If you were me, you wouldn’t love my annual paychecks. As a matter of fact, I’ve started out far worst that Russell Shaw was for the first nine years of his career, before he got into radio advertising. I’ve been searching for a way to build credibility online. If you’ve ever seen my face, you’d think I’m 21, not 30. Of course you might be thinking, who cares 30 is the new 21.
Getting a great real estate deal from 365 Palm Beach on Vimeo.
I plan on having video testimonials of former customer so new customers can see that I am in fact a credible Realtor to do business with. Let me know your thoughts on this video. Does it need work? Of course it needs work. As a matter of fact, my entire business model needs work, otherwise I wouldn’t be writing what I am writing this very moment. I would maybe writing about how my in house seo team is the best in south Florida.
My hunch is through video’s, I can increase my lead conversation through credibility. I am playing with the idea of “Forcing Video Registration” as well. Basically, a customer could watch a 30 second clip, register their info, and then watch the remaining 1.5 minutes of video. Either way; in the name of getting out of the rat race and taking 1 full day off a week without real estate is the goal I am shooting for. I know it can be done.
Also bloodhounders if you have any good SYSTEMS for getting repeat business please let me know. From muggy South Florida down in the real estate trenches I’m Robert Worthington!!!
Ben Fisher says:
I struggle with the same thing as a young Realtor myself. Just have to be innovate and generate more leads to overcome it. I’m not a big video guy but I like your ideas.
September 25, 2011 — 3:09 pm
Jeff Brown says:
Robert — You’re the perfect argument for the ‘assistant model’ I outlined here quite some time ago. You can pay them ‘as you go, as you’re paid’. Also, when starting out, it’s pretty tough not to work like the Beatles, eight days a week.
September 25, 2011 — 5:21 pm
Joe Zekas says:
The video undermines rather than builds credibility.
The message this video seems to send is “I’m desperate for business and will put a lot of pressure on you to make a deal.”
Forcing registration to watch a Realtor video is one of the more bizarre notions I’ve encountered in more than 30 years of working with 1,000s of real estate agents from coast to coast.
September 25, 2011 — 8:16 pm
Erion Shehaj says:
First of all…
Dude, you need a new profile photo here on BHB. You look nothing like the current profile shot. And that’s a good thing.
Second, as a fellow 30 year old, I want to tell you that people hire you for what you KNOW not what you look like. Sure, some people will be more skeptical with a younger agent to start with. But once you open your mouth you have to SHOW that you know your stuff. Every oz of skepticism with melt away at that point.
Last, loving the video quality, looks pretty polished. Although it’s a little slow to load here due to it being HD. You’re doing a good job at not being boring – which is a great accomplishment for your first video as most video bloggers would put a grizzly bear into hibernation. On that note, I think you need to tone it down a notch because it comes across a little hyped – a la mattress salesman.
Hope you don’t mind my honest feedback. I’m just trying to help. Keep grinding!
September 25, 2011 — 9:01 pm
Mike Price says:
2 tips. Do not force registration. Do not post a video longer than 90 seconds. Good luck with your video efforts. Conversion isn’t easy but the brand building is worth the effort.
September 26, 2011 — 6:13 am
Jim Klein says:
Robert, that was very cool. It was choppy on my (new!) wireless, probably because of the HD as Erion said. If I were a buyer, I’d be very appreciative of the info you share. Were I a voter, I’d vote “like” for this.
The thing is, as a sales tool, you left one thing out—why I should choose you. IMO if you’re steppin’ out, you might as well blow your own horn. Seems to me that your goal isn’t just to make me a wise buyer, but to demonstrate how much wiser I’d be by choosing you.
September 26, 2011 — 6:48 am
Doug Lindstrom says:
Robert,
I thought the video was fantastic and you did a great job. Your baby face was not an issue for me. I do agree with many of the other comments about forcing registration and why you should not even consider it (you are not an IDX).
All the best!
September 26, 2011 — 7:38 am
Sean Purcell says:
Congrats on getting into video marketing! I am not alone when I say it is the future of real estate marketing. Lots of agents talk about doing something new like video, but few actually take action, so again: congrats!
A couple of constructive criticisms:
-Turn down the music; the latter half of the video it seemed like the volume actually went up and I was struggling to hear you. Never make a prospect struggle. 🙂
-It doesn’t take long for me (as a prospect) to realize that most of your steps begin with the word “You” as in: “You have to figure out what you want.” and “You have to tell me where.” and “You have to prove you can get a loan.” I, as a prospect, am not so much interested in what I have to do to make your job successful! Like Jim referenced above, tell me how YOU are going to get me a great deal.
-Finally, this looks like it might be designed to be a general, or overall video. That’s fine, but I think video marketing, like all marketing, is much more effective when it hits a niche. For future videos, maybe explore each of your steps and hang your hat on the one thing you do that will make that step a big win for the prospect. E.g. “Getting qualified in this market can be tough; maybe you’ve already tried and found the whole experience maddening. I understand. That’s why I have assembled a team of the very best, most knowledgeable lenders in all of Florida. They can… etc. etc.” On another, instead of telling the prospect to figure out where they want to live, show off your in-depth knowledge of one area: e.g. condo by the ocean. Then in another, an over 55 community. You get the idea. Each one of these locations is another video for you to show off how much you know and how helpful you can be in helping the prospect achieve their goals. Plus, google loves video so each of these builds your standing in the serps.
Again, congrats on getting out there and making it happen Robert. What you’ve done is impressive; it’s professinal looking and, more importantly, you’ve got great energy that comes right through the camera. Keep it going!
September 26, 2011 — 10:09 am
Teyona says:
In the picture Robert, you look like “David Archuleta”. :)) But anyway, many agents now are thinking of strategies to build credibility and most realtors use video. It’s a great idea Rob.And the commenters are also giving good advice.
September 27, 2011 — 1:13 am
Broker Bryant says:
I thought the video was OK. My main suggestion would be to remember why you are making it. What’s the purpose? Well the purpose is to get potential buyers to contact you. My opinion is that a well written Craigs list post about a property would work better than the video.
When I watched the video it struck me as you trying to sell me on your services. There’s nothing wrong with that except it’s too soon. There’s a sequence of events that have to happen before you can sell anyone anything.
1. Get the consumer to contact you
2. Make the appointment
3. Qualify the prospect
4. Build trust
5. Then sell your services.
Your video actually falls into 4 and 5.
You mentioned client testimonials. Those are awesome!! Also, I would make videos almost 100% educational. Talk about the steps in purchasing or selling a home but leave out the sales pitch. An educational video will draw traffic if the info delivered is what buyers and sellers are looking for. And be sure to title it right.
For example: I can write an article or do a video about short sales and it will do OK. If I title it “5 tips to help you with your Bank of America Short Sale” it will draw a tremendous amount of traffic. Same content but I’ve hit to hot topic 1. Bank of America short sales 2. Tips and help with short sales.
And, if you are going to do lots of video for commercial purposes be sure to read thew terms and conditions of the video service. For Vimeo you will need to upgrade to a pro account. Or you can use a service like streamingvideoprovider.co.uk where you can have complete control.
I hope my morning ramblings help in some small way.
September 27, 2011 — 5:33 am
Kon P. says:
Robert, I like your idea of adding video to your website. You can easily upload your videos to YouTube and integrate with a Facebook page as well. Good luck to you.
September 27, 2011 — 10:55 am
james says:
Never try using video to promote myself or my business. Will research more to use a simple video show and blogging system to boost my Google key words search visibility.
September 27, 2011 — 11:11 am
Chris says:
Robert,
I thought the video was a step in the right direction. Video marketing, if done correctly, can have a big impact on your online visibility. Like Broker Bryant said though, maybe start off with some informational videos about questions you get asked a lot to highlight your expertise. Good luck bro!!!
September 27, 2011 — 4:47 pm
Jim Klein says:
>> Seems to me that your goal isn’t just to make me a wise buyer, but to demonstrate how much wiser I’d be by choosing you.
Oh, I forgot to mention the easiest way to do that.
Make it true.
September 28, 2011 — 8:20 pm
Robert Worthington says:
I’m so thankful for all the feedback. I’ll be remaking the video soon and reposting, if Greg let’s me. Thanks again everyone I liked all of your opinions because in the end it will make me more money for my family.
September 30, 2011 — 1:59 pm
Anita Clark says:
Using video in your business model, whether to teach, have fun, or promote is a good marketing idea. Looking forward to seeing the “remake”.
October 1, 2011 — 6:52 pm
Holly says:
Video testimonials are a great idea and should help build up a realtor’s new customer base. Thank you for the informative blog post Robert.
November 28, 2011 — 4:22 pm