Mr. Scribble on VIDEO – It's Not For Everyone

Something happens to every human being when that red light goes on, and they “KNOW” they are being recorded on video. It’s like a trigger goes off inside us, and for some of us, an alien thought process takes over while for others, they become borderline vain. Listen to what Mr. RE Scribble from the ScribblerBlog, and his friends have to say about Video.

What happens to you when that RED light goes on? Do you get the incredible urge to cover that camera with your hand? R.E. Scribbler taught me that no one will ever love you less because you’re on video!!

Video IS for everyone!! 🙂

Mobile Real Estate Technology – Is It Necessary?

AccessU2 claims to have the easiest 24/7 mobile real estate information access for buyers…. Is this really the way buyers will be shopping for homes now and in the future? That’s what they’re saying. I like that they have incorporated text and photos for cell phone users, (which pretty much includes the entire planet) but how much impact does this type of technology really have when considering buying or selling your greatest investment?

What Exactly is Global Property Information?

So is this more a tool for the seller or the buyer? Is it possible this is the next “Mobile Shopping Network” via the cell phone? Or, is this just another fancy service for the consumer at your expense? I have seen many of these types of services come and go, like the 800 Number Sign Riders, and the Talking House. Remember iBeam? In a world of SMS, IM, and Twitter text messaging, maybe this one will be different. Maybe it’s just too soon to tell?

The iPhone in this video tells me this must be a fairly new technology being offered out of Colorado.

Real Estate Video Hosting – Dare To Compare

Here are 5 common Real Estate Video Hosting Sites that I wanted to test and compare. This is to demonstrate the quality of each host. I used the same exact video for each site. It’s a 2 minute video tutorial that I uploaded to the following locations. Play them, compare, and then you decide. These are all great video hosting services, each with their own unique tools and benefits, but for this post, I just want to compare the quality. Look what happens when you upload your original videos to these servers.

Youtube Video

Google Video

Viddler Video

Vimeo Video

WellcomeMat Video

How To Join ActiveRain – A Video Tutorial

This is a 2 minute video for Real Estate Industry Professionals who would like to know how to sign up on the ActiveRain Network. Be a part of this powerful On-line Community at NO COST. If you’re looking for a place to promote and grow your business while connecting with others in the Industry, this is a great place to START!

Welcome to ActiveRain, one of the Largest On-Line Real Estate Networks in the World.

Join, it takes less than two minutes to do, it’s FREE, and just like with the other 89,000 plus members here, the information, resources, experiences and relationships are priceless, and will last you a lifetime!

FLIP Video "On the FLOP Side"

I was asked to do an interview with a Magazine out of Sacramento called Comstock’s. Nick Parish is a Tech Journalist, and writes a column called the EDGE. The article will be out sometime this September. So if you want the inside scoop about the FLIP Video Camera, here’s what I had to say…

—– Original Message —-
To: Brad Andersohn Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 9:23:45 AM
Subject: Re: tech journalist looking to speak with you (Sent via Activerain)

Hey Brad–

I write a column called Edge for a Sacramento-based business magazine Comstock’s and an upcoming story is a review of the Flip video camera.  They love to have a local angle, so I was wondering if you’d like to talk for 10 or 15 minutes about your experience with the device.  Let me know. It would be pretty painless, and we could do it over email if that’s what you’d prefer. 

Thanks! Nick

 

THE INTERVIEW:

Q – Starting with the easy stuff, where are you from and what do you do?
A – I’m a Community Builder with ActiveRain Corp. out of Washington State. I’m in the Bay Area here in California.

Q – How did you first hear about flip video? How long ago was that?
A – I was sent a Flip Video camera by my Company to test and then Blog what I thought about it. This was about 6-8 weeks ago.

Q – What have you used the camera for?
A – Interviews, travel, music video production, live performances, events, real estate, training, caught on tape etc. 🙂

Q – What were your findings?
A – I like it! For the right venue, there’s nothing better. It can be used for personal or business applications or both.

Q – What did you like? What did you dislike?
A – I like that it’s small and portable, has great video and audio, and features 1 hour recording time with the FLIP USB. It’s a flip, point, click and view camera. It’s limited on features, but understandable for the price. I don’t like that it’s (standard) battery operated and it doesn’t have a jack for an external microphone. No long distance video.

Q – What do you think the camera is best suited for, in business or personal use?
A – I think both. It’s a video camera meant to take video anytime, anywhere. If you’re looking for professional and quality, I like it almost as much as my other digital camcorder. Keep in mind that a big percentage of the quality and content, well, much of that depends on who’s at the back side of the camera.

Q – Do you use other video devices?
A – I have used Cell Phone video, Flip Video, Digital Camcorder video and Digital camera video. I like the small, portable, easy to travel and use devices. My iPhone, Flip Video, and Panasonic never leave home without me.

END OF INTERVIEW:

So is this FLIP really the “eyes” and “future” of Video?

I’m just curious, what’s your review of the Flip Video? I have heard they are getting harder to find in stores, are they really that popular?

How would you answer the above questions?  I’m looking for the good, the bad and the ugly!!

So “On The FLIP or FLOP side, what’s your opinion?

Email Signatures – How Good/Bad Are They?

There are so many technology tools in Real Estate today, I think half the battle is determining which one’s work and which one’s don’t. No matter what you use in your business to promote and make yourself available to consumers, family, friends and clients, I think an up-to-date signature on your email messages should be a top priority. I receive hundreds of emails on my ActiveRain and Yahoo accounts. So yes, I have seen many of YOUR signatures. :-)) (Brad Grins…)

Do you have your number or contact info there? Is your signature branded with your company logo and current photo? Are there links to information about you or your business others might find useful? Do the links work, or do they need updating? Or is your signature just blank?

I read some Blogs recently that say why a signature is not necessary. IMO, since email is the most commonly used form of communication along with text messaging, how important is all this anyway? I guess this is a choice every individual needs to make. Only you know your thoughts and what you believe regardless if you decide to share that opinion here or not. See, there you go thinking about it.. lol~

Here’s a service provided by “Email Ideas” and at first glance, I like the product they offer. The one I am using here and on my email signature over at yahoo.com, is a FREE signature eCard. It has a link to create your own, and an advertisement up the side, both of which will disappear if you decided to pay for a service like this. It’s a pretty cool layout with the HTML embed links, so I thought I’d share it with you.

Whether you use a service like EmailIdeas, MyBlogLog or any other eCard / vCard service, I think it’s important to have information like this made readily available in a professional and easy to read format or layout.

Have you updated your email signature lately? Do you need to? Is it good or is it bad? Don’t be afraid to ask others and get their opinions. That’s what I did.

Try this tool yourself for FREE. If you don’t like it, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If all this post does is get you to re-evaluate your email signature, then it has served it’s purpose. The “EmailIdeas” eCard works with the following:

Here’s another sample eSignature from the “MyBlogLog”” site, it’s more of a social networking style. There’s many others out there I’m sure. These are not only good for email signatures, they can be used here on AR like below, or on your outside Blogs and websites, even as a graphic or Brand on your snail mail and letters. I kinda like these tools and the price.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Brad Andersohn Community Builder ActiveRain Corp. Fairfield, CA, 94534 US	Phone: 707 718-6773 Brad@ActiveRain.com http://ActiveRain.com
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

ActiveRain Navigation – For New Members

If you are new to ActiveRain, first of all, we’d like to welcome you. ActiveRain is one of the best places to Network with other Real Estate Industry Professionals online, and it’s a great place to start your Blog. If you have recently joined the community, but have not yet had the chance to setup your profile, create your first Blog post, or have not learned how to get around and navigate the neighborhood, this post IS for you.

This is a short 8 minute video tutorial that will take you on a journey through three main areas of the ActiveRain Online Network. These areas include: the tabs and links on the main home page, the links and navigational tools on your “My Home” page, and lastly, the hidden tools and links on AR that can get you extra points and more information about your Blog. This is a large video file, please be patient, it may take 15-20 seconds to load.

Here are some links to other pages we recommend if you’re a new member here:

• Our Principles and Philosophy

• Community Guidelines

• Getting Started

• Online Resources

• ActiveRain Success Stories

• In The News

Inter-Active Video Tutorial – ActiveRain Navigation (8:30 min)

With Inter-Active Video, you can click on any of the links at anytime.

Disclaimer: This tutorial was created on the quiet side with the intention of not waking up the families of any “New” or existing Midnight Blogging Members. 🙂

7 Unique ActiveRain Video Tools

There are many valuable and powerful tools using ActiveRain Video, these are just some of my favorite that I wanted to share and let you know are available.  Comparing these Video Hosting Sites these past few months has been challenging, only because there are so many.  Each unique in it’s own way. I totally support ANY video platform that can help your business marketing and advertising.

Here’s a recent post Video in Real Estate Is Viral!  be sure to check that one out.

7 unique things about ActiveRain Video for existing users and others who might be interested.

1. Everything is ALL online.  This allows you access to your library of videos anytime and from any computer with internet access.  No software is needed to upload, edit, produce and publish your video media.
2. Adding Links in the body of a Video is so new and unique, most viewers don’t even know it’s there.  We’re finding that many of us video users are having to add words like “CLICK HERE” or “MORE DETAILS” so people know that the video is inter-active. This IMO, is one of the best features.



3. One click SEO. A single check in the box allows the search engines to crawl and index your videos. I have seen some of my video files I’ve posted show up at the top of Google in a matter of hours. Try it for yourself and test it, you’ll be blown away. 



4. Online Back-end analytics.  These graphs and reports give you information about your videos, and provide some very unique tools and data. Mixpo offers it’s own custom analytics for each and every video in your library. Example:

# How many have viewed video and their location

# What percentage of the video viewers watched

# How many times and if it was viewed more than once

# How viewers found your video and the embed links

# How many total views, impressions and conversions

 

5.  Single edit auto population. When editing video from your ActiveRain library, any updates, changes or modifications you make to videos, automatically updates ALL the internet locations you have that video embedded. This is another very unique tool, it will save you tons of editing and placement time, and time is money.

6.  Create Templates. Templates allow you to simplify the creating and editing time.  You can create master intro’s, endings, and custom ads all through-out.  Then just remove previous video and drop in the new video, and you’re done in minutes, not hours.

Just FYI – there is also a library with over 1150 images, videos, photos, and motion backgrounds. There are hundreds of background tracks and audio clips to use, all included online and at your fingertips.

7.  Video ad Rotation.  Let’s say you have 10 video listings in your library, and you want them to rotate on your Blog or Website.  Mixpo lets you select which ones and then automatically rotates them each time the embedded player refreshes.  I couldn’t find that type of feature anywhere else, though it may still exist.

That’s It – My Favorite Seven (7)

The purpose of this post is to try and help increase and heighten the awareness of Video in our Real Estate Community, and how it can impact your readers and your business.  What’s available? What are the key features and benefits?  How can it help?  How do I do it?  These help files, and the tutorials I have posted previously, are for those who have asked for them, or who are currently considering using Video.

Having come from the Title and Escrow Industry, I know that often times I come across as though I’m trying to sell you something…sorry, go ahead and spank me for that bad habit now!  LOL!~ We’re just making another tool available to members if they want or see the need for it in their business.  Video for Real Estate is, and will become MORE prominant on the Web in a very short time. It’s already one of the Worlds most “Viral” components on the Internet.

Coming soon …the ability to FTP or transfer your videos from Mixpo so that they can be used and posted in other local and Internet locations, like your server, your desktop, maybe youtube and some of the other video hosting sites like these.

Other Related Video and Mixpo Posts:
How To Get Started with ActiveRain Video
ActiveRain Video and On-line Tools
10 Tips for Creating Better Video
Real Estate Video – Viral Websites

 

 

The future belongs to those who know how to leverage online technologies!
Comment in post by: Kirk Westervelt Greenville, SC

ActiveRain Drops in Tennessee

I’ve just returned home from an ActiveRain field training in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Mike Frazier from Carousel Realty coordinated the entire event. This was the first official “ActiveRain Field Training” for myself, AR, and for Tennessee. It was an incredible journey and I was honored to be the “Chosen One” to scatter some “Rain Drops” across the Country.

I spent many hours in travel for this 4 hour class,it was worth every minute, and I would do it all over again. I was very fortunate to see and experience so much in just 48 hours. Nothing short of awesome! The ActiveRain members in Tennessee are some of the kindest, most generous and hospitable people I have ever met. There are so many things that I could post about this trip. I know other members are Blogging about it too, so this is what I have chosen to share…

My Video Journal of the Adventure. It was more fun than one person should be allowed to have! These are just a few of the places I was able to explore and visit while in the great state of TN.

Tennessee Video Adventure – 4min.

(BTW – I ‘ve been corrected, it’s “YAWHOO.COM in Tennessee, and not YEAHWHO.COM”) LOL~

WOW! What a day! We tried to go over 3 days worth of information and topics in just four hours. I’m talking TMI overload to the max, but the class was great and they withstood 4 hours with me. That’s Incredible. I can hardly take 4 hours of myself. Here’s what we attempted to cover.

Some members of the class Blog regularly on AR, and others, we are encouraging to just dive in and start. Everyone remembers trying to write that very first post and how it felt. The pressure, the fear, that voice in our head, and procrastination. Take a moment and encourage these folks if you get a chance. I know it helped me when I started Blogging. There are so many new members looking at ActiveRain from the outside in, and don’t realize the power and benefit of being inside, and looking out. Take the opportunity to pay it forward every time you can.

Here’s Some Link Love for my Friends

Newer Tennessee members to ActiveRain:

• Janice Reed
• Tammy Weik
• Pat Cummings
• Gretchen Whitlow

Others that wanted to share too:

• Chris Conrad
• Jackie Keeling
• Joey Markham
• Renee Busse
• David Saks
• Vickie McCartney
• Mike Frazier
• Jan Evett
• Larry Brewer

I was sad to leave Tennessee so quickly. All the socially networking with other members on ActiveRain is so powerful and very important, but bonding with members in person is absolutely unparalleled. We simply just ran out of time. If you EVER get the chance to have or attend an ActiveRain Gathering, Training, or Workshop, take advantage of those opportunities, you won’t ever regret it. You can mark my words.

I’m trying to put together some Webinars and Techinars that we can offer to members on-line who miss, or can’t make it to these events. In the future, I’m hoping to feature some “special guest” speakers and “trainers” from different parts of the Country covering a variety of topics. It could be very cool and useful with this many members. More info coming soon…

Also, if you’re interested in doing some training in your area, let us know. It’s possible that we can make it happen. With a combined effort, it really isn’t that costly. It looks like some of our next stops might include Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Arizona, Texas, Washington and San Francisco.

Lastly, there’s a RUMOR and it IS TRUE. I WAS escorted to Graceland, to Elvis Presley’s Mansion by David Saks in a red convertible, however, the rumor that I got to try one of Elvis’ favorite snacks, a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich is not true. We are saving that for my next visit, and all of Tennessee will be invited to join us! Thank you to my fellow “Rainer’s” and friends for your warm welcome, your participation in the class, and all your support in Dyersburg. I’m really looking forward to being there again next year…if not sooner!

ActiveRain at Real Estate Connect 2008

There’s a buzz in the Blogosphere about the Inman Real Estate Connect in San Francisco this year. Have you heard? It’s Coming pretty quick. Last year, it was a total blast, and this year promises to be even better. It’s going to be at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco again, on July 23-25th, 2008.

I just wanted to remind everyone how cool it was last year, and how much bigger and better it will be this year. It’s one thing to meet people from all over the Country online, but then meeting them in person is the REAL DEAL! It was so cool getting to learn about Blogging, Industry tools and technologies, Real Estate challenges and solutions, but the best part for me was meeting and getting to know ALL the people. Too Much Fun!!

This year, ActiveRain staff and many of our members will be there once again. Hundreds of Industry professionals will travel from all over the Country to take part in “The Connect” this year. The “Bloggers Connect” is one of my favorites. Last year we had a special guest visitor, the #1 ActiveRain Member, “Sharon Simms” who traveled all the way from Florida to be a part of the Real Estate Connect 2007. She has almost 400,000 points! OMG!! And she’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet!

For me personally, it was one of the best events of the entire year. The information, the guest panel of speakers, and the education provided about Blogging was priceless. I also finally got to meet many other AR members in person! It was so awesome. Just a few I remember were Jeff Turner, Teresa Boardman, Brad Inman, Jeff Dowler, Laurie Manny, Mary Pope Handy, Gena Riede, Roberta Murphy, Dustin Luther, Jim Cronin, Brian Brady, Lynda Eisenmann, Marlene Bridges and there were many others. This was where I got to meet Jon and Matt for the very first time. The who’s who of Real Estate Bloggers were there in force for sure!

Brad Inman and his staff do a fantastic job coordinating the program. They have special guest speakers, an Internet Marketing Workshop, The Bloggers connect, an Exhibit Hall, and so much more. Here are the schedule details. You can Download them to Ical or Outlook. You can also register here if you like.

You might still want to get the “Early Bird” discount that was offered previously. It’s the “Special Bloggers Discount”, plus you’ll get to participate in some of the Blogging fun!! It’s easy, just add a Badge to your Blog, create a post before the event, and then one after the event, and save 150 Bucks. No contest, everyone wins. That’s like getting paid to Blog?? DETAILS>>> Your posts should be about the event, here’s mine! 🙂

If you are planning on attending this year, we’d like to know. I’m trying to arrange some type of ActiveRain Gathering during the program this year (TBA). Let me know if you’re coming so we can get an idea of how many to expect. This will be a FUN and COOL event that you Won’t want to miss. (I wasn’t in Vegas, so I can’t compare the two if you ask!) Big Grin!! :-O

We will be there and we hope to see you there too. It’s a great opportunity to get RE-Connected with us, other ActiveRain members, and hundreds of other Bloggers and Real Estate Industry Professionals from all over the Country. So come work and play in “The City By The Bay!” It only happens here once a year!!

My Picture Video From Last Year’s RE Connect