5 Reasons Real Estate Agents Need to Use More Video

 

Seconds count. In the online space, grabbing the attention of buyers and sellers may be more challenging than ever before. Effective agents know that they need to do something to maximize views of their listings. So how do you get more views in a media-saturated space?

The answer may surprise you: video.

A recent study reports that “video traffic will be 82 percent of all consumer Internet traffic by 2020.” If you’re not utilizing video in your real estate marketing strategy, you may be missing out on one of the best ways of reaching potential home buyers.

If you want to increase your reach for the near term and the future, it’s time to adjust your marketing strategy to include video. Here are some reasons why:

 

Reason #1: Home buyers expect video

 

Many home buyers are thoroughly invested in their digital lives, and agents should be well versed in the production and distribution of video content to meet them where they are.

The good news is that you don’t have to be a professional videographer to create effective marketing videos. A great place to start is to create visual tours with embedded video segments. These tours can include photos and video scenes that highlight property features and allow potential buyers to better engage with the property.

 

TIP: Do you already have visual tours up and running? Take the next step and upload them to YouTube to increase your market reach.

 

Reason #2: Video sets you apart from the pack

 

Most agents aren’t using video to promote themselves, so video is a great way to set yourself apart. If you’re already using visual tours to showcase your listings, consider adding some video content to these tours, or generate new tours that give more attention to video content.

In addition to marketing your listings, consider these additional video ideas to promote your brand and listings:

1. Neighborhood tours
2. Community event recaps
3. Buyer tours
4. Testimonials
5. Drone footage
6. Home walkthroughs
7. Discussions of key home or property features
   

 

Reason #3: Video lends itself well to marketing homes

 

What would our family do with that living room? How would my son like that bedroom?

 

Homes are personal spaces. They’re places where stories and memories are made. Using video is an excellent way to invite potential buyers into the home’s story.

Video tours allow buyers to feel more personally connected to the information you’re providing. Give buyers the opportunity to imagine themselves in the space by including videos that draw them in. There’s a big difference between watching something as an outsider and experiencing something from the inside.  

 

Reason #4: Surprise! People are different

 

Some homebuyers like reading, some don’t. Others enjoy pictures while some prefer video content. We’re all different, so it only makes sense for you to include a variety of methods in your marketing plan that address these differences in potential buyers. Adding video to your strategy may just land you some new leads or even help to facilitate a showing for a previously hard-to-sell property.

 

Reason #5: Video is shareable

 

People love viewing and sharing video.

According to Fast Company, in 2014:

“Facebook more than doubled its daily video views to 8 billion, reportedly overtaking YouTube. Twitter launched native video of its own in 2015, while Snapchat now reports 6 billion daily video views in its own right. In total, adult users now consume a total of 66 minutes of online video each and every day.”

By its very nature, social media generates buzz. Don’t neglect social media in your marketing strategy; take advantage of these outlets to brand yourself and promote your listings with video.

Want even more video marketing ideas? Check out the recent blog, “15 Essential Marketing Videos Every Real Estate Agent Should Create.”

 

Not sure how to get started with video? Paradym can help. Click here to learn more about how you can create custom media presentations with Paradym.