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Seller lead strategies: Become the local online expert using video

By
Real Estate Technology with realtor.com®

The realtor.com® Results Series team has been on the road sharing our top 10 tips for drawing in and converting seller leads. And now, we’re ready to share them online with you!

For the next few weeks, tune into the Results Series blog to learn how we recommend you engage and convert sellers this spring and summer. Our first tip has to do with becoming the resident online expert in your area… using (gulp) video.

Why video?

For years, speakers and conferences have touted the importance of incorporating video into your marketing. Do you know why? Because, quite simply, video works. YouTube is owned by Google, and the search giant isn’t shy about rewarding those who leverage its proprietary video platform. In fact, you’re 53x more likely to show up on the first page of Google if your page features video.

Still not convinced? Okay, here are our five favorite things about video:

  1. Videos automatically show your personality. Not everyone knows how to write in their own voice, which means that market update blogs can become a snoozer, even when written by the most engaging agent. Videos, on the other hand, help you make an immediate connection with your audience.
  2. Videos play natively on social media channels. While one simple click may not seem like a major barrier to entry, your target audience is just savvy enough to avoid going to a new page if they can avoid it. When you post videos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, your targets can enjoy your content without leaving the comfort of their personal feeds.
  3. Do you live somewhere photogenic? If your market area has the most beautiful biking trails, the best brunch options or the most rockin’ dog parks, then you should be showing them off on video!
  4. Your sellers want video. 85% of consumers want to work with an agent who uses video. That means that by avoiding this technology, you’re actively turning off potential clients.
  5. Buyers are looking at community videos and listing videos: of the homebuyers who use video in their search, 86% are researching a community and 70% use video to tour the inside of homes. No wonder your sellers are so eager for you to use video — it’s an almost foolproof way to drive more traffic to their listing!

Three ways to make video creation and editing less scary

Look, we get it. Even when you know video creation is critical to your business, it can still be scary. Here are three easy tips for getting started and creating higher quality video content.

1. Camtasia

Camptasia is the perfect solution for entry-level video creators. The software is available for both PC and Mac and costs between $150-199. It’s flexible to allow for any type of video creation and even a video editing novice can fix up their content to make it shine online. Camtasia allows users to:

    1. Record and upload your own video content
    2. Record yourself on your web cam
    3. Record your screen

2. Adobe Spark Video

If you’re trying to create a video using multiple images, icons, screenshots and short video segments (think a market update), nothing beats Adobe Spark Video. The program can be run through your desktop computer or on your phone via their iOS app. The best part? It’s entirely FREE!

If you have an Android, your best bet for fast video creation is Videolicious, a video product so advanced they actually have a real estate video platform that allows you to create listing videos, neighborhood tours and more. It’s not free, but many agents find that Videolicious is worth the price.’

3. Try Facebook Live!

For video content that requires no editing and allows for instant gratification (what’s not to like), try Facebook Live! You can now use Facebook Live from your phone or webcam, allowing you to control the experience and share the information you’re dying to get across to local sellers. Plus, even if your audience misses you live, Facebook automatically records your video and allows them to play it later in the day. Check out these Facebook Live best practices, written just for real estate agents.

Ready for amazing seller lead tips?

Next up, we’re focusing on how to create compelling calls to action across your seller-focused ads and landing pages! Stop back later this week to check out even more seller lead tips you can start using immediately.

Comments (11)

Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Great post , thanks for sharing this information, video seems to be the way to go.  

May 08, 2017 04:02 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Video is the most powerful yet neglected marketing tool bar none. The biggest critics are not using video. Many who claim to have dusty, neglected poor performing channels. Why doesn't realtor dot com allow agents, brokers to have a youtube link in their channel along with facebook, twitter ? So so easy to have that included like other platforms allow and with this post pushing video's merits, that is something missing on the big R portal. We can finally put the link to the you tube video of the property listing without the upload to the clunky, funky upload with the way low file size limits though. But please let us add the link for engagement to them upfront in the profile area.  Interview the locals with video.

May 12, 2017 02:10 AM
Realtor.com® - A division of Move, Inc.

Thanks for the suggestion, Andrew. We've sent your YouTube link channel recommendation to our product team. 

May 30, 2017 12:45 PM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Nice post. Can we add video to our realtor.com profile?

May 12, 2017 03:27 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

You can put link to realtor dot com for property but the platform does not have the social media option to add youtube Carla Freund .

May 12, 2017 10:13 AM
Realtor.com® - A division of Move, Inc.

Carla Freund , we are so sorry for the delay in response!


Yes, you can absolutely add a video link within the Virtual Tour URL field on the realtor.com Dashboard. 


As Andrew mentions, we do not currently have a link field to share the property via YouTube in the social media options; that recommendation has been sent to our product team. Thanks!

May 30, 2017 12:50 PM
Foster Smith Summerville
Carolina One Real Estate - Summerville, SC
Summerville & Charleston Homes for Sale SC Realtor

I agree with the above commenters...Those of us that do use video would love to put it up on realtor.com and link to our youtube channel!

May 12, 2017 04:16 AM
Realtor.com® - A division of Move, Inc.

Thanks, Foster. As we mentioned above, you can add your YouTube link for any listing to the "Virtual Tour" URL field on the realtor.com dashboard. 


We agree that having a link to your YouTube channel would be a great feature for your realtor.com profile, and we have sent that feedback to our product team. Now that we know it's something so many agents would like, we hope it will be expedited for you all! Thanks, as always, for your feedback.

May 30, 2017 12:53 PM
Donny Carter
Carter & Roque Real Estate - Frostburg, MD
Mountain Maryland Real Estate Expert

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions. I have been wanting to add video to our marketing matrix and these are a great place to start!

May 12, 2017 06:10 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

This is great post.  It shares what new software applications one may need. Have this blog saved.

May 12, 2017 06:52 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

If you use more then two minutes of video viewers become bored .Keep it simple Stick tot he KISS

May 12, 2017 09:00 AM
Realtor.com® - A division of Move, Inc.

Yes, we agree! It's harder to create a short video than a long one but a good eye for editing can really make a video shine!

May 30, 2017 12:54 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I  will bookmark this post and read it later. Thank you for sharing 

May 12, 2017 03:07 PM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Being a fast reader, I often prefer a short blurb with some pictures to video, because you cannot speed through video at your own pace. However, I always notice how much more time others seem to have to check these things out.

May 12, 2017 07:13 PM
Realtor.com® - A division of Move, Inc.

I'm the same way, and I'm always amazed at the stats surrounding video! Sounds like we will both have to keep paying attention to a trend that doesn't personally interest us... but is undoubtedly a "hit" for so many other consumers and online users!

May 30, 2017 12:55 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

You just need to know more than the person that you're teaching and you can teach something and be honest about who you are. We all need to have a little confidence in ourselves

May 12, 2017 08:28 PM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

I only see a handful of agents in my market using video. They tend to be more self and the camera is self held so close to their face that it distorts.

I do not enjoy watching theirs. I think they should read this post.

Thanks

May 13, 2017 04:12 AM
Realtor.com® - A division of Move, Inc.

Ha! Send it their way, John. ;)

May 30, 2017 12:55 PM