One of the hottest online trends is video content distribution.  What began with YouTube is now progressing into fully-branded online television by companies big and small. 

In fact, I consult with one such media platform provider.  They specialize in creating custom-branded, cost-effective online portals that allow user-generated content, contests, downloads, streaming broadcasts and more. 

While you likely don't need or want to be able to run contests and offer downloads through a robust content distribution platform, the future (and perhaps present) viability of your real estate business will be greatly impacted by your online video offerings.  Producing video is a must, but it's not the whole story.  As you formulate and execute a web video strategy, you should consider the branding pros and cons of utilizing large real estate websites, YouTube and other portals and/or your own web home. 

Obviously, YouTube and better-known real estate websites put your video content in front of the maximum number of eyeballs. But limiting your reach to platforms beyond your control which don't exist to exclusively promote your work, can dilute your brand and ultimately result in lackluster online lead-generation.

The best online video distribution includes a presence on high-traffic portals and custom-branded offerings that make you and your properties the star.  Don't just settle for YouTube, Active Rain, Realseekr and friends.  List your offerings on those sites and prominently feature on your own web home a video portal that shows video property tours and staff intros. 

Be sure that these videos are easily passed on via email and able to be added to MySpace pages and other social media platforms.  You could even go the route of investing in your own custom platform ($1-5K), which can include in-video advertising and custom-branded media players that can be spread across the web. 

Again, posting videos on famous portals alone will not generate the maximum ROI.  After all, it's not your Tube is their Tube. You will likely be lost in the 60,000 uploads YouTube receives a day and you'll begin wondering about all the money you spent for those video property tours. High-traffic websites and custom-branded video will maintain your brand and spread your listings.

Online video is the wave of the present and the future.  Dive in with a strategy that maximizes audience and strengthens your image.  If you're not sure where to begin, drop me a line.