Techno
Roost Is Back!
Around 6 months ago I did a demo of Roost for real estate social marketing, and while it had some very cool features, I wasn’t in love with it. For me, it primarily did the same thing as Hootsuite, but for Facebook only…
Well that was 6 months ago!
Roost is better than ever after being acquired by Vertical Response (a pretty cool email marketing company from what I hear).
Roost has differentiated itself from the competition by allowing social media campaigns with auto-generated content! This means you do less work!
While I’m not advocating that this be your only source for content, I would certainly recommend incorporating some of their content into your social streams. It’s kind of like an autopilot, with GOOD content, and my favorite feature…it posts during the times in which you are most likely to have consumer engagement.
Check out the video below:
5 Best Practices for Creating Viral Branded Videos
1 month ago
1) Found this link on Mashable the other day…thought it was well worth the read/watch:. 5 Best Practices for Creating Viral Branded Videos.
2) Using this post to test out sharing articles from some of my favorite sites…not sure how I feel about this. Almost feels like plagiarism, but I guess they wouldn’t have the option on their sites if they didn’t want me to share them? Thoughts?
I’m just looking for a good way to share articles to the real estate community that I have hand picked. Sure you can read these sites too, but I bet I read more of them, more often 
My iPhone Is Better Than Your DSLR!
You’ve seen photo apps and comparisons in the past, but I am fully convinced that I can take better photos with my iPhone than just about anyone with a DSLR. I know that’s a bold statement, but I just got a new toy/attachment for my iPhone that is absolutely amazing for photography and video.
I’m talking about the OWLE Bubo by ALM.
This thing takes amazing wide angle photos, which is especially important for the small rooms we have to work with in real estate. See the difference between non-wide angle and wide angle here:
While the wide angle is cool, what most people don’t realize, is the wide angle lens lets in a significantly greater amount of light.
Here’s where it gets interesting…While the above photo is “ok”, using a simple app called Camera+ for only $.99, we’re able to easily edit our photos right on the iPhone and give them a much need enhancement!
Check out the difference here:
So agents, there is no excuse for terrible pictures! You’re only hurting yourself! I’m sure if you’re a professional photographer, you can pick apart my photos and why they suck, but take a look at my original photo above, to the end result…huge difference!
Spend some money and get an OWLE Bubo here: http://www.cameta.com/ALM-OWLE-Bubo-Stabilizer-Mount-with-Video-Lens-Mic-for-iPhone-4-4S-Black-62911.cfm
I actually spent an extra $20 for the LED light kit (included in the above link), which is great for Video!
If that’s not in your budget, at least get the Camera+ app above for $.99!
I would also strongly encourage you to get a tripod mount (ONLY if you’re not getting the OWLE) like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Studio-Neat-Glif-iPhone-4S/dp/B0052G679K
As well as a monopod or tripod…I use this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/755445-REG/Manfrotto_MMC3_02_MMC3_02_Compact_Monopod_Gray_.html
Two Leads In 5 Minutes w/Video!
07 months ago
Alright, so I’m sure by now that I’m beating a dead horse, but YOU SHOULD BE DOING VIDEO!!!
My good friends Josh and Ryan w/Retechulous found an awesome video by Eric Lavey the other day that should be what every agent strives to achieve when filming a property for their clients. Check out how well Eric sells the lifestyle in the video below, and keep reading for more realistic tips for the average agent.
Alright, so that video is pretty fantastic, and if you’re in Beverly Hills and have that kind of budget, by all means GO FOR IT! But if you’re like me and the majority of agents, the coolest thing you might be able to feature on a tri-level is the 1970′s intercom. With that being said, it’s more important to actually spend the 5 minutes to make a video for your clients than spend hours contemplating how to do it perfectly. EVERYTHING WORKS, NOTHING DOESN’T!
So, my tip for the week begins with the newest feature on YouTube, the “Edit Video” button. The biggest problem I’ve encountered with taking my own video is my inability to keep my hand from shaking, or the jerking around from walking “heavily”. The Stabilize button within the Edit Video function makes your video look absolutely fantastic. For a quick “How To”, check out the video below, I’ll get to the two leads in 5 minutes, right after it!
Alright, so that’s great, but how did I get two leads in 5 minutes? Easy, I actually took 5 minutes to film the property below, post it on YouTube, Facebook, and Craigslist. It may take you longer than 5 minutes the first few times, but once you get the hang of it, taking property videos is really that simple! Since I posted the video below last night, I’ve had 2 requests for showings from potential clients that I otherwise would never made contact with! Check out the finished product below!
-I shot this video with my iPhone 4, an Olloclip wide angle lens, and used nothing but YouTube to edit it! If you want to see more on how to edit your videos, and add annotations CLICK HERE.
Mobile Video Is Here!!!
0Alright, so I’m playing my favorite game, “Words With Friends”, and since I don’t have the paid version on my phone, I get the annoying pop ads like I’m sure many of you do. However, the other day, my phone started making noise. Now, typically I just look away, do whatever until I can hit the continue button and proceed with my game, but this time my phone started playing a Starburst commerical! This was a little bit harder to ignore, and definitely got my attention as I raced to turn down the volume!
Take a look at the screen shot…there is a timer that won’t let you skip the commercial until the ad is finished:
So why/how does this apply to real estate? With marketing going hyperlocal/hypersocial, you may (in the near future) be able to run a quick slide show video of all of your properties based on mobile location! I’m not saying that everyone playing “Words With Friends” will start buying houses from you, but think if Zillow or Trulia implements this type of advertising!
If you want to learn more for yourself, check out http://mobile.vdopia.com/ for more info…they’re the ones that made that ad!
Move Over Facebook…Google Came To Fight
0
Over the last day or so, I’ve read a ton about Google+ and figured it was another sorry attempt for Google attempting to break into the social media realm. After all, Google Wave was a flop, and I don’t know anyone using Google Buzz on any regular sort of basis. However, I’ve done my research on the Google+ Project, and consider me “SOLD”!
So you’re probably saying to yourself: “What is Google+ and why do I need to be part of another social network?”
Answer: It’s not another social network, it’s the internet becoming social. Everything you search on Google, use your Google account (e.g. YouTube, Gmail, Picasa, etc.) for, or do on your Android phone will be connected with your “social network”. You’ll no longer need to log in to Facebook or Twitter. You’ll have instant sharing, instant advice, instant everything, and your privacy settings look ridiculously easy.
So let’s dive in and see what this means for the real estate industry!
Google Circles:
You share different things with different people. But sharing the right stuff with the right people shouldn’t be a hassle. Circles makes it easy to put your friends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another, and your boss in a circle by himself, just like real life.
Real Estate Translation: Google Circles makes it easy to share only the stuff you want with your “Circle” of clients and colleagues, while you can keep your crazy bachelor party pics to your college friends.
Google Sparks:
Remember when your Grandpa used to cut articles out of the paper and send them to you? That was nice. That’s kind of what Sparks does: looks for videos and articles it thinks you’ll like, so when you’re free, there’s always something to watch, read, and share. Grandpa would approve.
Real Estate Translation: Share real estate news with your clients and all of your circles. Anything you +1 (which is the same thing as “like” on Facebook) will show up like an interactive newspaper for people within your network. This can make you seem like the local expert and remind that long lost cousin that you’re in real estate, and not to call the agent on the sign.
Google Hangouts:
Bumping into friends while you’re out and about is one of the best parts of going out and about. With Hangouts, the unplanned meet-up comes to the web for the first time. Let buddies know you’re hanging out and see who drops by for a face-to-face-to-face chat. Until we perfect teleportation, it’s the next best thing.
Real Estate Translation: BE ACCESSIBLE! I’m sure that Google will have an embed option or widget that you can place on your website, allowing your crazy Aunt Helen to “Hangout” with you for a minute, and ask you if it’s the right time to sell.
Instant Upload:
Taking photos is fun. Sharing photos is fun. Getting photos off your phone and on to the web is pretty much the opposite of fun. That’s why we created Instant Upload: so that from now on, your photos upload themselves. You don’t even have to say ‘cheese’.
Real Estate Translation: Can you imagine having a real estate photo gallery shared with everyone you know? = SWEET! The possibilities are endless here…Guess That Price, Before And After Pics, Client Sold Photos, etc…Use It!
Google Huddle:
Texting is great, but not when you’re trying get six different people to decide on a movie. Huddle takes care of it by turning all those different conversations into one simple group chat, so everyone gets on the same page long before thumbs get sore.
Real Estate Translation: This one is actually my favorite for Brokers like myself. Group text to all agents…FINALLY! For agents, how about coordinating a closing with the LO, other agent, both sets of clients, and the title company. Imagine when they add the document signing & share capability…MUHAHA!
Right now this whole thing is a beta/invite only service, but make sure you visit www.google.com/+ to get on the waitlist!
Social Video and Easy Blogging!
0So in our last episode of RealTechTV, we discussed using a few new social video sharing apps (for your phone) and platforms that…well, completely rock!
The first we reviewed is SocialCam..check out the demo here:
I love the instant gratification and simplicity that SocialCam brings to the table. You may think to yourself, I can already share to YouTube…but this goes beyond that! With SocialCam, you can publish straight to your niche Tumblr or Posterous blog…think “Deal of The Day” for foreclosures. Be your brand and create your online web show/presence now!
The next that we briefly discussed was Viddy…
Viddy brings a very similar taste and feel to the scene, much like that of SocialCam. The major benefit of Viddy is the ability to edit and add effects/music tracks to your video. However, it currently doesn’t support posting to microblogs like Tumblr or Posterous.
So if you rock a Facebook Fanpage primarily, Viddy may be the way to go, but for the time being I’m sticking with Social Cam. Tumblr is my favorite for micro/niche blogging, and the possibilities are endless. You can blog about an HOA, foreclosures, short sales, dog parks, luxury homes, and more, while never needing to actually write anything. Most consumers don’t really care what you have to say anyway, they just want to see the home NOW!
Saving Money…The Easy Way
0With gas prices ever increasing, and the average trips for Realtors not decreasing, I recently found myself spending $80-$90/fill up vs. the usual $60. Multiply that be 5-7 fill ups/month, and it can become a major burden on a real estate agent in a slump or experiencing a slow market. I recently came across GasBuddy.com and can honestly say it will save me $100′s this year. With the first two weeks of using it, I’ve saved over $20, just by driving one more exit down the highway, or a mile past my usual gas station. I’m not saying driving 20 miles out of the way to save a buck (I hope we all know that doesn’t work), but I’ve been using the Android app, and frequently save $3-7/fill up. That’s huge!!! While they do have apps, even if you don’t have a phone with an app (which by now you should), you can visit their website directly.
They’ve almost made it into a self promoting social game too! By offering a $250 gas cards in drawings for those that win points (you get them by updating prices as you see them), I find myself “giving back” more often than not!
Check it out!
-Ty
