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How to Use Live Streaming in Real Estate

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with www.PrinterBees.com BRE# 01392374

As a Realtor® in today’s market, it’s extremely important to not only establish an online presence but also maintain that presence across multiple social media platforms.

And as you most likely know, some of the most common of those platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, just to name a few.

But…what if you want to take things a step further and really give your marketing a boost?

Enter live streaming for real estate – your new secret weapon when it comes to marketing your real estate business.

What is Live Streaming?

You’ve probably seen it around, but just in case you haven’t, live streaming is simply a video that is streamed in real time to those watching. It’s a great way to communicate and connect with your audience and clients in an informal way, keeping them in the loop with immediate updates and news.

And you don’t need a fancy video recording setup to make live streaming work for your business. There are plenty of apps and options available, making live streaming incredibly simple, including:

All of these tools are relatively similar, and all can be used to help get your marketing message across to your audience.

How Live Streaming for Real Estate Works

So…how should you use live streaming for real estate? As with any form of social media interaction, the possibilities really are endless. But just to give you a better idea, here are a few ways that you can start using live streaming in your real estate business today…

  1. Use Live Streaming for Walking Tours of Your Listings

Have a new listing on the market? Don’t stop with photos and a detailed description – expand to a virtual walk-through tour of the home via live streaming.

This will not only give potential buyers a better idea of the look and feel of the home, but they’ll also be able to better picture themselves living in the space, without even having to set foot inside the property.

And it really couldn’t be easier. All you have to do it walk through the property with your smartphone, pointing out the various features, and live stream the footage to via your live streaming app. Potential buyers can follow along and ask you questions later if there’s anything they’d like more information about.

  1. Go ‘Behind the Scenes’ with Live Streaming

We’ve talked about using social media – Instagram especially – to promote behind the scenes images of your business, so why not extend this to real time footage?

Give your clients and potentials an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes of your business by live streaming from your office. Show them how you’re working for them, and point out the things that make your business unique.

Not only is this interesting content, but it also helps to build trust with your clients – they’ll feel more confident about working with you and recommending you to others if they can actually see what goes on behind the scenes of your business.

  1. Talk Shop about the Real Estate Business Live with Your Audience

One of the best ways to earn the trust (and business) of your clients and potentials is to share valuable information with them for free. Often, this is done by way of an informative blog post, detailing the ins and outs of something in the real estate industry.

However, sharing information with your audience can also be done via live stream. For example, you could host a weekly live stream where you discuss a specific real estate topic such as home buying tips, advice for staging homes for sale, photography tips, etc.

Whatever you feel could be valuable information to your audience is what you should be talking about and sharing with them via live stream.

And this is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many different ways in which you can use live streaming for real estate. Get started today and see where it takes you!

As you use online marketing, you need solid print marketing to back it up. Make sure your business cards, postcards, and fliers are updated and on point! 

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Very interesting. There are so many ways to connect, I hadn't thought of this. Thanks for sharing your ideas. 

Aug 26, 2016 05:26 AM
Nadine Larder

My pleasure, anything we can do to serve the real estate community...thanks so much for the note! :-)

Sep 03, 2016 04:52 AM
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Nadine - this would certainly go beyond the typical virtual tour with boring music.

Aug 26, 2016 06:24 AM
Nadine Larder

That made me laugh "typical virtual tour with boring music"...yes... it is above and beyond the virtual tour and gives people a chance to get to know YOU.  People do business with people they know and like. ;-) 

Sep 03, 2016 04:52 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Good ideas! 

We've live streamed home tours a few times and the sellers love it. Wayne also live streamed a coffee break and invited anyone watching to come down for a cup of coffee on him.

Aug 26, 2016 07:09 AM
Nadine Larder

I love it!!!  I hope he had lots of visitors.  Sounds like fun.

Sep 03, 2016 04:53 AM
Mike Bjork
Evolve Bank & Trust - Redondo Beach, CA

Just like Video Marketing, Live Streaming is a great Platform to reach a larger audience.  Another idea that comes to mind is having a weekly Q&A via your Facebook business page.  Many people are always leaving questions in different forums.  Also, use it to show yourself around the different events in your area (like a carnival, farmer's market, arts show, etc...).  Promoting small local businesses can be another great piece, as you're giving something of value to the business and potential customers.

Aug 26, 2016 10:59 AM
Nadine Larder

These are awesome suggestions!  I agree that you're also providing value to the community and I don't think any of us can do enough of that to promote our brands. 

Sep 03, 2016 04:55 AM
Melissa Spittel
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Westminster, MD
"Achieving Results Together "

I have an upcoming listing. Think I will try live-streaming! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Aug 26, 2016 12:09 PM
Nadine Larder

I hope you'll let us know how it goes!  I love it!


 

Sep 03, 2016 04:55 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Nadine Larder - in fact, technology has brought us so close!

These live streaming - specially on Facebook - can really help our business.

Great post - and bookmarked.

Aug 26, 2016 04:10 PM
Nadine Larder

Yes!  It gives people a chance to get to know you a bit better and people do business with people they know and like.  Thanks!

Sep 03, 2016 04:56 AM
Jon Quist
REALTY EXECUTIVES ARIZONA TERRITORY - Tucson, AZ
Tucson's BUYERS ONLY Realtor since 1996

Great post. I can honestly say I learn at least one new thing on AR daily. Thanks.

Aug 26, 2016 04:12 PM
Nadine Larder

Amen!  It's an amazing platform that we are honored to be able to participate in.  Love Active Rain!!! :-)

Sep 03, 2016 04:57 AM
Cari Patterson
VANCE ELLIOTT REALTY - Austin, TX
Real Estate Broker Austin Tx San Marcos Kyle Buda

Thanks for this article! I plan to do these this week for my listings!!

Aug 26, 2016 08:22 PM
Nadine Larder

Sooo.... how did it go???  I hope it was a huge success that leads to more live streaming.  Would love to hear back on how it went for you.  Wishing you great success.  :-)


 

Sep 03, 2016 04:57 AM
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Thanks for sharing - I've not worked into live streaming and not sure it's right for me but good information for those interested.

Aug 26, 2016 11:28 PM
Nadine Larder

You're welcome and let us know if there's anything we can do to support you.  It's a great way for people to get to know you.  :-)

Sep 03, 2016 04:58 AM
Woody Edwards
First Choice Realty, Inc - Chesterfield, VA
A Realtor® Who Answers His Phone!

I had not thought of using live streaming before.  Thanks for the blog & peaking my interest in the subject!

Aug 26, 2016 11:44 PM
Nadine Larder

Let us know if you give it a try... we'd love to know how it went for you. Wishing you great success!

Sep 03, 2016 04:59 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

It is a very useful tool in real estate nowadays.

Aug 26, 2016 11:49 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

On a recent high end listing, one of the potential buyers used live streaming to show & comment the home room by room to another buyer who was out of state. Amazing as they were deciding what goes where & the language I overheard said to me they are going to buy this home. They wasted no time doing so.....good post

Aug 26, 2016 11:50 PM
Nadine Larder

Wow!!!  Now that's a true success story.  Thanks for sharing!  Live streaming is awesome.  I do it on my Facebook wall and get great feedback when I do.  I plan to livestream on the PrinterBees Facebook page too!  :-)

Sep 03, 2016 05:00 AM
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

Great information I had no clue there were so many options available. 

Aug 27, 2016 12:01 AM
Nadine Larder

Anything we can to support the success of the real estate community.  :-)  Thanks for the note. 

Sep 03, 2016 05:00 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

This is really good information. I use video regularly but have not done any live-streaming when it comes to my business or listings. This post, and the conversation, has generated from really good ideas.

Jeff

Aug 27, 2016 12:36 AM
Nadine Larder

Thanks Jeff, let us know how it works out for you.  Always love a good success story to share with other agents.  :-)

Sep 03, 2016 05:01 AM
Jessie Cochran
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Panama City Realty Group

So many options - agents have to select what works best for them rather than get tied up in all the different technologies that exist.

Thanks for sharing

Aug 27, 2016 12:59 AM
Nadine Larder

Amen!  Do what feels best for you... and what works best for you.  Every market is different, but I think livestreaming would be helpful no matter what market you're in.  Anything to further market yourself and the properties you have listed. :-)  Thanks for the note Jessie!

Sep 03, 2016 05:03 AM
Jerel Richardson
HomeSmart Realty Group - Portland, OR

I heart the "Google Behind The Scenes" idea. Thanks!

Aug 27, 2016 06:49 AM
Nadine Larder

Thanks Jerel!  I heart it right back. <3 <3 <3

Sep 03, 2016 05:04 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

This live streaming is over my head. Does that mean you have to host the "live stream" somewhere? Does someone just happen on it? Is it like a post in facebook and when they scroll down it appears and you are walking around one of your listings? I don't think I understand the concept.  Is it out there forever like a video?

Aug 27, 2016 01:39 PM
Nadine Larder

Hi Evelyn, it's much like a regular post on Facebook, but it's a live video instead of a photo or uploaded video.  You've likely seen them on your feed.  The post does stick around unless you delete it and "yes," it's a post of you showing off your listing.   People can comment and talk to you via the chat while you're showing the listing and the chat comments stick around.  It gives people the opportunity to ask questions, make requests of what they'd like to see and it can be very interactive.  I do it on my personal Facebook wall and have had great feedback.  Feel free to visit me there to see my broadcasts and how they appear on Facebook.  I have also broadcasted on the PrinterBees Facebook wall and plan to do more there as well.   Hope to see you there.


Once you record the live event, you can delete it if you're not happy with it.  I think it's great because it really gives people the opportunity to get to know you.   Let me know if you have any other questions.  Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I was on vacation. :-)

Sep 03, 2016 05:10 AM
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

I have bookmarked this blog Nadine Larder   & Will definitely return.  Today I worked behind  the camera (cell phone) for a friend that's learning how to use streaming video on Face Book.  Had a blast!  Will take a closer look at the other apps & sites you suggested. 

Aug 27, 2016 03:03 PM
Nadine Larder

That's awesome Melissa!  Let us know if there's anything we can do to support you!  Wishing you great success with livestreaming.  :-)

Sep 03, 2016 05:11 AM
Monte Wall
Keller Williams Premier Realty - Katy, TX
Keller Williams Premier Realty - Katy, Texas

We used Facebook live streaming for our booth for Dachshund Rescue of Houston at the World Series of Dog Shows this past July.  It was super easy and lots of fun.  I love the idea of "Behind The Scenes" to show how much work is actually done by agents.  Great ideas Nadine.

Aug 28, 2016 12:36 AM
Nadine Larder

I love that too Monte!  People don't realize how much work goes in to marketing and selling a listing.  There's certainly a ton of behind the scenes stuff going on that would likely surprise people. 

Sep 03, 2016 05:12 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Wow!!! Great blog!!!

 There are so many different ways in which you can use live streaming for real estate. 

Aug 28, 2016 03:29 AM