Hey, real estate agents! By now you’ve probably heard about how powerful video marketing is for your business. You might be thinking about finally taking the leap. But you don’t know where to start. Should you focus on short video formats like reels and Tiktok or long video formats like Youtube videos? Which one is better for your agent business? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option so you can decide what you should do.
Reels and TikTok are short videos that last up to 60 seconds. They are great for capturing attention, showing your personality, and creating viral content. You can use them to showcase your listings, share tips, or tell quick stories. Other benefits of using reels and TikTok are:
– They are easy to create and edit all with just your smartphone.
– They have a large and engaged audience that loves to discover new content.
– They can help your agent business expand its reach and awareness to new audiences.
– They have a better chance of going viral and getting large view counts.
However, Reels and Tiktok also have some drawbacks, such as:
– They have limited time and space to properly convey your message.
– They have low retention and conversion rates compared to longer videos.
– Leads from these sources tend to be of lower quality.
– They don’t build that trust factor as well as long format video.
– They can be seen as unprofessional or spammy by some viewers.
– They are difficult for users to catalog or search for later.
Youtube videos are longer videos that can last from a few minutes to an hour. They are ideal for providing valuable knowledge, building trust, and establishing authority. You can use them to educate your audience, answer questions, or showcase experience and expertise. Other advantages of using Youtube videos are:
– They allow you to go in-depth and provide more information.
– They have higher retention and conversion rates than shorter videos.
– Leads from Youtube videos are higher quality, and people who are ready to take action. Think about it. If someone intentionally sits through a 10-minute-plus video, they are more likely ready to take action than someone who watched you for 60 seconds.
– As they watch more of your videos, there’s a greater trust factor that is being built the longer they watch.
– They are easy for users to easily search for you on both Google and Youtube search results.
However, youtube videos also have some challenges, such as:
– They require more time and resources to produce and edit.
– They have a more competitive and saturated market that requires consistent quality and frequency.
– They can be skipped or ignored by viewers who prefer shorter content or become bored with your video.
So, which video format should you choose? The answer is: it depends. It depends on your goals, your audience, your budget, and your style. You might want to experiment with different formats and see what works best for you. Or you might want to use a mix of both short and long videos to reach different segments of your market.
For me personally, I spent 2022 creating shorts on Tiktok, FB, and Instagram. It helped me to spread awareness and reach of my real estate business. But I didn’t get many leads. And the ones that I did get were low quality. In early 2023, I decided to start creating longer Youtube videos. I was hesitant at first because as mentioned, Youtube takes longer to create. But thankfully through my partner’s video editing service, all I do is write and record the content and then his team of assistants will edit the video, create the thumbnails, write the descriptions, and publish the video. It really made it EASY! And I started seeing better results right away. Within the first month, I noticed higher quality leads from people who were actually ready to start looking for homes to contact me. Since I started the Youtube journey, I’ve attracted at least 8 high-quality leads in 4 months. I’ve already sent out two quality out-of-state referrals and am working on closing my first Youtube lead. What I’ve learned so far is when people are looking to be entertained or inspired they watch reels or shorts. And if they happen to randomly come across an educational video on real estate, if it piques their interest, they will watch it. However, they likely won’t take immediate action. When people actually want to learn how to do something or they are ready to take action, they go to Youtube to learn. They intentionally seek out the information. And so by utilizing both formats, it’s the best of both worlds for your business.
The bottom line is: video marketing is a powerful tool for real estate agents. It can help you showcase your expertise, connect with your clients, and grow your business. So don’t be afraid to try it out and see the results for yourself! The important thing is to get started! If you’re a busy agent that would benefit from the done-for-you video editing services that I use for my shorts or long-format video, reach out to me to learn more and see if it’s right for you. If you have any questions about this topic or comments, drop them below.