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Awesome Photos - Blogs with Style !

By
Industry Observer

Something New to Spice Up Your Blogs!

Google is always changing things. If you are like me, then you are constantly reading something about search, SEO, SERPS and more. Hard to stay current with all the different things that we need to be doing. Some agents leave it up to a webmaster and others do participate on a regular basis. Historical Hudson Valley Homes for Sale

No matter how you market, attracting the attention of your clients is something we all need to spruce up now and again. I love taking photos and blogging about my local communities. I enjoy sharing all the great things that are in my backyard. To highlight the content, I have been known to use #autoawesome from Google+ and share them on ActiveRain. 

Autoawesome has evolved from when it was first introduced. It is a tool I love to use when blogging, I thought I'd share in some of the updates that are available to anyone with a Google account. If you have gmail, then you can do an #autoawesome. If you have an Android Phone, then you can rock a few more really cool features. ActiveRain has also made changes and the two are easier to use now than they were when I wrote the first blog.

Introducing the stlyized photo...

 

This is a stylized version of a photo on a historical home where #autoawesome added some zazz. The photo was hyper colored and tweaked, a frame was added by G+ and then left in my gallery. Not my favorite feature, but it is there, non the less for me to either use or delete. Some of these are more interesting than others, and the thing is, it does not require anything on my part. There is absolutely nothing to do, as Google picks the photo and makes the changes. All I did was upload it to my computer and then to AR like any other photo. Many of these are also done in black and white for a different dramatic look. My hubby seems to like those. 

 

New Homes

This is the original autoawesome feature that allows for motion. It is really just a gif that is created by taking a sequence of photos that is put together showing something happening. I love that I can use this in a blog post about new homes. It catches the readers eye unlike some boring photo of a tractor.

 

Pano Version of the Hudson River

 Another feature is the PANO version. Check this out as Autoawesome stiches together a bunch of photos that become one, and this shows off the Hudson Valley!! When used properly, these have great value to show off a location. This is great when used with a client that has a larger monitor.

Collage

This collage version of autoawesome puts together a grouping of photos in a random fashion. My Android has the ability to put one of these together, which can be a better choice.

 

 If you are like me and have an Android, then you can use the feature to create videos like this one. They are done on the smart phone and are then uploaded to none other than YouTube. Cute short and indexed. They provide a snippet of info to a potential client about something interesting in the area. My goal is to get out and do parks, schools and neighborhoods this spring and summer. A one minute snippet that is super easy to do and would compliment any real videos taken. When something is super easy and takes very little effort, it is more likely to get utilized.  

The last feature that I am able to use is exclusive to remaining on Google+. Story telling is a great feature that you will need to look at only when on Google.  I don't do much of anything to get it to work, but I can edit what photos are there and ad captions. Visit and see what you think. of this my story. They can be used for a specific home, neighborhood, local community or a place of interest. 

My story is of GeorgeWashington's Headquarters

 but ooops.. I almost forget the snow....

Awesome Snow

Who could forget the #Autoawesome snow?? Kathy Streib reminded me that this was missing from the post, so just for Kathy, it is snowing again!! UGH!

 

As you can see I have used the tool for quite some time. I find it is interesting. Our job as a marketing professional, having a few extra unique things up your sleeve is a good thing. I don't spend hours on this as I learned it from the beginning and have just added in a few new ways to implement it in my blogs. I hope you found this useful, and remember that being awesome is a choice when blogging, taking photos, and selling real estate. 

I think she is pretty autoawesome!!

 What do you think? Come up with some great ideas for a post that will market your homes and communities. The sky is the limit. ENJOY!! Don't forget to follow me on Google+ 

published by: your real estate expert Janis Borgueta Key Properties of the Hudson Valley as a community service in Newburgh NY. To receive more real estate information please subscribe to this blog. Looking to buy a new home? Search the MLS for New Homes in Newburgh NY. You can contact Janis at (845)-527-7115 or find her on Google+.

Comments (63)

Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Janis Borgueta ... I love Google's #autoawesome ...! I store the photos I'm going to use online in picasa (Google Plus Photos) and keep them in folders by location, event, or date, depending... I love it when Google grabs a recent upload and puts together a slide show story... Very nice post about it!

Mar 29, 2015 04:20 AM
Randy Mitchelson,APR
Marketing Advisor & Squeeze Mortgage - Bonita Springs, FL
First Impressions are made at First Click

Very informative and I will share with my team to remind them about using this tool to be more creative with some of the social media activity we do. 

Mar 29, 2015 06:11 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Very neat app to add a finishing touch or put together photos in a panoramic view or a collage.

Mar 29, 2015 07:22 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Love it.  I am pulling out my phone right now to check it out.

Mar 29, 2015 07:38 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Janis - I've never used this tool though now I am looking forward to playing with it.

Mar 29, 2015 04:04 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I am impressed Janis, I could spend hours using this interesting tool.

Thanks!

Bob

Mar 29, 2015 04:11 PM
Mark Horan
Resident Team Realty, LLC & Toni's Property Management LLC - Saint Cloud, FL
"The Resident Chef" - Resident Team Realty LLC &

Janis, very cool. Love the animated snow and of course the excavation on the new home. Real eye grabbers.

Mar 30, 2015 03:43 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I like this so much and haven't had a chance yet to learn it. There is always so much to do but this would get more eyeballs on our posts and therefore more interested buyers. Gotta do it!

Mar 30, 2015 10:36 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Very interesting. I had never heard of autoawesome but is does look awesome. Thanks, Kathy Streib  for featuring this post!

Mar 31, 2015 02:09 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Janis - that is indeed awesome. I'd never heard of it before. Now to find a few extra hours to check it out... 

Mar 31, 2015 02:30 AM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Thanks for the reminder. I turned iPhone user a while back and had totally forgotten some of the great features on my Nexus. I need to pull it out again and work on some of these ideas. 

Mar 31, 2015 02:54 AM
Pat & Wayne Harriman
Harriman Real Estate, LLC (203) 672-4499 - Wallingford, CT
Broker/Owners, Wallingford CT Real Estate

Cool stuff, I love tinkering with images to see what new effects can be added! Sounds like you need to do a post specifically about how to use #autoawesome!

Mar 31, 2015 04:04 AM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Thanks to everyone that commented. Hard to keep up with all of you!!

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 the Android phone is a bonus. G+ doesn't care if you do emails with them. They just want you to be a member.  YES you have most of the features. You have inspired a follow up for a bit of training, but better yet Gayle, give me a call and I'll help you any time I can.

Mar 31, 2015 09:59 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Can I try to remember to do that next week, Janis? I've got a new offer and 3 new listings happening tomorrow--April 1st is no fool!

I'm very excited to see that I've spurned you on to share more of your wisdom!

Mar 31, 2015 11:26 AM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Hi Janis Borgueta . I am glad that Kathy Streib featured this. I know that you used the google + on me at our AR meetup.

Did you tube inserted the background music automatically or you added it yourself? I wish I have Android. Do you think I-phone can do the same thing?

Too many questions for you ha? Well, too bad.. I am not tech savvy like you. :)

Mar 31, 2015 09:41 PM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Yes Maria Gilda Racelis the program added the music, but youtube also has music when you create any video. Iphone is not an android... sorry. Facebook friends are also out of luck for many of the features. I will need to give a class I think?? 

Mar 31, 2015 09:45 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

I think you should Janis Borgueta . I really like the autoawesomeness of this google plus. I bookmarked this blog and if you remember, I told you that I tried it before but it did not work. Then I forgot to try it again.

Mar 31, 2015 09:52 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Hi Janis - Didn't know about the Pano and Collage features. Will have to give them a look. Some of the motion pics that Google creates when I photograph my dog Shadow are pretty funny ... really gives him some character!

May 12, 2015 02:49 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I love how you do this Janis that I am reblogging it for others to see how you do your magic. 

Jan 13, 2016 06:20 AM
Janis Borgueta

Thanks Debbie Reynolds I haven't done as many as I used to. They are fun though.

Jan 13, 2016 11:30 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Janis Borgueta 

Seems to me you wrote about this before but I totally forgot after reading. So very cool and glad to see again...and consider checking out for real this time

And thanks to Debbie Reynolds for bringing it to our attention again.

Jeff

Jan 13, 2016 12:27 PM
Janis Borgueta

I use some of these awesome features more than others. It is a great option to make the blogs look great. Not hard either.

Jan 13, 2016 08:06 PM