Real Estate Video Made Simple

By NikNik | August 26, 2008

Don’t let time and money stand in the way of utilizing video in your real estate business. Especially when there is simple video solution just waiting for you…and it’s called The Flip.  It’s as easy as it sounds…well,  as easy as flipping a light switch on and off. Seriously!

The Flip, created by Pure Digital Technologies, is the latest innovation in compact video. The newest addition to the Flip product suite is The Mino. The Flip Mino delivers the perfect combination of portability, affordability, and high quality video. Weighing in at about 3 ounces, The Mino will fit in your purse or pants pocket easily. Never miss the perfect video moment again! Here are a few ways to implement video in your real estate business:

Once you have created your video masterpiece, The Flip software allows you to easily upload your video to YouTube and AOL Video, making sharing a snap!  Be sure to add to your video to your own blog or Website, along with any single property sites you have for your listings.

The Mino runs $179 and can be found at these locations or online.  It comes with built-in software and signature USB “flip-out” arm! I also suggest purchasing The Flip Tripod, but check out all the accessories. Here is a quick rundown of The Mino features:

If you get a wild hair from this post, enter the MyTechOpinion Vlog Contest by August 31, for a chance to win the ultimate vlogger setup! If you are still fighting video, use your best still photos to create a rockin SpotMixer ad.

If you have questions or comments about using The Flip, speak your mind below!

Topics: Marketing Solutions, Social Media, Technology Solutions, video | 15 Comments »

Trying to get the most bang for your buck?

By NikNik | July 2, 2008

How much do you spend on marketing each listing? $100, $500, $1,000, more? And does that number change based upon each individual listing? Do you tend to spend more on higher priced listings? Well, a recent report by VHT (a real estate software company) provided an overview of agent spending habits when it comes to marketing listings. According to VHT’s June 2008 report,

One-quarter of agents surveyed said they spent $250 to $500 per listing, one-fifth spent $500 to $1,000 and another quarter spent $1,000 or more per listing. And, almost one-fifth said their spending depended on the property.

So I have to ask….how much is your marketing costing you? And more importantly, are you getting the biggest bang for your buck? With most buyers turning to the Internet to begin their search for homes, it’s not surprising that many agents are now marketing their listings online. But with so many online marketing choices, it’s very easy to get distracted and end up with a fragmented marketing plan.

One great way to compliment your offline marketing efforts is with a single property Website solution, like MyMarketWare. After winning your listing, you likely begin gathering details and media (pictures/video/etc) about the property. Most agents will utilize the details and media on a listing brochure or flyer. Why not take the same details and media and put them to work for you online….as well as offline. So while you (or your assistant) are creating the listing brochure, open another window on your desktop and create a MarketWare listing site at the same time. This way you can easily copy and paste the property details from your brochure to the site. Make the most of your MarketWare site by adding keywords about the neighborhood, community, and/or city in your descriptions. The more detailed your site, the better chance your site will be found on search engines and listing aggregators.

More about MyMarketWare:

MyMarketWare offers single property Websites dedicated to one property. You can include up to 100 high resolution pictures, video, unlimited details, and your blog or Website. MyMarketWare sites also auto-populate census and community info, school info, maps, and links to over 70 area amenities based on the property address. You can even change the automatic settings for your RSS feed and SEO meta data. And MarketWare sites will only run you $39!

I have to say that you will not find another single property Website solution that incorporates this amount of great technology and content. AND once you create your MarketWare site, simply select all your syndication options and your site is automatically delivered to Google, Yahoo, Trulia, Homescape, Propsmart, Oodle, and more! Try it now, risk free. Only pay, when you publish to the Web. And you’ll notice that once you publish your MarketWare site…you will be indexed quickly (often within minutes) and found easily by those buyers you are trying to reach online!

What’s the point?

The point is….great marketing can be affordable and MyMarketWare is evidence of that! With it, you can quickly and easily create, syndicate, and market all your listings online.

Topics: Marketing Solutions, SEO, Technology Solutions, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

MyMarketWare Expands Branded Template Selection

By NikNik | June 9, 2008

Now there are more reasons to love MyMarketWare with a newly expanded selection of franchise templates.  Our current collection of branded single property Website designs include:

Advance Realty, Alain Pinel, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Previews, Coldwell Banker Residential, Crye Leike, Empire, Envirian, ERA, Exit Realty, Frank Howard Allen, GMAC, Intero, Keller Willians, Long & Foster, Lyon, Pac Union, Prudential, Prudential Fine Homes, RE/MAX, RE/MAX Collection, Real Living, Realty Executives, Realty Experts, Sotheby’s, & Weichert.

If your franchise is not present, no worries. We also have several non-branded (classic) designs, as well as commercial headers. To brand a classic design, select your color and design preference and then add your company logo. 

To get started creating a single property showcase for your listing, click here. It’s free! Create a site and use it to win your next listing. Pay only when you publish a site and gain online exposure for your listing immediately!

Topics: Marketing Solutions, Technology Solutions | No Comments »

Showcase Real Estate Video with MyMarketWare

By NikNik | May 27, 2008

Video can add great value to your single property Website. Whether you video the home or community, buyers will appreciate your effort and the greater knowledge of the area provided by your video. With MyMarketWare, you can easily embed video in your MarketSite and even showcase your video on the homepage. Check out this MarketSite Lani Anglin-Rosales’ created for a Single Pointe Realty listing. Nice work Lani!

To learn how to add video to your MarketSite, watch this quick tutorial. Or follow these simple steps:

(1) Sign in to MyMarketWare and choose the site you wish to add video to.
(2) Select the “Media & Documents” tab.
(3) Select “PowerMedia Video, Blogs, Podcasts”.
(4) Click on the Video link.
(5) Add the embed code for your video to the “Video Source” Field
(6) Choose a link name and add a brief description.
(7) Save
(8) Now look under the “Existing Video Links” to choose your video and select the radio button under “Photo or Video” to place your video on the homepage of your MarketWare site.

Topics: Marketing Solutions, Social Media, Technology Solutions, Training | 3 Comments »

Real Estate Agents Can Learn A Lot From Mr. Rogers

By NikNik | May 6, 2008

rogers.jpgWon’t you be my neighbor?! Mr. Rogers had the right idea…get out there and get to know your neighbors! Help out, lend a hand, and get involved in neighborhood events. He made visits to local business owners and helpful neighborhood role models. Mr. Rogers always rallied his neighbors together. But what if Mr. Rogers doesn’t live in your neighborhood?  And for whatever reason your neighborhood doesn’t have that one person that can bring the community together. That’s where YOU come in!

If you are already farming a specific neighborhood, or preparing to, I suggest trying a Neighborhood Newsletter. Whether you walk it or send it, neighborhood news is a great way to reach out and market to your farm. What better way to get connected with a neighborhood than to share what’s going on and take part in the action.

Getting started with a format: If you are working on a tight budget, I usually suggest starting with a Publisher template. You can easily customize a Publisher template by including your logo and brand, modifying the colors to match both, and even swapping out the banner image with your own design. If you have access to a graphics designer or other marketing specialist, you could always pay for a custom designed template that you can then reuse each week or month.

Content to include:  The basics: your contact info and picture, industry or market updates, featured listings, comparables, local events, weather, interviews, etc. To find out what’s going on in your area, visit local city Websites and blogs, check local papers and magazines, and visit local businesses. You’d be surprised how much info you can find on the bulletin board of your neighborhood Starbucks.  Start walking your neighborhood and introducing yourself to those you meet. Visit local parks and recreation areas and talk with parents. At home moms are a great wealth of information.  Also, drop by the local school offices, library and community center. All usually have monthly newsletters packed with local event dates and info for getting involved.

Leading the way:  Let your offline marketing lead consumers to your online marketing. Make sure that you highlight your real estate blog or Website in your neighborhood newsletter. You can also provide limited listing info in your newsletter (as a teaser), but then link to your blog or Website….or even a MarketSite. Hold a weekly or monthly contest. Provide a link to your blog/Website for your neighborhood readers to enter for a chance to win dinner at a local restaurant or wine from a local winery, etc. There are a great many ways here for you to tie in local business promotion, as well as to promote yourself as the local neighborhood expert. Be sure to print extra copies of your neighborhood newsletters for distribution at neighborhood businesses.

Delivery options: Of course, printing and walking your farm is the greatest way to get to know your market area. Face to face meetings give you the opportunity to make real connections. However, mailing or sending your newsletters via email can also be very effective.

So, take a tip from Fred Rogers and make the most of this beautiful day! Start by taking a little time to create a neighborhood newsletter.  If done correctly and sent consistently, your newsletter will be an invaluable resource to your farm, connect your offline and online marketing, and coin you as the neighborhood expert. Not bad for a day’s work!

Topics: Community Connections, Marketing Solutions | 6 Comments »

Eco-Friendly Real Estate Marketing

By NikNik | April 21, 2008

new-mouse.jpgEarth Day is a reminder to not only think, but act more environmentally sustainable.  This Earth Day, I challenge to you to examine your real estate marketing methods.  Can you make just one simple adjustment to market more sustainably? With so many agents turning to the Internet to market themselves and their real estate businesses it’s not such a difficult request. I have compiled a list of eco-friendly marketing ideas that can be initiated any time of year…not just for Earth Day! Check them out and let me know how you plan to become a more earth conscious real estate professional!

(1) Start a real estate blog. Market your expertise, highlight listings, and develop a community online.

(2) Send eNewsletters to your sphere with market updates, community and neighborhood info, etc.

(3) Use recycled paper for print marketing.

(4) Avoid printing large quantities of collateral that goes out of date frequently.

(5) Laminate open house signs (remove shoes, turn off lights, etc.) so they can be reused time and again.

(6) Send thank-yous via email or flash animated eCards.

(7) Utilize social networks to share your message, brand, blog articles, transparency, etc. Try any or all of the following: ActiveRain, RealTown, Zolve, Inman, Facebook, Trulia Voices, LinkedIn, Twitter, FriendFeed, YouTube, MyBlogLog, etc.

(8) Become a paperless mobile agent with VREO Dashboard. Consider the referrals you can potentially obtain by providing great paperless service to your environmentally conscious clients.

(9) Reuse paper in your office. Consider adding a recycle bin next to your office printer and reuse paper for your own use (comps, prospecting, etc.).

(10) Refill ink cartridges. Just bring them to your local office supply store and they will refill them for you!

(11)  Become an EcoBroker. Obtain a special this special designation and educate others.

(12) Marketing your listings online with MyMarketWare! Create a Website dedicated to your listing and syndicate to Trulia, Google, Yahoo, Propsmart, Oodle, Craiglist and more!

BONUS: The Eco-Friendly Office

(1) Use a water service that will refill a large water jug vs. buying bulk water bottles.

(2) Caravan with others for Broker’s Tours. Save $ on gas and act more sustainably at the same time!

(3) Recycle old computers, mobile phones, printers, etc. Click here to learn more.

Topics: Environmental Solutions, Marketing Solutions, Technology Solutions | 11 Comments »

Savor Your Real Estate Blog Community with Comment Relish

By NikNik | April 11, 2008

hot-dog.jpgInteracting with your real estate blog readers will increase your readership and create a sense of community. One way to reach out to your blog readers is through commenting. Responding to comments made on your blog in a timely fashion is a must. This lets your readers know that you are a real person who appreciates their thoughts and responses.

I’m very in to dips and sauces. In fact, I‘ll take any opportunity to add a delicious side or topping to my meal. So you can understand how excited I was to learn about Comment Relish! Comment Relish is a WordPress plugin that will automatically email a message to a new commenter on your blog. Think of it as an auto “thank you”. When someone comments on your blog, he/she obviously has a vested interest or opinion in what you are saying. So naturally, I think it’s a very polite action to take. Here is an example of what I send to new commenters:

email-relish.jpg

There are Relish Haters out there who will tell you that people hate auto responders, this looks like a desperate attempt to publicize your blog, and it does not create the best first impression.  Perhaps they experienced a blogger’s poorly created and uninspiring invitation to his/her blog community. I’m sure it happens. But there are plenty of probloggers out there that appreciate commenters and want to reach out to newbies with a simple “thank you…and come back again”.  If you are worried about sounding too “spammy” you could always set the auto email to be sent to you, customize if further, and then send it out. 

If you have used the original Comment Relish plugin and experienced a server load issue, you may be interested to know that there is a NEW Comment Relish Plugin.

Topics: Blogging, Community Connections, Technology Solutions | 29 Comments »

Spring Cleaning: MyMarketWare Site Maintenance

By NikNik | April 6, 2008

clean-mmw.jpgIt’s spring! A time for renewal and a refreshing start to another great season. But, we’re not just cleaning out our closets and sprucing up the yard. We are also making enhancements to our already rockin’ single property Website solution here at MyMarketWare. Please bear with us as we will be performing maintenance and updating our software on Sunday, April 6 from 8:00 a.m. to noon PST. The system may be down temporarily during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

Topics: Announcements | 1 Comment »

Guerrilla Marketing with Max, the HomeGain Gorilla

By NikNik | March 18, 2008

I recently met up with Max, the HomeGain Gorilla. He’s been busy with press appearances, but managed to sneak away.  We flew via the HomeGain Jet to an undisclosed location to talk business, blogging, bananas, and life as the HomeGain spokes-gorilla.  During the interview, Max shared helpful agent tips for this market, his thoughts on SEO, and what he looks for in a primate. Click here to read the entire interview.

See more of my day with Max, the HomeGain Gorilla:

Topics: Community Connections, Marketing Solutions, Social Media | 5 Comments »

Learn How to Better Showcase Your Listings Online

By NikNik | March 10, 2008

Creating an online property showcase for your listing is an easy process via MyMarketWare. But now it’s going to get even easier with our New Training Section.  Need to learn how to add video or Website links to your MarketSite? Check out our training videos. How about adding your MarketSite listing to Craiglist? I’ve got you covered there too! I will be adding weekly training videos like the one below to make your MarketSite a supercharged online showcase! If you have specific questions or video requests to help streamline your user experience, feel free to contact me at Nicole@MyMarketWare.

Topics: Marketing Solutions, Technology Solutions, Training | No Comments »

« Previous Entries

Copyright © 2007 - 2008 Effektive Solutions.LLC , MyMarketWare.com