It almost goes without saying (but if you've read me before, I have no problem stating the obvious) that ActiveRain isn't the first company to encourage you to start using video in your marketing. The buzz about video has been out there for a while now. As it picks up speed though, we want to be an integral part of helping the real estate industry integrate video into your business plan.

We moved very swiftly three weeks ago to put together a contest that encouraged our members to start thinking about using video. The reward? A day with Seth Godin in New York on April 30th. We just wanted you to start to think about using video. We wanted you to see what your peers are doing with video. We wanted to see what came bubbling to the surface when you were put against the wall (but the prize was cool enough to 'do something').

We got pretty much what we expected. We got some great ingenuity, we got solid examples of how people are currently using video in their business. We got first timers deciding they would toss aside their hesitations and be bold. We got high quality production, we got the epitome of user generated. The thing is......we think there is a place for all of these types of video in your marketing bag (everyone started somewhere once, right?). Together, over the coming months we will come together as a community and help raise the level of all the videos that we create.

The bar has been set. High? Low? Let's just say, on average, we have room for improvement. Speaking of room......there is room for lots more of you to jump on board. A special thank you to everyone who participated. You are brave. You are forward thinking. You are a leader. I have no question as we move forward and we teach each other, learn from each other, and help each other, we will collectively raise the quality of our video offerings.

Now, don't get me wrong, there were some really good submissions, a number of them in fact..........and after our judges deliberated, held a round table, had one minor squabble (Sara from Zillow throws a mean right hook.......ask Rudy from Trulia) and hammered out their decision......

(and let me just add here. Even our judges didn't all agree. So this has taught me that what appeals to one person, doesn't always strike a cord with someone else. I think on the whole, our judges did great and I want to personally thank Marc, Sara, Rudy, Dustin and Joel, Thank you!!)

So without more useless blabbering from me further ado.........the winner is.............

Mike Lefebrve and his video Steak out in Franklin

Congratulatons Mike and I really hope that you have an unbelievable day with Seth Godin in NYC. I'm totally jealous!!

The two runner-ups (in no particular order) and winners of Flip Video Camera's are:

Annie and Bob Pacieznik: a name in real estate you might not be able to pronounce but can certainly trust

and

Brian Block: Look who's buying a home

I hope that 3000 points is a decent consolation for everyone that threw their hat in the ring. The judging was very tight and who knows, if Rudy could have taken that right hook from Sara, things could have turned out completely different.