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Marketing Yourself & Having Fun at the Same Time!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Realty Experts

In this business we have to #1 market ourself and then the rest will fall into place.  It took me a LONG time to figure that one out.  Somehow things are finally beginning to "click" in my brain. 

What I do for Fun and Relaxation is ride horses.....believe me, it's a real stress buster.  I got to thinking, how can I use this to my advantage.......well, I decided I would create a video and use it in my business not only to elighten the public about a wonderful facility in the area, but also to help those who are going to be new transplants to our local.  At the same time, I am helping my community and also my image + I HAD FUN!  Doesn't get much better than that!

Recently I sent this video to the Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce & the Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Within 15 minutes I had some very positive responses from these leaders of our community!  Do I think they will remember me?  You betcha they will!  That's what I want.  When they are recruiting companies to move into the area, the higher powers that be always want to know what is there for employees to do in the area.....now they have a new video to use! 

I also use "Video Open Houses" to market a great percentage of my homes.  Check out this sample:  http://www.debbiejennings.com/rural-real-estate-c43/181-a-cr-350-millersville-mo-p68/

Because of the "Video Open Houses" I have been able to double end more of my own homes.  I have even had 2 couples basically put a contract on my listings "sight unseen"----because they felt they had been there in person by watching the videos.  One of the homes I listed had been listed off and on for 5 years...within 2 months I had a contract on the home (sight unseen), once again because of my personal videos. 

I have already implemented Call Capture into my system...so when I receive a text message from someone inquiring about one of my listings I immediately call and ask to send them a video open house...let me tell you what...they are then MINE---"hook - line & sinker!"

I also have an email database of buyers and a database of agents.  As soon as I complete a video open house I immediately send it to all in my database to make them aware of what is new on the market.  I have people call me from my email database all the time and act like they know me (of course, I act like I remember them too)....but the idea is they feel like they know me because they see my videos all the time and think I have cared enough about them to keep them up to date (which I do!!).

Recently I was in a group of people and someone was visiting from CA and I'm from a tiny farm community in MO.  I made a comment in the group and later this individual came up to me and said, "I know you!  I've watched you many times in your videos....they are wonderful!!"  Now this person hasn't bought a house from me yet, but I can guarantee you I will be giving it a try!!

I shot a video at a home that I really felt was somewhat overpriced.  Well, as I was shooting the video...I knew I had to put the Hard Sell on (I never know what is going to come out of my mouth) I noticed the seller had a crock pot on the kitchen counter and it was all steamed up.  I made the comment "It looks like the seller has supper cooking and WOW, it's ham and beans..it smells wonderful...I think we all need to just join them for supper!"  Little did I realize when I did that I just appealed to the public's sense of smell and taste and made this home very realistic to them---this home went under contract 2 weeks later.  Did the ham and beans sell it?  We'll never know....but they sure didn't hurt!

Debbie Jennings, Broker, Sales

RE/MAX Realty Experts

Cape Girardeau / Jackson, MO

Email:  Debbie@DebbieJennings.com

Website:  http://www.DebbieJennings.com

Cell:  573-275-1533

Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Great job, Debbie!  A well-done video can really make you feel as though you're right there in the home.  So it is only natural that someone would feel like they know you or that they can purchase a house from the video.

~Renae

Aug 12, 2008 02:05 PM
Lindsey Hasford
Edina Realty - Elk River, MN
Bringing you home...

Debbie - This sounds like an excellent way to present an open house! I think that I want to look further into this one!!!! Might be an excellent way to reach a different crowd.

Aug 12, 2008 03:14 PM
Matt Yogerst
RE/MAX Realty 100 - Menomonee Falls, WI
Metro Milwaukee Real Estate

That is a great walkthrough video. How did you set it up, how long does it take and how much do you pay? Does the film person do the editing as well?

Congrats on the great idea! I have been brainstorming on how to incorporate something like that.

Sep 05, 2008 07:02 AM
Anonymous
Debbie Jennings

Matt,

It takes me just a few minutes to complete a video.  My cameraman does any and all editing.  I just meet him at the home and start talking...never know what I'm going to say....it's more fun like that.  As for price, that is something that is not my department.  If you would like to contact my producer, his name is:  Brian Barnes  573-339-5730 and he is with High Recall Advertising / Tactical Web Solutions....he's an advertising guru!

 

Sep 05, 2008 07:08 AM
#4
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate

I wasn't able to see your first video but your open house was great...I like the fact that you explain things in front of the camera instead of behind the camera.  Well done!

Sep 05, 2008 08:16 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Debbie - same thing - first video got a 404 message. Video is very well done - I hate the "videos" that are just a series of slides.

Sep 05, 2008 09:50 AM
Deborah Wilson
Hackenberg Realty Group - Canton, OH
Stark County OH Real Estate

Debbie - I loved your video open houses.  I want to do this too.  You looked so natural and polished.  A great way to differentiate yourself.  Do you have a price range of houses you'll do this on?

Sep 05, 2008 11:24 AM
Anonymous
Debbie Jennings

I do not have a price range of homes that I do video open houses for...rather, I let the seller of every one of my listings (no matter the price) decide if they want to structure the commission to accomodate a video open house.  I offer my sellers different advertising packages and let them be in the "driver's seat" to decide how much exposure they want for their home.  They do not pay for the VOH up front......it becomes part of their commission package at closing.

Sep 05, 2008 11:32 AM
#8
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

What a great idea Debbie! Having a person in the video really helps.

Sep 05, 2008 04:58 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

This seems much more personalized than what I am accustomed to seeing in virutal tour.

Sep 05, 2008 07:06 PM
Jill Wheatley
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ

Hi Debbie-

I'm so glad i found you!!

I have been wanting to do this video open house myself because my hobby is video editing!  I have the tools to make videos and want to offer my service to other Realtors as well as for my own listings.  What I'm trying to figure out is how to present them.  Your video looked like it was right in your website?  How did you set that up?

Thanks so much!

Jill Wheatley

Sep 27, 2008 06:39 AM