In the early days of the Internet…your web address got all the attention. The challenge was to come up with something cute or easy to remember. Some firms used their actual names or initials, while others focused on the category they operated in…such as cars.com. As time passed and technology improved, Internet search engines became not only more important, but more sophisticated as well. In today’s marketplace, people primarily look for a product or service by entering a descriptive word or phrase, and then clicking on search to see what happens.

With all that competition…today’s challenge is to figure out a way to show up as prominently as possible when a potential customer is searching for something you do. While you can spend thousands of dollars hiring an SEO specialist…one of the most effective means is right under your nose…and that’s to use a video.
Why video? The numbers speak for themselves. Recent studies have shown that when done correctly, videos with proper tags are up to 53 times more likely to generate a first page Google ranking than traditional SEO techniques. 53 times!!! The reason is simple. When search engines look for content on the Internet, they’re designed to display a mix of content types. And it so happens that video is given is given a higher ranking than written content to ensure a mixed result.

The bottom line is that video, when executed properly, can give you a major advantage in standing out from the huge crowd that shows up every time someone clicks on search button. But it’s also important to remember that maximum impact comes from knowing how to properly submit, title, and tag your video to be included in search results. That’s where professional advice from companies like VScreen.com can help you not only create… but also post your videos in the most effective manner possible.

Nearly 40% of videos found online are discovered by viewers using search engines to locate a video on the topic of their need. For those technically inclined…the majority of search engines accept an XML feed for video content. And because search engines give the most value to the title of the video …and not the associated tags…it’s critical that your video titles are clear…concise…and properly reflect the nature of the content. In addition, permalinks should also be supplied along with the XML feed for the highest page rank, thus driving traffic back to your website.

Remember…it’s all about showing up at the head of the line. If you’re not among the handful of companies that pop up at the top…you’re basically invisible. A great way to become visible…in more ways than one…is to join the overwhelming trend for using online video. If you’d like to get started, give us a call…or contact us through the tab above. Thanks for watching!

Half the fun of watching the Super Bowl comes from what happens off the field. We’re talking about those multi-million dollar commercials have become an art form in themselves. We all have our opinions about the best and the worst…but one thing is certain. Watching the winners is a great way to learn some important lessons about using a video commercial to market your product or service. Here are a half dozen we think worth noting…

Number One…people like to be entertained…and one of the best ways is to tell them a story. But remember…you don’t have all day. An interesting story line keeps the viewer’s attention…while building interest and anticipation. Remember to keep it entertaining and easy to both follow and understand.

Number Two…the key to connecting with people is through their emotions. Touch them with humor, empathy…excitement…conviction…happiness. But above all…touch them…and you’ve unlocked the secret to motivation.

Number Three…every second counts. Those thirty second Super Bowl commercials can cost over two million dollars for just the air time. Your stakes are probably a lot lower…but the lesson is the same. Every second must be carefully crafted to accomplish your objective. That’s why hiring a professional to help write and film your commercial is usually money well spent.

Number Four…people love to share…so give them something worth sharing. Whether it’s done through humor, informative content, off the wall creativity…or whatever…if it caches on virally…you’ve got a winner. It’s ammunition for the Internet…with a worldwide audience.

Number Five…remember the brand. How often have you heard people talk about funny commercials, but then discover they couldn’t remember the sponsor. Remember to make your brand part of the message.

Number Six…capture their attention in the first few seconds…or you’ve lost the game. Commercials with an uncreative, predictable start are tuned out by the droves. Give people a reason to pay attention, and do it very quickly.

Number Seven…keep your content clear…concise…and tightly focused. After all, how many of us have seen a commercial and not had the slightest idea what it was about! And be sure to include an implied or stated call for action. Often, a corporate logo along with your website address will provide viewers with opportunity for follow-up.

Our list is by no means complete…but hopefully it gets you off to a good start. We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions as well. Give us a call at 866.720.0204, or share your thoughts through the “Contact Us” tab above. Thanks for watching.

The so called virtual tour has been a popular mainstay in real estate marketing for years. They were simple, relatively easy to use…and gave you an idea of what a property looked like. Then along came video…and everything changed. In short order, the differences between the two became readily apparent.

First…for the viewer to truly experience the property…there needs to be an emotional connection. Video in unequalled in its ability to do just that…complete with music…narration…and the ability to structure the flow of content from A to Z. The viewer sees exactly what you want them to see…when you want them to see it. In other words, you’re telling a story. It’s perfect for directing attention to the home’s strongest selling points…complete with narration that translates features into benefits…like curling up in front of the cozy fireplace on a chilly night. Virtual tours don’t even come close.

Secondly…video has moved rapidly from being the exception to the expectation. In fact, the use of online video is growing at a rate of 40% a year…with no end in sight. Online viewers have come to expect video as part of any cutting edge marketing tool.

Third…video takes interactivity to new levels. Viewers can fast forward, rewind, pause, enlarge, email to a friend…even click on thumbnails of specific mini-videos featuring attractions. You can also share your video through social media like Face Book, Twitter, and YouTube.

Number four… video will give you that all important point of differentiation. While others cling to outdated technology, you’ll be setting yourself apart with state of the art tools that take your marketing efforts to the next level…

And that brings us to point number five…your clients will love it! With video they’ll know you’re making the maximum effort possible to showcase their home in the most effective way possible. And that not only leads to a happier client…but a great source of enthusiastic referrals as well.

Number six…video is an absolute must for marketing high end properties. Big ticket items need and deserve special attention…from both the buyer’s and seller’s perspective. Don’t make the mistake of offering bargain basement marketing. These clients understand the importance of making a positive first impression and they’ll expect the same from you.

And finally…video is easier and more affordable than ever. For do-it-yourselfers digital video cameras like the Flip and Kodak’s Z18 start at under $200.00. For more polished presentations, companies like ours offer customized packages to handle the largest and most elaborate estates on the market.

The bottom line…video has become the latest benchmark in real estate marketing…and there’s never been a better time to jump onboard and enjoy the ride! As always, you’re invited to visit our website and share your comments. Contact us via the tab above or give us a call at 866.720.0204. We look forward to hearing from you.