HAR Management Central

Online video is now a major part of our Web experience. People are watching hundreds of millions of videos a day on YouTube. Every minute, ten hours of video is uploaded to YouTube.com. The YouTube phenomenon has played a major role in the online videos we see today. According to some research, an increasing number of individuals are moving away from television and toward the Internet for their video consumption needs.

To help you capitalize on this phenomenon, HAR offers a FREE video upload utility for the member to promote themselves and their listings. Once posted, they will appear on your HAR Member Web site, on each one of your listing detail pages, as well as on “Find a Realtor^®.” Your uploaded videos will be published to YouTube.com automatically. In addition, your videos will be promoted in our Houston Real Estate Videos directory. This directory will be accessible to consumers from the front page of the consumer site.

You can very easily and affordably purchase a digital video camera to get started in this process. I am a big believer in reading reviews of items before purchasing them. I also highly recommend that you go to a store and pick up the camera and ‘play’ with it before you buy it. There are a variety of digital cameras specifically designed for creating videos for posting on the web. The website www.CNet.com has product reviews and even videos of the products illustrating the features and functionality. CLICK HERE to view their comparison of “YouTube Camcorders” which are all $200 or less.

When recording a video of yourself or a listing, there are a few simple elements that will help tremendously in producing a professional end product.

Some basic tips for recording a video of a home are:

1. Move slowly and steadily (hints: take your shoes off; hold the camera by a tripod)

2. Show as much of the room as possible – for smaller spaces, start outside the room

3. Turn on all the lights and open the blinds to let in as much light as possible

4. Review your footage before you leave the property and definitely before you post it

CLICK HERE to watch a video tutorial called “How to Shoot a Home Tour Video” from Realtor.com

Whether recording your videos or utilizing a videographer, there are a few key pieces of content you should include.

Personal Video Recommendations

Video 30-60 seconds in length

A. Introduction

· 1. My first and last name

· 2. My company name

· 3. How long have I been in business?

· 4. My specialty or specialties (commercial, residential, townhomes, luxury homes, etc.)

B. About You

· 1. Services I offer to my clients

· 2. The advantages of using me as a Realtor®

· 3. Why list your property with me or select me to buy a property?

· 4. Contact me by phone or e-mail or visit my web site

· 5. I am multi-lingual and multi-cultural, I have the following Realtor® designations, and participate in the Client Experience Rating program

Listing Video Recommendations

Video 2-4 minutes in length

A. Introduction

· 1. My first and last name

· 2. My company name

· 3. Listing Address

· 4. Price/Bed/Bath/Location/Neighborhood

· 5. Schools

B. Inside Tour

· 1. Entryway

· 2. Room-by-Room walkthrough highlighting features of each room

C. Outside Tour

· 1. Backyard

· 2. Lot Size

· 3. Deck/Pool (if applicable)

D. Why this home should be purchased

Become a Social Media Pro Today!

Social media skills are now part of the tool-set successful REALTORS must use in their marketing efforts. In an effort to create awareness and education about these various tools, HAR has created 5 brand new classes. Each course will explain that particular area of social media and how to use it with your business.

In addition to gaining important knowledge, if you attend the following courses

(All 5 - in any order) you will be recognized by HAR as a Social Media Pro!

Each MCE approved session is a 2 hours Hands-On class. The cost is $20 per course.

These classes will be ongoing, but are sure to fill up quickly so sign up today!