Comments on: WelcomeMat-95% Increase In Video Usage In First Half Of 2009?? http://photographyforrealestate.net/2009/11/13/welcomemat-95-increase-in-video-usage-in-first-half-of-2009/ Helping Real Estate Photographers Be Successful Fri, 25 May 2012 18:09:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Christian Sterner http://photographyforrealestate.net/2009/11/13/welcomemat-95-increase-in-video-usage-in-first-half-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-22352 Christian Sterner Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:51:41 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=3563#comment-22352 Brett, WellcomeMat is a US-only service, which does not excuse us not getting back to you. Apologies if your inquiry fell through the cracks somehow. Brett,

WellcomeMat is a US-only service, which does not excuse us not getting back to you. Apologies if your inquiry fell through the cracks somehow.

]]> By: Brett Clemente http://photographyforrealestate.net/2009/11/13/welcomemat-95-increase-in-video-usage-in-first-half-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-22351 Brett Clemente Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:34:08 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=3563#comment-22351 We have been delivering video to Australian agents for years. When we contacted WelcomeMat several years ago, to join their list of suppliers, nobody ever contacted us. We have been delivering video to Australian agents for years. When we contacted WelcomeMat several years ago, to join their list of suppliers, nobody ever contacted us.

]]> By: Christian Sterner http://photographyforrealestate.net/2009/11/13/welcomemat-95-increase-in-video-usage-in-first-half-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-22350 Christian Sterner Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:55:32 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=3563#comment-22350 Larry, We should have done a better job at stating that we were mostly leaning on internal numbers. WellcomeMat's team did make our best effort to mine data outside of our site/membership, especially with our survey: many people took us up our suggestion to spread the survey outside of our membership. That said, I think few would argue against the fact that WellcomeMat's platform represents the most meaningful core of people using full-motion video in the real estate industry. To this end, there are larger/broader observations and conclusions that can be made based on our internal numbers. In the end, WellcomeMat's made it's best effort to gather statistics and report them to the industry. We are definitely going to get better at it and-barring the "infomercial" comment-many of your statements make sense. Larry,

We should have done a better job at stating that we were mostly leaning on internal numbers. WellcomeMat’s team did make our best effort to mine data outside of our site/membership, especially with our survey: many people took us up our suggestion to spread the survey outside of our membership.

That said, I think few would argue against the fact that WellcomeMat’s platform represents the most meaningful core of people using full-motion video in the real estate industry. To this end, there are larger/broader observations and conclusions that can be made based on our internal numbers.

In the end, WellcomeMat’s made it’s best effort to gather statistics and report them to the industry. We are definitely going to get better at it and-barring the “infomercial” comment-many of your statements make sense.

]]> By: Fred Light http://photographyforrealestate.net/2009/11/13/welcomemat-95-increase-in-video-usage-in-first-half-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-22344 Fred Light Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:32:49 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=3563#comment-22344 Part of the confusion in even figuring out this information, is that VIDEO (true video) is not really separated on the MLS from "virtual tours". It's almost impossible to actually discern the number of true VIDEO tours on any MLS, because they are just listed as a "virtual tour", lumped in with every other kind of tour out there. Because of this, I don't really think there are any true statistics. The only place where video is actually defined as VIDEO is on Realtor.com, and I can honestly say I see virtually NONE. I can only speak about my own market, but MY personal business is crazy - I've never been as busy as I've been this year. I have tons of new customers, and tons of repeat customers who use me over and over, which is testament to the power of video. Even now, when it generally slows down, I'm still very, very busy. Once they drink the KoolAid, most people are hooked. They hear the comments from buyers and sellers and even competitors - and they KNOW it's having an impact. And of course, there IS no better listing tool. I've never heard of an agent that lost a listing when they presented a video as a marketing option. And many get listings specifically because they offer video - I did one just yesterday. The seller TOLD me that was specifically why they hired this particular agent. So video is definitely on the rise, at least among your more seasoned and successful agents who are always looking for something to differentiate themselves over their competition. I don't think it will EVER replace photos and I don't think it will EVER become commonplace - it will always be a niche market. But in these days of the internet - I NEVER say "never". I've been doing video now for nearly 5 years, and basically I'm STILL pretty much the only one in this area doing video (there are a few people that 'dabble', but I probably shoot more in a day than they do all year)... so it's hardly the norm in these parts.... It's still very much a nice market. Part of the confusion in even figuring out this information, is that VIDEO (true video) is not really separated on the MLS from “virtual tours”. It’s almost impossible to actually discern the number of true VIDEO tours on any MLS, because they are just listed as a “virtual tour”, lumped in with every other kind of tour out there. Because of this, I don’t really think there are any true statistics. The only place where video is actually defined as VIDEO is on Realtor.com, and I can honestly say I see virtually NONE.

I can only speak about my own market, but MY personal business is crazy – I’ve never been as busy as I’ve been this year. I have tons of new customers, and tons of repeat customers who use me over and over, which is testament to the power of video. Even now, when it generally slows down, I’m still very, very busy.

Once they drink the KoolAid, most people are hooked. They hear the comments from buyers and sellers and even competitors – and they KNOW it’s having an impact. And of course, there IS no better listing tool. I’ve never heard of an agent that lost a listing when they presented a video as a marketing option. And many get listings specifically because they offer video – I did one just yesterday. The seller TOLD me that was specifically why they hired this particular agent.

So video is definitely on the rise, at least among your more seasoned and successful agents who are always looking for something to differentiate themselves over their competition. I don’t think it will EVER replace photos and I don’t think it will EVER become commonplace – it will always be a niche market. But in these days of the internet – I NEVER say “never”.

I’ve been doing video now for nearly 5 years, and basically I’m STILL pretty much the only one in this area doing video (there are a few people that ‘dabble’, but I probably shoot more in a day than they do all year)… so it’s hardly the norm in these parts…. It’s still very much a nice market.

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