Foolproof Basic D.I.Y Video for Real Estate

A D.I.Y video is a great way to create valuable engaging content cheaply and easily, all you need is an iPhone and a tripod. Another key reason for creating video is that nearly all social networks give it preferential treatment, meaning you reach more of your audience more often.

We’ve put this guide together to help you get off to a flying start and have you producing your first video almost immediately.

Examples

Here are a few examples of what can be achieved with little or no expertise, this is exactly what you’ll be able to create yourself.

Ok peeps, the results are in for June! Check out the full St. George & Sutherland Shire Auction Market Wrap by clicking the link in my bio. #auctionupdate #auctionresults #marketwrap #residential #commercial #onlyauctiononlycooley

A post shared by Andrew Cooley (@cooley_andrew) on Jul 5, 2017 at 4:12pm PDT

Film School

Now that you’ve seen what others are doing you can see how easy it is.

The two videos below will help you gain an understanding of some key video concepts and how to use composition to create great videos.

Terminology

Video 101: Shooting Basics from Vimeo Video School on Vimeo.

Composition

Rule of thirds from Mike Browne on Vimeo.

Planning Your Video

Keep it simple - prepare the area you're filming, remove obstacles and objects that detract from the property. Use your last open of the day as your location if possible and shoot in the room with the most to offer.

1. Always put your iPhone or camera on a tripod - this essential for good results and allows you to record solo
2. Plan your composition, this is the difference between a good and bad video
3. If you're moving around always move the camera slowly

4. Always stay close to camera unless using a microphone

5. Place a white board at the base of tripod facing you with a bullet point list of the points you'll cover
   • New listings
   • Recent sales
   • Parties through
   • Bidders at auction
   • Offers received
6. When it's time to record don't rush, start recording and then count in your start 1,2,3 go on three - It’s OK to let the video record for a bit before you start, you can easily trim the beginning later on your phone.
7. Don't be worried about doing more than one take if things get off track.

Creating a Weekly Market Wrap Video

A weekly market wrap is an easy video to create and it should be a simple exercise for most agents as you're likely already running through the script multiple times a week. Having said that you’ll want to practice this routine a few times until your conformable.

Where should I shoot my video? Anywhere, it could be on location at your last open for the week or from a meeting room.

The Process

Introduce the property you're filming from, or the first one on your list if filming from your office. Go into a little more detail with the first property.

Points to cover

1. Location
2. Features
3. Buyer interest
4. You know what to do...

Talk briefly about each point on your list, keep it short for all items except the first one, stick to the facts.

Once you have completed the list sign off with something like

• Looking forward to seeing you at our opens
• If you have any questions about properties in this video message me or leave a comment

Pro Tip

You can sit or stand during your video but don't alternate. Mix it up from week to week, one week stand and the next week sit.

That's it, basic right. Once you've created a few videos you’ll start to see many other opportunities for video as part of your social presence. All the point in this guide can be easily adapted to many different scenarios.

16 Stats That Prove Social Media Isn't a Passing Fad

1. 92% of marketers agreed that social media is important for their business, up from 86% in 2013.
2. 92% of all marketers indicated that their social media efforts have generated more exposure for their businesses.
3. 80% of marketers indicated that their social media efforts increased traffic.
4. 72% of marketers are using social media to develop loyal fans.
5. 71% of marketers are using social media to gain marketplace intelligence.
6. More than half of marketers who have been using social media for at least three years report it has helped them improve sales.
7. 74% of marketers who spend 40+ hours using social media per week earn new business through their efforts.
8. 95% of marketers who use social media at least 6 hours per week indicated their social media efforts increased exposure for their businesses.
9. More than half of marketers who have invested at least 1 year in social media marketing report that new partnerships were gained.
10. By spending as little as 6 hours per week, over 66% of marketers see lead generation benefits with social media. 
11. Nearly half of those who spend at least six hours per week on social media efforts saw a benefit of reduced marketing expenses.
12. More than 58% of marketers who have been using social media for one year or longer improved search engine rankings.
13. More than half of marketers with at least one year of social media experience were generating leads with social platforms. 
14. Over 84% of participants found that increased traffic occurred with as little as 6 hours per week invested in social media marketing.
15. Of those with at least 1 year of experience using social media, 69% or more found social platforms provided marketplace insight.
16. Of those who have been using social media for at least 1 year, 69% found it useful for building a loyal fan base.

 

You need to start blogging, but about what?

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not blogging. Blogging is one of the purest forms of social media, but it is currently neglected by so many agents. The biggest issues that agents face when it comes to blogging, is 'what to write about?' Here are some sure fired ways to get you blogging and sharing your opinions.

Start with what you know.

You should be blogging about things that you know well, really well. Start by working general and then become super specific. The best way to look at that is to start with the suburbs you service, and then drill down to the streets that you sell homes in. You may think that people don't really want to know about the streets that you have listings in, but you are wrong. People value hyper-local data more than you can imagine, especially when you can provide insights that no-one else has. Commence blogging about these locations to build your brand up.

Expand to what people, somewhat know.

You know that new cafe that opened up recently that people have heard about but maybe have not been? Blog about it! People value hyper local information, especially from trusted sources. If you can generate your content around topics that are trending, you already know there is a large audience that is keen to hear what you have to say. You should be writing reviews on new amenities that come to your area, such as new cafes, new gyms and other destinations, as these are what people want to know about, but lack a centralised hub of content.

Push further in to providing advice.

Once you have begun generally, you need to start adding value. You should be writing about topics that provides advice for people who are looking at investing in property. Your blog content should ALWAYS be about your target market. There is no point writing blogs about buying your first home, if you are entrenched in an established market where people are spending four or five million dollars per home. You just won't be speaking their language. Find your niche and write content around it.

If you are selling home to people in an established market, ideas such as, 'How to use your superannuation to invest in property' or case studies from established property investors and the key points they look for in making any investment, are good ideas, as they will generate a captive audience and demonstrate you understand their market. 

So, that's great, but now what?

The biggest issues that people have when blogging is finding what to write about, therefore we have put together 10 topics that you as agents, can use to start writing blogs. These are just guides, but they are in incredibly valuable topics that people desperately want to know about.

• Why (the suburb you service) is set to boom.
• The 10 best cafes in (the suburb you service)
• Which streets have the best amenities in (your suburb)
• What the next 12 months holds for your suburb.
• The best bargains in your suburb.
• The core factors that make your suburb appealing.
• The best hidden treasures no-one knows (in your suburb)
• What the trend for developments are in your suburb.
• The things your suburb has (that no other one does)
• Draw cards and appealing events your suburb puts on.

Commence with writing content around this. It is a good way to build your brand, and the best part is, you can't go wrong. You will underestimate how much you actually know about your suburb, and the value you can provide to locals.