feeling Wellcome again.
James I agree with you about "crap is crap" but wellcomemat allowing crappy videos (which are produced by realtors) will hopefully will lead to one of two things. One: the realtor gets better (why a realtor would work on video skills and not spend their time on selling is beyond me, but it is a possibility) or two: what hopefully happens is they see the quality produced by professional videographers, fall in love with it and start to use a professional.
From a professional videographers stand point real estate tours are not hard to film and edit, and really can be quite fun and simple to produce, I would feel confident saying that you will not see shaky, poorly lit, bad quality videos from a professional, the reason why is real simple, they simply will not stay in business.
Just to touch on the FSBO subject again, we will not market to the owners in areas where we have clients. A lot of these clients we have had for almost 5 years, a good qualified realtor can simplify the selling process and guide the owners down the right path, there are a lot of headaches that FSBO can encounter. I owe it to my clients not to market to their hated competition.
And James I think time has already told about videos giving a competitive edge, it 100% works. I can tell you story after story about a realtor getting the listing because of the video, it is an ace in the hole.
-Todd
Real estate slide shows differ from most other presentaions. A Ken Burns documentary is narrated and tells a story.
Most real estate slide-show tours are nothing more than a regurgitation of the stills that the viewer has more than likely already seen. They are occasionaly set to music and rarely narrated thus adding little to the presentation. Their only relation to video is the file format. Ken Burns uses the technique because he has no choice. Have you ever seen present-day commentaries in the same documentary done with stills? No, it's done with full-motion video because that is what is effective.
Nothing conveys the look and feel of touring a home without being there like a quality full-motion video tour.
The folks that try to convince the uninformed that panned stills are videos have done a pretty good job in confusing the issue. Let's not help them sell an inferior product.
Todd,
I'll tell you why I as a Reator produce my own listing Videos. Photogtaphy and video has always beeen a hobby for me. I would rather sit at my computer at night instead of watching American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. Win Win for me is that I can use my hobby at work. Second, I am leary of "video experts" I need to sell a house, I dont need an artsy over produced short feature film. Last reality TV is big, the home made effect is over exagerated. Bourne 2 & 3 were both hand shot. I have received plenty of nice comments from prosective buyers who live far away from my listings with Videos. I am still a neophyte, but since video is still in it's very early stages for the RE industry, I am going get ahead of the pack.
If a video or slideshow makes the house look better than it does in person, you will lose the buyer who walks into the home for a live preview and the video or slide show has set an unrealistic expectation. I have seen it hundreds of times with buyers. They always make comments when the pictures over sell the house.
There is a balance to this....and I am working on that formula. I run both a video and a slideshow seperately. They have completely different purposes.
Ted Mackel
http://www.Homebuysblog.com
Ted,
I knew there were a minority out there that would be in your position as I stated above. As a videographer looking at your videos I just on't understand why you choose to shoot handheld. One thing I just can't tolerate is shaky video. Why not just use a good fluid head tripod and pan and tilt in the rooms? You would get an overall much better presentation, this method is our bread and butter. Not too fancy but gets the point across.
At the same time if a video turns a buyer off then you will never hear from them. I am not saying to make a shack look like a mansion but if your videos are compelling then they will at least call you and if they aren't happy with the house in person you still have a chance to show them more. You would have never had a chance if they never called you (this is huge).
I appreciate video being your hobby, but remember for us videographers it is our life. Handheld footage in my book is not acceptable, think about the viewers experience when the video is blown up fullscreen on a 24" or 32" monitor.
-Todd
I believe the best solution is to use the tool that makes sense for the situation. Real estate professionals know the property situation better than a videographer and can make recommendations that will get the property sold within the least amount of time and at the best possible terms for the Seller, that is the job. Use the proper tool to get the job done. There are agents who believe the best thing to do is insert only one still photograph in order to force buyers to drive by or call to visit the property. Is that the proper strategy? Depending on the home, price point, location and situation it certainly may be. If slideshows get the job done, host them where they are warmly received, if video gets it done...host it where it is warmly received. Remember YouTube is free and there are many more available. The best part about WellcomeMat is the Viewer.
Ok, for all my fellow realtors who are using slideshows to expose their listings, I found a nice site: Propertypreviews.com. A bit more professional then Youtube.
I did absolutely love WellcomeMat and I respect their decision to stay loyal to Videographers. If and when I get my head above the water in this market, I need to find a videographer like Fred White in the New York area.
Good Luck,
Lisa
Not sure if any realtors would be willing in your area Lisa, but we offer a buy now pay later package that is working out nicely for realtors who just can't afford to put videos on their listings. We have a small fee upfront, and then most of the video is paid for when sold. If the listing does not sell then you owe nothing else.
I'm sure it is worth a shot to ask any videographers around you if they would be willing to do the same. The way we see it is realtors take a chance by listing a house that it won't sell and they will make nothing, we are willing to take the same risk. Videographers really are on the realtor's side.
-Todd
Todd,
I disagree with the idea that handheld shots are bad, especially if stabilization tools are used. In fact, tripods nullify the benefits of video a lot of times (ie...how does the property tie in together, room to room, exterior to interior?). If there is movement in front of the camera, tripods make sense. Used minmally, they can be used to pan rooms. Used as a crutch, tripods ruin a beautiful thing (video).
Now we are getting arty. I will work with any videographer willing to wait for payment until the property is sold. Please contact me directly.
Thank you,
Jim
Christian, I was specifically referring to some of the shots in James' video, they were a little to shaky for me. Now I am completely on the side of steadicam work, in fact we are starting to work it into our packages, along with unique crane shots. I do believe that a good mix of steadicam work make a video shine, but I also love a rock solid pan every once and a while as an establishing shot.
I don't know if your comment was a stab at our videos or not but all I can say is up until now use have use rock solid pans and tilts of rooms and it has completely changed the way our realtors sell homes. I don't know if it means anything either but we have done just under 3000 total videos, sure hope they aren't "ruined" because we used a tripod.
Again one of the reasons we host all of our own videos, next I can see it we are going to be banned for using a tripod for a video tour. When does it stop?
"I did absolutely love WellcomeMat and I respect their decision to stay loyal to Videographers"
Lisa,
I believe the issue is about video v. slideshows, not DIY Realtor v. professional videographer. Wellcomemat better hope this is not being perceived as an us versus them scenario--that would not be good.
I do see it as the former (video v. slideshow) debate rather than agent v. videographer. Of course, I could be wrong. I don't pretend to know what Wellcomnat strategy is here beyond what they say about wanting to be in the video only category.
I will say this, professionaly videography can be brought in-house at the real estate brokerage level. The broker can easily hire a part-time or full-time videographer who can produce 3-5 videos a week let's say about all things real estate and community (not just listings and agent profiles.
I know it can be done because I'm doing something similar--and it's working out great. Stay with me here for a moment: If a broker spends tens of thousands or even hudreds of thousands each year on print marketing (which even now most still do), they could easily re-allocate $$30-40K a year to hire an in-house videoographer. Think about the control and flxibility it would give the broker and his office in terms of crafting and refining their brand message, inventory, agent profiles, community ewents, you name it...now the broker has full control.
This scenario could not be done with a free-lanced professional videographer for many reasons. First, it would not scale financially speaking; two, the people who know real estate can work alongside the videographer and explain how they want to cover things like community, branding, inventory, marketing, etc--and this would only become more refined over time. The broker is in control and is able to leverage this asset at a considerably higher level. There are many other benefits to this scenario that I've already experienced but that I will not go into here.
This could represent a win, win for both videogrpaher and Realtor. And before some of you start telling me this can't work, let me save you the trouble. It is working out better than I could have hoped for before I began this project ofver 8 months ago.
Todd,
I use a steadycam device, There is no typical shake in my video. The idea that everything has to be TV commercial quality is probably why I have a hard time breaking down and hiring out. People what to get past the wax on the fruit in the produce section. Beside Youtube would not exist if video if people were looking for polished material. I am not supporting the "Blair Witch Project" style of video, but i'm looking at habits of people and what they are doing...60% of the time spent on the internet by the avg person is watching video and you can bet that it is not all coming from FOX, ESPN or CNN.
What I know is that video is difficult...the avg Realtor cannot do it themselves nor should they try. Video is expensive still far out of the avg agen't marketing budget....commission is is being pressured down and budgets are getting tighter this will only increase in the future as my industry changes even more.
Video and Slideshows don't sell houses, people do.
Boys, boys, boys....
Does any of this stuff really matter in the end? I think we all do our thing... whatever that is. We do what we think works... we do what clients want - after all, we work for the customer.
Hand held, steadycam, tripod, stills... I think what matters is that you produce a product that 1) the client likes, 2) that works for the client, 3) that sets the client apart from their competitors, and 4) that makes the client look great and that can be sold to a realtor for a fair price.
This is a business.
Period.
Actually, I use all of the above. I use a tripod. I use a Steadycam. I use stills sometimes. I use what I think works. I use what I think sets the client apart form the competition. I use what I think helps sell the property AND the client.
But sometimes, I do what the client wants - they are the customer.
Personally, I think agent profile videos are silly and worthless. I don't think any buyer or seller is remotely interested in an AGENT. That's been proven many times over the years. They just don't care about a house salesman. That's why all the experts have said for years... "get your picture off the home page of your website - you're giving the client exactly what they DON'T want!) What they care about is what they know. They care about what's in their head. Their professionalism. Their expertise. Their market knowledge. Their negotiation skills. You want to do an agent profile, then it needs to be about ME... what you're going to do for ME. Not about you. I can't even watch those things usually - they make my skin crawl - no matter how slickly they are produced.
The typical "me me me" agent profile, showing some agent shuffling bogus papers, shaking fake customers' hands, answering fake phone calls and hugging fake customers and telling me how wonderful they are... would be a huge turnoff as a potential customer. As a real estate buyer or seller... I just don't CARE.
If a client wanted a video like that, I would surely share my opinion, as I always do. :)
But if that's what they want, that's what I do. I do what the CLIENT wants to the best of my ability. They're the customer. They're paying ME. I cringe, but I'll do it.
When I first started I used stills at the beginning of my videos... just a quick 'overview' of the home to pique the interest of a viewer. A client asked me not to do that as he wanted the viewer to know right from the get go that his was a VIDEO, not a slideshow. I did what he wanted. As a matter of fact, I do that almost all the time now, as I think he had a very good point - one that becomes even more valid as 'slideshows' start masquerading as 'video'.
All of these arguments are silly about what is right and what is wrong. This is a business. We're producing a marketing tool for realtors. That comes in all shapes, sizes and forms - whatever produces the best product and whatever makes the client happy is what's "right'.
All of this debate, and the real issue - a business has chosen what they feel is their focus and fine tuned it to make it work for them. Hopefully they made the right decision - of course, I think they are definitely on the right track.
I think the energy should be directed at Realtors to get with the program and upgrade their oftentimes Mickey Mouse version of online marketing... whether it be using high quality photographs, slideshows, video or all of the above - whatever works for them and their budget. Because as of right now, 50+% of what passes on the web for 'marketing' is just plain sad on every possible level. And considering that's where nearly every buyer begins - there's a lot of work to be done!
Well done wellcomemat. Thank you for supporting the video guy.
Todd,
I was not taking a shot at your work, and WellcomeMat has one requirement and one requirement only: that files being uploaded are video. That's it...I was responding to your earlier comments. Nobody is playing God with creative requirements here and the comments being made towards this point are completely unfounded.
Based on some of the comments I am seeing, there are two points that are being missed:
1) WellcomeMat is not just about real estate listings. Our platform is for local video and there are literally millions of applications in this regard.
2) WellcomeMat is a local video platform meant for people to collaborate, improve their video skills, or hire a video pro. Our entire site is built for professionals, and groups of professionals using video to better their brand, win themselves more business and solidify themselves as information sources. This does not mean we are built for one group or another. This means that if you want to use video for professional purposes, WellcomeMat is your platform.
Don't get lost in the sauce here guys. Video is our game. That is the only statement being made here.
Thanks Christian, that's what I'm talking about! I'm just a wanta be, but I'm having fun. New year's eve I took some video of some friends party and everyone loved it. Video is crude and not professional but just having fun!
Just having fun!!
I understand your need to focus only on video. You could do your slide show clients a favor by directing them to a site I found called http://www.ViewThisHome.com . It is a free video, virtual tour, real estate only website that allows you to upload property description and branding to agents videos and virtual tours. It is totally free to upload listings. Maybe as a service to your slide show clients you could post this info in an email.
God love ya Christian you are a good guy. I try t get things stirred up every once and a while makes life more interesting.
You and the crew are doing a nice job with the site and your vision.
First, Todd - great comments and wonderful points.
Just gotta put my two cents in here.....
To the realtors who have commented that they see slide shows as having value to the consumer..... How can showing the SAME PHOTOS the consumer just looked at in the listing be adding ANYTHING to their knowledge of the property? Don't rationalize the fact that you're cheap by claiming that a slide show offers something useful to the consumer because it doesn't. Period.
To Glenda Cherry, who doesn't understand how a moving video of a nonmoving object like a room is of any worth, I guess trying to explain the concept of filming a room/house to show a wide scope and spatial context would be hopeless.
As to the argument that a good slide show is better than a bad video..... Bad quality in any marketing tool whether photos, writeup, slide show or video is undesirable and should not be used. But that doesn't justify slide shows as a video tour. Apples and Oranges.
A lot of real estate agents use slide show formats (whether there's panning and zooming doesn't matter) and that will continue. My problem is when they claim that they are a valid Virtual Video Tour.
Don't show me a loaf of white bread and try to tell me it's French pastry! White bread is fine, it has it's uses, but don't try to palm it off as something it isn't.
Amy Hunter, Hearth & Home Videos www.hnhvideos.com
I think $70 for a filmed virtual tour with audio, posted to MLS and Realtor.com is a good value. Amy, the video is very smooth and pans nicely across the rooms. I wish video could be oriented vertically to more easily demonstrate height, but there are limitations to the technology. Is there an adder for you to shoot the stills also? Send me a note.
Thanks Amy, very clean cut simple videos on your site, hey it's our bread and butter. One question any reason why you fad to black between rooms? Why not put a cross fade in there it will seem like the video flows better, I don't necessarily mind the black just wanted to hear your reasoning.
One small thing that I really love about your videos that we pay close attention to is alternating the pans, if the first goes to the right the second should go to the left. A lot of people don't do this and I believe it makes the videos harder to watch and enjoy.
Thanks for your comments James and Todd!
Todd, I do sometimes use a cross fade between rooms. Most of the time I use the fade to black because it cuts down on the clash factor when you have several boldly colored rooms in sequence. I do use vertical pans for two story foyers or family rooms, other tall dramatic areas or narrow master bathrooms. I always use manual exposure settings to avoid the sudden dropoffs to darkness when going across windows.
While my videos aren't high art, keeping it a basic clean straightforward style allows me to keep my cost down.
My philosphy is that a video tour should give the viewer some spatial feel for the room or flow of the house that they can't get from photos alone. I also view any pictorial marketing of a property whether photos or a video tour, as being a "teaser". It should make the home look appealing enough so that a potential buyer wants to come see it in person. I don't think that any medium is a substitute for seeing the home in person - they're merely a marketing tool.
Amy Hunter Hearth & Home Videos
Amy...
I've been using video tours since 2004. In that time I've sold over 100 properties that had video tours as part of their marketing programs.
In that time I've sold four homes with video tours sight-unseen by the buyer except for viewing the video. I'm not recommending that buyers do this, but it speaks to the power of the medium.
It has been long over due! GOOD MOVE! Kevin Marciniak
Are you accepting tours from the tour factory. See note received from them when I asked.
You can use our video tour for Welcome Mat as it is true video which is avi. Click the link to view a sample of our video tour. http://tourfactory.com/company/VideoTour.asp But that is up to you if you want to use it.
Are you accepting tours from the tour factory. See note received from them when I asked.
You can use our video tour for Welcome Mat as it is true video which is avi. Click the link to view a sample of our video tour. http://tourfactory.com/company/VideoTour.asp But that is up to you if you want to use it.
Are you accepting tours from the tour factory. See note received from them when I asked.
You can use our video tour for Welcome Mat as it is true video which is avi. Click the link to view a sample of our video tour. http://tourfactory.com/company/VideoTour.asp But that is up to you if you want to use it.
Are you accepting tours from the tour factory. See note received from them when I asked.
You can use our video tour for Welcome Mat as it is true video which is avi. Click the link to view a sample of our video tour. http://tourfactory.com/company/VideoTour.asp But that is up to you if you want to use it.
sorry I have a new computer and it seems to overproduce.. I think I hold the buttons to long
As a business owner I understand having to make tough decisions in which to direct ones future. What baffles me is a decision to select a media form, not based upon its quality but equipment. As with any purchasing decision, if you don't like a service or the decisions that are made...vote with your wallet and move on to someone who wants your business. I have done both. Your decision helped me find not only better quality but a better price. I sincerely thank you!
Anthony Wilson
Zarqa Street
Anthony,
Glad you found a path that suits you. We just choose to stick to our strengths and hope you do as well.
To put this into perspective, most of us wouldn't under-utilize a TV set by watching slides or listening to the radio through it. Of course, this does happen (especially at my mother-in-laws house).
We are biased, we admit it, we love video and I totally respect your decision(s). I sincerely wish you the best of luck...seriously!
How do videographers handle business requests for clients who are looking for commercials? Furniture stores etc. etc. that are requesting commercials that look like current high definition advertising that is on television? Those spots virtually all include still images. What is the policy?
Online video is definitely the future in Real Estate marketing! WellcomeMat has provided an amazing platform which I believe is leading the way both for videographers, and real estate agents who want to offer their clients the best marketing tools! Thanks Christian!
<embed src="http://www.wellcomemat.com/wm_video/B3F1186CF3" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getFlashPlayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="320" height="280"></embed>
Can you tell I am trying to cut and paste a player into a blog, gotta be a first time for everything.
<embed src="http://www.wellcomemat.com/wm_video/B3F1186CF3" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getFlashPlayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="320" height="280"></embed>
I will figure this out.
<embed src="http://www.wellcomemat.com/wm_video/B3F1186CF3" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getFlashPlayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="320" height="280"></embed>
James,
You should have no problem posting one of our videos into a blog. Here in The Hood, however, embedding videos has been broken since we added the WYSIWYG editor (the bold, itallic, linking interface) a couple weeks ago. We're going to fix it, but I have no idea when we'll have time to circle back to it. We definitely have noted this issue though...
www.wellcomemat.com/wellcomemat/news/james-schulze/real-estate-broker/videos/B3F1186CF3.html#wrapper
Well, I got that part to pop up...making me feel like a technical wizard.
Close your eyes and look into the "Theater of your mind." Imagin the sight and sound of rolling waves, the swaying backand forth of palms in the wind, the reassuring message of a testement givien by a human being... How's that for emotional? Or turn on your TV and hold your breath until the next moving picture slide show comes on. I'll bet you can't hold your breath that long. The reason Ken Burns documentaries are used is because they don't have any film footage. If you had actual film footage of George Washington crossing the Delware River, would you opt for a moving picture slide?
If moving picture slide shows were so effective as a marketing tool, why aren't they dominating TV, theaters, or on broadway. Why would businesses spend millions to produce and distribute a 30 second commercial, and not save tons by just producing a moving picture slideshow? (Think about how could be saved by not needing talent of any kind) The reason... lack of emotional draw. Purchase desisions are made to fullfill an emotional need, not a logical necessity. Full Featurd Video Productions, especially on an "On Demand" basis, will always be more of an emotional draw than moving picture slide show. Slide show are easy and cheap, no matter how you slice it. It's like I always say to my clients... "The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of its price!"
"How do videographers handle business requests for clients who are looking for commercials? Furniture stores etc. etc."
We shoot, through our parent company, Mirage Productions, between 5 to 10 television commercials a month. They are all shot in HD using Panasonic HDX200's and 500's. NEVER, do we use stills, unless its that only possible way to depict something. True, we do get asked by clients if they can use some. Its usually because they figure their costs will come down, and they have already taken the time to use their small digital camera to take a few snapshots. We have 2 large furniture store chains, and everything is shot in HD video. Those commercials you have seen, are retailers trying to save a buck.
How much video needs to be incorporated into my 'slideshow video' in order for it to be approved for use on wellcomemat? My videos are usually only a minute as most consumers get bored watching long boring videos. So, if I incorporate 2 or 3 scenes - appx 8 seconds each -using 'video' intermixed with photos, will this satisfy wellcomemat for approval?
How much video needs to be incorporated into my 'slideshow video' in order for it to be approved for use on wellcomemat? My videos are usually only a minute as most consumers get bored watching long boring videos. So, if I incorporate 2 or 3 scenes - appx 8 seconds each -using 'video' intermixed with photos, will this satisfy wellcomemat for approval?
That is a valid question which has been asked repeatedly. There has been no response. Take the time to watch link on comment 101 of 107. I've had very positive response from videographers and real estate professionals, but no response regarding policy.
I think it's great for Wellcomemat to focus on moving video - unfortunately, they were also the best slideshow video hosting out there, as well!
As far as the video vs. slide show/ pan & zoom photo tour debate, a video isn't worth ANYTHING more to me OR THE BUYER if it doesn't show the flow from room to room. A pan & tilt from a tripod, standing in one corner of the room and then cutting to a completely different room CAN be achieved by a still photo artfully pan & zoomed.
Looking at a couple of Todd and Amy's videos (not picking on you, just was curious about how much better "professional" video would be, so ceck those two out), I didn't see what it added to the buyer's experience, that I can't do with my pan & zoom with multiple shots of a room - other than you get to see the ceiling fan turning? I couldn't gauge the flow of the house at all from those videos. At least my photo tour shows how the rooms fit together by zooming through a door or up stairs and having the next shot open in that room. Even though I use a lot of the same shots I have in the regular MLS photos, I also take a BUNCH of extra shots of each room and hallways and doorway shots, to add to the photo story, to show the flow of the property.
Seriously, if my listings made enough commission to cover the costs of a professional video every time, I'd be all over it in an instant. I think buyers LOVE to see how the rooms all relate to each other. That is why all of my listings get custom floor plans, as well! But video pan & tilts of individual rooms, without showing how the rooms flow together are no better than pan & zoom stills. And stills often have better quality because the room isn't shot into darkness as the camera pans past a bright window. (Which I give props to Amy's videos for not doing!)
I also agree that slideshows with randomly generated pan & zoom on 10 (often poor quality) photos are stupid and DON'T add anything to the user experience. But taking extra, high quality photos and giving direction to the pan & zoom that makes sense and shows the flow of the house DOES make sense.
I'm still going to keep my membership, because I do eventually plan on investing in a better video camera and steadycam to implement real video. But until then, it'll have to be photo tours saved as a video file - so I can utilize sites like Youtube and viral marketing and the added search engine benefits of "video" on your web site.
I do think Wellcomemat would tap into a great, ready-to-go market by offering a sister site for slideshow videos for real estate agents. If I had the know how, I'd start one myself - because there is obviously a demand that is not being met with what is currently out there!
That is the common thread from the real estate side. I've been talking with several videographers that I have met through WellcomeMat. There are also several very good videos on how to shoot video for property. I have spoken with several videographers regarding the post production and posting work only. Many are very open to doing this type of work and they are then not area exclusive. Talk with Russell Carson from SC. Very sharp guy and he has some very interesting thoughts on video. Just like taking quality still images, it takes practice, practice practice.
Victor, Are you part of the management team at WellcomeMat?
Apologies if you thought I was ignoring you James. We have zero issues with videos that have slides in them and we've noted this a couple times, one of which was part of the very beginning of this post:
"3) What if I mix my videos up and have slides integrated into video clips?
You are fine! We will support you as we always have."
Hah! James...I was logged into a test account. My bad.
Awesome! For those of us doing our own dreaded slide show videos, we can still use wellcomemat by incorporating a couple small video scenes...That works! Thanks.
Jill,
I keep wrestling with the process. Shoot both the stills and the video at the same time. Upgrade to a high def video camera, take the stills with it, then shoot the video too. I get tired of transferring big files, I've spoken with Russell about mailing Flash media to him which is cheap to do and working off of that. Not that I don't LOOOVVVVEEEE VIIIDDDEEEOOO , but it takes more time in post production.
Kristin,
No offense taken about our videos because the realtors that use our videos love them and continue to get listing after listing. (By the way the price point for our videos is in the range of $50-75.) But I do have a few questions for you.
As a realtor how much commission do you need to make before it is cost effective to pay for a video? I assume the paid commission on the house is 6%. Say you sell the home you have listed you make around 3% correct? That means you make $3900 (assuming it sells for 130k) If you only list and another agent sells you split correct? So you will be making $1950.
Say you hire Fred Light to create his middle of the road video, you will be paying him around $200 (I believe) That is about 10% of your commission if you only list the home and is 5% of your commission if you list and sell. Yes 10% may be hard to give up the first time but what if this leads to you getting another listing because someone saw this video and wanted you to list their house because they wanted the same video. Now is it worth it?
Would you spend a dollar to make two dollars?
If you find a professional in your area and consistently do videos on your listings I know you will be surprised at the amazing outcome.
Please no one take offense to this, I'm not trying to insult anyone (as I have been accused in the past) I am simply looking for answers that will help me see inside agents minds so that videographers and realtors can one day be on the same page.
-Todd
Didn't mean to use larger font, I pasted it in from word after I spell Checked and this is how it turned out. Sorry.
I think it would be great taking outside and neighborhood video and incorporating it with high resolution interior stills with intuative pan & zoom use - and still getting to use Wellcomat's quality video features. Great idea!
As I've said a gazillion times, the value of video is NOT in selling homes, it's in selling REALTORS. Doing video elevates that Realtor to a level far and above that of virtually ALL of their competitors. Sellers LOVE video and understand the value of it - far more than most Realtors actually do. Oftentimes, Realtors look at video as yet another invoice or to be used as a last ditch effort get get a property sold.
Back in the late 90s and early part of this decade, the same was true for those Realtors who had a website. You automatically rose above the rest.... just because you had a website (even if it wasn't a GOOD website!). The fact that you had one, and used it in your marketing (even though most people didn't even really understand the internet and how to utilize it for that purpose) made you a superstar! You got business just because you were viewed as being more tech savvy.... having more marketing skill... than those without.
Video does exactly that today.
If you look at the cost of video as a cost of doing business... as a cost of elevating your brand.... it is a no brainer to justify the cost. Especially these days when many Realtors still spend $100+ to run ads for their open houses (which usually don't work) in the local newspaper (which nobody reads) or the local Real Estate Book (which also nobody reads).
Allocating your money to the media that gives you the biggest bang for your buck is the name of the game in this economy. And for many that means taking those dollars formerly allocated to print and reallocating to the web. Many companies are pulling their ads out of local papers.... literally... some have gone from full page ads to 4" x 4" ads just advertising their website "where all of their listings will fit". They are saving tens of thousands of dollars every year.... and allocating that money towards a more robust web presence, where literally 90% of all home buyers are searching.
The best Realtors and the best business people out there understand this, and can more than justify a few hundred dollars off their commission for professional photography and professional videos that make them look good.
Todd,
Thank you for your questions.
Very rarely do agents get both sides of the sale. 95% of the time they only have the list side - at least in my market. For me, it's about 1.5% of the sale. On a 140,000 house, that's $2,100 GROSS.
Please understand it's not just the cost of the video itself. There are SO MANY hands in our pockets, depleting our net. I have monthly fees to pay my broker (and flat charges for every listing), my website costs me $100 a month, the feedback program another $20 a month, magazine ads (which sellers still insist upon), advertising on Zillow or other sites, post card mailings, calendars, etc. Not to mention that we have to pay 2x the social security (no employer to pay half) and prepay taxes, continuing ed, license renewal, board dues, health insurance, Realtor.com enhancing fees, MLS fees, broker open lunches, gas, business meals when taking out out of town buyers, relocation company fees (usually 35%), health care, internet, cell phone (which has to have texting and browser charges these days) and air cards for a laptop....the list goes on. By the time it's all done, sometimes it feels like I'm barely making minimum wage, after all of the costs of business are taken care of! Notice that NONE of that is PERSONAL bills - I still have to pay those out of what is left.
If you're an average-producing agent, like myself, and not a heavy hitter, another $50-$200 for a video (I've seen them a lot more than that) for a listing that you're not even guaranteed to get paid for (if it doesn't sell) feels pretty steep still, especially if it doesn't add that much to the user experience, that they can't get with a plethora of stills or using pan/zoom on stills. I just haven't seen video that adds THAT much - most buyers are perfectly happy with multiple photos and a floor plan. I've had a lot of buyers comment that the house "look just as it showed online) when they physically tour the home. That tells me a lot about what I am offering the buyers. My sellers are quite impressed with my photo tours - which show the "flow" of the home and the floor plans (which hardly anyone offers here on existing construction.)
I guess I'm not convinced that it will get me any more listings than what I can offer them now. Plus, no one really uses real PROFESSIONAL moving video around here. A few people like Dale shoot their own stuff, but I still feel pretty competative against amatuer video with what I do.
Hope that gives some insight.
BTW - I have looked for videographers in my area - there don't seem to be any familiar with shooting real estate (none on Wellcomemat, either) and the regular ones I've found online (in my area) cost a fortune, because they normally do weddings & parties!
Todd, Amy & Fred aren't in Milwaukee! LOL! ;)
Very well said...but it doesn't solve our problem. I will also continue to use panned stills for the properties, because as Fred said, "It doesn't sell the house". If you have the time to click on posting 101 of 122, you will get a much better idea of what the use of video to benefit realtors.
@Todd,
Kristin's comments are dead-on and should helpt you understand where an agent's money goes. Just to add a few more facts:
- The commission the agent receives is also effected by the business model of the company the agent works for. The agent might be on a 95% split, but then they have to pay a desk fee and all advertising costs. The agent may be n a 70% split with their broker and still have to pay their own advertising costs, but no desk fee. Or, the agent might be on a 50% split where the broker pays for all adversting cost, and in this case the broker would have to be willing to pay for the video (unlikely). There's more to these breakdowns (such as E&O insurance, MLS and Realtor fees, administrative fees, etc., but you get the idea. It's important to note that these are fixrd costs and must be paid regardless if the agent actually sells anything.
- Which leads me to point to--something that I don't get the sense that many videogrpahers understand (or any 3rd party vendor for that matter) That is, there is enormouse risk in paying for these services up front. Why enormous? Well when you cosnider that a full 30-40% percent of listings don't sell for any number of reasons, few of which can be attrubited to the agent. Of course the best agents are good at reducing that risk, but still it's significant. This explains why many, if not most, Realtors think very carefull about where to spend what little money they actually make (I think the average yearly income for the average agent is around $34,000.
- Having said all this, I agree with Fred to a degree--that's it's about investing in your career and spending dollars on marketing yourself as an agent rahter than spenidn all you money on marketing inventory. For many agents, as Fred can attest, this is a tough sell.
Hope this helps
I have the Seller pay for the tour in advance.
Keep in mind, that from other blog notes, the concern for WellcomeMat is that they become marked or defined as being only a real estate site, rather than a video site for business advertising. Real estate is a small piece of the pie being sought after. The beauty of this site is that videographers can actually communicate with real estate people very easily, hopefully with being able to secure their business. $15 bucks a month to promote a videographer is a hell of a lot cheaper than any moneys spent by any real estate person. I would be very interested to know how much the average videographer spends on promoting his/her business per month? To have such defined industry blogs, access directly to the consumer, a place to showcase their work...this thing is Disney Land to videography pros. Got to get past some of the minor issues and get the big picture. None of this is about houses, it is about reinventing themselves as media professionals and servicer providers regardless of topic or technique.
Since we are commercial and do not have to deal with consumers, our advertising dollars are spent mostly on the web. We have not been in the yellow pages for over 20 some years. We have one person whose job is to constantly promote on the web, make sure that we are found by new customers, and also his job is to make sure Realtors video listings are encoded with the right metadata, and listed all over the web, including placing their listings on craigslist. This costs us around $1800 a month. Then of course we are constantly updating all software,that averages around ten to twelve thousand a year. Then there is the adding of new equipment, that is a budget allocation of $200,000 a year. There is also, like realtors, having to constantly attend seminars, shows, and webinars to be up to date on the latest encoding techniques. Then there are the fees that we also have to pay for all the trade agencies and membership fees for different organizations that we belong to. That’s in the thousands. We also have to pay this, regardless if we have jobs coming in or not. Fortunately we have been in business before some of our clients were born, so we do have a large referral base to draw from. My personal marketing rule number one is: If I stop marketing, my competitors will take up where I leave off.
When you spend that kind of money, there should be a whole bunch of google hits for you. Is it working the way you want it too? I've tried Google AdWords and have flushed plenty of dough down the drain with that. Where are you seeing the best return on investment. I run a box truck, local signage, DVD's on sign posts, etc. etc. would love to know.
“Max” is our man that does it all. I do not pay for ad words in Google. He creates lots of websites for us, even using the free ones from Google, Verizon and Yahoo. He also creates lot of links to other sites. We have videos posted everywhere. Every video is now encoded with metadata, not just the keywords that you add when you list a video on YouTube. Many of our videos will show up long before the website. One example is that we recently finished a new film. We flooded the internet with trailers, and provided a website for the film. If you Google “Finding Tonio”, you will see lots of video sites, before you will find the actual website. Max has been a great investment. If I were to do this on my own, (I have tried it} I would be spending hours everyday trying to do it. We also do marketing with
Format Doormat. It's about the presentation. There are some pretty nice agent created slideshows on ZingDing. See front page left column, 20 most recent created.... http://www.zingding.com
cheers, August
"The plug for your company needed a link. Here you go:"
That's funny Christian, lol!
That is funny. On a whole bunch of different levels.
Thanks Christian! There was a url, albeit not clickable. Not sure how on many "different levels that's funny". Almost as funny as lines of code of Shulze trying to embed something?
Sorry if that came across as a shameless plug. I think it was relevant, from a noncompeting company and in direct response to a previous post above by Rebecca Ferguson... "Can anyone suggest another hosting platform that works as well as wellcomemat for me to try that isn't YouTube?"
cheers, August
August,
I already checked out your site. Very cool, no need to include the link, but hey it's already there. The tech guys here are working on getting the link piece fixed on this blog. I attempted to use it three times before just deciding to just paste it in. Many of the agents, the silent majority, are looking for a place to put their slide shows, because they have too. The decision here is made for where WellcomeMat is going and as many have said,"Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out". Nothing wrong with that being said. I prefer to use both video and slideshows, so I get to pay for both, my problem.
"the concern for WellcomeMat is that they become marked or defined as being only a real estate site, rather than a video site for business advertising. Real estate is a small piece of the pie being sought after."
First let me say I completely agree with wellcomemat's move. Be it economics, their vision, the future... it's their vision and I applaud them for taking it in that direction. I just had to comment on the above quote... The name is Wellcomemat. Their logo is the front door of a house. During the RE boom, were they concerned about being considered a "real estate" site? I understand how the realtors who have supported them could feel slighted by a move that doesn't fit into their current needs. Video may be the future of RE marketing, but with the affordable dig cams available now and in these economic times, snapping some stills and creating a presentation will be here awhile longer. Online photos galleries didn't replace flyers, virtual tours didn't replace photo galleries and video won't replace vtours, photos or slideshows. They all have their place and will continue to complement each other.
cheers, August
Actually August, the real estate boom was the worst thing in the world for the real estate side of WellcomeMat's business. Try getting people to listen to reasons why they should use video when a mere whisper of a house being for sale started a bidding war. No go...we grew at the slowest pace when the market was white hot.
Despite the Big Red Door, WellcomeMat has in fact been focused on local video (more general than real estate) for our entire existence.
You're definitely correct that video will not replace other mediums. TV didn't replace radio, and radio didn't replace print etc. We're simply passionate, driven by, and focused on local video. I think you totally understand our decision, so I won't beat it to death. But, to put it into context, here is just one example of why we had to finally make our decision to stop supporting slide shows: our video player.
Our chaptering technology doesn't work with slide shows. If chaptering is used within a slide show, the viewer clicks it and the new slide appears after a second or two. This is a junked up experience, but perfect example (amongst many others) of why slides won't work long term for us.
We're about to release another version of our video player, and the slide show problem is exacerbated even more with this new version. Again, just one example of where we found ourselves side-stepping our vision to support slide show users.
Christian, "You're definitely correct that video will not replace other mediums. TV didn't replace radio, and radio didn't replace print etc", that is not exactly true when it comes to the Internet. According to Telvision Weekly, the average age of a television viewer on Network Television is now 56. The younger crowds are spending more time on the internet. Newspapers are are also closing due to the internet. Television Weekly reported that its mostly due to the technoligy and ease of using video. Advertising sales on the Internet are raising, while television and newspapers are falling. To me this means that both video and the internet is not only the future, but the present.
Wayne,
Video is not going to replace other mediums: they'll still exist. That was my statement. If I was to complete the thoughts above, it would've been something like "TV didn't replace the radio...it just kicked the living crap out of it. Video won't replace the virtual tour...it will [ insert biased statement ]."
Bottom line for us is that ranting against other mediums is not the goal. We just stick to our game around these parts.
I remember encoding and putting video on the web in 1997. It was a marketable skill back then. Now, my 9 year old son can do it with his eyes closed.
August,
Does your son need a job?
-CS
August,
Thank you for the suggestion but it in no way is a site to upload "video" files of slideshows. Your site is merely another prefab slideshow that adds movement. Unless I have missed something, can I upload my own video files? Does it offer a unbranded form? Can I create the feeling zooms and pans and walking through doorways? Can I add my own music and Narration?
I think I will just have to start incorporating video into my "slideshows"
Thanks,
Becky
<Video is not going to replace other mediums: they'll still exist.> from Christian above....
Thank goodness :) that is reassuring.
All our competitors are still stuck back in the slideshow era.....while in this same period of real estate downturn our transactions per agent have skyrocketed to a point that they are now in 2008 50% higher than our closest competitor......some of our agents had their best year ever in real estate last year.
As a company we have moved from #5 in dollar volume in our market to #2 -- with a much lower agent count.
SImply put......You can't kick the living crap out of a competitor by doing the same things or even near the same things they do. By the time our competitors contemplate and figure out video we will have moved on to the next great thing emerging in the consumer fancy....be it immersive video or full HD or whatever it takes to not be in step with the masses trodding behind.
Mark Passerby, HDhat.com
As a videographer, I only shoot full motion video, so my being able to post properties on this website is not an issue. My comments on how we're here to create something that will help the agent sell the home has even been quoted by James Schulze on his blog.
So, I'm doing an experiment, and the results will be posted here on WellcomeMat.
I've distributed a DVD sampler to several realtors here in Oregon, and I've made the following offer.....
I will shoot a video of their property and post it online. When the property sells, then, and only then, do you owe me the production fee.
It's kind of like the Video Professor TV ads...if you liked it, you'll be back to purchase another presentation. If the home doesn't sell, if the seller says you're taking too long and they go with another agent, then you don't owe me a thing.
I am the only one taking a risk. I'm putting my reputation and my ability as a video producer on the line. It's a limited time offer, and I'm doing it only as an experiment to see if this marketing approach will work.
If you're a realtor in Oregon or SW Washington and I haven't contacted you, feel free to hit me up and take part. I'm online at http://www.ourproductionstudio.com
I'll post the results here on WellcomeMat.
Jeff Davis
Our Production Studio
Jeff, You're not the only one of us taking a risk I have been offering a plan like that for about the last 6 months. Some realtors will still not use you even though they pay when it sells. We have had a decent response, we are still pretty frozen in Ohio, but warming up soon. Which always makes a difference.
Good luck, I'm interested to see how it goes for you.
-Todd
Good luck!
I sent out ten (10) coupons for a FREE video tour and FREE photography ($400 value) to the top ten Realtors in the Boston area. No strings attached.
I sent a brochure and a DVD with a dozen video tour samples on it.
All these agents had at least 10 listings. Some had been on the market for over 200 days. Some were in the millions of dollars.
Free. F R E E. No strings. No payment. Ever. Just try it out.
The response? Nothing. Nada. Not a phone call. Not a question. Not an inquiry.
It may as well not have ever happened.
I've attempted to 'market' my business to agents TWICE. Both were miserable failures and had similar results. I don't even bother anymore.
The response rate for direct mail is about 2 or 3% at best and they all say "Free" somewhere on them. The result of the mailing is exactly what it should have been. You could attempt to market your business in that manner 10 more times and you still very well could have not gotten a single call. Why would a videographer mail a coupon, when the easiest way is to simply use the medium that you are a professional provider of? Watch the video link at 101 of 147. You can mail me 10 coupons and I will ensure that you have a 100% response rate.
Where or Where have the sucessful realtor, who know how to market gone? Gone into retirement, with all the millions that made.
I've been sitting back and reading the comment stream and for the most part people are getting stuck on methodology and not outcome.
For example, how does a 'full motion video' pan of a kitchen differ from the exact same pan of a still photograph? Do I really need to see the ceiling fan spinning to convince me that it is a real fan and not a prop? Should I also have the faucet running to show the water or maybe a tea kettle boiling away on the stove?
Personally I find most productions of full motion video completely awful. Why? Because in order to produce a video for $200 a LOT of corners need to be cut, most notably lighting and sound.
Here are some notable flaws:
The camera rocking like a boat on the water as it goes down the hallway because of a consumer 'Steadicam' rig instead of the real thing.
Inconsistent lighting: The camera enters a room and the room suddenly darkens as the light streaming in the windows causes the camera to stop down, the windows go from completely 'blown-out' white to 'normal' and the room becomes an indistinguishable mass of muddy, colorless shapes. Can someone explain how that makes a house look desirable to a buyer?
The walking tour where the camera is all shaky and jittery, we are following the back of someone's head and they are speaking in muffled tones because they aren't facing the microphone. The sound is dominated by the hard-soled shoes on the floor. What did whe say again??
That hollow, 'echoey' sound where the audio is so bad the track should be
Here's a $1.295,000 condo in FL - Dark interiors - wind noise in the audio - even the pans are shaky - tell me, does this video really capture the elegance of the home? Does it inspire?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKOGuAOu6EI
I think Wellcomemat should be concentrating on providing links to MLS instead of reviewing video content for where the line exists between 'full-motion' 'blended full-motion/stills' or 'pan+zoom slide shoes' or maybe they should review content for quality of image and production values.
And for all of you 'professional' videographers out there: Start capturing quality audio, shut off your auto iris and learn how to light a room so I can see the furniture and look out the windows at the same time, buy some dollys or a real Steadicam or Kenyon Labs stabilizing system, stop shoving the camera in sinks - we all know what a sink looks like.
If you really want to show your professionalism, make that video look like a Crate & Barrel catalog because that's what the buyers want.
n my mind this is all a foolish argument. As vendors to the industry we should be concentrating on making the very best CONTENT - remember, the story remains the same whether one reads it on a Kindle, hard-cover, paperback, braille, or hear the audio book.
I'd rather eat a properly grilled hamburger over a BOILED porterhouse
HD doesn't make ugly any prettier.
Now a note on pricing. If you've read this far and you are a video producer you may be thinking, "how can I do that for $50, $75, $200, or even $400? Truth is, you probably can't. Aside from equipment costs, business insurance and such, the time to set up lighting and sound isolation will simply kill those budgets. So why try to? Figure out what it costs to shoot a proper video and then set that price. OK, so the average real estate agent will balk. Fine, let them shoot them DIY. Agents that hire you will have a far superior product. I don't see full-service agents lowering their commissions because of isoldmyhouse.com. In fact in these times many agents are telling sellers, "look, the market is intensely competitive now because of so many short sales and REOs - it's going to take a lot more resources to sell your house and I need to spend a lot more money to get that job done and that's why my commission is X%". As an industry we need to do the same.
A COMPELLING online presentation is the cornerstone of an effective marketing campaign today and agents should be budgeting 1/10% to 2/10% to stage and photograph the listing. That means a $1M home should have a $1,000 to $2,000 budget for the presentation. Think you can afford to spend half a day properly lighting, and shooting the house now?
It's time to step it up and start producing better content regardless of what camera is used.
Jay Groccia
Principal Photographer, OnSite Studios
Founder, OnlinePropertyShowcase.com
Nice work. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out.
Jay, I'm taking you on my next listing appointment.
Jay,
"I think Wellcomemat should be concentrating on providing links to MLS instead of reviewing video content for where the line exists between 'full-motion' 'blended full-motion/stills' or 'pan+zoom slide shoes' or maybe they should review content for quality of image and production values."
We've had an MLS compliant video player for years Jay. Thanks for the feedback though...you're right about its value! You can find it by logging in and selecting Promote Videos within the dashboard dropdown menu (no access to the tool for video pros).
Jay...
Speaking of outcomes.... The ideal outcome of a video tour is to sell the house.
My videos have many of the flaws you speak of in your post.
I've sold over 100 properties using my, somewhat inferior, videos.
How many have you sold?
Ray,
I don't think this is really the topic of this thread, but if you must know we've helped agents sell hundreds of homes. Just in the fall season, between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, we helped our clients move over $6M in inventiory. One home received a full-price offer inTWO days, another home had an accepted offer in under a week, and one home listed at $995,000 received multiple offers and closed in about 40 days at $1,050,000.
I think my studio's track record speaks for itself.
Bottom line is that you're a real estate agent and you're in a very small town. The population of the entire state of Alaska is less than 1/3 of the City of Boston. Maybe you're the biggest fish in the pond or maybe you're the only fish in the pond. I don't know. I've never been to Alaska and probably learned more about it in the last six months of 2008 than at any other time in mt life. It actually seems a lot like New Hampshire - especially the culture. I applaud you for your innovation and for offering your clients something that makes their homes stand out from the competiion. My only question to you is, what are you going to do when someone else starts offering a superior product?
There's an old saying, in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Jay Groccia
Principal Photographer, OnSite Studios
Founder, OnlinePropertyShowcase.com
Jay who's to say those homes wouldn't received those offers in the same time frame if they didn't have your photos and spinning tours? It sound like it a house had a full price offer in two days the house was going to sell anyways.
It isn't like the buyers said "well honey I really think we should offer full price because of these great pictures and spinning tours"
I would bet that your tours, or any tour for that matter really would have an effect on this type of quick sell.
It is understandable for a Photographer who offers spinning tours to be defensive of his work on a strictly video website.
Jay your photography work is nice, but the future is video.
When is that future Todd? next year? 5, 10 years from now? When realtors all have their own video cams and can do it themselves? RE is a pretty slow to adopt industry. You can announce it from the mountain tops, hand out all the freebies and coupons you want, but just because you say or we all may think it's the future, doesn't mean squat to them. I'm living in the present and as far as I can tell, don't matter the medium. They want to showcase their listings in an affordable way that impresses their sellers, makes them look good, tells the story of the home, and gets a buyer to take notice and show up at an open house. If you can do that with video better than any other medium, then the future is now, end of discussion. How will you know? You'll have business.
August we are busy with real estate videos 5 days a week, so the quick answer to you question is the future is now.
Even if I convinced all of you that my way of doing a property tour is better than your, where would it get me?? NOWHERE. There are big talkers on internet forums, it is easy because you don't see anyone face to face. Our business plan works for us, it is profitable and it is growing like crazy. That really takes us back to the point as to why this thread was started, Wellcomemat has a vision and a business plan if you fit in great, if you don't I guess you complain about it in this thread.
I really don't have much more to say, this is becoming a pretty useless thread.
Amen to that!
i think it became that way several posts back!
Todd,
My whole point is about quality and not methodology. I think video is great. I would love nothing better than to shoot every house with a Red on a jib and dolly with a professional spokesmodel showing the house. I'd rent a helecopter and fly in, woop around the house and transition right into the foyer and onto the rest of the house. I'dchange out all the bulbs in the house so we'd have consistent color temperature and have unique music for each house.
What I hate is ugly video, stills, and panos. Heck even your own showcase video shows someone ducking out of the shot - couldn't you have taken 10 more seconds to reshoot that segment or was that intentional? Regarding the 360 panos - it's not about 'spinning' it's just another way for people to explore the house - they have full control of the camera - they can point it and zoom in on details. Our primarly product is the photos and we shoot them twith the same style sense as national magazines and upscale cataloges. Why? Because that's what people are looking to buy. so we give our clients - the home sellers and agents - content that that leverages that multi-billion dollar marketing engine that Kohler, Moen, Viking, and the rest of the home furnishing and design industry is using to sell product. Real estate agents that hire us know that the photography we supply seamlessly fits into those publications and if we shoot video - commercials of those same products.
Regarding the 'full price offer' comment. The reason these homes sold for so much and so quickly is that the online presentations got people to pick up the phone to see the house. When multiple people do that, offers come quickly and houses sell close to, at, or even above the listing price.
We are more than a photography company. We are the imaging parter with the agent. We make sure that the content we produce looks great across all media - print, web, video, brochures, or even the plasma screen in the sales office of the condo community or apartment building.
I'm not implying that any 'type' of tour is better than any other. What I am saying, and it's unfortunate that you keep missing the point Todd, is it's about the quality of the CONTENT.
So everybody, here's the point. Make beautiful video. You wouldn't accept seeing the camera in the mirror or the shadow of the DP in a shot watching a movie so why is it somehow OK for a real estate video?
We are professionals - let's produce professional work. Anyone can DIY and if they can do what you do for free, what's the point of offering it for a fee? I charge my clients a fee to produde images that they can't. I need to be better because I call myself a pro and charge money for it. There are a lot of 'pro' videos and stills out there that quite frankly looks as though it was shot byy someone that has never done it before. Where's the value in that? And that, my friends is what gets real estate agents to say, "hey, I can do just as good myself" and they run out and get a Flip and you just lost a client.
I'm not complaining about Wellcomemat at all. What I was addressing is how does one draw the line between a 'slide show' and 'blended' product. If someone is sitting in a studio - or even the ktichen for that matter introducing the video and then as they speak the rooms show up as pan/zoom stills is that still video or do we need to have a video camera take 10 seconds of a static shot for each room?
I think the discussion should be how do we make compelling online presentations that get buyers to pick up the phone, call the agent and ask, "when can we see the house?"
Jay Groccia
Principal Photographer, OnSite Studios
Founder, OnlinePropertyShowcase.com
Jay asked Ray: "My question to you is, what are you going to do when someone else offers a superior product?"
Ray responded: If it is effective in helping me sell real estate, I'll use it. If it doesn't, I won't. It's that simple. I don't care how moving or artful it is or if it get's industry awards. I just want it to help me sell houses. I don't get paid until someone buys something!
Jay I think you should be producing featured films in Hollywood, Red on a real estate video... are you really serious? Have you ever heard of the word "Budget"
I have had a few comments over the year where buyers have said that the house looked better in the video than in person so much as though the couples weren't interested in the house anymore. We shoot SD on GL2's, and you want to shoot Red??
I have offered professional spokespeople, I have offered professional voice overs, the realtors don't want it.
I don't want to keep adding to this lousy conversation but I am going to call you out on the BS that your pictures made multiple people pick up the phone call the agent and start a bidding war. The price of the house, the neighborhood of the house, the features of the house made the people bid on the house. You could have put snapshots of the house online from the agent and the same thing would have happened.
As a videographer/photographer I would greatly appreciate a video with professional this and professional that, but I would enjoy it because of all the production and technique that went into the video. I am 100% confident that would be the complete opposite for a buyer looking for a home.
If you do start shooting red, and hold casting for talent to use in home tours send me a copy on a BD, I will eat popcorn and appreciate all that went into it.
Jay in no way am I taking anything away from your work, I have said it before and will again you do very nice work. The video that we do are cost effective (Ohio had been pretty hard hit lately) and serve a purpose, they will not be watched on a big screen but over the past 5 years all 3000 video have played a role in selling the home.
To each his own, and I don't know why I continue to participate in this conversation. (at least it give me something to do while I render files)
Ray,
My question to you was what would you do if your COMPETITOR started offering a far superior service? What are you going to do if suddenly your listings looked like shacks in comparison to your competitor's listings? Would you step up? Would you continue to be business as usual?
I don't think it's an unfair question because it has happened again and again in the real estate industry. Many agents were dragged kicking and screaming to the world of the multiple listing service - they just didn't get it. Some (although, not many) still exist.
Remember when all it took was a single Polaroid photo stapled to a listing sheet? Ahh, the good ol' days.
Today with a click of the mouse, people are now inside the house. Online presentations are on the march to be more and more sophisticated and just like everything else in this world, when someone comes along and offers a better product...
I don't want to confuse this issue with just 'innovation'. I remember when the Egg made it's debut and the company sent sales reps out dropping it on the floor and standing on it and saying, "look, you can't hurt it!" Of course it was a horrible piece of optics, but it did allow agents with zero photographic ability to create a 360 view of a room - even if it was nearly unviewable, it allowed agents to offer 'virtual tours'. Yes, they had a certain 'cool' aspect and then people suddenly started saying, "wow, those really make homes look ugly" I don't want to even click on them.
I see the same thing happening with video. Everyone is now starting to run around with Flips and iPhones and posting some pretty bad video, "but it's still video, so that's good, right?"
I'm not telling you to stop what you're doing in fact, all of my posts aren't really addressed to real estate agents, because you're a DIYer. Maybe the video producers can start putting up videos teaching people how to list their own homes? I think it would be great. We can do real nice, step by step videos showing people how to get an appraiser to value the home, how to find a stager to make the place look it's best, where to find the photographers and videographers to produce their content for online presentations and marketing materials, copywriting services, flat-fee MLS services, finding a good real estate attorney to do all their legal paperwork, and teach them how to out-market 95% of the 'professional' real estate agents.
Guess what? It's already happening - do some google searches - you'll see.
See Ray, the professionals on this board really should be partnering with the real estate agents out there. We should be helping them by providing a soup to nuts service to promote them and their properties and that partnership should include the very best in service and not 'slap-dash' videos that they could produce on their own.
I've got no problem with DIYers and I think FSBOs are cool too and if a FSBO came to me I wouldn't refuse the business. I give my agents my deepest discount because I want their volume. I shoot a restaurant once. I shoot a B&B once, but my active agents use me dozens and dozens of times - I make them money and they recognize it and in the final analysis that's the real bottom line.
Jay Groccia
Principal Photographer, OnSite Studios
Founder, OnlinePropertyShowcase.com
Can someone please send me a link to a video tour that's "cutting edge"? Something that'd make a buyer, seller or agent think, wow that's cutting edge cool. In 2009, just being a "video" is not enough. I've yet to come across one that didn't look like something from early 90's with bad music, crazy transitions and infomercial narration. I'm hoping there's one out there. Please do show. I'd love to broadcast it to a network of agents I know and see if they concur. This video is pretty cutting edge, but they used stills...
I hate the animoto video, there are places to use it and places to not use it. It is cool, that is about it.
What is cool to a videographer/photographer/tech junkie does not sell houses.
There are many great videos on here that show the house to the effect that a buyer can distinguish what houses they would like to view in person.
Send any of Fred's videos to your clients and see what they think. He puts together a nice compelling video.
We are adding in a few new features to our tours:
http://www.videomemoriesinc.com/postcard.php?houseid=150
There are many other great videographers on here.
August I think you are missing the point, maybe it is the fact that you haven't done many videos for real estate. What is cool isn't what people are looking for. Less is more, and this is what a video needs to be.
I have to agree with August, in that its flashy, cool, and the music is update and contemp. It would make a great intro but not good video. I would agree with Todd, that its still just some stills, and does not do proper justice to a listed property. After watching for about a minute, it gets boring, and all you end up doing is listening to the music, so it if were a home being presented. all information would be lost. Damn..this forum is getting real long, and repetive. Let the DIY's alone, they have lots of free time on their hands. Just concentrate on the Realtors who want to make money, and produce the best quality video any professional would, regardless of equipment. Its all about talent, training, skills, and pride in a job well done.
In the context of selling properties AND agents, look no further than Doug Heddings' videos. Think you'd win a listing over this guy with a slide show?
There are so many more examples and so many more video pros' work to point to that it's ridiculous. Man...this site needs a little search action!
I'd have to say I'm always disappointed when I click on a "video" link and get a slideshow. I also support your decision for the sheer principle of it. I've had a business that lost it's focus and it turned out to be something I never wanted. As a result I sold it and moved on, never really achieving my own goals, even though there was some degree of sucess in other ways. As I looked back, I realized that was the problem (lost focus) and I treasure that mistake as a lesson learned the hard way. While the road to success may change, the vision should remain solid.
Another great example is Zachary Epps, similar in concept, but the production values are higher.
Not too long ago ... before being fully aware of the no slideshow policy, I had an uploaded WMV that was rejected as it was not full-motion video, which it wasn't. Since then I've seen the footage of Christian speaking at an event and "seen" the passion behind the policy.
Anyway, this isn't about the policy nor my rejected video, but rather an observation from tonight. My wife does scrapbooking and lately some digital scrapbooking using a couple of online slideshow creation services. Of late she uses www.smilebox.com . Before I took the kids up for their bedtime routines, my wife asked if they wanted to see a movie (referring to her two new smilebox presentations) ... and of course they said yes.
What's the first thing my 7-year old son says ... completely unprompted and un-schooled by me on the matter ... but always seeking to be right technically? "Mom, that's not a movie!". She then corrected herself and said "You're right, it's not a movie - it's a slideshow."
LOL ... I had to smile but not really say much as it was almost an inside joke, as neither son nor wife are WMAT members / site readers ... nor even in my son's case, actually care about the finer / philosophical points of "true full-motion video" vs. "slideshow".
I agree with Christian. Doug Hedding's videos are fantastic. I'm sure that is also due to Doug's narration along with the professional video work. I would love to know who Doug's videographer is, since I am in the New York area also. One question, how do you apply that to multiple without branding?
August, your Animoto is a great conceptbut I don't think it is suitable for Real Estate. Although we have become a click and go world, I believe when consumers are shopping for real estate that want a bit more detail. Good concept though.
Lisa
Lisa, Animoto is not mine, just a sample I posted. My company is ZingDing. I think most on here are losing sight of the pupose in all this. It's the message not the medium. No matter what the medium, be it 3D, slideshows, HD video, pixar animation or a hand drawn picture. Who cares what method is used to tell your story. Whatever works for you is what is best. If you need to stand up and declare "the future is video and only video" then that in itself is pretty telling.
cheers, August
To each his own...
Everybody has different marketing tools. I think full-motion video is going to continue to increase in market share, while virtual tours will decrease. The market for marketing is growing, and as such, there is enough space for everybody to make money...
As this downturn, "bump-in-the-road" recession winds down, the market has shifted. Period. Virtual tours haven't been around that long, and neither has the internet. The internet was developed before I was born, but the wide-distribution is new... as technology advances and becomes more widespread, so to will the marketplace change.
Anybody who is too comfortable and complacent where they're at will get bumped. Have you noticed that those companies that were founded decades or centuries ago generally aren't doing exactly the same thing they did when they started? Videographers: if you don't keep up with the market shifts, you'll be out of business in 5 years! Likewise, virtual tour providers: if you do what you've always done, you will NOT get what you've always gotten. When the market shifts, you'll fall into the cracks and disappear.
Stay ahead of the curve and stay in business... that's the name of the game.
I don't tell people that virtual tours are bad, I just tell people that I think video tours are better. There is a reason they cost more! I meet new real estate agents every week through networking events, and I always tell them: this is a great tool to use to maximize your business (and I have agents who are rocking and rolling by maximizing their videos...), but it's not for everybody. If they don't market the videos and market the fact that they use them, they won't see the results.
Buyers and sellers are catching on and they respect those who stay ahead of the curve. One of my clients ALWAYS gets the listing, because nobody does the marketing she does. On a side note: that client has never had an expired listing, and they generally go from listed to sold in under 60 days BECAUSE of her marketing plan (price and condition also considered).
Stay ahead and stay in the game. 'Nuff said. Go WMAT! :-)
Quiero pedir disculpas por escribir en Español, pero no hablo ingles.
En todo este tema se esta olvidando la parte importante, y es que todo usuario de una herramienta ha de pensar para que necesita dicha herramienta, el uso que le va a dar y el objetivo final.
Si queremos excavar una zanja, debemos usar una pala... si la zanja es muy grande, usar una excavadora mecanizada para rentabilizar el trabajo. Siempre podemos excavar esta zanja con una cuchara de comer, pero tardariamos mucho tiempo y gastariamos una enorme cantidad de energia. En definitiva, no estariamos usando la herramienta correcta.
Como solucion final, es obvio que podemos acudir a otro servicio para subir los videos o slide shows, pero la cuestion es que estamos hablando del servicio que nos ofrece WellcomeMat. Y puestos a ello, analicemoslo:
La teoria es que nos ofrecen un sitio donde publicar videos de Real Estate y nos ofrecen unas herramientas. Hasta ahi todo correcto. Dentro de este sitio, nos indican que no podemos publicar slide shows. Entonces, para que trabajar con una herramienta que nos limita?
La limitacion es evidente, solo aceptan videos. Mi pregunta es entonces, pretende WellcomeMat competir con plataformas como youtube o vimeo? La respuesta se me antoja tambien en negativa. La idea de WellcomeMat es aunar dos campos bien diferenciados, por uno, aportar un servicio de video ya que es la tecnologia que esta evolucionando en internet, y por el otro, segmentarlo dentro del Real Estate, porque es donde hay un amplio sector de usuarios de pocos recursos tecnologicos y excasos conocimientos del medio y del software disponible, aunque si disponen de recursos economicos. El real estate nunca dejara de ser un negocio en alza aunque haya crisis ciclicas.
Por lo tanto, la decision de WellcomeMat me parece poco acertada. Cualquier herramienta que limite a los usuarios se esta limitando a si misma. No estamos hablando de un uso obligatorio de un formato en particular. Estamos hablando de diferenciar un mismo archivo de video, dependiendo de la forma en que este se desarrolle.
Si a todo esto, le añadimos que WellcomeMat es un servicio aun en fase experimental y que el mercado del Real Estate no esta para discusiones de este tipo, mi valoracion es evidente. Ahora mismo me doy de baja del servicio y busco las herramientas que necesito para mi trabajo, que son todas aquellas que NO ME LIMITEN en NADA y me aporten recursos de valor añadido.
Muchas gracias y hasta otra ocasion. Mucha Suerte.
Google Traslator
In all of this is forgetting the important part, is that every user of the tool has to think that you need this tool, use it and will give the ultimate goal.
If we dig a trench, we must use a shovel ... if the ditch is very large, use a mechanical digger to make work pay. We can always dig the ditch with a spoon to eat, but take a long time and spend an enormous amount of energy. Ultimately, we would not be using the right tool.
As a final solution, it is obvious that we can go to another service to upload videos or slide shows, but the question is that we are talking about the service we offer WellcomeMat. And for that matter, let's break:
The theory is that we offer a place to post videos of Real Estate and offer some tools. Until there all right. Within this site, we show that we can not publish slide shows. Then, to make working on a tool that limits you?
The limitation is obvious, only accept videos. My question is then, WellcomeMat aims to compete with platforms like youtube or vimeo? The answer strikes me as too negative. WellcomeMat The idea is to unite two distinct fields, for one, provide a video service because it is the technology that is evolving on the Internet, and on the other segments within the Real Estate, because it is where a large segment of users few excasos technological resources and knowledge of the environment and the available software, even if they have economic resources. The real estate never cease to be a business on the rise even if cyclical crises.
Therefore, the decision of WellcomeMat seems unwise. Any tool that limits users are limited to itself. We are not talking about a compulsory use of a particular format. We're talking about differentiating one video file, depending on how this develops.
Add to all this, we add a service that WellcomeMat is still experimental and that the Real Estate market is not for discussions like this, my assessment is evident. Right now I resign the service and seeking the tools I need for my work, which are those that does not limit me in anything and I provide resources of value added.
Thank you very much and until another time. Much Luck.
Por ultimo me queda una reflexion... las casas no las venden los videos o las fotos, tampoco las venden los vendedores... las casas se venden segun el poder adquisitivo del interesado. Desde luego, para que haya interes ha de haber una llamada sobre un producto-propiedad en particular, pero el mercado es amo y señor a su antojo.
Yo soy diseñador grafico... aqui leo mucho sobre el video, la fotografia.. todo ello para incluirlo en paginas webs propias o de servicios o proveedores. Pues bien, como diseñador tengo que decir que la calidad del 90% de las paginas web es pesima, el diseño es obsoleto o carece de el, la calidad de la programacion en ese 90% de las paginas es tambien mala... y estamos aqui analizando si video o slideshow? Es como querer conducir un Ferrari por una carretera sin asfaltar. Esta es la realidad.
Antes del website hay campos mas importantes e imprescindibles: imagen de empresa, logotipo, inversion en material impreso: catalogos, tripticos, dipticos, flyers.... despues esta el merchandising... todo lo que crea una imagen de empresa. Una vez tengamos esto, generaremos los demas medios, website, Cd´s interactivos... slide shows o Videos... etc, etc. En mi opinion, lo fundamental de un video es tener que mostrar en el y mas importante aun, la forma de mostrarlo. De igual modo que hay peliculas de hollywood que han fracasado hay videos comerciales que fracasan y aqui nadie esta entrando en esta cuestion. Cansa leer tanto sobre si el video vende mas o menos. Hay una conclusion indiscutible, el video malo vende menos que el slide show bueno. Una mala imagen de empresa vende mal con o sin video, etc, etc...
Como podemos pretender dar buena imagen a un cliente con un video, si finalmente nuestro correo de contacto es user@hotmail.com???!!! o user@yahoo.com??!!! Estamos saltandonos muchos procesos previos... aconsejo la lectura de manuales de marketing con conceptos BASICOS de venta, antes de decantarse a usar cualquiera de las tecnologias que podemos implementar.
Seria bueno aconsejar los pasos previos a quienes pueden estar leyendo este post y pensar que el video es el remedio a la crisis de ventas, o que es el video la tecnologia que hara que el mercado crezca. Videos los lleva habiendo desde que hay television... el video no es la solucion, la unica solucion positiva es el TRABAJO BIEN HECHO, sea cual sea el medio y el soporte.
Los ciegos, sordos, minusvalidos... tambien compran casa...
QUe tengais un buen dia!
Google Traslator
Finally I have a reflection ... houses do not sell videos or photos, nor the vendors sell ... the houses are sold according to the purchasing power of the person concerned. Of course, that interest must have been a call about a product-specific property, but the market is lord and master at will.
I am a graphic designer ... here read a lot about the video, photography .. all this for inclusion in web pages or services themselves or suppliers. Well, as a designer I have to say that the quality of 90% of web pages is terrible, the design is outdated or no on the quality of the programming in that 90% of the pages is too bad ... and we are here considering whether video or slideshow? It's like trying to drive a Ferrari on a dirt road. This is reality.
Before the website is more important and essential areas: company image, logo, investment in printing: catalogs, brochures, diptychs, flyers .... Then there is the merchandising ... all that creates a company image. Once you have that, we generate the other media, website, CD's interactive ... slide shows or videos ... etc, etc. In my opinion, the key is to have a video to show on and more importantly, how to show it. Just as there are Hollywood movies that have failed there are videos here failed business and no one is going into this question. It gets tiring reading so much about whether the video sold more or less. There is an indisputable conclusion, the video bad sold unless the slide show good. A company sells bad bad image with or without video, etc, etc ...
As we seek to give a good image to a client in a video, if finally our contact email is user@hotmail.com ???!!! or user@yahoo.com ??!!! We're jumping many prior processes ... I advise reading marketing manuals selling basics, before deciding to use any technology we can implement.
It would be good advise on the steps leading up to those who may be reading this post and think that the video is the remedy to the crisis in sales, or is the video technology that will make the market grow. Videos leads having no television since ... the video is not the solution, the only positive solution is a job well done, whatever the means and support.
The blind, deaf, handicapped ... homebuyers also ...
You to have a good day!
Will inanimate objects thru a shaky vid cam ever look better than a composed still shot? Or even the "standard" 360 vt? A nice walk thru could work but that requires camera, lighting and post production skills that I don't foresee the average Realtor adapting anytime soon.
Well done Christian!
Hey everyone, listen to Fred Light!
August, "A nice walk thru could work but that requires camera, lighting and post production skills that I don't foresee the average Realtor adapting anytime soon"
I am assuming that you are saying that a realtor should present his listing the cheapest way possible, regardless what the seller is expecting. When you take on a listing aren’t you promising the owner that you will market his home in the best way possible? I agree, shaky grey video is terrible, so why not hire a professional, get fantastic results, and present yourself as a professional agent that who cares about the quality of listings you get. Saying that a realtor might need to spend time and money learning to present a quality video tour is like saying a vidographer needs to spend time and money to learn how to sell his own house so as not to pay a commission on a realtor who will only show some still photos of his property. If I was selling my home, I would want the best full time realtor that used the best marketing tools to sell my home.
I agree with what you are saying Wayne. Reality is that 99% of Realtors don't or won't get it. So you're left with 1%, even if that number goes up in a few years, it still won't be significant enough to warrant "video is the future of real estate". Video for RE services, training combined with the social media aspect will be the way to go. And the "format" of now or the near future may be video, however, I don't think shooting full motion video of inanimate objects will ever be mainstream for listings. I just don't get how taking a still shot of the front of the house and zooming in or panning of a still kitchen shot is so inferior to an in camera video pan. Help me understand!
cheers, August
August, the fact that video allows moving pictures, can make the difference. I agree, not all homes or listings will benefit that much from video over still pictures. Take a 1200 sq foot three bedroom rambler, with no landscaping or stand out features, and its difficult to make it stand out from the rest of the listings. If you take the approach that you are selling a home instead of a piece of property, you can, with video, allow your creative talents or marketing skills shine. We approach a listing it as a home that has a story to tell, With video, you can accent the features that the home has to offer, in some it’s the kitchen, the bathrooms, or the landscaping. We even had shots of family scenes to make it more appealing, such as kids sliding down a slide into the backyard pool. Another feature of video can allow you to provide a walk through of the home and point out all the wonderful features that make this piece of property special or a great value. My personal favorite that we did, was a single mobile home in California, which by no means is a stand out piece of property, but with video, it told a story of the community, and the surrounding area, and was sold in less then two weeks as a vacation property to a couple in Manhattan, by featuring the video on craigslist. Video can be both entertaining, and informative.
Wow... I'm amazed that this thread is still active!
August and Wayne.... the reason that real estate videos work is that they come closer to an actual tour of the home than any thing else. I've been using video since 2004 and use it on almost all of my listings. Most of the Buyers have seen the video of the home they buy. I've sold six homes sight-unseen where the purchase was made based on the video of the home.
It's not that hard to make an acceptable amatur video tour. It takes about $2,000 in equipment and 3-6 hours of my time to make good qulaity video tours that sell homes.
How many TV ads do you see using VTs or slide shows? How many TV news segments about inanimate objects do you see done with stills and slide shows? Video is where it's at and it's will continue to grow as still photos and the print media will lessen in importance. It's that simple.
Just received a call 2 hours ago from a client - a house I shot ONE week ago went under agreement in 3 days. The buyer said it because of the video. A $1.8M house.
Several weeks ago another client told me that the day after the video was posted a client, who was in CHINA on business... saw the video, and told her husband to go look at the house the next day. They made an offer. 48 hours. Because of the video.
It's easy to come up with reasons NOT to do something, but I think it's always better to find reasons why you SHOULD.
Here are two...
Fred and Ray, no argument here that video can be nice and help "tell the story" or sell the home. What I'm trying to say is it will never become a general marketing standard for anything close to the majority of real esate agents. 1: because they can't do it themselves . 2: Cause the majority of agents do not like to spend money and will not pay you to do it no matter how loud you, or anyone else, screams to them how "it is the reason this house sold". It's a great tool if done right, but again, in my humble opinion, it is not "the future of marketing listings." It takes too much know how and time in production and post to get a decent video tour. Ray, your comment about tv commercials is not really relevent to a real estate tour, but anyhow... tv ads are comprised of images, graphics and video. Don't think I've ever seen a commercial that was just comprised of only assets shot with a vid cam.
cheers, August
August: I don't think video will EVER be the norm with real estate. It will always be a niche market for the forward thinking real estate agents who truly understand marketing and business.
It's funny. I feel like sometimes I live in a parallel universe. I hear doom and gloom all around me, yet I'm having the best year of my life - business wise. I've been crazy, insanely busy virtually all year long and it hasn't stopped. I'm already completely booked for next week. I do about 30+ videos/ photos shoots a month - and most jobs are $300-$500 each. I'm not the cheapest option for sure!
But more importantly, with VERY few exceptions, my clients are also having an amazing year in business. Many are having one of their best years in their careers! One of my clients is on track to have his best year in 17 years - and he's been a top producer for the past decade - every year - and he's cleaning up this year. He bought two new Mercedes' in the past 6 months. Business doesn't stop. None of these folks to short sales or foreclosures. These are all legitimate, regular ole' sales.
I hear doom and gloom from many people online and even people in this area when I visit real estate offices. Many are having their worst year ever. Many are taking second jobs. But almost all of my customers are working round the clock and raking in the dough. In one office, the top two agents have one thing in common. They do videos for every listing.
Connection? I like to think so.
August....
The majority of agents don't sell most of the real estate. In just about any market the top ten percent sell most (80% or more) of the real estate.
I'd bet of that more than half of that top ten percent will be using video tours on a regular basis within five years.
About TV ads... most use video and graphics, just like my tours use video and graphics.
Take a look at this video. I challenge you to find a better way to tell the story.
That's nice Ray. What does something like that cost an agent?
Here's what I do... Dear Real Estate agent, send me the mls# and your photos(that you already have) and that's it...
There's over 500 of these, but here's a few samples...
http://www.zingding.com/knott
http://www.2007sw19th.com
http://www.zingding.com/12.5
http://www.zingding.com/jasmine
Very cool August! I like that!
However, I'm afraid most of them probably will look like this. Which is essentially just dull, boring, MLS photos, recycled in a slightly different format that tells the exact same thing someone just saw on the MLS. Just because you're now shuffling the photos doesn't offer anything new or exciting to the buyer. And isn't that WHY they take the time to view a tour? To see something different. To see MORE. To learn MORE.
I still happen to think that lots of good, QUALITY photos are THE most important thing - even more important than video. Because that's the FIRST line of defense... that's the FIRST thing people see. If they don't like the photos, they're gone. If they LIKE them... they're ready for more, such as a video.
Where I think video excels and what still photos, VisualTours, RealEstateShows, Animoto or Zing a ding ding can NEVER duplicate.. .is the experience of actually walking through a house as if you were there. Seeing the layout exactly as it is... walking down the hallways, up the stairs, peering up into the two level foyer.... driving through the neighborhood.... learning about and seeing the community.... hearing the voices of the person who built the house or the homeowner who raised their family in the home for 60 years.... or the sound of kids playing in at the playground or swimming in the pool....
That's where video excels and that cannot be duplicated at the moment by any other medium.
Buyers get it. Sellers get it. Most Realtors DON'T.
That's what makes this business very interesting.... LOL
August... I don't do them for agents, I do them for my own listings.
I checked out your product. What you're selling is another way to show photos. By the time a prospective Buyer sees your slideshow he's probably already seen the photos in the MLS lising that are in your slide show. Now there's nothing wrong with that but you're not really bringing any additional information the the prospect. And information is what a prospect is looking for if they want to buy a house.
A narrated video brings additional information to the prospect. It shows them what it looks like when you walk through the house. Like I said before, it's the next best thing to being there in person.
I've seen a lot of slide shows set to music. And I've watched agents' and home owners' reactions. They love them. I've even seen tears come to their eyes when they watch them. But... I don't think they bring that much to the table whren it comes to motivating a buyer to call or make an offer on a particular property. I think well-done videos do.
Another observation... you sell your product to agents. That reminds me of an old story.... A guy walked into a fishing tackle store and admired a display of gaudy and colorful fishing lures. Then he made a comment to the guy standing behind the counter.... "Did you know that fish can't actually see all of those colors? They're color blind." The old guy behind the counter smiled and said, "Yeah, I've heard that... but you see mister... I don't sell them to the fish."
"another way to show photos". how about another way to tell the story? Last time I checked Video was still just 30 frames or 30 "still photos" per second and narration works whether it's 30 frames a second or with "photo shows" as well. Personally, realtor narrated tours are quite annoying and I'd have to be already very interested in a place to sit thru a 5-10 minute uninspired narrated video as opposed to an email or phone call requesting to see the place.
August....
I guess we all have our personal preferences... and we all need a way to make a living.
In the end the buyer makes the choice. I sell real estate and the buyers tell me our videos play a big part in their decision to buy our listings.
The length of a video has always been a big item of discussion around here. When I show a home in person a buyer won't spend much time looking through one they don't want. But if they're interested they might spend an hour. I think video tours are the same. If the propective buyer isn't interested in the house, one minute is too long. If they are really interested, 30 minutres probably wouldn't be too long. I'm starting to make videos with a quick overview at the beginning followed with a more detailed walkthru. They seem to work. There's only two opinions that matter to me; the Seller and even more important, the Buyer.
The pros in the video business favor short videos. I like 4-7 minutes. Some folks spend hours and hours watching online videos. It's all a matter of how interested they happen to be in the subject matter. You said that you find realtor-narrated videos annoying, heck, so do I. We're not interested in buying the house they're talking about, but buyers are and they find the narration informative.
I'm not dissing your product. I'm just making an observation about what it is. Sure a slide show tells a story. I just happen to think that a narrated video does a better job after the prospect has seen the photos and wants to drill deeper for more information aboout a house they're interested in.
It appears I've just wasted a morning uploading home tours to this site. Aughhh! I use the Ken Burns pan and zoom technique. I find I can do a much better presentation than using my little flip camera. Does anyone know of a site that will allow these files? I'm trying to find a place to host these in an unbranded way, which will be acceptable to my MLS. Of course, they won't allow videos uploaded to youtube, posterous, my website, etc. Thanks in advance if anyone can help! Please email Melody@lakewide.com
There may be a way to disable outbound links on an embedded player, but I'm not sure. I currently setting my website to have a video platform built-in, but I've been using WM for about a year and I'm very happy with the player...
That said, I don't know what to tell you on your photo-tour... the software I'm using to install a video platform on my site is open source from a company called Kaltura. They're an Israeli startup and have tons of features, but I think you can install even really basic features... I know they have video module plugins for some open source CMS like Joomla and Wordpress, so that may or may not work for you. I'd take a look at it though.
Thanks!