Why Replace Your Virtual Tours? (Part 1.)

Dan Dunleavy - Business Owner (goWEBSgo.com) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:54:21 -0700

Video Streaming is quickly replacing Virtual Tours.

I believe this year video streaming will make a huge impact in the Real Estate Market. There are no longer any large barriers for entering this arena. The technology is available, the quality is outstanding, and the prices continue to come down.

Now is the opportunity for agencies brokers, owners, and marketing managers to start looking at how they can incorporate video streaming into their marketing efforts to demonstrate a much higher valued product and service to their clients and consumers.

Here is some important information to consider:

Fifty Percent of US Population will Watch Online Video in 2008

This year represents a mass-market benchmark, as more than 50% of the US population - 155.2 million people - will watch video online - according to a July 2007 report, from eMarketer.

2007 experienced the greatest year-over-year growth for online video ad spending, rising 89% to $775 million. But more significantly, the growth rate will remain near or above 40% through 2011, when video ad spending will reach $4.3 billion.

Each agency brokers, owners, and marketing managers should be updating their marketing plan for this year to leverage and catch this video wave of online usage. The time is now to build the right partnership and leverage the leading technologies to have your business stand out from the competition. There are many Internet savvy consumers who have already recognized this wave of marketing through video and are evaluating who is the best real estate agency to sell their property!

Many will still continue to stick with standard marketing practices and market their listing with virtual tours rather than video. They are missing so many opportunities!

Please consider this benefits chart:

Replacing Old Technology with New

Features	Virtual Tours	Video Streaming Services
No limit to the number of photos
Provides a description of the property
Hosted by the provider
Realtor.com linking
MLS compliant version
Customized branding
360 degree view
Has a dedicated page for the listing
Loads quickly and requires no user intervention
Feels like you are actually walking through the property inside and out.
Can integrate property tour directly into your current website pages or launch a dedicated page
Has professionally recorded voice-over narration
Leverages distribution channels and distribute your video listing to all the leading video websites
Utilized flash based player
Provides CD or DVD for use with your customers
Ability to copy your final production and load it anywhere
Setup of your RSS (real simple syndication) feeds
Includes ambient background music

Consider becoming a blog subscriber to catch our next blog titled, "Why are Distribution Channels so Important? - Part 2."

If we can be of further assistance, please email me at: dan@goWEBSgo.com

Also, you can visit us at: http://www.goWEBSgo.com

Links to Other Blogs:

5 Tips in Creating Personal Branding!

5 Tips in Creating Your Personal Branding!

Dan Dunleavy - Business Owner (goWEBSgo.com) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:20:44 -0700

Personal branding is the process whereby people and their careers are marked as brands. Today's real estate market is so competitive and you are one of hundred or even thousand realtors in your area trying to acquire new business as a buyer or sellers agent. So, how are you or your real estate business going to standout from your competition?

It is so important to understand the benefits of creating your own personal brand.

To generate a competitive edge! Creating a strong brand for you or your agency can separate you from your competition. Everyone should be looking for a way to differentiate themselves. Your brand needs to be reflection of who you are! You need to think carefully about your values, beliefs, and opinion that mean the most to you and your organization.
Your brand can reflect on your vision! Your brand can guide you on how you deal with questions, issues, or communications. Everything you do reflects either favorably or not favorably on you and your brand.
Create awareness on your Real Estate business and services! The branding process allows you to establish your identity and perception of others on your real estate services.
Establish a personal brand that creates a buzz around you and your real estate business! Do you want to establish yourself as a mover and a shaker in the real estate industry? So, how will your personal branding achieve this and how can you get each customer sharing your information with each other. Referral business is huge in this industry, so personal branding that creates excitement will help grow your business.
Market yourself as the expert and increase your real estate sales! A strong personal brand will generate new real estate business and attract new buyer and seller opportunities to you. Let your customers see how you stand out from the rest.

What is the solution?

We recommend using the above information as a guide to begin framing out your personal brand. You may choose to use a catchy name in your brand, special unique offering, unique taglines, or something that demonstrates your values as a super ethical business person. Once you have your thoughts and ideas together you should consider using your personal brand in several area of your business. Here are a few suggestions:

On your website to share your personal brand with the world.
Add it to your flyers and any presentation materials.
Add it to your trade show displays and promotional materials.
Develop a Video Agent Profile so you communicate your personal brand.

Why an Agent Profile helps define your personal brand?

Online video consumption is growing rapidly among adult broadband internet users - most now watch video weekly - according to a recently released report, "Broadband Content and Services 2007," from Horowitz Associates, reports MarketingCharts (via Micro Persuasion).

Six out of ten (61 percent) high-speed internet users watch or download online video content at least once a week, and 86 percent do so monthly, compared with the respectively 45 percent and 71 percent who reported doing so in 2006.

Obviously, buyer and sellers are very savvy on the Internet and are searching there first in order to determine what agent or agency they want to work with! Your video agent profile can brand your business, leave a lasting impression and separate your real estate business from the competition!

If we can be of further assistance, please email me at: Dan@goWEBSgo.com

Also, you can visit us at: http://www.goWEBSgo.com

Dan Dunleavy - Business Owner's Blog

Why Replace Your Virtual Tours? (Part 1.)

5 Tips in Creating Your Personal Branding!