To Split Or Not To

Need some input... filmed a Leap Farm that has a home/living quarters and a guest quarters. Have a lot of video. If I make it one piece I may end up with a video of about 8 to 10 minutes.

Would it be better to split it into part I (5 min) and part II (3 - 4 min)?

Part I would of the outside plus the "Living Quarters" and part II of the "Guest Quarters".  And then just refer to the second part at the end of the first.

8-10 is pretty long.  I would do a 2 minute "teaser" and then another video of the entire property. 

Grab their interest with the 2 minute and if a buyer wants to see more of the property then the agent can send the 8 minute video.

We have done 8 minute videos before, my opinion they are a little long.  I won't hesitate to put out a 6 minute video of a big property.  Those that are really interested in the property will want all 8-10 minutes, those not interested will say it is boring.

-Todd

 Don't forget, you've got the "Show Chapters" function on the WM player. In the beginning of the video, advise the viewer that that can skip to any chapter that they like. 

 You could keep it all in one video, but just have a 60-90 second 'teaser' section.  Do a quick overview, then go into detail... and use the chapters function on WM... I need to use it more! :)

 Good advice Dustin. As a 20 year plus, licensed RE Broker in 4 states, and a 10 year vet in video production,  I have learned that buyer search priorities are as follows: Location, then Size, then Amenities. Time is not in the equation, so videos should be produced with that in mind. If a buyer likes what they see, they are not paying attention to time, they are paying attention to detail. Time is important, but the "Show Chapters" function takes care of the A.D.D. in all of us (especially agents). Plus, I have yet to have a seller complain about the time or length of an video I've produced.

In fact, as a videographer, here is how time can make you more valuable:  If you ask most agents, they will always tell you that  the video is too long (that's not heir fault... read on), but if you ask the buyer prospect... they would like to see as much "Detail" as possible before contacting an agent or seller(FSBO) to schedule a showing on a particular property. They don't want to waste time and neither do the agents & sellers(FSBO) for that matter, so... if a buyer prospect calls about the property, I tell all agents and home owners to always try and get the buyer prospect  to view the video first, before scheduling a showing. If the buyer prospect likes what they see, trust me, they will call back. Or better yet have the agent schedule go to the buyers home for a personal  VIP / In-Home video presentation of their listings. What a way to break the ice and differentiate themselves from other agents with just a little extra fun and effort. This is a great way for ALL to save time and easily filter out less interested buyers, and at the same time enhance the agent or seller's(FSBO) ability to create a higher probability selling scenario. Thus making your videographic services more valuable, because in business time is money, and RE is a business. So, if you can save an agent or seller (FSBO) time, you are actually saving them what... Money!  So, how do you cost justify the fee for your services? Time=money and benefit=value. I learned a long time ago that it's was not the drill bit I was buying... it was the hole. Your service more than pay for its self, and it does create a higher probability selling scenario for your clients. Your "RE agent" clients will get lot's more listings (higher probability selling scenario), and your FSBO clients will get much better exposure(ditto) as well. Place a value on that.

So, which has a higher priority in your business plan, length of video or value of service. Again, the show chapters function helps bridge that gap.

BTW, I don't just sell video production services, I consult agents with complete marketing plans that teach agents how to use video in many ways to gain a competitive edge, make a difference and take market share. In other words, I become their marketing plan. You can too!