RISMEDIA, May 10, 2011—They say the only constant in life is change. And when it comes to real estate marketing, those changes are coming fast and furious. A few years ago, few people had even heard of blogging, Facebook, or Twitter. And one of the biggest changes of all—online video—had yet to come of age because of fledgling technology. All that has changed, with video now comprising over half of all Internet activity.
What does mean? It means that public expectations are changing, and changing rapidly. No one wants old technology. And even worse—those who use old technology will soon discover their marketing is actually having a reverse effect. It’s branding them as outdated, and increasingly out of touch.
That doesn’t mean that brokers and agents need to scrap their marketing plans and start all over from scratch. A much better approach is to see where video might compliment what they are already doing. Perhaps virtual tours need to be replaced with video tours. Perhaps an agent biography needs to be replaced with a video profile. And instead of having clients read about how attractive a community is, implementing a video tour can show them first-hand. And don’t forget those testimonials; a video revealing a person’s facial expressions, tone of voice and body language carries far more enthusiasm and impact than a written page ever will. And last but not least, examine where and how video can be used effectively in social media.
So where do you begin? Start by taking inventory of where video can empower your current marketing, and how that might be accomplished. Ask yourself if you’re equipped to shoot your own video in house, or if using a professional firm might be a better idea. Take stock of how you’re using social media, and if you have the time and expertise to capitalize on this rapidly growing phenomenon. And finally, develop a short range plan and budget that will get you started in areas you identify as critical.
The good news is you don’t have to be an expert and you don’t have to spend a fortune. Here at VScreen, we would be happy to discuss your plans and ideas with you, and offer free advice on what options you might want to consider. Thanks for watching!
For more information visit www.vscreen.com.
