In this week’s episode of Agent Inner Circle I thought I would try something a little different, something I think will help you get better at doing your videos.
In all the years that I have been teaching video to Realtors, I have discovered that we learn by watching others – other agents that are actually doing video.
First of all, by seeing your peers in action it makes it easier for you to imagine getting started if you haven’t done so already.
Quite frankly the thought is … “If They Can Do, I Can Do It!”
So today I have a video from a Realtor by the name of Lily Ruggi from Keller Williams Complete Niagara Realty – all the way from Niagara Falls, Ontario.
She sent me a video asking for my thoughts as to how she could make this particular video better.
I agreed to do so provided that she would be kind enough to allow me to record the video critique and make it available for you to learn from as well.
*** PLEASE be so kind as to visit her Facebook page and say thank you. ***
Overall I thought it was pretty good and with a few simple tweaks, it could be even better!
I’ll list them below but for the full explanation watch the corresponding video critique – that’s where you’ll get the most out of this week’s episode.
- Always use a compelling thumbnail image – this is important especially if you upload your videos to YouTube. A good thumbnail will reinforce your brand and make your videos stand out from the competition.
- Hold your camera at eye level and look into the lens. We have a tendency to look at our own reflection vs. the lens and this makes it look like you are talking to yourself and NOT the person watching.
- Shoot B-Roll Footage – these are short 5-15 second clips of video that help enhance your story that you will add when you edit your video.
- Vary The Shot – within your video editing software it is quite simple to create the illusion of a multiple camera effect e.g. close up of you, followed by a close up of your guest back to the shot of both of you. Sounds confusing I know but watch the critique video and you’ll see what I mean.
- Music Volume – music can enhance your video by helping to creating a mood … BUT … if the music is too loud it will distract from your story and people will disengage.
The prediction is that by 2019 almost 80% of all traffic on mobile devices will be video – if you haven’t started doing video it’s not too late … BUT … the longer you wait the harder it will be for you to break through all the noise and get your videos played.
If you have a smartphone then you have everything you need to get started Right Now! Want some more tips? Read this article about using Facebook video for more inspiration to get started!
Lights, camera, action go out a try it today and by all means if you have any questions, PLEASE reach out to me. Just leave a comment below!
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I really liked where you mention and commented her on being in compliance front beginning. I would really appreciate seeing a updated series of building a better website.
Then followed up with updated how to construct killer Listing and Buyer presentations. Providing that you have not already addressed these subjects in the past. If so, could I be sent copies
Hey Dennis thank you for the feedback AND suggestions.
Those will make fro great upcoming topics.
May I suggest, if you haven’t done so already, have a look at our archive of videos/article:
https://agentinnercircle.com/category/real-estate/
I’m sure you’ll discover a Gold Mine there!
All Good Wishes,
michael
Excellent video and Super suggestions from Michael to make it even better!
You are most kind Clark – thank you for taking the time to comment.
All Good Wishes,
michael
PS. pls give Duncan’s beard a pull from Diane and me 🙂
Very good evaluation of the video. And, perhaps despite the comments below, I agree that the video is at least a “7” and perhaps an “8.”
Here are a few additional points:
Since it’s a profile of a local business, I’d like the consumer’s perspective–what the food’s like, what’s on the menu, etc. Although that’s covered slightly, the beginning is all about the store being a franchise. Most people don’t care about that. That’s an ownership and management issue. People want to know what the store can provide/deliver for them.
There’s far too much background noise. That could have been reduced by properly positioning the microphones. His was placed far too low–too far away from his mouth. Also, it was centered. He was turning his head left to speak to Lily. His mic should have been attached to his left lapel. I couldn’t see Lily’s mic, but it clearly was not where it should have been–on her right, underneath her mouth.
Their positioning was really uncomfortable. She basically has her back turned to him, and has to crank her neck around to speak to him. That’s not an effective interview technique. It would have worked far better if they could have been facing each other, or each angled toward the other. It also suggests that if someone comes to the restaurant with friends, they might end up in a similarly contorted situation.
She might have borrowed a technique used on shows like “The Next Food Network Star.” That is: Show Lily actually sampling an item of food from the restaurant. Just a short shot of her with a slice of the cake, taking a bite, and saying, “Wow, that’s delicious.” Or, if any of the other customers had been willing, just a several second clip of one of them looking up and saying something like, “I love coming here. The food is great, and it’s a really friendly place.”
Finally, I wasn’t sure what the purpose of the video was. Was it to profile the restaurant? Or, ahem, was it to show part of a vibrant community and suggest that Lily could help someone find a home there? I’m not advocating a hard sell, but that video needed some sort of clear call to action if people liked what they saw and wanted more information.
[About me: I’m a Realtor with Long & Foster licensed in Virginia as well as a real estate investor. I’m also a producer with Fairfax Public Access, a group of 3 public access television stations and a radio station in Northern Virginia. And I’m an accredited member (APR) of the Public Relations Society of America.]
All great comments Don – thank you!
One thing to keep in mind is Lily is new to video so for a first attempt I thought she did great!
Before we take her into the deep end – we need to get her comfortable with treading water 🙂
All Good Wishes,
michael
Nice video Lily. Micheal, great suggestions. Micheal, what is the editing software you use for the split images. Thanks Larry
Hey Larry thanks for the kind words.
By split screen are you referring to my wev cam over the video or how I jumped from Lily to her guest?
Cheers,
Michael
Your posts are very helpful. Months ago I bought a video camera for my computer. I paid $150 to a company who assisted me in doing my first video. It was disappointing because they didn’t tell me to look directly into the camera. So in the video I was looking to one side of the camera not at the camera. Needless to say I never used the video. One of the things you mentioned the first time I read your post was to look at the camera and not yourself. I plan to continue to follow you. Who knows. I may get the nerve to actually do a video!
Our best tip for you- Just DO IT! Start making them, and it becomes second nature- even if you aren’t ready to post yet.