I am excited to announce that the judges will be Richard Weisser, Debe Maxwell, Carolyn Tann-Starr, Lesley Lambert, and me.
As Jeremy Blanton mentioned in his comment below: "If you don't own a video camera, You can also use your digital camera. Most of them come with a video feature built in them. Usually the quality is pretty good!"
Make sure you post a link to your entry in the comments HERE. You might also want to email the link to me to ensure that you have a backup - my email address is jason@austintexashomes.com.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to call, email, or post them below. Once again, the deadline is JUNE 23rd. In order to be eligible for the contest, the post MUST have been created between June 2nd and June 23rd!
Thanks for reading/watching, and good luck!
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me in these other communities?
Cool idea....I am so on this! I tried to click on your video links above just to get an idea of what you've done, and it kept saying something like I can't find my keys??? What???
More incentive to find my Flip video camera (put safely away while renovations were taking place in my house).! I'll have to re-watch your video for the deadline date, and hopefully it's enough time to find that camera!
I had fun doing this video spontaneously. The day was so beautiful I couldn't resist using my video feature on my Blackberry. The General Manager of CPK gives me the VIP treatment every time she sees me now! A great way to give back to the community:)
Hi Jason I also tried to view the videos and got the same message as Coleen, in fact I have to see that message everytime I open AR. I type in my name,it opens to it a collection of blogs written by people with my last name,
Contest sounds interesting ...you may be surprised when you receive 148,231 videos ...times 5 minutes...wow!
I could not get the volume up on the video button. And the volume was all the way up on my laptop. Do you have this information written someplace..thanks,
I am so excited to be a judge for this contest! I will whip the troops into a frenzy and I know that we'' make it both fun and points profitable! Whoo-hoo!
Now, if we could only see what the contest is supposed to be about. There was no video link when I read the post. Looking forward to doing it -I've got to find something very interesting to do.
Links still not working ~ but didn't he say the video needs to be about our areas? Fun - just wish we had bought the video camera already. Oh well - let's see how the BB video turns out...
Great idea. Even if you don't win you are a winner by going out and showing off your town to people on localism, etc. By the way, do you have a consolation prize for the most boring presentation? I might win that. Sometimes I think I channel Ben Stein on my videos. Bueller? Bueller?
TO ALL: Sorry for the trouble with my links. I guess that's what I get for trying to link to my outside blog! They should be working now. I will address all of your questions individually soon. Thanks for your interest in what should be an awesome contest!
Joanne - They should be working properly now. Let me know if you're still having trouble with them. Thanks!
Michael - Just create your entry, title it however you would like, then place a link RIGHT HERE in this comment stream. You can also email a link to me at jason@austintexashomes.com if you like.
Coleen - I fixed the links. Sorry about that. Try them again, and let me know if they're working for you now.
Margaret - Although I certainly don't mind if you want to re-watch the video, the deadline is June 23rd (three weeks from today). Good luck in the contest!
Irene - If you need any help, there are a lot of experts to choose from around AR. I would be happy to help if you run into any problems.
June - The links should be working now. I hope we do get a ton of participation, because I don't think video is the "future" anymore - it's becoming the norm.
Missy - The deadline is June 23rd (three weeks from today). Good luck! :)
Harry - You can see more of my own videos by trying the links above, which I just repaired.
Rebecca - That's odd. I wonder what happened with the volume for you. It's a Local Video contest (ANYTHING local that you want to focus on - restaurants, museums, wilderness, mountains, flowers, monuments, local businesses - YOU decide). No special title or tags are required - just a link in the comments HERE on this post. The winner will receive 5,000 points, second place is 2,500 points, and third place gets 1,000 points. Everyone who participates gets 500 points in addition to the normal 225, so you really can't lose. Videos need to be at least 1:30 and no more than about 5 minutes long. Get your thinking cap on, and show off your town! We aren't judging actual video quality as much as the idea and effort behind the video. Good luck with it!
Larry - Is it portable, like a Flip style camera? If so, I might be able to help with any questions you may have.
Richard - Thanks again for agreeing to help with this one! Any additional promotion for the contest is greatly appreciated. Hopefully, the points will stimulate more entries. Talk to you soon!
Carolyn - This should be a blast! Thanks so much for helping with the judging. I look forward to seeing some very cool entries.
William - So far, you are the first person to mention that you couldn't see the video at all. Maybe you could try again? Also, see my comment in response to Rebecca above for more information. Thanks!
Lee and Pamela - The camera I use cost $69 at Fry's Electronics, and I use free software which is on EVERY Windows machine to edit my videos. Grab a camera and grab some points! What is the BB video?
Joe - I will give you a certified "attaboy" for the Most Boring Video Award. :)
Oh man! This looks like loads of fun. Just one thing, can I borrow your camera???!! Hmmm...my days of studying Fellini may actually come in handy...at last!!!
Russell - I would LOVE to see any Felliniesque video from you, of all people. I am laughing just thinking about it. Grab a camera at Fry's or Best Buy, dude!
If you don't own a video camera, You can also use your digital camera. Most of them come with a video feature built in them. Usually the quality is pretty good! This should be a great contest and I hope that several will participate!
Jeremy - One of the "takes" for my video had mentioned that, but the lighting was weird, so I went with this one instead. Thanks for the additional tip! I think I will add that to the post as well.
Local community videos salt and peppered among all the live narrated real estate videos for an area are the mortar of what the place where the property looks like, what the people sound like. It takes the viewer into the local town, makes them part of the event and helps them consider if they would like to live here. These local videos are what we like to do for fun, show us working on community projects, broadcast the local spark of what it is like to live, work and play here. Over 300 videos on youtube alone. Have been posting for years. You need to post them everywhere like your blogs, podcasts, websites so SEO saturation and cross pollination. You embed links in listings, emails, website for education. Don't tell them or make them read about it with a few pictures. SHOW them, let them hear the sounds of the local area, your voice, the wildlife, and use all the senses. The audio of these is as if not more important in transporting the surfer to the area where you live.
For years, have been posting local community videos and real estate, real live narrated not slide shows with piano music sound bed. Here are just a few to showcase the area. This Northern Maine Soap Box Derby video was written up in REALTOR Magazine last year. Close to 5000 views.
Ok I watched the video now that I'm on a different computer - great stuff. 5k in points is cool, but better than that, as I started to brainstorm about this video and the many local things I can video-blog on. If I never win anything, this has sparked a renewed interest from me regarding video use in my blog. I'm in.
Jason - Alright, between you an Mike Mueller I have been forced into the video age. Here's my latest entry into the world of video: O.P. Schnabel Park. Stop on over and take a look. I've already learned a few valuable lessons from this one, so thanks!
Alright, as soon as the rain lets up...but here is my biggest anxiety: I have never succeeded at posting a video onto AR. I'm embarrassed. I feel like a dope. Is the trick to post it first to youtube?? I have a Flip but seem to lose everything in translation...duh...but I'm going to make an effort...maybe I'll get over this hurdle finally. Thanks for the endless opportunities!
Mara - I would be happy to help with this if you need assistance. I posted the video above at Viddler.com, then used the "embed" code to post it here. Here's a post that I wrote awhile back which you may find useful:
http://www.wellcomemat.com/video/C9414A94A9 The subdivision of Meadowbrook conveniently located between Route 11 and I-80 in Bloomsburg, PA. I enjoy creating videos of our neighborhoods.
I love to do local. Eat local, shop local and video local!! I can use my husband's video camera and get them on tape but don't know how to download them to get them on-line. Any tips??
Jason - well that gives me something to think about. Gotta take another look at your video and give more thought to what I will do. The time will slip away if I don;t pay attention. Thanks for the inspiration for so many.
Jason, this will be fun--and I'm bound to learn a lot. First question: how do I put my video in a Localism blog? I've posted a blog there, with a link to my YouTube video about Creekside Park in Mountain View, but have no idea how to embed the video itself into the blog. Where should I look for instructions? Or can you help? thanks.
I would like to mention that the links must include a blog that is posted to Localism ... there are many here linked to YouTube. We are looking for ActiveRain Localism content here!
TO ALL: The entries need to be posted via ActiveRain/Localism, so in order to be eligible for bonus points, you will have to create a post here, rather than linking to YouTube, WellcomeMat, etc. The post needs to be created between June 1st and June 23rd. Thanks!
This is a great idea and contest! I have not made a video post to Localism but I will check out and learn how to do one thanks to your link above and hopefully submit an entry by June 23.
Jason - Ok I created a new vid on Real Estate Shows about my hometown, Next I will create a flyer for it with the vid attached and post it to localism. Do I now comment back here with the link to my a/r blog link or localism link? I'm cornfused.... Maybe I should just send you an email.....
So I pulled out my Flip video this weekend and got some great video clips at an event in Milton, Delaware. As I was editing and creating my movie, I saw an enticement to UPDATE the software. That's where the day went downhill and I am still dead in the water. I used to love my Flip, but I don't like their support at all. Online or on the telephone they are not very helpful, their instructions are inconsistent and I still cannot access my videos with the Flip software at all. Then I tried to use Windows Movie Maker and got the infamous Windows must close message. Defeated by the very technology we espouse and defend! It's beginning to look as if my efforts are not going to result in a winning entry - and my footage is really good.
Thanks for the opportunity! I will get something together. Localism has been a great tool for me to meet some business owners and be able to feature them as outstanding community members. C U soon.
So, now I need to do a Blog post with the video embedded and post to Localism? OK, here I go. Always something to learn every day. Since I am at the office and not a buyer is stirring, why not?
Comments are disabled there, however, so here is the same post on my outside blog: RealtorIrene Blogs from Sussex County, NJ. How's that for self-inflicted link love?
Will also email you. Many thanks for the motivation to try something new!
Holy Guacamole! I can't believe this thing ends tomorrow! I've got some major movie watching to do! Time has FLOWN since we chatted! I also owe you a reminder post, don't I? I'm right on it!
I made a video on June 1st that's getting a lot of traction on my website but I'm a day early for this contest. I've been so busy selling real estate since then I have not had time to think. Oh well maybe next time.
Followed your link but the video isn't showing. Look above for the post about how to post your video. I believe the contest ends at the end of the day today???
Here is the link to my entry for the video contest - the first is to my "outside blog" but it shows that it was posted to Localism in the link address. But just in case, I have included the localism link
Christine! You're IN! I meant 12MN tonight--I think Jason is playing hookie right now so, I THINK he meant tonight--you've still got a couple of hours to go!!
Christine - Both of your entries will count! You made the deadline with your second one with ONE MINUTE to spare!
To all - Sorry I haven't been able to respond lately - we were in the midst of an estate sale for my mother-in-law for about a week, then I got sick with food poisoning. I am back in the saddle now, so to speak, and I look forward to judging these cool entries.
Jason - I know you all have a lot of homework here but yes the suspense is killing us.. Any news yet? Today is the 26th Just curious..No pressure here... ha ha... Not that I think I have a chance with all the great entries so far... Very cool contest I might add... :-) Will you be making an announcement soon in a new post?
Kathy and Bob - No news is no news, I'm sorry to say. I haven't even had a chance to view all of the entries yet. I am hoping to get this wrapped up by the end of the month, but we also have 5 judges with very different schedules. I assure you that you will know very quickly once I have the results. Thanks!
Jason - thanks and no pressure dude.... We all appreciate the fact that this takes time.. I just thought about this contest today while I was checking my bookmarks... Please take your time... I know I have been busy as well.... thanks for putting this contest up in the first place... Some great vids out there for sure. A daunting task to judge them all.. Good luck to you and the rest of the judges.. ;-)
As far as I'm concerned, you may have all the time in the world to decide my video is the best. Please remember that all the other contestants put undue pressure on you...
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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Jason, what a great contest, I am on it! But I couldn't get the video links below to open, could you check them again??? I want an example!