How I Create My Real Estate Videos
Making real estate videos and creating a YouTube channel has become one of my marketing methods to get my message to people who are considering moving into my area or are already home owners and are contemplating selling their home. I'll spell out the actual process that I use and then follow that with an equipment list that will get you started.
Start with a topic
Before I do any actual video work, I begin my work by doing topic research. By using Google and TubeBuddy, I search for keywords that many people are looking for. Once I've honed in on a topic, I continue my research by reading articles and blogs and watch competitive videos to get an idea of how I can do a better job producing an informative video that will get views.
Write a script
There are many ways to convey your message on video and some people work with a bullet pointed list while others write a complete script. I'm in the second category and prefer to write out the entire dialog. I have found that my delivery is smoother with fewer "umm's" and "ah's" if i use a complete script. But the real trick to using a script is to practice reading it until it is smooth and doesn't sound like it's being read. I will read my script out loud 5 to 10 times or until I feel I can make a smooth delivery on camera.
I write and edit my script in Google Docs so it is available on my laptop and iPhone. Once the script is written, I decide what kind of video production I will do: will it be just a talking head video or will it have photos and secondary video (called B-roll) showing over my voice. I then write out a storyboard with the sequence of shots that I need.
If I'm doing a piece about the local civic center or a community park, I will have spent time collecting video shots and loading them onto my computer so I can use them once I start assembling the final video.
When I'm ready to do the actual filming, I transfer the script from Google Docs to the Teleprompter Lite iPhone app and rehearse it several more times. This allows me to work on timing so that I sound like I’m talking and not reading. Remember, practice is the key to a smooth delivery.
Shooting the video
You don’t need expensive equipment to start filming your videos. Many great YouTubers started with a smartphone propped up in front of a window and nothing more!
I started out just like that and have gradually built my kit with better equipment as I have progressed. Currently, I do all my filming with a Canon T7i DSLR camera with a 50mm lens. This camera has great auto focus (a must!) and the 50mm lens which softens the background nicely. I use a teleprompter app on my iPhone for my script and then set my iPhone on a stand just above the lens of the camera, so it appears that I am looking directly into the lens, although I’m reading the script. This gives the viewer a feeling that I am talking directly to them. I use a softbox light just above me and slightly to the side to also warm the picture since I’m filming in an office with harsh fluorescent overhead lights. To get the best sound, I use a RODE lavalier mic clipped to my shirt. This provides great sound directly into the camera. If I'm well rehearsed, I can record the script in one take. But if not, I just keep the camera rolling and pick up wherever I make a mistake and fix it when I edit the video.
Editing and post production
Once I'm satisfied that I have the script correctly recorded, I open up my editing software. I currently use ShotCut, which is a free, open source editor for PC, that has plenty of horsepower to do the kind of editing I need. There are many great video editors available including iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, Filmora, WeVideo (online) and many more. Just search YouTube for more suggestions. There is a product for every level of user and every budget.
I typically add a few on-screen graphics, any of the B-roll that helps tell the story and a tag at the end that shows my name, broker information, phone and required department of real estate number.
Occasionally, I will add a low volume music tract if the video has more scenes and less talking, but it's case by case. This is also added in ShotCut although music can also be added through YouTube.
One of the best ways to get your video discovered is by creating an attractive thumbnail. This is the picture that searchers see when scrolling through YouTube, Google, Facebook, etc. I create a thumbnail photo with bright colors and text to help get views on the different social media platforms. It might be crazy or serious, but the objective is to get viewers to click and watch the video.
Uploading and marketing
When the editing process is complete, I upload to various social media accounts. I start with YouTube by loading the video, description, tags and other YouTube features. I will also add it to several Facebook pages, LinkedIn, ActiveRain (with a blog post), Twitter as a link and Instagram as an IGTV video. There is additional editing required to get the format correct for IGTV.
Use your marketing skills to get your video in front of people. The social media platforms are the obvious places to start but also consider Facebook Ads and Google AdSense. I’ve even sent out postcards with thumbnails and QR codes that link to the videos.
Equipment
These are links to the products I use in my video making process. Feel free to comment below on the successes you’ve had making your videos
Canon EOS REBEL T7i Video Creator Kit
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens
Rode RODELink LAV Omni-Directional Miniature Microphone
Canon Battery Pack LP-E17
MOUNTDOG 1350W Photography Studio Softbox Lighting
Mic Microphone Stand Smartphone Mount
AmazonBasics Tripod Boom Microphone Stand
These are Amazon Associates Product Links.
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