Just wanted to mention . . . that some people think just because they have a virtual tour and it's posted to Craig's List, that the house/home is almost sold. If the WORLD only knew the difference.  One adds to the sale and the other makes it. Guess which is which.
Sandra GibsonPower
Play Multi Media Productions
South Central Michigan RTV Provider
http://www.powerplaymmp.com
517-869-2707

Litchfield Firemen's Park
Litchfield, MI

Litchfield Fire Fighters' Park Virtual Tour is finally published and ready for viewing.  Power Play MMP is proud to present the first of several virtual done for Hillsdale County. 

Litchfield, Michigan is a small farming and manufacturing community, located in the south central part of the state. 

The country setting of our community that we live is visible in the beautiful design of this small park.  Located just south of downtown Litchfield on M-49.  Firemen's Park is a tribute to all past, present and future fire fighters of our community.  Not only does it honor these brave individuals, but also pays homage to all those who contributed their efforts and financial support to make it possible.

Litchfield's Firemen's Park is located on the Saint Joseph River, providing water that feeds a small fishing pond with a handicapped accessible dock.

Do a 360 degree pan on the bridge that crosses the Saint Joseph River that flows through the park.  See what you want, in the direction you want  to take, with the use of your mouse.  See the falls from a small bridge the crosses the river.  See the pavilion used by many of our community for family reunions and parties.  There are also a playground, shuffleboard courts and volleyball and basketball courts.

Sandra M. Gibson
Power Play Multi-Media Productions
South Central Michigan Virtual Tour Provider
http://www.powerplaymmp.com
517-869-2707

Email campaigns are not easy, but used effectively can be a valuable marketing tool. 

There are tons and tons of software programs on the net to sift through.  As Deb Higgins, Crown Point, IN of Four Seasons Virtual Tours, points out in her blog Email Advertisting, it is expected and critical to have your emails "opt-in".  You have to obtain emails from people who agree to let ou send them emails.  If not your emails could be considered SPAM.  So the best thing to do is start collecting those emails. 

Beyond the actual implementation of an actual email campaign, there are several points to consider. 

How will my customers benefit from a campaign?  As I see it they can only be a good thing.  It's a fantastic way of keeping your customers up-to-date with what's happening with virtual tours and your businesses, giving them information in a timely manner, and see that they get special announcements. 

How will I benefit from an email campaign?  Not only will they save time, energy and money but they will no doubtedly help to increase sales.

Will I maintain my campaign myself, farm it out or use one of the million software programs that bombard your email box every day?  This is a personal preference type answer.  But you need to consider:

·        Your time in maintaining your email list?

·        How personal do you want your campaign to be,?

·        Will you do followups and when?

·        Will I need reports showing how effective my efforts are?

·        What type of email campaign will I use, quick announcement, newsletter, press release and as a broucher listing specials?

It all boils down to "Should I do an email campaign or not?". 

What about gas prices?  They're  nearly at $4.00 per gallon in South Central Michigan.

Sandra M. Gibson
Power Play Multi-Media Productions
South Central Michigan RTV Virtual Tour Provider
http://www.powerplaymmp.com
SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY!
517-869-2707

I want to blog a local realtor and make reference to an excellent blog of another ActveRain member.  Do I just do it?  Is this acceptable?  Do I need to get permission from the writer of this excellent blog?

Sandra M. Gibson
Power Play Multi-Media Productions
South Central Michigan RTV Virtual Tour Provider
http://www.powerplaymmp.com

517-869-2707

Have you used this technique to sell your tours?  It's very simple.  Banner Ads

In the lower right hand corner of our tour window is a box that provides an opportunity to help market your customers most trusted affiliates. 

You can sell up to 15 banner ads at price that can pay for your virtual tour.  These banners link to your affiliate's website.  With the distribution of your virtual tour the exposure for your affiliate increases exponentially. 

Basic distribution of a virtual tour should include MLS, your company website and your personal website.  We also offer an enhanced exposure opportunity to distribute your tour to:  Realtor.com, Move.com, Home.com, MSN Home Advisor, AOL Real Estate, and 75 additional National and local realtor portals.  (FREE for Realtor.com showcase Listings).

A typical printed ad in a newspaper could cost as must as $400 a month.  There is no comparison.  Though in times gone by, the printed media was a very effective way of getting the word out about a piece of property you have for sale.  However, with the explosion of the internet, no reads the printed word like they one did. 

Your customers and their affiliates' most effective flyer/broacher they have is their website.  Why not draw more people to your site and keep them their longer with a virtual tour.

Some typical affiliates for realtors: 

• Surveyors
• Staggers
• Appraisers
• Home Inspectors
• Title Companies
• Attorneys
• Pest Inspection           
• Environmental Assessments                     
• Financial Planner                     
• Home Warranty                     
• Homebuilders Association                                        
• Insurance                      
• Mortgage Lenders                     
• Newspaper Advertising                     
• Property Management                                         
• Title Insurance & Closing Services                     
• Virtual Tours                     
• Web Site Services 
• Wireless Communication Services

Don't let realtors be your only source for virtual tour leads; the sky's the limit.  Don't forget airports, restaurants, parks, golf courses, resorts, stadiums, theme parks, shopping centers, marinas, boats, government facilities, motor homes, bed and breakfasts.

Sandra M. Gibson
Power Play Multi-Media Productions
South Central Michigan RTV Virtual Tour Provider
http://www.powerplaymmp.com

517-869-2707

Many may not know that this is a very important aspect that should be considering when thinking about selling your home.  But in fact staging your home for sale, open house and for the shoot for your virtual tour is crucial is getting your home sold faster.  And generally this doesn't cost a thing, but your time and a little forethought and may increase the money you receive from the sale, in the long run.

Keep it simple, is the golden rule.  Remove clutter and personal items.  Since you will be taking personal items with you when you move, the sooner they are packed and ready to go the better.  This also give your potential buyer the idea that your home is ready to move in and make it their own.

Clean, spacious and full of light in all rooms is basic, but necessary. 

• Be sure all areas are free of clutter, including shelves, closets, tables, and counters.  Less is usually better.
• Be sure to arrange the furniture in a manner that give a free walk way from room to room and remove any unnecessary furniture. 
• Don't forget to make sure all light bulbs are replaced, to give the just right ambiance to each room.  Remember photographers need light to shoot.
• Bring the outside inside, by open your drapes and curtains to show your view from each room.

Outdoors:

• Make sure you yard and patio is in the best condition it can be,
• Mow the lawn,
• Trim shrubbery
• Be sure outdoor furniture is in good shape
• Keep trash cans from sight
• Put toys and bikes away.
• During winter, make sure the sidewalks are clean of show and ice and trip hazards.
• Entrance - Makes a statement, bring curb appeal to the front door.  Since this is the first impression potential buyers will have of their future home, it is critical that you present a lasting impression. 

Kitchen:

• Remove everything from counters.  People who view your buyer tour wants to see the counters, not your electrical appliances.
• Be sure there are NO dishes in the sink, but are put away.
• Empty trash cans.

Bathrooms:

• Put away everything.  Personal items that you use daily can be put in a small box that can be stored away easily.
• Close toilet lid and empty trash.
• Be sure mirrors and glass surfaces are clean.

Overall it just takes a few minutes to stage your home for sale and your virtual tour.  Put your time to work for you and make your home simple and clutter free.

While I was composing this blog, I received an email from RTV entitled "Home Staging for Virtual Tours".  In this article they refer to a list of 10 Tips to Prepare a House for Sale this Spring, which also applies to virtual tours.  Go figure . . . do we think a like or what?

Sandra M. Gibson
Power Play Multi-Media Productions
South Central Michigan RTV Virtual Tour Provider
http://www.powerplaymmp.com
ORDER A TOUR TODAY!
517-869-2707

Did you ever have a dream, and believe you could do it if only you had the right help.  Forget the training, forget the schooling, and forget the fact that you know no one in the industry where your dream is anchored, but believe you can do it.  Well that's me.  Yes, I know that all these qualities are important, but given the time we have in this world . . .

Last year while cruising the net, I saw a virtual tour and knew I could do it.  Ok, I could do most of it, what did I know at the time.  I consider myself more of an assistant and being more mechanically orientated, than being a front-person.  Most of my achievements in life have come from proof.  Let me show you I can do it and if you like it, then you will buy, so to speech. 

This is my dream, to help with the revitalization of Hillsdale County Michigan and to encourage others to dream and develop their inner-spirit, entrepreneurial desires into something for our grandchildren and us. 

Hillsdale County is and has been a farming and manufacturing community.  Needless to say, like most of the nation, we have been feeling the effects of economical stress.  The employment and real estate factors, which directly reflect this stress, are at a point where we must act.  We need to redefine how we see the world and they see us.  We need to bring in new industries into our community, redefine the ones we have and change our county.

Writing blogs for this real estate network community has not been easy and many times I have felt like postponing my efforts till I do have more experience.  However, I just can't let that happen. 

Soooo . . . I'm asking for help.  "What am I to do?" 

Sandra M. Gibson
Power Play Multi-Media Productions
South Central Michigan RTV Virtual Tour Provider
http://www.powerplaymmp.com/
ORDER A TOUR TODAY!
517-869-2707
ORDER A TOUR TODAY!
517-869-2707

Washington has reported a surprising increase in sales, which we haven't seen the likes of in over six months.  

Although prices on existing homes continue to decrease, the optional market  for single-family buyersm may still be months away.  So be forewarned and forearmed for the right opportunity we all have been waiting for.  

Now is the time to SHOP, not necessary make the decision to purchase, but SHOP.  Visit your realtor, look at potential homes, and use VIRTUAL TOURS.

The beneficial opportunities of virtual tours has never been closer to being a necessity than they are today.  Our wisdom and common sense tell us we must use this tool to do what we must.

Let powerplaymmp do the work for you, shoot, construct, and set up your tour, while you sell your property.

Sandra Gibson
Powerplaymmp.com

Here at Power Play MMP presentation is the key to your/our success. 

Have you seen the limited, so called virtual tours that show a few still pictures on prospective homes for sale?  No interaction.  No video.  No personal care to details that let your viewer be in control of what can be seen. 

We consider virtual tours to be all that you can imagine.  Interaction - getting your prospective customer involved in their experience, keep them looking longer. 

Let Power Play Multi-Media Productions, (virtual tour provider for South Central Michigan, specifically Litchfield, MI), and in partnership with Real Vision Tour, (national renowned virtual tour 360 panoramic provider), do the work for you.  We shoot, construct, set up your tour and distribute your tour while you sell your property.

Don't limit yourself!  Contact us today to see what WE can do!

Sandra M. Gibson
http://www.powerplaymmp.com
517-869-2707

Has the Ides of March arrived in Litchfield?  Is it time to shoot outside?  Are the parks in Hillsdale County ready for virtual tours?  Is powerplaymmp.com the only one with Spring Fever? 

What will summer bring?  Will we be shooting at recreational parks?  Will music be heard in a virtual tour of an outdoor concert at a theater on a hill side?  Will the lakes in Branch County be seen from the center of the lake in a unique virtual tour? 

Will Power Play Multi-Media Productions and Real Tour Vision put Hillsdale on the map?

Drop by and see . . .
Sandra Gibson
http://www.powerplaymmp.com/
517-869-2707