Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973's Blog

Agent Profile Videos: Don't Wait Until Everyone Has One

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:12:31 -0800

Have you read "The Digital House Hunt" marketing report by NAR and Google? I know, we all have super busy lives, so you may have skipped reading the whole thing, but it's an interesting look at "the evolving role of digital media" in the home search process.

Check out the numbers on agent-related videos. Agent related searches grew 46% on YouTube, and with all of the evidence about online video viewing trends, that number will keep growing. So, my advice (and not just because I produce videos :)) is to not wait, and get an agent profile video done today. While their popularity is growing, most agents and brokers still don't use video - so by doing so now, you can differentiate yourself from the competition.

What do you think - do you like the idea of an agent profile video to market yourself, and if not, what's holding you back?

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

NAR study: How Home Buyers Are Using Video

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:58:45 -0800

Google and NAR teamed up to study how consumers search for real estate online. The goal was to “better understand the evolving role of digital media in the consumer home search process.” So, how do home sellers use video in their home searches?

A picture is worth a thousand words...so here's the graph that breaks it down for you.

So, how are you using video to market your listings, your communities, to connect with home sellers, and to differentiate yourself from the competition?

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

5 Ways to Engage with Clients Using Video

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:27:28 -0700

"Listings with video had a 400% increase in inquries and web page views in 2011." - Domain real estate service

Engage and connect with potential clients by utilizing video to market both your listings and yourself! Here are five ways to not only get your listings noticed, but to get YOU noticed a well.

1. Home Video Tour – Not a virtual tour, where people see the same photos they already viewed, only with some music and pans that move around without a purpose. A full motion video tour gives clients a true sense of the home’s lay-out and can create an “emotional connection” that leads to an in person tour and hopefully, a sale.

2. Neighborhood Video Tour – Anyone can do a search online and find info about a particular city, but it’s much more difficult to discover the lifestyle of different neighborhoods. Don’t just write about it, show potential clients what makes an area desirable. Include an interview or two of happy residents who explain why they love to live there. And when a person does a search for the neighborhood, they’ll find your video, and find you!

Here’s a neighborhood tour we recently produced of Murrayhill in Beaverton, Oregon, to give you an example.

3. Agent Profile Video – Just like an “About us” section of a website, a profile video lets people know all about you! Well, not everything…you may not want to tell them everything about your addiction to chocolate and Dancing with the Stars…but do share why your clients love working with you and what you offer your clients.

4. Client Testimonial – This can be part of your agent profile video and can be more effective than just having yourself talking about you. Some “agent profile” videos never even feature the agent talking – a happy client on video can be the best salesperson you’ll ever find! (One tip, try to schedule the interview right after closing, and you'll get their natural excitement on camera.)

5. How-to Videos – It doesn’t matter what your niche is, you know more than the average person who is buying or selling a home. Share helpful information with potential clients, whether it’s short sale info, how to prepare your home for an open house, how to price it, etc…and people will see you as the go-to expert.

Think creatively. Just as you think of subjects for your blog posts, think about ways you can use video to market your listings and yourself! And if you ever need help with video marketing, whether it's to just talk about ideas or schedule a shoot, just give us a call. We're always happy to help!

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

Walking into Portland's Past

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:54:28 -0800

Growing up just an hour from Disneyland, my husband never went to the magical theme park as a kid. Why? It was so close to home, his family didn't see it as anything special. Likewise, if you've lived in a city your whole life, it's easy to overlook the hidden treasures in your own backyard.

From Chocolate to Architecture

Grab some sneakers and join a guided walking tour to discover the little known stories of your city.

In Portland, you've got plenty of choices. Portland Walking Tours offers five popular tours every weekend from December through March. Learn about the city's scandalous past in "Underground Portland" or its chocolate obsession in the indulgent "Chocolate Decadence" tour. Join their award-winning "Best of Portland", the creepy "Beyond Bizarre" or the scrumptious "Epicurean Excursion" tours too.

Interested in architecture and the stories behind the buildings we see everyday? Check out Portland's Architectural Heritage Center for classes and walking tours.

I recently produced a video for About.com with the HeritageCenter’s architectural historian, Eric Wheeler. Before interviewing Wheeler, all I knew about Beaux-Arts architecture was that it sounded French. Architectural history never exactly made my heart go pitter patter, but as Wheeler talked, his enthusiasm and passion for Portland's history was contagious.

I also discovered my daughter's little children’s theater connects us to our Greco-Roman roots. Who knew? Now, I'm looking forward to Wheeler's next walking tour, knowing I'll leave it with a new appreciation for Portland's past and present.

If you want to brush up on a little Beaux-Arts history, here's the link to the video Wheeler so graciously hosted.

Beaux Arts Video - About.com

Run Brain Run

Walking tours on local architecture a little too mild for you? Check out Run Brain Run, the sister company of Portland Walking Tours. It will send you and your teammates on a mission in Portland to unravel clues, analyze cryptic e-mails and decipher word puzzles.

I would tell you more, but that sounds like a good subject for another blog.

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

The Art of Video Storytelling - 5 Tips

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:58:24 -0800

I've heard that all of the cool movers and shakers in real estate went to Real Estate Connect in New York (guess I'm not cool, I missed it.) But hey, I did follow it on my twitter stream, especially the video portion, and I noticed quite a few attendees were wondering "How do you tell a story with video?"

In my past life as a tv reporter, I was expected to produce compelling stories that had a total length of 90 seconds or less on a daily deadline, so I 'm sharing some tips from both my experience in tv news and in my new passion, video production for real estate and small businesses.

Get Straight to the Point

Don't waste my time. You only have seconds to get a viewer's attention.

Don't conclude that you have their attention just because they clicked on your video. And forget about gradually building up to what you want to say or what you want them to see. Use your best video first. Yes, in the first shot.

If you're doing a video tour, make sure the first few seconds make the viewer want to see more. If it's an agent profile, welcome them with a smile, a super quick introduction and then get straight to your message. Don't wing it. Know what you're going to say, and practice!

Make it Short

In tv news, if you wanted to run a piece that was longer than 1:30, you needed to get special permission from the producer, and you had to make your case why it deserved ten more seconds. It can be argued that real estate is different - if someone is interested in a home, they want to see all the details, so they're willing to sit through a longer video.

I've seen (and produced) video tours that run closer to 3:30, so while I think shorter is better, I know Realtors who swear by the longer tours. It depends on variables such as the square footage of the home and if you're marketing to out of town clients...they love the longer videos which will allow them to decide whether to travel a long distance to see it in person. But a short, well produced video is always better than one that slowly meanders along aimlessly, essentially begging the viewer to click stop.

Find the Emotion

Just as movies feature a central character who you care about, remember to give the audience a reason to care about your video. A neighborhood tour doesn't have to just show the features of the area - give us a soundbite with someone who lives there and loves it!

If you're promoting your services on video, include a client testimonial from someone who loves your work. The person should be articulate, expressive, attractive and authentic. In a property tour, the "emotion" may be more subtle, but you can still find it with a warm, crackling fireplace, a cascading waterfall, or in the script itself, describing how the unique features of this home will meet the needs of the buyer.

Write to the Video

People remember more of what they see than what they hear and they're more likely to believe their eyes than their ears. So remember, in your video story, the video and pictures always come first in your script writing.

Write to the video. Don't write what you want to say and then try to find the video or pictures to fit it. Look at your video, find your best shots and then write to the images.

End with a Call to Action

Reporters are often told to begin their video pieces with their best shot, and end it with their second best shot. That's what people remember. And if the middle isn't quite as compelling, well, that might be forgiven.

So, make the ending count with a clear call to action, telling them in both the script and graphics, exactly how to contact you.

Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of art and although the technology may change, the need to tell our story stays the same.

So don't be afraid to jump in and happy videotelling!

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

5 Ways to Make Your New Year's Resolutions Actually Stick

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:14 -0800

Welcome to the second week of 2012! Have you made any resolutions for the new year, and if so, do you think you’ll keep them? As we all know, those goals for the year often get side-tracked or forgotten by January 31^st.

While I’m no motivational expert, I do love to read life coaching books and thought I’d share a few tips I’ve gleaned over the years.

Write It Down

Don’t just write the initial list. That won’t get you very far. Instead, create a list of mini-goals and the action steps you need to take to accomplish them. Every night, review the list and write down your action plan for the next day. There’s something almost magical about putting goals into writing, holding yourself accountable for what you’ve planned to do.

Find Your Motivation

The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you. -- Tony Robbins

I’m a big fan of motivational coach Tony Robbins and one of his main principles has stayed with me over the years. People will do more to avoid pain than to seek pleasure. Whether it’s making cold calls, presentations, or following up consistently with social media, it’s easy to let the temporary “pain” of doing the action keep you from attaining the long-term “pleasure” of growing your business and commissions.

I recommend his old book “Awaken the Giant Within” for more on this principle.

Dream Big

Believe it or not, many people’s new goals for the year aren’t big enough. I’ve read time and again how people fail in their resolutions because their New Year’s Resolutions aren’t big enough. For 2012, set up some really awesome goals! Instead of just saying “I want to get more clients” or “I want to try new marketing techniques”, you need to identify the bigger purpose and meaning within your goals. Think big to create the excitement you need to make changes, and then break it down into small steps to turn those dreams into reality.

Focus on Your Ideal Results

My dad used to say, “If you reach for the stars, you may not grab them, but you won’t end up with a handful of dirt either”. Go ahead, and let yourself visualize your ideal year, with the results you desire. Be specific in your visualization. Then, when you find yourself not wanting to do what you know you really should – dig up that image again of the life you and your family can have – and let that be your motivation.

Here’s to a tremendously successful 2012 filled with joy and purpose!

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

When Your Miracle Comeback Veers Off Target: Life Lessons from a Duck

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:34:52 -0800

My voice is raw from the screaming. When you’re at Autzen among 59,000 of your closest Duck friends, you don’t worry about your voice or even your hearing. Who cares about such trivia when your team, down 38-14 late in the third, is now on its way to a fourth quarter comeback and with it, dare I even think it, a glimmering hope of a repeat trip to the National Championship.

As the Ducks finally lived up to their sleek Ninja black uniforms in the fourth, turning it on, closing it to three points with less than minute to go, and driving for the game winning touchdown, the thought crossed my mind that there’s a familiar life lesson here too. You know the one – about not giving up, showing heart, digging in deep and going for it, even when everything seems to be going against you. Maybe you’ve been feeling that way. Like it’s the fourth quarter and things are stacked against you. So you keep pushing hard, fighting the fight, but victory feels just out of reach.

With five seconds left and a straight shot field goal attempt to send it into OT, everyone around me could feel it – the Ducks WOULD pull this one off. It just felt like it was meant to be. And then - the kick – it’s wide left.

Photo Courtesy of : Daniel Bachhuber

The loud, screaming stadium stood in stunned silence. (Well, except for the celebrating Trojans – but hey, this is my blog, so I’m leaving them out of it!) Just like that, it was over. And yes, it’s just a game. But life is like that too. Sometimes you meet challenge after challenge and then, under pressure, you nail that kick – you get the listing, make the deal, fix that relationship, overcome an illness. But what happens when you hook it left? Did you fail? Should you beat yourself up over it? How do you respond?

On the long drive home, my son’s two 13 year old friends kept sincerely thanking us for taking them. Both said “Wow, that was the best game I’ve ever seen!” To them, it wasn’t about the final score – it was about the fight. And it was a good one. As they laughed and re-lived the adrenaline pumping plays, I read a “Duck fan” tweet that said “I just wasted four hours standing out in the cold. What for?” Sadly, that person doesn’t get it.

If a victory came guaranteed with each ticket, there would be no reason to go.

The next time you come up short, and hook it left, remember that life was never about the final score. It’s all about the game, giving it your best despite the outcome, and treasuring the moments – your touchdowns and even your fumbles – along the way.

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

Real Estate Video Tours: Just For Luxury Homes?

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:01:45 -0800

“Yeah, it’s a great marketing tool for multi million dollar homes”… that’s what I often hear from people when I mention real estate video tours. It makes sense to market a million dollar property with high definition, high quality video. But what about for the average listing?

I recently produced a video tour for a home that’s nearly 9,000 square feet with a 2.5 million dollar price tag. Then, I went to my next shoot…a 1500 square foot townhome with an asking price of less than $170,000. And it reinforced what I’ve always believed about real estate video tours….size doesn’t matter. (Yes, another blog about "size"...snicker, snicker)

True, the townhome doesn't have the seven tier waterfall or dramatic entry, but the video does show the home buyer how the rooms flow into one another and gives a vivid look at its special features.

Whether it’s an entry level home or a luxury property, video lets the buyer get a feel for the home’s layout, to hear and see the sights that bring a property to life, but best of all, the video tour promotes YOU and your brand.

When considering real estate video, just remember that when it comes to your listing’s size, it really doesn’t matter.

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

Lights...Camera...Fumble!!!

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:03:35 -0700

So, I volunteered to be the official photographer/videographer for my 8^th grade son’s football team. Should be a snap. When my hand shot up to volunteer, I didn’t think about the bizarre, uneven stadium lighting, and the fact that the helmets would obscure most of those great close-up facial expressions I imagined getting. I quickly found out shooting football is a little different than shooting real estate.

While shooting homes, I don’t need to worry about a 175 pound, fully padded 13 year old who is running in a trajectory that, if my physics calculation is correct, is sending him…directly into me. Shooting football means making that last second decision. Do I save myself or save my equipment? Or maybe I just stand there and get the shot? The news photographers I used to work with, would have gotten the shot, but well, I’m just not that tough.

Last Saturday, I was having a wonderful day. I had videotaped a beautiful townhome a few hours earlier, and I knew the video tour would turn out great. And it was a beautiful night to shoot football, even if it did mean watching my son get sacked ten times. But there was a problem. The battery I had so carefully charged, decided it needed to die – giving me a blinking red light of death, warning me to “change the battery pack immediately.” In the first quarter. And since this wasn’t a professional shoot, I hadn’t bothered to pack extra batteries.

So, I did what any mom would do. I said a simple prayer over that little battery pack. And it kept on working, until two minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, it was not a night for a miracle comeback so I didn’t need to explain to all of the moms and dads why I didn’t get “the shot”. Thank God for small miracles. But next time, I’m bringing extra batteries.

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

Be a Real Estate Media Star

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:23:31 -0700

I’d always get a stinging feeling of dread in my stomach when my boss told me I had to find a real estate expert for a housing story. Not because I had anything against real estate agents. Actually, I think they’re amazing, interesting people. Love them enough that I gave up my job as a television anchor and reporter to partner with them in providing real estate videos.

But when I had to report on real estate, well, I always knew it would be easier to get an exclusive with the Governor, Big Foot, or Amelia Earhart, than to find a Realtor who wanted to talk on camera.

We all know about “the sky is falling” news stories that only perpetuate the cycle of negative economic news. But with some action on your part, you can promote yourself while promoting positive, interesting stories.

· Think News. Think of all the times you relate interesting, unusual, or inspirational stories about real estate experiences to your colleagues. Take the extra step and think about whether it could make an interesting story for your community. If so, contact a news outlet, and let them know.

· For Television Coverage - Think Visual. Television reporters are only interested in a story if it’s visually engaging. So don’t send them three pages of statistics and analysis of the housing market. Instead, share ideas that are visual, that need a real estate expert (you) and feature real people (clients).

· Don’t just Contact the Assignment Editor. AE’s get hundreds of press releases and don’t look past the headline of most. Instead, contact a reporter you like and trust and send them an email. Most reporters are starving for story ideas, and would love to hear from a Realtor who has a story to share.

· Contact the Weekend Crew. News is not only slower on the weekend, but there’s usually a different more positive style. So if you have a story that could benefit viewers (your future clients), let the weekend team know.

· No Story idea? Contact a reporter anyway. Let them know you’d be happy to be the real estate expert who can explain what the mind numbing numbers really mean.

You can also drive media interest in you by doing something that sets you apart from other real estate agents. For example, if you’re using full motion video tours, let your local media know about it. And offer to let them profile you¸to show how a real estate expert prospers in this tough economy.

P.S. And you know this one - keep on blogging! Reporters notice and will find you.

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

Life Lessons from a Duck

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:21:11 -0700

Always behave like a duck--keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath.

-- Jacob Braude

First, full disclosure. I am a duck. I mean, a Duck. As in the fighting Ducks, former Webfoots, almost (oh, the pain) national champion Ducks, the Ducks that lost to LSU…okay, I’ll stop there.

And while we may learn a thing or two about life on the football field, we can learn a little something from our feathered friends as they float across the pond. For many of us, we get caught up in the everyday craziness of today’s world, finding ourselves paddling hard, but without a clear direction of where we’re going.

Or we know exactly where we want to go, but we’re just not paddling fast enough. Too many distractions along the way.

And then all too often, there are those who have no interest in paddling at all, they just want to grab a passing rowboat and let others think they did all the work.

So, when you’re having trouble reaching your destination, remember the duck. Calm on the surface, but paddling like crazy underneath. And he doesn’t always travel alone. Find others who are paddling in the same direction, and the team’s current will help you along the way.

As I took a few minutes to walk my dog, Shadow, around Summerlake Park in Tigard, we both admired the ducks as they moved together in perfect harmony until they reached their destination. And of course, they also knew when their work was over and it was time to sit in the sun, puff out their feathers and relax.

Are you a duck?

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

Look Great on Video: 5 Tips to Get Ready for Your Close-up

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:02:03 -0700

So, you want a video profile to engage your clients, show off your charming personality, and promote your personal service. Or you’re more interested in vblogging on a regular basis, keeping it casual, informative and fun. Either way, a little pre-planning can help you look great on video and connect with viewers.

1. Look Straight into the Lens. This doesn’t mean a stiff stare, but if you look away from the camera, especially if you give quick glances to the side, it can give the impression you’re not as trustworthy or confident. Once you’re more comfortable on camera, you can look down occasionally as you talk, but it needs to be natural.

2. Choose Video Friendly Clothes. In my former life as a TV anchor, I quickly learned that most patterns don’t work!

The black and white checked jacket that I thought looked so cute, turned me into a psychedelic, sparkling zebra on camera. Stripes and fine patterns, such as Houndstooth, can create a moiré effect (wavy distortion) or pixilation when the video is compressed for the internet.

Solid colors look great on video, but stay away from solid white. White can throw off a camera’s exposure, making your face too dark, especially if you have a camera without manual controls.

3. Don’t be Afraid to Move. Think about how you move your body when you talk with someone face to face. You probably use hand gestures, move your shoulders, slightly tilt your head now and then. You can do the same on camera and you’ll look more natural. Sit up or stand up straight, and then relax your shoulders a bit. Spend a little time practicing in the mirror.

4. Remove the Shine. Even if you think your face isn’t shiny, the camera often disagrees. For women and yes, you guys too, dust a little loose powder on your face before you go on, especially on your nose and chin. Never let ‘em see you sweat!

5. Let there be Light! If shooting outside, avoid taping at noon where the overhead sunlight (except in my cloudy Northwest) will cast harsh shadows under your eyes. Morning and late afternoon light is the softest and most flattering. Without a professional light kit, inside shooting can be a challenge, but you can use natural light sources around you. Instead of just sitting at a desk, it might be better to sit near a window at a slight angle, with the natural light illuminating your face.

And don’t try to be perfect. It’s best to focus on your message and with some practice, not only will you look great on video, the viewers will feel like they know you and trust you to be the one to represent them. Don’t be afraid to grow your business with video!

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973

My First Blog

Susan Harding (HomeStar Video Tours) Portland, Oregon 503-616-8973 — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:17:36 -0700

Hi Active Rain friends! Just a quick note to introduce myself to you, as I finally write my first blog. It's funny, I've written maybe thousands of stories as a journalist, but blogging feels completely different. I guess because I'm used to writing about other people, not myself. But one thing I've learned, each person has an amazing story to tell, if you're only willing to listen, and I really look forward to hearing all of your stories!

I loved meeting the local AR folks at the meetup in Portland last week. You all have so much positive energy and I've enjoyed reading and suscribing to your blogs. Thanks for making this newcomer feel so welcome.

My background in a nutshell:

After a career in television news, I've traded in the microphone for the videocamera. After learning from some of the most talented videographers in the news business, I decided to start my own video tour company. I'm still telling stories, just this time, it's about sharing the special story of a home or a Realtor.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know more of you here in the Rain!

You can also find me...

High Definition Real Estate Video Tours

and Photography throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington

Web Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

www.HomeStarVideoTours.com

(503) 616-8973