With the real estate market more competitive than ever, it’s essential that you differentiate yourself from your competition. For those looking for a surefire way to make an impact, video marketing is a worthwhile consideration.
As a savvy agent, you’ve likely already dipped your toes in the water of video content production. But there may still be some lingering fears holding you back from harnessing this powerful medium.
You may be hesitant to be on camera or need more technical knowledge to produce high-quality videos. You may be worried about the time and cost involved in video marketing or maintaining brand consistency across all your content.
These concerns are valid, but when done correctly, the benefits of video marketing for your business will far outweigh your costs and concerns. A recent study by HubSpot found that 83% of marketers say video helps them generate leads—which is why we’ve made it our mission to help.
Below, we’ll explore the importance of high-quality video content in real estate. We also share valuable resources to guide you through setting up your studio and creating professional video content so you can maximize the ROI of your marketing efforts.
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Essential equipment for your at-home video studio
The first step to crafting high-quality videos for your real estate business is investing in the proper equipment for your studio setup. To streamline this process, we’ve put together a list of must-haves:
A quality camera
DSLR cameras offer superior image quality and versatility, with the option to switch lenses to capture new angles and perspectives. One of the best models for real estate agents is the Nikon D3500, with its 24-megapixel sensor and wide autofocus system.
On the other hand, smartphones offer convenience and ease of use – making them ideal for quick property tours or behind-the-scenes footage. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is our pick, with its multi-camera system offering ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lenses.
At least one tripod
Stability and framing are crucial when shooting real estate video content. Stability ensures that your footage is clear and shake-free, while framing helps to showcase the property in the best possible light. To achieve these goals, you’ll need the right tripod.
Lightweight tripods are ideal for on-the-go shooting and can be easily transported. As the name suggests, tabletop tripods are small and compact, perfect for shooting from smaller spaces. Heavy-duty tripods are ideal for shooting large scenes from a stable base.
The right microphone
Poor audio can ruin an otherwise great video and distract viewers. With the right mic, this won’t be a problem. The three most popular types among real estate agents are lavalier, shotgun, and USB.
Lavalier microphones like the Rode SmartLav+ are small, discreet, and perfect for interviews. Shotgun microphones such as the Rode VideoMic Pro can capture sound from a distance and are ideal for outdoor shoots. A USB microphone such as the Blue Yeti is affordable for beginners or those shooting in confined environments.
Professional lighting equipment
Even gorgeous properties can look lackluster under improper lighting.
Softboxes like Neewer 700W Professional Softbox provide even, gentle illumination, perfect for interior shots. For outdoor photography, LED panels such as an Aputure AL-MX bring abundant light to outdoor scenes. Finally, ring lights—specifically ones by Neewer Ring Light—offer portability with an undeniable touch of class fit for luxury real estate agents.
A sleek backdrop
As a real estate agent, having the proper backdrop in your video content can be instrumental for looking professional. Whether on the go or shooting indoors, portable backdrops such as the Neewer Background Stand and Fovitec Pop-up Background Stand provide excellent options that are perfect for any situation.
If it’s an extra smooth look you’re after, go with seamless paper backdrops such as a Savage Seamless Paper Background Stand – its wide range of colors combined with durability makes it one of the top choices.
Setting up your video studio
For those new to capturing real estate video content, we’ve shared a few best practices for setting up your studio below.
Choosing the perfect location
Finding the ideal place for your video creation studio is essential for setting yourself up for success. Consider a room with ample lighting, space, and good acoustics to help your microphone capture sound without echoes, white noise, or other disruptions.
Arranging equipment
Ensuring that the tripod and camera are in the right spot will guarantee your scene looks professional. Placing the microphone correctly will ensure you never miss a word. With strategic lighting angles and proper use of your backdrop, you can add contrast and beauty to any scene.
Framing & composition
Framing and composition are crucial elements when setting up a video production studio for your real estate business. Proper framing helps draw attention to the subject of the video, while composition can provide a balanced and aesthetically pleasing visual experience.
Research shows that videos shot with good framing and composition receive more views and engagement from potential buyers, increasing sales and customer satisfaction.
Planning your video content
Crafting videos for your real estate business requires more than a camera and an idea. Careful pre-planning is essential to ensure that you provide valuable content tailored to the needs of your target audience. This will help demonstrate your expertise and help you build a strong brand now and in the future.
Identifying your target audience
Understanding your target audience is essential in creating content that resonates with them. To ensure your luxury real estate clients feel satisfied and valued, you should drill into the specific needs of your market segment.
With the help of our PFDD Framework persona-building guide, you can successfully build lasting relationships with target customers looking for high-end experiences by getting to know what makes them tick.
Developing a content strategy
In today’s competitive real estate market, visuals and storytelling are key for agents to connect with their audiences.
Creating various videos—from property tours to agent introductions or market updates—can help establish a robust and personal bond with your viewers, making content more memorable. A great example is our client Jade Mills, who regularly publishes additions to her series #30secondswithjade on her Instagram.
Furthermore, by keeping up a regular release schedule, brand recognition and client satisfaction levels will increase simultaneously.
Preparing for each video shoot
Preparation is critical if you’re looking to make a splash with your real estate videos.
Start by writing scripts that clearly articulate what you want to say. Rehearse for the best delivery, and focus on looking at the camera rather than your script. Remember props like lighting equipment or furniture, which can take the visuals up a notch.
When done correctly, from scripting through staging, preparation makes viewers more likely to be engaged with your message and ultimately convert into sales.
Filming your video content
Creating impactful video content can elevate your business to the next level. To do this successfully, it’s essential to hone in on three key areas: camera settings for optimal visuals, presenting yourself clearly and confidently, and ensuring your video’s audio quality.
Camera settings and techniques
Capturing picture-perfect shots requires a keen eye and technical expertise. High-quality output with an impressive resolution of 1080p at 24 frames per second and well-adjusted focus and exposure settings can give your videos that professional touch to impress potential buyers.
Proper stabilization will also help you create smooth visuals without blur or shaking. Polishing up on these techniques before filming is a surefire way to create content that sets your real estate business apart.
Presenting on camera
Successful real estate agents know how to put their best foot forward. When filming video content, strive for a look that speaks to your style and is comfortable yet professional.
By building rapport with viewers through eye contact and confident body language, you are one step closer to creating trust—the key ingredient in all client relationships. With these small details, you can leave a powerful impression with your video content and maximize your ROI.
Recording high-quality audio
Quality audio is an essential and complementary part of building effective video content. That’s why close attention must be paid to monitoring sound levels for consistent output, with any potential background noise eliminated, so that viewers can focus on the message being conveyed.
Clear speaking will also ensure your words are heard and understood. Your investment in clear audio production will result in an improved online presence and more leads from interested prospects.
Editing and finalizing your videos
With the right know-how, video editing can give your real estate business an edge and allow you to craft unique experiences for potential clients. If you want to get the best results, we recommend learning the three elements below.
Choosing the right editing software
Navigating the world of video editing software can be overwhelming—especially for those just starting. But with careful consideration, you can find an option that fits your budget and needs.
Beginners or users who don’t need extensive features are in luck—many programs such as iMovie, OpenShot, and Shotcut offer basic capabilities without costing a cent.
Professional editors looking to improve their production quality may want to look into paid options like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X, which provide greater control over projects while delivering results for the big screen.
Basic editing techniques
You can create videos that captivate and inform your audience (and other real estate agents) using basic video editing techniques. Clips should be trimmed and arranged to maximize the most relevant content—while titles, graphics, and other visual elements can aid in providing valuable information.
Enhancing audio quality adds another layer of immersion, increasing viewer engagement. With these simple techniques, you have a valuable foundation for marketing your business in a new way.
Exporting and sharing your videos
Video won’t help your bottom line if you never export and share it. That’s why knowing how to choose the proper formats and resolutions to optimize for different platforms is vital.
SEO also plays an important role—from selecting relevant keywords to adding captions or links to your website. These small touches make all the difference in driving results.
Promoting your video content
According to a NAR study, about 97% of buyers use the internet to search for properties, and most of those use social media. By sharing tours, market insights, and other relevant video content on your website and social media pages, you can reach a wider audience and increase your chances of generating leads.
Sharing on social media
Social media has become a key component for real estate agents to market their services. However, the content must be tailored to the platform to maximize engagement.
For example, Instagram favors briefer videos with eye-catching visuals and captions, while YouTube encourages longer pieces optimized with descriptions and keywords. Navigating interactions in comments goes a long way toward building trust among potential clients and highlights your expertise simultaneously.
Incorporating videos into your website
Embedding videos on relevant pages of your website can showcase your expertise and demonstrate commitment to quality service.
You can also write accompanying blogs and combine both mediums to supercharge your SEO performance—or leverage your video content in email campaigns to grab your audience’s attention and increase the likelihood they’ll click through to explore your website.
Collaborating with industry experts
Working with fellow real estate agents on social media can be an invaluable practice. Combining forces helps to strengthen relationships, increase visibility and build a broader perspective by providing information that captures the attention of both parties’ audiences.
By leveraging existing bonds, you can co-create content and cross-promote each other’s profiles, leading to more significant traffic for both parties and increased audience access to valuable knowledge.
Take your content strategy to the next level with Luxury Presence
Video content is essential for forming meaningful relationships with your target market. Our team of digital marketing experts can help you develop a real estate video strategy that speaks directly to the needs and interests of your potential clients and increases trust (and sales leads) for your brand.
Schedule a free consultation to learn how our team can assist you in creating high-quality video content that differentiates you from the competition!