Transform Transform March 2014 | Page 12

Tools To Create Professional Video Tours If you’re a real estate agent that has decided to commit some time and effort to video marketing using YouTube, your own website and social networks, then you have already begun taking photos and videos of your property listings. Getting them organized on your computer is the next step. But unless you went to film-making school, chances are you have no idea how to transform this hodgepodge of video clips and photos into a professional-looking video tour. free trial version. If you like it, you can purchase for just $49.95. I recommend this product because hundreds of customers have given an overall 4.9 stars out of a possible 5-star rating. Easy-To-Use Video Editors Animoto for Those Who Want Their Editing On Automatic Pilot You could post to the Craigslist classifieds and hope to find a professional videographer that doesn’t charge higher fees than you can handle at this stage of your real estate career, which might be difficult. Or you could take advantage of an out-of-the box and easy-to-use video editor such as Sony’s Movie Studio, which you can try by downloading a 12 The other reason is that if you find you have a knack for creating these videos, you will have many more options using a video editor program like Movie Studio than you will have using one of the automatic, self-service editing sites such as Animoto. However, if you haven’t the time, interest or technological savvy to sit down and edit your own video tours using a video editor, then Animoto is the way to go. This service is extremely easy to use. In fact, with a few clicks of your mouse you can take the photos you’ve shot of a property and transform them into a professional video presentation with special effects and even with royalty-free musical background. But this comes at a price of about $20 a month, which is well worth the investment considering how it can elevate you and your brand. Animoto also offers instructive examples of how real estate agents use its product by showcasing the following type of promotional videos: An Agent Video Selfie – This is a short but cogent video where the agent briefly introduces herself and mentions her awards, includes customer testimonials and ends by giving her contact information. Tours of Properties – The hook in this video is the mixing of quality video and photos with upbeat music and special effects provided by Animoto. It is designed to whet the appetites of potential homebuyers and make them want to see more.