Kick Off To MTO Vlogging Contest!
By NikNik · August 3, 2008
Okay, so you may have noticed we have taken a fancy to podcasting here over the last few months. It’s been a great exploration of social media….learning how to best create and share our podcasts. I could also compare my experience to that of a horror flick, as recording and listening to my own voice pretty much scares everyone out of the office. I started out as a perfectionist, trying to bleep out and edit all my verbal mistakes. Poor Reggie would listen from a far as a barrage of four letter words would radiate from my mouth with each tongue twister I encountered. I quickly learned to “get over” the mishaps and just let the words flow. Besides, everyone makes mistakes and it’s just more natural and easier to listen to.
So, now that I’ve been podcasting for awhile, the next scary medium that requires my attention….is video. Duh! I’ve been afraid to touch vlogging in the past for many of the same reasons that others have been avoiding the camera: (1) it takes too much time, (2) not sure about the right equipment, (3) what content is best to share, and (4) I will look and sound like a jackass…or to quote one of my favorite comedic geniuses, Adam Sandler, “They’re all gonna laugh at you!”
I finally have the perfect retort:
(1) TIME REBUTTAL: Make a commitment to once a week. Pick a spot and shoot. It can actually take a lot less time than writing a post…if you know what you’re talking about.
(2) EQUIPMENT REBUTTAL: The Flip…it’s $149 and has one red button for start and stop and plugs directly into your computer via USB drive. Video opens in a super easy format with immediate email and upload options. Oh, and no rendering time!
(3) CONTENT REBUTTALL: What makes you and your niche unique? If you are asking questions or talking about a specific topic, idea, thing, or place…chances are someone else is. So address those topics. If you’re clients have regular inquiries about your market, create a short video that can be viewed time and again. And just remember….any content that you had planned to write about can be shared via video.
(4) JACKASS REBUTTAL: Who cares?! I do, and you should too. You may not be the next Meredith or Matt from the Today Show. But you should make a concerted effort to look like your audience. If you have a rockstar audience…put on your leather pants! If your audience is strictly business, put on a suit! If your audience is comprised of neighbors in your niche, then look like you do when you meet them in public. Your branding yourself, so don’t make yourself up into something other than your normal everyday! We want to recognize you!
We’re so excited about real estate video implementation that Reggie, Chad and I would like to announce our, “Kick Off To MTO Vlogging Contest”! The goal of this contest is to foster video communication in the real estate industry, share innovative technology, and help real estate professionals over the “getting started” vlogging hurdle.
Your Task: Create a video that answers the following question: What technology product or service has made the biggest impact on your business? And why? (EX: blog, social network, mobile device, transaction management, lead generation tool, etc.) Then send us the link to your video. We will be featuring all entries on MTO. Be sure to get your video in by midnight August 31, 2008. Your video will be judged by us, as well as four celebrity expert judges (Lani Anglin-Rosales, Mike Price, Daniel Rothamel and Jeff Turner). The winner will receive:
(1) A Flip Ultra ($149 value)
(2) Obtain a Featured Video Section on the MTO Homepage for 6 months
(3) Score Custom Video Blog Integration (offered by Chad from DravenCreation Web Design)
(4) Video Broadcast Set Up and Distribution via MLBroadcast ($78 value)
(5) RealSeekr Premium Membership for 1 year ($249 value) & Logitech Quickcam for Skype ($35 value)
THE RULES:
- You must be a real estate or mortgage professional. (That means: agents, brokers, lenders, etc. NO VENDORS…we want REAL working professionals knee deep in the industry who are making a real impact with technology in their RE business and with clients.)
- Answer the question in 5 minutes or LESS.
- Be creative
- Be professional
- Be yourself
- Prove your point!
- Submit a link to your video to us by midnight August 31, 2008.
We’re looking to get cozy with you, so MTO now supports video comments. Video is not a one way street, it’s an information super highway with shortcuts, road blocks, and occasional potty break….so please, don’t make me do all the talking. Jump in and go for a ride with me!
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Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy… nice to see the famous Nik Nik in action finally. We’ll be sending in ours and we have JUST the right topic to vlog about. Stand by
Great prizes!!
Mike Mueller is in!
contest update {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://www.mytechopinion.com/thumbnails/videocomment2.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”contest update ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://seesmic.com/video/oEAdd29tox”}}}
Ginger- No time like the present….I’d love to see YOU in action!
Mike-I think you broke my Internet too! Having a little hiccup with video comments over here. Guess I’ll have to learn from the best! Looking forward to your entry!
contest update {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/gpy3TRCoYz_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”contest update ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/0hawr9cjz1″}}}
Hi NikNik,
I always enjoy reading your blogs. So, that video was shot with the flip? What other RE applications can you see using the flip for?
-Matt
Nice to meet you, NikNik, Brad Andersohn sent me over, Subscribed! I got a Flip -, too chicken to submit a video yet, ‘they might laugh at me!”
BTW Walmart online has the Ultra/60min on sale for $125 + free shipping-mine arrived the next day.
Matt- Quite a few, I would say. Just get creative in your niche. Here are some immediate thoughts:
-client testimonials
-neighborhood interviews & insights
-A “Why I like to live here!” video series
-Neighborbood and Home Characteristics
-Floor plans for a particular subdivision
-Schools, parks, walking paths, etc.
-Businesses (how many nearby Starbucks…or the local competition)
-Personal bio/background/expertise
-Demonstrations/how-tos
-Previewing videos with agent opinion (send to clients prior to tour)
Let me know if you come up with any others…better yet send me a link to your video!
Virginia,
Thanks for the tip! There are definitely some great deals out there! I was just on ebay and found a few new ones for as low as $64! But I must admit….I’m not very patient when it comes to waiting for my technology!
Oh, and I still laugh every time I see myself on video. I just pretend I have a dorky twin and make fun of her!
NikNik,
Your video is GREAT! I spent 10-years on-air in TV news before jumping into Real Estate. I have yet to marry the two but I think the time has come!!!! I will order today and post something ASAP!
Again, I enjoy all your valuable insight!
Thanks, Matt
Leavenworth real estate Geordie Romer getting ready for contest {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/BQRY21FbVD_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”Leavenworth real estate Geordie Romer getting ready for contest ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/uLuBheVKNy”}}}
Geordie…you’re killin’ me! I’m dying to know your favorite technology!
Waiting for your kick ass entry!
My seesmic video will not post…..(sound of webcam hitting the wall)
You’re right! I just tested and got the same error. STOP THROWING THINGS!!! Can’t be me…must be seesmic!
Seesmic is still not working. Too bad there is not a 12 seconds plugin
My entry is in. I’m on a one man crusade to bring silent films back…
We love it Geordie! Thanks for your entry! There are quite a few contenders now! It’s going to be a tough choice!