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Listen to this ... audio on virtual tours works

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with George Sheldon Photographer

On a recent sales call in nearby Hershey, I demonstrated a virtual tour with a standard audio music track. My sales prospect loved the tour, but disliked the music. She said she never likes music playing on web sites.

When I arrived at my next appointment in York, Pennsylvania, still weary of the last prospect's comments, I reluctantly demonstrated the same virtual tour. This sales prospect not only the tour was fantastic, but also loved the music!

Go figure.

From chatting with prospects and clients, I've learned that when it comes to audio on virtual tours, some really do want the audio playing with their virtual tours. Those that don't initially like the idea of adding the audio or a music track often eventually decide to include it. That's because the audio track simply attracts the attention of the casual web browser. When someone clicks on and starts the virtual tour, the music or audio demands notice. That's what the virtual tour client should keep in mind.

When consulting with new prospects, I often suggest that the audio should be added to the tour - especially to those that don't initially like the feature. It's not about your personal taste, but rather about what will attract the attention of your potential clients and prospects.

Tim Fennell
The Legends of Real Estate, REALTORS® - Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate

Good point.  And may I add the 'obvious'?  If there IS music and the viewer doesn't like it they can turn it OFF; however, if there IS NOT music but the viewer likes music, the have no option to turn it ON.  {Duh!} LOL

It is so important for all of us to realize that what we 'personally' like or don't like is absolutly unimportant in obtaining the goals desired.  As long as it is legal, ethical, and moral then it just makes sense to do the things that WORK most often; not the things that we happen to 'like'.

Thanks for the post and reminder, George.

Jan 28, 2008 10:57 PM
Michael Cole
CPG Tours - Corona, CA
Great topic! And great insight!

My company just recently launched a new high-end virtual tour service. The subject of whether or not we should have the option to include music was high on our list.

We originally planned to have it, but then our initial research showed that sites with music can have a lower response rate than those that don’t.

And many consumers and end-users (translate: home-buyers) can be annoyed by it, and actually click away from a site that has it. Even if it has a mute button, if they can’t find it or turn it off fast enough, they will just leave the site. This is due to the fact that many people, while on their computer, are already listening to music, or a radio station, or whatever.

So, from a true marketing standpoint, our findings suggested that music can have a negative impact -- which we didn’t want to do.

HOWEVER… the agents who are using our tours kept asking for it. So we said, to heck with our research -- it was probably wrong anyway (ha-ha). If agents like it, and their clients like it, who are we to argue?

We are currently in the process of adding the music option back in. It will be up and functional in our tours within a few days.

Again, great topic.

Mike
: )


Jan 29, 2008 04:26 AM