I finally got on the Video bandwagon and started using video to cover local events and businesses--a great way to be known as the "local expert" where I sell Real Estate. I researched video cameras and went through a lot of trial and error because I realized this was a good way to provide something useful for the community while subtly promoting my services and listings. This is a "what's in it for them" approach to networking.
Creating videos to showcase homes (and posting them on YouTube) is also a very good tool I include in listing presentations. I don't make videos for all my listings - let's face it, foreclosures and similar homes don't always show well on the big screen. However, I usually get a several good pictures and create Real Estate shows for listings. Some time ago, I found out that they create a video out of the show which is posted on YouTube and Zipvo.
While these are two "must do" uses of video, I discovered another very useful way to assist my buyers when they are choosing a home. It started with my nephew when we were getting close to writing an offer on a home. They wanted to show it to some friends and family so I took a video with my Flip Video and posted it on Facebook for them. While pictures are good, this really gives a truer sense of what the home is like. Later I took some clients out a second viewing of a home and they wanted to take some pictures to show their friends. I always have my toolbox with me and they forgot their camera. Not only did I take some pictures to forward them, I took another video with my Flip. Since they don't have a Facebook account, I posted in on YouTube and sent a link. About a week later, they were having a dinner party and called to have me send them the link again.
It was great fun reading the comments that people made on the Facebook link and to get noticed for another tool that I provide to their friends and family. It is so easy with the Flip and I always have it with me. I am taking out clients whose parents are coming to see their top picks. They don't live in the area - so I can continue to offer this when they can't be here - it's an important decision and it's important to have some additional input.
Royal Oak Realtor selling Real Estate in Southeastern Michigan. TishHouse sells Houses - selling Oakland County Real Estate with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan. Helping People in a challenging market by specializing in Short Sales. See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service. Follow me on Twitter.
We are a designated agency but I find that many buyers don't want to sign an agency agreement-particularly right off the bat. I am not a pushy type of person and feel that if people like working with me, they will regardless of having a contract. And, if they have signed a contract and don't want to work with me, I would agree to dissolve the contact - why would I want to hold them to it if they are unhappy-it doesn't work for either party to be in such a relationship. I have struggled with this dilemma and got the idea for this post when I read Broker Bryant's post about 
I think we are a culture that is basically suspicious of "sales" people. I know when I get a call from a telemarketer, I am immediately on my guard-with a website, I get a lot of calls for all kinds of services. If I was on the other end and someone was asking me to sign a contact to work with them, I would want to know them better-at least started to build a relationship. Maybe this is why I have a tough time asking buyers to sign an agency agreement. I have never had a buyer go somewhere else after starting to work with me with or without a contract so it has never been a problem. However, because we are a designated agency, everyone expects me to get it signed-and right away before we have viewed any homes. So, I am curious how other realtors handle this situation.