Video, some love it, most hate it. Why? They don't like the way they look on camera, or hate their voice, or some other really bad excuse. But, with 3 billion views daily on YouTube, video is something that your business can no longer ignore. There are simple ways to incorporate video into just about any business that is out there.
As we all know, many people consume things better when they can either hear or see it instead of just reading. Hence why you always should try to include images to keep the consumers interest in your blog posts. However, when you embed a video into the blog post you increase this exponentially.
As I was scanning YouTube videos, I came across this one from a real estate firm in Australia. They do a great job explaining the importance of video in their industry:
As the saying goes, proof is in the pudding. Both the top sales person in the state & country are using video to promote their business. Also, they discuss spending $1,000 on a newspaper ad versus spending $500-$1,000 on a professional looking video. Let's look at this in detail for a moment.
The ad that you place in a newspaper runs for a limited time. Normally only once or twice making it's shelf life very short. Secondly, the reach of that ad is the audience in your city that gets a newspaper. If this was my hometown of Myrtle Beach, SC, the circulation of the paper is about 50,000 daily. So you would be paying roughly $2 per viewer if you are lucky enough to get 1% to view your ad. Since it is not interactive, you would then have to rely on the consumer going to a computer visiting your website, or picking up the phone to call you. Of course this also doesn't take into account those who are not in the market for your product right now, which would make that number dramatically less.
In comparison, if you pay a video company to design a dramatic video or create one yourself for your product/service you are offering the video can easily get thousands of views if you title & tag it properly. The other big differences between the print ad & video is that your video doesn't have a shelf life. Unless you delete the video or have your account suspended, the video can live online for eternity to be found by consumers moving forward instead of just those looking on that day. Secondly, the people viewing your video are those who are typically interested in that thing. They have done some sort of search and landed on your video. So, conversion should be much higher than the print ad.
So, if you have not started with video yet, now is the time to begin. 2012 is a year in which video will continue to remain a strong tool to implement into your online marketing strategy. To help everyone get started in the right direction, I've created a free webinar that will take place on Monday January 9th, 2012 at 1PM EST. Seating is limited, so register now!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am the Co-Founder of 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors. I have traveled the country as a social media speaker. If you would like more information on any of the topics discussed in this blog, please contact me directly. We specialize in social media training, online consulting, and the creation of your own custom WordPress site.
Feel free to subscribe to my blog to keep up to date with my latest posts of tips & tricks to enhance your experience on ActiveRain. If you would like, you can sign up to receive updates via email directly in your inbox.
Also, let's connect on these great social networks:
Hi, Jeremy
Your Blog is spot on. Video is the future of the Internet.
Looking forward to your Webinar.
Great points on the benefits of marketing with video!
Hi Jeremy, I've noticed that the quality of the videos is about the same as the quality of the pics in the MLS. No surprise there ! The superior engagement from video is a very strong motivation.
Can't wait to learn more. I hope the wednair will include some tips on what camera to purchase. I can not afford to have a production company come out for every video.
Diane, we will definitely cover gear you can use too. I'll cover the full spectrum. Everything from using your phone, to a $1,000 DSLR and everything in between.
Looking forward to the session. Thanks Jeremy.
Great post Jeremy. And yes, I'm serioius about eventually calling you to make that wp site we keep talking about. I don't care so much about how I look and sound on video. I'm more concerned about the professional setting. In my house? Garage? My office? People are very judgemental. Do you leave comments open on Youtube or not? Some jerk-off is surely to type something stupid in the comments section below. I think consumers are still expecting real tv like quality or something. what's your take?
suggested btw
Jeremy, great point on video and it is very effective if it is clear, entertaining, and SHORT in duration.
Greg- Great questions! Some consumers want the professional grade video. Some expect it. Others are completely content with videos shot from an iPhone. The key is knowing your consumers and what they expect. For me, I usually shoot in my office my videos. i've done a few in the car, a few outside, but for me, I'm most comfortable in my office. I guess part of that is because I spend most time time in there. I look forward to your call soon!
See the rest of you on Monday!
Video is, and has been, on my list of must use tools this year. I did experiment with it a bit when I first got my Vado camcorder, but when my dog ate the case and some of its contents, I lost interest. Sounds feeble, doesn't it.
You are very right! I've done a few but I bought a mic Monday so I'll be rolling some out soon. Check out my youtube account and join youtube thursdays.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GreenHomeRealtySA
I'm with Diane - Looking for ideas on the type of equipment that s/be used
I am quilty of not even wanting my photo taken....much less a video made....but guess I am going to have to get over it and get busy.
Hello Jeremy,
This is so true. Everybody refer to Youtube nowadays.
Tatyana.
I officially registered! Looking forward to this!
I'll be in attendance. I posted 229 videos to my You Tube Channel in 2011 and want to do even more this year!
Hi Jeremy--the webinar looks great and it's a valid point you make between print and video marketing. We are all far more impressed with video.
Interesting video! This is something I need to look into. Thanks.
☔ Thank Jeremy! I'm registered and looking forward to it! You are so good to us to always be passing along your expertise...
Happy New Year my friend!
Pamela
Thanks Pamela!
For some it's like swallowing a horse pill. But it must be done. The pills are much smaller these days. Great post.
It's also a fact that many people use YouTube as their search engine. It ranks second behind Google now in terms of usage.
Hi Jeremy, I really want to register for this, but i will be in a meeting. Any chance I can access a recording?
Sandy I will try to make a recording available.
Jeremy:
Good timing for me. .I just finished writing a post about viral videos and how I got one of my videos to be viewed by over 344,000 people.
I will have to wait for the recording.. but definitely interested.
I'm taking videos to a new level in 2012. I know how it performed for me in 2010 and 2011. No doubt, that's where I'm betting my $$$.
I read somewhere that people prefer video over text 6:1 and that video is 53% more likely to receive a 1st page google ranking.
I need to do more videos....
Jeremy,
Your post is very timely since I just had a class this morning about the importance of video & would like to learn more...just registered for your class. Thank you!
Started to embrace it last year and am trying to do more this year. We have used both outside help and our own video. A little bit of patience and effort can lead to some good self produced videos. Just turning on the camera doesn't do it. If you are talking, have a script or at least write out key points. Find ways to stablize your camera. Super shaky video is a pretty quick way to lose interest.
Jeremy:
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Will you be hosting it again at other times? I have a conflict with the current time
Video, using two senses always leaves a more lasting impression. Videos breath life in to the area, the property that still images and copy can not do.
I plan to put more time into video this year. It' my goal to post at least 2-3 good, relevant videos by the end of the month and then average 1 per month for the rest of the year.
While I appreciate the value of a good video, I can't stand all the weekly video newsletters that are sent to me. I would much rather scan an article quickly than sit like a prisoner while a video unwinds.
Video rocks. I watch a lot of it and it sells homes.
Jeremy, you are right. I don't like how I look or sound but I guess I'd better get over that. 2012 is the year.
Sorry I misssed the webinar today. Is there be a re-play ?
And for my Christmas present I asked Santa to being me a new camera capable of taking HD video, but it doesn't look anything like the one in the blog
Very few people can do attractive video. I'm going with RSAnimate. Much more cool than a talking head.
Jeremy good post and so true. I've just gotten into Videos over the last few months. I just created a Short Sale site around videos and I have so much more to do as I realize that they are going to be what can set you apart from other Agents as they're still the exception and not the norm. It's so much better to learn and implement while it's the exception. I"ll see you on your webinar.
I guess I need to jump on board!
Great post and video. I also registered for your webinar, and look forward to learning more about videos.
Jeremy, I have to start doing videos. As much as I'm uncomfortable doing it, it is what separates us from other local Realtors.
Jeremy - thanks for reinforcing such an important topic (video) and great find in the embedded video - thanks for that share! I had a laugh at all the uniformity in the dress in the conference (hmmm, what tie to pick today?? :) I guess that goes with their brand. Sort of ironic that video helps you be the purple cow, but you all look the same ;)
Yes, the new technologies are certainly something we all need to embrace if we are going to succeed!
Craig- Yes, some of the brokerages in Australia have this matching tie thing going on.
Jer - Right you are. I've been saying since 2008 that I was going to get into video more often. Maybe 2012 will be the year that I actually do it. Probably not, but it sounds good, right?