Video Marketing for Real Estate Agents in 2018

Video is here. You know it, I know it, and your mom knows it.

So why are you not making videos for your business?

The biggest obstacle for most agents not making videos yet, is just getting started.

It can quickly become pretty overwhelming for most normal people, but you are not a normal person. You’re a REALTOR®!

Normal people get 9 to 5 jobs and don’t work on the weekends. Most normal people couldn’t handle a career in real estate, but you can and are doing it everyday.

Start watching more videos, Step 1

Your first step into video will be simple, let’s call it a baby step, where you’ll watch some marketing videos of other real estate agents and businesses.

Use these videos to draw inspiration from and to get ideas for creating your first messages using video.

In this article I’ve assembled a collection of videos that I make all of my clients watch first before we shoot thier very one. Enjoy.

I love this first video. It was released in December of 2016 and went viral really fast and when you watch it you’ll know why. It was created by a German film student, Eugen Merher.

Without any words being spoken this videos demonstrates just how powerful a video can be at communicating a message.

Did you cry? Tell the truth.

This video uses a technique called “Storytelling”. The the most effective method of communication we have has humans.

From the caveman days all the way to the rise of the Hipster human beings have been using storytelling to communicate information to one another. Our brains are actually programmed for it.

Nobody can explain and teach how to use storytelling as a marketing tool better than Seth Godin.

Here’s a great article on storytelling by Seth: CLICK HERE to read it.

Next, watch this video of Seth Godin talking about marketing, storytelling, and attention.

Now, lets take your education into marketing a little deeper with some more Seth Godin and his TED Talk from 2007. Once you understand this you’ll have a foundation in marketing to start creating your first messages.

If you want your video marketing to actually work and bring in leads and grow your business, you must first understand, believe, and practice modern marketing and sales.

What is most beautiful is that it’s not technical, it’s actually old school.

It’s the stuff that Zig Ziglar taught.

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want, Zig Ziglar…

Getting started with video and building Authority, Step 2

I started making videos back in 2009 when I was still a practicing real estate agent. Back then we created a very simple series of videos that we used to help educate homeowners about the foreclosure process. We were focused on doing short sales at the time and these educational videos not only helped homeowners facing foreclosure but they gave us something absolutely incredible for helping us grow our business at the time, which was, the videos helped us establish Authority.

If done correctly video will help you build an interesting-fun-&-useful brand, and you’ll be looked at as the expert in your market.

These are all elements of what it means to be the Authority. Learning how to become the Authority in your space will be invaluable to you and your business has you establish it online.

Nobody explains and teaches what Authority is better than Copyblogger and I highly suggest you read what they have to say about building Authority. Check out this article to read more about it. CLICK HERE for the Copyblogger article on building Authority.

How to use your smartphone as a professional video camera, Step 3

You have everything you need to get started right in your pocket or purse.

Your smartphone (iPhone or Galaxy) is a powerful little tool and the video capabilities they have today are absolutely incredible.

In fact, the video quality these devices can produce today are better than the cameras I used back in 2009 when I started making my first videos.

Even though I have some awesome DSLR cameras which produce stunning 4K footage I still shoot a lot of video with my iPhone 7 Plus. I use my iPhone for producing both b-roll footage and primary footage for my show, The Margaritas and Real Estate Marketing Podcast.

If you watch the show you’ll see just how powerful an iPhone can be as a professional video camera.

CLICK HERE to watch the latest episodes of the show.

1. A Smart Phone: Both the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy have incredible video capabilities. I love Apple products and use the iPhone. In my show I’ve used both the iPhone 6 Plus and 7 Plus.

2. A Camera Rig: A camera rig is a really helpful tool which serves a few different purposes. First, when recording video without a tripod it helps you hold your smartphone for shooting helping keep your footage stable. Rigs also make it easy for you to connect your smartphone to a tripod and make it easy to add a shotgun microphone or wide angle lens to it.

I currently use a camera rig from a company called BeastGrip and have used other rigs from iOgrapher. They are both great little companies that make gear for turning your smartphone into a video camera.

You can click the link to go directly to thier websites: iOgrapher and Beastgrip.

3. Microphones: Audio quality is just as important as video quality. Even though the built in microphone on your smartphone is not that bad it does have limitations. When you can use a microphone you should. I currently use two different mics from an Australian company called RODE. I use the both the RODE SmartLav+ and VideoMicro. Both are designed to work with smartphones.

Go to thier website to find out more about smartphone microphones here www.Rode.com.

4. Video Apps: I like to keep things simple and use the Apple Camera App that my phone comes with. There are a ton of awesome Video Camera Apps out there but what comes with your phone is good enough.

5. Tripod: Having a tripod is an essential tool if you’re going to make video. You can buy a cheap tripod for 50 bucks at Best Buy or on Amazon. I use a professional one from Manfrotto.

This is all of the equipment you need to get started. It will cost you under $300 bucks to turn your smartphone into a professional video camera.

Here are a few episodes of my show where you can see what an iPhone can do.

Live from NAR 2017, Part 1

This video was shot completely using an iPhone 7 Plus.

Interview with Zvi Band of Contactually

This video was shot completely using an iPhone 7 Plus.

Interview with Jorge Guerra from RESF

This video was shot completely using an iPhone 6 Plus.

Interview with Frank Montro from Keller Williams Preferred

This video was shot completely using an iPhone 6 Plus.

Using a DSLR camera for making your marketing videos, Step 4

Starting to create videos first using your smartphone gets you focused on the most important element in video marketing, which is, Creating and Delivering your Message.

Your message will always be more important than whatever video camera you’re using.

However, improving your video and audio quality is important over the long term as video becomes a central part of your marketing.

The next level up of video equipment are DSLR cameras.

DSLR cameras have come a long way. Today, they can produce stunning HD and 4K video quality at an affordable price.

In this next video you’ll see what my Panasonic GH5 with a Leica 8mm lens can do.

The Panasonic GH5 with a Leica 8mm lens will run about $3000 for the gear. The high level quality of video that this camera can produce makes this one of the best cameras to use for creating a virtual tour in 2018.

However, high video quality can still be achieved even with most entry level DSLR cameras. I have always preferred Canon DSLR’s for video and Sony is another popular brand for creating videos with.

Below is a video I shot using a Canon T5i with a Canon 10-22mm lens. This camera is considered an entry level Canon DSLR camera. The total cost for this gear is about $1000.

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Here is my current equipment and gear list for filming agent marketing videos and virtual tours in 2018.

1. Panasonic GH5: This is my primary DSLR camera. ($2,000 for the body only)
2. Panasonic Leica 8-18mm Lens: This a wide angle lens. ($1,097 for the lens only)
3. RODE Wireless Microphones, Filmaker Kit: These are the wireless microphones I currently use. ($400 each unit)
4. Panasonic XLR Microphone Adapter: This makes it easy to connect my wireless microphones to my GH5. ($397)
5. Manfrotto 755XB Aluminum Video Tripod: This a very durable tripod that I use for video and photography work. ($299)

With this gear I’m able to create some really high quality video.

In this video from the NAR Expo 2017 I’m using both my iPhone 7 Plus and my Panasonic GH5.

Real Estate Agents who are making awesome videos online, Step 5

The agents featured below are doing some incredible work in using video for thier real estate businesses. Use these videos to get inspired from and to help you create your own ideas.

Jessica Riffle Edwards

In this first video is Jessica Riffle Edwards from North Carolina. She’s been one of the most consistent agents out there in producing video content for her business.

Most of her videos are simple and actually filmed from the driver’s seat of her car. Her videos are straight to the point full of great information for her clients and prospects.

You can check out her YouTube Page by CLICKING HERE.

Nashua Video Tours | Real Estate Video & Photography

In this next video you’ll find a funny twist on the “Life of a Real Estate Agent”. You’ll laugh watching this one…

Marguerite Giguere, www.MoveToTacoma.com

I really like what Marguerite Giguere, The Skydiving Real Estate Agent, is doing with video and podcasting. In this first video you’ll see her Intro/Testimonial video. It’s awesome, authentic, and REAL.

And WOW, I hope you like this one from Marguerite as much as I did. This is a great example of showing off your local area. Again it’s awesome, authentic, and REAL.

Realtor.com Presents the Home-Buying Process in Plain English with Elizabeth Banks

I really enjoyed this series of videos that Realtor.com made with Elizabeth Banks. They are funny, creative, and informative. Which I like to call “info-tainment”.

Amy Youngren, Urban Lifestyles Group

This is an awesome virtual tour video that features the listing agent, Amy Youngren. She is also the Founder of Urban Lifestyles Group, a very cool brokerage Toronto. She is confident, cool, and has and gives off an awesome vibe in her videos.

The Modern Family REALTOR®, Phil Dunphy

And the most famous REALTOR® on television today, Phil Dunphy. Modern Family has done a great job at infusing humor into role that Phil Dunphy plays on the show. Mixing real estate and comedy works.

Re/Max Ultimate Realty, Toronto – Canada

Here’s a great example of telling a story with a real estate video from Re/Max Ultimate Realty Inc. It’s very creatively done. Storytelling is always a much more effective way to communicate.

Peter Lorimer, PLG Estates

PLG Estates, is a very cool, hip, trendy, kind of rebellious boutique brokerage in Beverly Hills brokerage with Peter Lorimer at the helm.

He’s a true entrepreneur and great real estate agent who is creative and not afraid to put himself on camera and share everything he knows about real estate and live.

He has double-downed on video and probably one of the most progressive agents out there doing video in the real estate industry today. Here are some videos from his vlog…

Here’s Peter’s video from our mega real estate marketing conference with the WCR.

Jason Cassity, I Sell The City Real Estate

I really like what Jason Cassity out of San Diego is doing with his “A Day in Real Estate” and “Ask a Realtor” series…

It all has a very “Gary Vaynerchuk feel. It’s real, it’s authentic, and it’s very awesome.

Here’s a video from Jason’s Ask a Realtor series, Episode No 1.

Next, here’s Episode No 10 from Jason.

Here’s a video from Jason’s A Day in Real Estate series.

Joshua Inglis, United Real Estate Chicago

Joshua has a pretty incredible story. He started his real estate career as an investor where he bought and rehabbed in the Chicagoland area. When inventory started drying up Joshua decided to switch gears and start selling real estate as a full time agent.

Josh’s transition has been pretty incredible to watch from the sidelines and is textbook for any agent that is looking to break into this business successfully.

In this video Josh created a branding video with a story using humor.

Here’s one of Josh’s community videos for a local business owner.

Just Get Started…

Video is an incredible tool to use for building awareness and relationships online. It really works and it’s never been more easier than it is today to start creating them.

So just get started, because you already have everything you need.

The only thing stopping you is yourself.