Implementing videos into your real estate marketing can connect with buyers, before a showing and during the decision process. Videos can bring a property to life and help potential buyers understand how the space is laid out and how various rooms connect, as well as let them see the details and characteristics that photos may otherwise miss. Videos also give you a chance to talk about the space, providing commentary and introductions, as you can with an in-person tour.
Furthermore, videos can be used throughout your real estate firm marketing. Aside from showing off your listings, you can also introduce your team, educate clients or potential buyers about current opportunities, and more.
Why Should You Consider Video Marketing In Real Estate?
In many ways, real estate is a relationship business. Clients often come through word of mouth referrals and as realtors work with clients, they get to know them on a personal level. That’s why video is a natural choice for real estate marketing. It gives you a chance to break the ice a bit and build rapport, even before you work together. Then as you showcase your listings, you’re able to highlight what makes these spaces special. Often, buyers need to envision how they would live in or use a place. Video lets you display that to a broad audience, who are still searching online, and haven’t stepped into the property yet.
According to a joint study from Google and The National Association of Realtors®, buyers are increasingly searching YouTube to find an agent and to find properties for sale. This makes videos on YouTube a prime place to advertise your real estate firm, your team and realtors, and your listings.
Types of Videos to Use in Real Estate
Where do you start with creating videos for real estate? There are so many different types of videos you can use, but you’ll want to keep your goals in mind. What does your firm need today to grow? Is it about connecting with more buyers? Or building rapport in the area? Or ensuring that buyers have the information they need to make good decisions? These questions will inform which types of videos you create first.
Team Introductions
Introductory videos can serve as a virtual business card. You can share more about yourself and the types of listings you work with, to help potential clients learn if you’re a good fit. Think of it like a preview before a first call or meeting.
Testimonials
Interviews with happy clients can highlight the strengths of your firm, and you as a realtor, in an authentic, personable way. These are a type of digital referral.
Educational
Here is where you can help first-time buyers get a handle on the buying process or help real estate investors understand the opportunities currently available to them. You can interview other professionals such as mortgage lenders to position yourself as the go-to for a gamut of information.
Tour Videos For Real Estate
You don’t have to plan a lot for this one. You’ve already written the listing, highlighted the perks, and so on. You know what needs to be said about a property. Now get out the camera and show it off to buyers.
- Traditional Tour: This is as simple as turning on the camera and walking around the space, being sure to point out any special features, while not interfering with private spaces in a home.
- Virtual Tour: While not technically a video, these interactive options allow buyers to “walk through” the space from their mobile device or computer. Zillow has an app that allows you to upload such a tour to a listing there, but for use across multiple platforms, you may want to hire a professional to splice this type of tour for you.
- Live Walkthroughs: With a rise in social distancing, these have become more popular. Using a live video option, such as Facebook live or YouTube live, you can walk through a space, as viewers watch and ask you questions about specific features.
- Neighborhood Tour: Location, location, location, right? Don’t forget to show off the neighborhood of a property, especially if it boasts unique opportunities such as walking or biking trails, restaurants and shopping, parks, or other community elements.
Examples of Real Estate Videos
Realtor Team Video Example
This is your chance to share some personal details about your team, hobbies or interests, so buyers start to feel like they know your team. You can also talk about the neighborhoods and communities you serve and why you enjoy this career. In this way, you can connect with your target audience.
Home Buyer Testimonial Video Example
When you do develop a strong, personal relationship with a client, that’s ideal for a video interview. It doesn’t have to be flashy, although professional editing goes a long way. But as far as the interview, just ask them, “What made this experience different?” and “Why should someone work with us?”
Home Tour Video Example
Use this opportunity to point out the truly special parts of the property and who it might best suit.
Where to Post Real Estate Videos
Once you’ve created your realtor videos, make sure to place them in the right places online to gain maximum exposure and to get them in front of the right buyers.
Start with YouTube. This will give you a home base for the video, so you can directly send the link to buyers or realtors, who may be interested. For educational and introductory videos, you may want to send in an email newsletter or in an email to new clients.
When you post on YouTube, and other places, make sure to use relevant keywords in your title and description, such as the neighborhood name, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, and so on.
You can also use that link to share your videos on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more.
Don’t forget to put your property tour videos on the listing pages. Some listing websites, such as Zillow, may have a place for you to upload the video directly. Others may require you to reference the YouTube link.
Taking Video in Real Estate to the Next Level
Now that you’ve experimented with video, it’s time to take your marketing to the next level. Make video tours part of your sales package, by including them as part of the listing process. Hiring a professional on an ongoing basis can make that process easier.
When looking for professionals, remember that a voice over talent can bring a consistency and professionalism that your videos require. Writing a script and overlaying their read on the walkthrough video will keep your tours sounding similar, reflecting your welcoming brand, and can ensure that the audio quality is crisp and understandable. You can also find a voice over talent whose voice reflects your own target market, making your videos more relatable.
Yes, you can try to do it yourself, but when you’re busy trying to connect buyers with the right properties, you may not have time for multiple takes. When you’re a busy, successful real estate agent, anything you can take off your plate and hand off to someone else is always a plus. A voice over talent can do that work for you, providing a clean audio file, that will inspire confidence and excitement in your buyers.
Want to learn more about working with a voice over talent? Connect with me anytime.