Video Doesn’t Need to “Kill” Virtual Tours
By WellcomeMat on Aug 23, 2007 in Marketing, WellcomeMat
Yesterday, Jeff Turner decided to make a personal attack on WellcomeMat, and me (Christian) on Active Rain, based on a blog post that Phil (co-founder of WellcomeMat) wrote. Here’s a short history:
-Christian Sterner, Jeff Turner, and Phil from Turnhere on on a panel about video at the Inman Connect event in SF.
-Jeff Turner decides that video is still a debatable medium, and attempts to sway the attendees into believing that slide shows are better than video using a “cheaper/easier” argument. His ROI statements are decently solid, but all new technology starts off more expensive, and becomes more affordable with competition.
-WellcomeMat team members wrongfully use a bad video to demonstrate how easy a video tour is to create.
-Jeff uses this video as his foundation about how slide shows are better than video
Here’s what I’ll say: congrats to Jeff for creating a bunch of product advocates out of his customers. It takes one look through the comments of his post to see that he has some serious fans. However, slide shows companies are not WellcomeMat’s competition. Maybe they’d like us to think that they are competition (I can’t speak for them), but WellcomeMat has far more lofty goals than to just supplement or beat out slide show/virtual tour companies as a listing enhancement. We consider video technology companies our competition, and no one else. If someone has to make the choice between a good video or virtual tour, we think the choice is plainly in favor of video. Should you use photos and video? You definitely should if you want more attention on the web.
WellcomeMat is a real estate and local business advertising platform. Can we help people enhance a listing…not a single doubt in my mind. But, WellcomeMat has only just begun to execute the most exciting plans for our business and there will be no doubt what my team, and company, are capable of when our work is completed (can someone please tell me when this is?). While I don’t appreciate being attacked by Jeff Turner, I don’t think his argument (or personal attack) matters. It is home sellers, and ultimately buyers/renters that decide which medium wins. I will end with a hypothetical situation:
Imagine the television has just been invented. Someone sets this TV down, connects the wires, and turns on a program. Web video is in precisely the same position: did radio and print guys try to downplay TV when it came out? Their future depended on it…of course they did!
Popularity: 18% [?]
On Aug 23, 2007, Chris H. said:
Well put, Christian!
Keep it up, man.
Chris H.
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On Aug 23, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
You can bet on it Chris.
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On Aug 23, 2007, Lucas Lechuga said:
I can attest to the fact that video does wonders in real estate. I’ve sold properties through video where the buyer didn’t physically see it before making the purchase. Video to them did a whole lot more than picture slideshows could ever do.
My blog has only been around for a little over 4 months but my blog is rated 26 of all blogs as rated by Blogflux BlogTopSites. I couldn’t have done it without WellcomeMat. You guys allow me to present real estate in a whole new light. I get people from other cities, as a result, who are interested in real estate here because of the videos that I host on WellcomeMat. Thank you guys!!!
Lucas
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On Aug 24, 2007, Dave Herring said:
Pretty funky reporting style, definitely looked as though he had an axe to grind.
I suppose some bloggers dig the role of Don Quixote.
A whole lot of blind leading the blind going on, though I did see a turn in philosophy as the thread continued.
Several posts supported the use of both technologies, which is positive and tantamount to acceptance.
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On Aug 24, 2007, Jeff Link said:
Christian, kind of taking this a little personal? (and know this is not an attack on, you are welcomeMAT) Jeff is just stating his personal preferences. I would also like to be quite honest and say that the fact that he blogged and referenced welcomeMAT. Only helps you in this instance. As I was signing up for an account, I also noticed that there were two or three other active rain members already getting new account’s. one of the reasons why I signed up for real estate showswas the fact that they embed video. I also believe there are two market’s. The older market, that won’t a more professional look. And the younger market that does not really care whether there’s shaky video or bad lighting. That’s why I’ll use every resource I can find on the Web. To market to both groups.
I do however feel that you’re blowing this out of proportion. I would also not recommend starting a flame war with someone as respected as Jeff Turner. since I did not get to see the conference, and I haven’t found any video only yet. I do not know what all was said at the conference. I do know however, being in the real estate industry for three years. that video will be beyond a lot of the agents grasp. that being the case. Jeff trying to dissuade a lot of realtors from trying to use video is probably good advice.
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On Aug 24, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
Mr. Jeff Link! Thanks for diving in, and thanks for sticking up for what you believe in. Here’s the deal: I was an English Literature major, and there can be no mistake about the intentions behind the blog post on Active Rain. Jeff wanted to discredit WellcomeMat, my team (forget about me…I could care less about his shots at me), and video. When you sink your life savings into something, when you quit a six figure job that you love, make no money for 14 months with one child here/one arriving any day, and someone tries to bash everything you believe in professionally using the worst example of a video possible, the gloves come off. He probably feels the same way about WellcomeMat, and that is fine. The bottom line for me is that we are a video company, and we know that video will fundamentally change the real estate marketplace forever. We intend to be that change. I love all people (everyone that knows me, knows this), but all that love turns into raw commitment, and passion on the game field (everything gets related to team sports for me…always will). If I saw Jeff right now, I’d probably give the dude a hug. In the game, I am gritting my teeth and doing everything and anything I can to win my game…video. If nothing else, I want to be sure that you know why things got personal. There it is. -Christian
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On Aug 24, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
Dave,
Apologies for not responding earlier: no doubt my man! I feel like we have come a long way based on the comments on the AR post. People are starting to not only get video, but believe in it. It’s been a long road, but things are moving!
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On Aug 26, 2007, Jeff Link said:
Here is another take on your video.
http://www.lostremote.com/2007/02/16/online-video-in-the-real-estate-industry/
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On Aug 26, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
That is from February I believe. I remember that post well.
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On Aug 27, 2007, Jeff Turner said:
Christian… my post on ActiveRain was not intended as a personal attack on you or Wellcomemat. It was a strong response to your assertions on this blog that “slide shows” or virtual tours can’t compete with even a home made Video.
I clearly stated early in my post that”video has so much inherent potential to effectively communicate emotion. Done properly it is, experientially, the next best thing to being there.” My comments are about poorly done video, about the comparative ease of creation of virtual tours and about the fact that in many cases virtual tours are a better marketing solution.
This has been my consistent message, even on the panel at Inman Connect. I wish there were video available from the panel so that everyone could hear exactly what was said on that panel. I certainly didn’t insinuate that video was a “debatable” medium. On the contrary, well-done video is outstanding. The key is that any medium must be done well to be effective.
You are now saying that “slide show companies are not WellcomeMat’s competition.” But two of the five posts written before my post on ActiveRain were written specifically about “slide shows” and VT’s. Each of those two posts either used portions of comments I made on the panel or referenced the panel in some form. Since I was the only panelist that does “slide shows,” who, other than RealEstateShows.com, were you referencing?
I believe that video has an important role to play in real estate. When done well and in the right situation, it is the best Internet marketing approach. I’ve said this many times on many different forums. But I do not believe it is right for the vast majority of properties sold in America. My reasons for believing this are not anecdotal.
I think the timing and nature of your comments and the ensuing debate will prove to be invaluable for the real estate industry. Up to now, technology enabled transparency and real estate buyers’ appetites to use information provided on the Internet has been the transforming factor in the business. But sellers of homes, for the most part, have not yet embraced the Internet with the same knowledge, enthusiasm and demands as have buyers.
So it is important and timely that we bring to light, for the benefit of all Realtors, a lively and thorough discussion of the pros and cons of all approaches to Internet marketing presentations. It is vital that Realtors are well prepared for the day that the vast majority of sellers demand strong Internet marketing presentations and can lead those sellers to the most intelligent approaches. I want to see Realtors prepared to intelligently lead that change with solid, situationally sound Internet marketing solutions.
Our goal will be to give real estate professionals a way to analyze, based on sound business principles, when it makes sense to use video, when it’s better to use virtual tours, and why.
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On Aug 27, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
Jeff Link, Phil here (Christian’s partner). I appreciate the reference to the lost remote link. I hadn’t been to that post in some time and so it gave me the opportunity to read some of the newer comments. Thanks again.
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On Aug 28, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
Thanks for hopping in Jeff. I doubt there are many literate people out there that could see anything other than an attack on WellcomeMat in your AR post. And, as far as the posts about slide shows in this blog (and in our neighborhood forum) we were responding to our concerns, and our users’ concerns that slide shows are being uploaded to WellcomeMat, and other video sites, in video form (acceptable video file formats…therefore able to be converted and played on video sites). Additionally, and you are not guilty of this by any stretch, there are quite a few of your competitors selling slide shows as “video.” It’s not video, and it is important for people to know a) the difference between the two, and b) that they can be damaging their public image (definitely with my generation and younger) by trying to pawn slide shows off as videos. These are, in fact, being uploaded way out of context.
So, while you may have thought that our posts in our blog were all about your product, they were about people trying to fake video (which you are not). Phil got a little head strong in his blog post, and you-being competitive-got angry and re-acted incorrectly (with an attack). I have made this same mistake before, will probably do it again (competitive), and we honestly aren’t holding any grudges.
So yes…slide show companies are not our competition. Have we made a solid enough business case for video with our customers? For some we have…but we have a long way to go, and your ideas help us in this direction. Thanks for that.
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On Aug 28, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
Btw…we are not going to stop people from uploading slide shows, but will simply identify them as such so that people are aware that they are looking at slides. More pictures and more video…we are all for it.
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On Aug 28, 2007, Norvell Rose said:
One of the bigger challenges we find here at www.RexNet.tv is the (let’s call it) “reluctance” of many of the area’s (Southeast Virginia) top agents even to give video a try…even when we offer them incredible deals on top-quality production and streaming presentation.
Frankly, I’m beginning to suspect (ok, I’m almost convinced) that these “leading” agents don’t want to try Rex video because they suspect (ok, they fear) their clients will, in fact, love it. Then…they’ll HAVE TO use video because the market will expect, if not demand it.
Well, guess what? The marketplace DOES expect top agents to use leading technology that’s proven to be powerful and persuasive! That’s why the video “revolution” is inevitable. We just don’t want to be among the front-line revolutionaries whose early sacrifices pave the way for follow-on success.
Norvell Rose
Founder, CEO
www.RexNet.tv
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On Aug 29, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
I have yet to meet an agent that retreats from video after using it once, although did just recently see a comment about a person that tried it without liking it. Doesn’t matter what we like as marketers does it?
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