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YouTube Thursdays - Videos - Dare to be you, the rest will follow.

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

Authenticity is (nearly) everything in videos designed to attract like-minded clients. 

Popeye

I know, I know, you're sick of me telling you this. Honestly though, how can I keep one my best lead generators a secret? And if you keep ignoring my pleas to start using video - I'm going to keep coming back to bug you, time and time again. A couple of years ago, I wrote a post daring Rainers to be themselves in a video - I even offered them a prize. Debbie Reynolds and Jerry Newman  were the only ones who took me up on my offer, and they each got a prize for trying. 

In my opinion, the slickest video in the world isn't as valuable as an authentic, entertaining, and engaging video that connects you with potential clients. I have the numbers to prove it too. In the past several years, my new clients are generally referrals, or people who find me online - through my videos. The leads are solid too, I haven't lost one client yet who connected with me via video. The reason, they already like me, or don't, but I never hear from those who don't so,  ignorance is bliss. Here's an example of what happened on Tuesday afternoon.

MacMy cell phone rang showing an incoming call from a California number. My husband was sitting in my office. "Shall I take it or not," I questioned out loud?  "Will this be yet another someone wanting to sell me something?"  What the heck, I answered the phone. Bernie laughed and walked out of the room,  but then quickly returned when he heard me ask, "How did you find me online?" followed by, "Ah, then you've discovered the world's most spoiled Golden Retriever."

It turns out, the wonderful woman, and her TV director husband ( soon to retire),  are looking for a more relaxed lifestyle with easy access to an airport, and a decent sized city. In this case, Portland, Oregon.  He plans to start a new business and they want to get in back in touch with nature and live in a big beautiful lodge-style home with her parents.  They also want enough room for their visiting college-aged children.  Her words created the goose bumps that always tell me of a good match - whether it's a home, or a client. She finished with, I just know you "get me." She's right, I do, in part, because she "gets me."

Authenticity in your videos will attract the right business. 

That's the power of authentic "you" videos. She has watched all of my "Exploring Clark County with Mac and Me" videos and knows I'm a nature girl. She also appreciates that we love next door to my parents.  Most of my re-location clients are moving here for similar reasons - to live a peaceful lifestyle with an emphasis on family and friends, and to be surrounded by the beauty of nature. Those who find me through my videos are always a perfect fit. 

I'm busy pouring through luxury home listings on acreage in our area. Those with stunning views, and easy access to hiking trails and fly-fishing are getting top priority. Both couples will be here for two days next week and I'm so excited to meet them. As usual, I have a feeling these wonderful clients will turn into wonderful friends. How lucky am I? Go video! 

  ( Here's the video about living next door to my parents - thanks to Roger D. Mucci for his contest that inpsired me to get it done!)  And, yes, Mac (  our white Golden ) is in it...

 Please join YouTube Thursdays and start sharing your authentic style with us. 

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments(31)

Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Thanks Kathy - daring to be who we are is key. I appreciate the Bananatude feature. :) 

Apr 09, 2015 02:04 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

You are absolutely 100% spot on, yet I still don't do it, haha.  I have many excuses for not doing it, but perhaps one day I will overcome all of my weak excuses and do it.

Apr 09, 2015 02:04 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Debb, it is wonderful when they get you and follow through with using your guidance all the way through the home closing...videos do work.

Apr 09, 2015 04:18 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Debb, I absolutely love this video and can see why you are getting calls from it. You're so genuine and it shows. I'm going to put my thinking cap on to do one an be myself!

Apr 09, 2015 04:41 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hey Brian, let me know I can be of any help.

Ginny - they sure do work.

Hi there, Amanda. Thanks so much. I'd love to see what you come up with...

Apr 09, 2015 04:48 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Debb - You convinced me a while back, and while I have a long way to go, I've seen enough proof to know that it does generate really positive results. As always, thanks for the inspiration.

Apr 09, 2015 05:37 AM
Will Nesbitt
Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA
Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

Terrific insight, Debb Janes at (360) 210-5526.

Apr 09, 2015 05:53 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

No one more authentic than you and Bernie...we are so delighted that Californians are coming your way...and yes, everyone should be doing more videos!  A

Apr 09, 2015 08:24 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Dick, you're doing great. And, talk about an authentic personality. :)

Hi Will - thanks much.

Alexandra - back at ya. Me too, I'm loving my California clients...

Apr 09, 2015 08:56 AM
Melanie Hedrick
Elite Texas Properties, the best homes from McKinney to Dallas! - McKinney, TX
972-816-7205

Love hearing about your success just being yourself.  What could be better than that?  I like the idea of working with like-minded clients -- sure makes things nice.

Apr 09, 2015 09:36 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Debb

Your post is right on point video . . . . attracts business.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Apr 09, 2015 11:45 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Debb you brought tears to my eyes watching this video. Its good tears though, I need it. To read your hints about using video and then see how cool the relationship you have with the P's and how that comes across in the video really worked for me. I remember when you and I talked and you told be about your neighbors, it really clicked after watching this.

Apr 09, 2015 12:00 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Noah is right Debb Janes ... slick videos don't work, honest ones do like in all your marketing. You just open the mic, feed the blinking red light what the other end can find helpful, time and money/gas saving. You gave them something...part of you in the process of the information transfer.

Apr 09, 2015 08:40 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb, you do a great job with all your videos and are first class! Congratulations on this new luxury buyer, and know you will find them a home they will love.  

Apr 10, 2015 12:01 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Melanie - you get it too. Exactly. 

Lou, thanks for the visit and your comment.

Hi Noah, aw, love ya, and thanks.

Andy - thank you. And, your own authentic self and your love of the Maine lifestyle shines in all of your videos. 

Apr 10, 2015 12:32 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Joan, I'm anxious to spend time with them and hope we can find them the right home in their 2-day visit. I'm sure trying. 

Apr 10, 2015 12:33 AM
Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Debb, what a beautiful and touching video. How could anyone not want to work with you?

Apr 10, 2015 12:57 PM
Craig Daniels
Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY
Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Wow Debb. That video goes to the top of my favorites list for you. outstanding. Love hearing your phone ring and connections made through your videos and people 'getting' you.

Apr 10, 2015 11:44 PM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Debb, you are a video master and you make some great points in this [post about video and how it has helped your business. 

Apr 12, 2015 06:21 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Debb - what a  classy and entertaining video! I am very impressed. Gosh, just wonderful, and so well done. I would say professional, but it was really so engaging that I did not noticed any professionalism, it was so beautifully natural.

Which is very professional

Apr 13, 2015 01:29 PM