Great job on the video I really liked it. I know Im good on camera, me modest no :). I have shot a few tv spots for news stations and have been on HGTV 2 times on different shows. So I must not be too bad.

I really appreciate your take on this topic.  I have been toying with various possibilities and options.  Question - is the voice over also the agent's voice or a different person in your example?

I've got a face made for radio, but don't mind using my voice.  I've done professional voice-overs in the past, so that experience is a plus.  TV--don't think that's my calling.

Good video, Fred--I like your arguments too.

Steve:  The voiceover is not the agent.  That would be moi!

Those were a couple of scary people...  Personally, I'm comfortable, but I hate my voice.  Others don't seem to mind (my wife doesn't tape my mouth shut... much), so I wonder if it is only me...

Great video except the car driving through the neighborhood seemed really speeded up. That at least made me laugh. Video I agree goes with someone who can project personality along with the tour guide.

that who needs a movie video is an absolute 10 on the unintentional comedy scale

Fred, I so agree with you. It's not about us but about THEM and THE HOUSE. The music was hillarious for a video. Gee, what was she thinking.

This is a question I am very interested in.  Century 21 has a video contest currently, showcasing our listings for open houses.  The rules state that the agent, and the client both need to be in the video.  I'm intrigued by the exposure, but not too sure how my video presence will be taken!

Fred,

I just uploaded my first real video tour on wellcomemat and I put myself at the beginning and the end. I agree with you its about the home not yourself. I remember seeing a video tour a couple of months ago from Missouri and although the agent did a nice job the focus was totally on her and not the property. As always I feel that you are the mentor for all of us when it comes to video tours! By the way you aren't posting a video in the contest are you? You probably get to New York enough anyway!

I think it is appropitate for the realtor to show up on camera at the end.  It put a face with the house.  It all depends on how comfortable the reatlor feels in front of the camera though.

I'm rather hesitant to start doing videos.  I think I might be one of those people that it would do me more harm than good... ;) 

You're right. The examples that you provided were excellent examples of a good video and two really awful videos. What made the first one good is that the agent stayed focused on the buyer's interests not on what he wanted to tell the audience about himself. I think that a lot of the blame for bad video rests with the production company. Agents are relying on them for guidance. Exactly the kind of guidance you provided in your post. Agents, please heed this excellent advice.

People becoming a leader in their community will be how well they handle being on camera.  They are going to have to have charisma.    This will be interesting.

Hi Fred - I agree with what you wrote about the use of video.  And I did like how this video on the house on Duxbury opened up with the agent talking a little about house and inviting you in to tour.  He was friendly and personable.

I thought the car driving was a bit much - too fast and almost made me motion sick, and I don't get motion sickness.  I also felt the camera moved too quickly through the house in some spots and that there was some jerkiness - not sure if that was the video or my computer.  If that's your voice, you have a great voice for that and you did a nice job telling us about the home.  I also really liked the way you incorporated the google mapping in there on this video - that was a great feature.

I'll have to go back and check out the 'don't do' videos you included.  I've certainly seem plenty that made me wonder just what that person thought when they made it, and then wondered if they even looked at it after they put it up. 

Thanks for your tips!
Ann

OK, I just watched those 2 videos - UGH!!  Groan......how could they think those were well-done??  Gosh....

Ann

I would like to throw my two cents in too and say that the driving aspect also made me a bit sea sick too.  However, I do like the idea of scaling down from the aerial map to driving in the neighborhood to arriving at the house.  I think it was well thought out and well executed over all.

I am just starting out with video and would love to hear how I might be able to incorporate the drive down the street MINUS the sea-sickness, spinning aspect.

Fred - I think that you make a very strong point here. Home buyers want to know what is for sale and they don't care about YOU (the agent). It is also agreed that most people (agents included) have terrible TV personalities. Unless you are a star or a communications major, you should probably leave the on camera time to professionals. 

Great commentary!  I have never done a video and I don't know how I would do!

The more I think about it, the more I realize the importance of personbal contcat, using the phone, ringing their door bell.

Interesting because it seems video is becoming more and more popular.

I liked the map and camera panning there.  Voice was good!

Two other videos you including made me laugh!         

Very nice Fred!  The tour was a little long but still very good.  I do think there is a time and place for a Realtor to talk face to face so to speak with buyers and sellers but those 2 examples depict exactly what you are NOT supposed to do!!!

I so totally want that couple to make a video for me, just so I can play it over and over again to annoy my children...

Your video was great.  I do have to agree that you drove a little too fast on the street, though!

I have to figure this video thing out.  Too bad you're not in my area.

lol, I'm gonna call those 2 in the last video right now and ask them to come shoot some of my listings for me. The first video was very good. I need to start doing this.

I used to work with ad agencies and I remember they referred to this kind of commercial as a "vanity spot".  You know what I mean..the ad rep goes to a business owner and flatters the heck out of them, saying "gee, you have a great radio voice" or "your face should be on television". 

There's a company selling jewelry in the Twin Cities with commercials that feature an owner with a monotonous, personality-free voice.  People like it for some reason.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it's a disaster.  Not everyone "oughta be in pictures"!

I like your idea a lot more. When I shop for something I want to see the item not the salesperson. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

I am on the fence...it can be a good idea...you put together a great idea here.

Of course, it's easy to be a couch potato critic, but you started out doing the very thing you said not to? People don't want to initially see the realtor. And about the length - only a person that wants to buy the place will watch that much video. It should be short, to the point and save the longer presentations for the ones that contact you. But what do I really know. Thanks for your post. : )

http://www.sugarpinerealty.blogspot.com

Wow!  "these two people who should be shot" is shocking.  I can't believe they are ACTUALLY trying to sell movies.  Who would buy their services???  Sorry - I don't mean to be harsh but I can't seem to get over that.  Your embedded video on the other hand is top notch.

Oh good god..those are bad!  I can't believe they are for real...late April fools joke???

Exceptional video.  Makes me realize I don't have the skills to do something like that on my own.

You really do quality work... I love the video/neighborhood. etc.  Boy, those other ones were REALLY, REALLY hilarious...bad!!

You did a great job and it really shows off teh home very well.  I would think your clients really appreciate it.

Fred - {Bob here} Great job and a valid point. Loved the examples of those other people you put on the post. Really funny stuff. It is about personality of course. Those vids reminded me of old SCTV skits. Excellent stuff.

Mother Lode Master:  What I said was I think it's a good thing to have the realtor in the video (briefly) IF they have good on camera presence/ personality. 

As far as length, I try to keep them under 5 minutes, a bit longer for larger houses.  People watch the video AFTER they view the MLS photos.  If they LIKE what they see in photos, and therefore are a bit more curious/ serious, they WILL watch a longer video (and WANT to see more).  So the video is not the first thing that people view on the property - it's the LAST.  If the photos don't grab them, they probably won't bother with the video.  But if they like the photos, they want MORE.  And that's where the video fits in.

Ann and Bridget: In regards to the fast neighborhood spin, that's something the agent likes - he likes to show the highlights of the neighborhood.  However, I need to keep these videos relatively short, and you don't want to make people fall asleep during a 'leisurely drive through the 'hood'".  So, we speed it up to give a "glimpse" of the neighborhood, yet also to get to the POINT (the house!).

I can't argue with this particular broker's wishes.  I do videos of ALL of his listings - I go down there every week to do 2-3 houses.  And the guy has been selling about one house a week so far this year in a slow market!  The last four weeks, the house I film on Wednesday is SOLD by that following weekend!  Pretty amazing!  And he's only been in real estate for two years.  Of course I like to think the videos help!  But he does really milk the video aspect in his advertising and marketing - because it sets him apart from EVERYONE ELSE.  I keep trying to impress upon people how important that is!  Part of the benefit of video is as a listing tool for the agent.  Sellers 'get it'.  Big time.  Show them a sample of this video and they're blown away - and YOU have the listing.  It's almost guaranteed.

I will never star in my own video.  Beside the fact that I have never consider myself very photgentic I don't see the point in it.  Show the home and all its benefits and leave it at that.  I guess I'll never make it in the YouTube world!

What a great video! We tried to do one on our own once and it was terrible! So we stick to picture videos,  but I like yours!

It is a great video!  I personally don't think that it is a good idea for me to be on the video.  There are some agents that do quite well, I just don't see myself as that person.  Great post, and question.

Man I am gonna run right over to fredsandsharonsmovies.com to get them to help me make a professional video product for my clients!  LOL That was hilarious!

Thanks for a great posting!  I am toying with video now and you gave me some great tidbits to chew on!  Thanks again!  Steve

Those other two videos are horrible. The music is way too loud on the first one....and the second....well, it left me speechless. She was too enthusiastic for me. 

Okay -- that was hysterical - Looks like a bit too much "puff" and not enought "dragon"!  You're HIRED!  Now what are we going to do about Bernie and Phil????

I have to agree with Fred about the length of the video. You have put yourself in the shoes of the buyer, or just imagine yourself interested in buying for example a camcorder. Lets say you see a 2min video of camcorder A, The video of camcorder A tell you basic info about the camcorder A. Now you watch a 10min video of camcorder B, the video of camcorder B tell you the basic but the video also shows in detail about real time battery use,compares video clips of camcorder B vs camcorder A, demonstrated and gives advice variety of lenses,ect........., Now if you really want a camcorder and want the best deal, are you really going to get bored and not finish watching the 10min(very informative) video? No, you will watch it because you are craving info about camcorders. Just like  somebody who is looking to buy a house  will watch a 20min video, as long as you are showing information about the house. Remember buyers crave information. 

Fred, you really do hit on the danger of video.  With blogging, it's all about the message.  But with video you've got to worry about the message AND the delivery.

Bob Pacieznik

Fred - Great quality video... One of the best home presentations that I have seen!  Thanks for sharing, you've got it right.

Fred,

I stopped by to say Congratulations on the feature.  I agree with the Deer in the Headlights syndrome, and wonder why that happens.  Maybe the subject of your next blog?

Mike in Tucson

Thanks Mike. 

Why does it happen?  You know, I think it's just one of those things that just "are"....   Some people are good at photography... they know good composition.. they have a good eye.  The camera itself doesn't matter - they'd make great photos with a 15 year old Kodak Instamatic Camera!  Others can buy a $5000 camera and still take lousy photos!  Look at "American Idol" - you know... some people have the magic "IT"... and most don't.  They can sing very well, but they just don't have 'IT"...  and those that do, go far. It's that magic sauce...

I think it's the same thing here.  Some people are just naturally good at that type of thing, and other just aren't.  I really do think that a great deal of that you're born with.  Some people are good actors, some people couldn't act their way out of a paper bag, and others are GREAT actors....  the difference is still that "it" factor!  

I find that some people just have that type of personality that shows up naturally on a stage or on a camera.  It's effortless, it comes across naturally, it's engaging to the viewer, they LOOK comfortable, they ARE comfortable...   I'm not 100% sure you can develop that skill - I think you're born with it!  The real skill is probably being able to be honest with yourself as to whether you HAVE that skill and should be on camera, or whether you don't and should look at other alternatives in order to show you off in the best possible light! 

Hi,

I really have to agree with you.  I am considering completely changing my firm home page and profile page in Activerain for the reasons that you state:  No one is getting to my web page because they want me, they really want information first and then they want me because I have the information that they want - so instead of putting me first, Ii think that I will make sure that the information that they are lookin for is front and center in my profile. . .

Fred, those two videos are hilarious! I'm still deciding whether or not to believe they are real. But I guess you can't make up stuff like that! Thanks for sharing those.

FRED:  I have 3 Comments:

ONE:  Your video is unbelievable!  This isn't "Real Estate Agent" quality...more Paramount Pictures quality. Now I feel like FredandSharon productions on my videos lol

TWO: I think I saw Sharon (video couple) in the last Star Wars Bar scene and at LEAST they were successful getting live video of Loch Ness !!!!

THREE: The "Poor Woman" video...whew!  Where was the "CUT" action block on the background walker and was she promoting the "song" or her "message"?

I can see the future now in agent vs agent competition for listings when everyone is using Video...
"WE PRODUCE 'VISABLE' VIDEOS"

I'm convinced... leave the videos to the Pro!!  Awesome imbedded video - as for the other 2 tossed in for laughs - oh my!!

Fred, you crack me up! I know this is an old entry but it's new to me so I had to post1 I will bring the gun if you bring the shells for those two.....wow! The words I want to use just shouldn't be put in print.

Great post btw. I was hoping to stumble across this issue. I to keep seeing how more and more blogs, and websites are telling these licensees to put them selves in front of a camera for the tours. What a mistake, even the people you think would be best for such things flip a switch and go from cool, calm, and funny to drooling, stumbling, bumbling baboons once the camera is on!

You're spot on about how people don't want to see a Realtor on a web page right away. Look at all the hits, and visits your getting on your websites people. More times than not your just being used for your website tools and ease of use if the website is designed properly. The conversion rate from most websites are pathetic at best!

If you want branding then I will make a slate and put it at the beginning and end of the video for them. Anything else is just frustrating for me, and marketing suicide for them!

Thanks for your creatve post fred,

Michael

OMG - those were bad - I think I am about that bad on video too.  I don't want to be in mine.