10 Ways To Use and Market Real Estate Videos

Being involved with video marketing over the past 5 years has taught me one thing; people rarely know what to do with their video once it is created. There are a lot of different marketing tactics that people use and some are more effective than others. As long as you remember to spread your video in a genuine fashion and avoid forcing people to watch your video you are on the right track. 
The most effective video campaigns are ones where the user initiates the video play. If the user starts the video themselves it is because they already have an interest in what your video is offering and makes them more likely to take action. That is why I created a list of 10 ways you can use your real estate videos; to help you avoid making the mistakes that turn people away. These 10 ways to use your videos are effective and all require your viewer to initiate the video themselves.
1) Get Your Videos Ranked in Google

This is one tip I recommend a lot because it is easy and one of the most effective tips I have used so far. You can get your videos of your listings or videos advertising yourself as a real estate agent ranked in Google. Your videos can get ranked for terms like “real estate agent in Denver”, “3 bedroom home in Malibu”, “homes for sale in Clark County”, or anything describing your video.  Anyone performing a search for your desired keywords will see a thumbnail of your video, your video title and the description of your video. All they need to do is click on the video and it begins playing!
2) Get Your Videos Ranked in YouTube

Getting your videos ranked in YouTube is different than Google. It requires different tactics, but the idea is basically the same. Anytime someone performs a search for your keywords in YouTube your video will come up at the top. I feel that getting your videos ranked in Google is more important as a real estate agent because your more likely to get people performing searches for your keywords in Google than YouTube. But, the tactics used to get your video ranked in YouTube will also help it get ranked in Google and you will still get a decent amount of exospore from YouTube searches.
3) Use QR Codes On Your For Sale and Rent Signs

This is a technique I recently learned from another member on Biggerpockets.com, Greg B. from www.GregBrister.com. I have since done a lot of research and playing around with QR codes and see huge potential in this method. Placing a QR code (that is linked to a video tour) on your for sale or rent signs is a great way to drive in more leads. It allows people driving by to stop and see a video tour of the home right on their mobile phone. This is great because it allows the viewer to decide if the house is right for them or not. It saves you time by eliminating people who are not interested and gives you a good lead of someone who likes the house enough to see the inside. 
4) Place A QR Code On Your Business Card

This is perfect for anyone with a video resume or video advertising their real estate services. You can link the QR code to your video and have it play to anyone who scans it from your business card.
5) Use SMS Messaging With Your Mobile Video

This is a technique I recommend using ONLY if you have a SMS list of users who have opted in. Do not send this out to a SMS list you purchased, it will most likely be a waste of money. The key is to have a targeted audience of people who want your messages and info. All you need to do is send them the link in an SMS message. You can use messages like “Hi everyone, Just wanted to let you know there is a 3 bedroom house for sale. Here is a video tour of it: http://LINKTOVIDEO.com”. If they are interested, they will click and watch the video. 
6) Put Videos In Your Email Newsletter

If you have an email newsletter (which you should), you probably send them listings of new houses on the market along with other info. Why not include links to video tours of each home that is newly on the market? It’s a great way to show the home to your email subscribers instead of them reading about the home. 
7) Use Them On Your Website

This is probably the most obvious way to use your real estate videos, but you should place them on your website. Just like #6 it is a great way to show the home instead of people reading about it. If you use your YouTube embed codes it will drive more views to your video and help increase its ranking. 
8) Use QR Codes On Your Print Advertising

If you advertise in magazines, newspapers, or billboards, you can place a QR code on those spots. You are already paying for the ad space, you might as well take advantage of it. If the ads advertise yourself, then place a QR code to the video of you and your company. If the ads advertise your listings then place QR codes to the video tours of those listings.
9) Syndicate Your Video Through Numerous Video Networks

Yes, YouTube is the biggest video site out there, but it is not the only one. You can use programs to syndicate your videos through numerous video networks and get more exposure to your videos. If you are interested you can check out www.tubemogul.com.
10) Post Your Video On Your Social Networks

This may be another obvious tip but it is too important to leave out. You can post your video on your Facebook profile, Twitter, Google+ and other social networks. You should post them with messages similar to your SMS messages, something like “ We just listed a new 4 bedroom home for sale in Los Angeles. Check out the video tour: http://LINKTOYOURVIDEO.com” . It will only be viewed by your followers (who are interested in a 4 bedroom house in Los Angeles), which is more powerful than blasting it out to 100,000 uninterested viewers. 
I always recommend uploading the video to YouTube and using the YouTube URL and embed code to share the video. It will increase your rankings on Google and YouTube, which ultimately leads to more exposure.