YouTube for real estate agents is a necessity at this point in time, but it may feel overwhelming to consider starting a YouTube channel. But listen…our real estate YouTube channels have generated millions in Gross Commission Income (GCI), and I assure you that you can achieve similar results without the need for an expensive $5,000+ course.
In this blog, I will share everything with you! You’ll learn how to use YouTube for your real estate career so you can increase your personal brand, become the dominant agent in your market, and generate a massive amount of real estate business! This process is really pretty simple and you will succeed if you follow these steps!
Why Real Estate Agents Should Use YouTube
First up, we’ll look at why real estate agents should be on YouTube at all. If you don’t already know by now, well, here are tons of great reasons!
- Reach: With more than 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube offers access to a massive audience, expanding brand visibility and attracting potential clients.
- Evergreen Content: YouTube videos have a lasting impact, providing ongoing visibility and lead generation long after their release.
- Cost-Effectiveness: YouTube is a free platform, allowing agents to showcase properties and establish expertise without significant financial commitments.
- Trust and Authority: Video content builds a deeper connection with viewers, fostering trust and establishing agents as industry experts.
- Convenience and Flexibility: Viewers can watch videos when they are ready, providing them with convenience and flexibility in accessing information.
- Scalability: Consistently uploading high-quality content helps YouTubers grow their subscriber base and reach a wider audience over time.
Above all, by utilizing YouTube for real estate content, agents can tap into a vast user base, create lasting content, establish trust and authority, provide convenience to viewers, and scale their marketing efforts effectively. Therefore, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain from using YouTube!
Why Use YouTube for Real Estate
Now, in addition to these major benefits, there are a few reasons why YouTube in itself allows you to do better business as a real estate agent. Here are just a few top considerations:
- Minimal competition in the real estate industry on YouTube offers you a chance to stand out and capture audience attention.
- YouTube’s affiliation with Google makes it easier to rank real estate content in search results, increasing visibility to potential clients.
- Being an early adopter of YouTube as a marketing tool for real estate allows agents to gain a first-mover advantage and establish authority in their market.
- YouTube content can be repurposed for other platforms, maximizing reach and engagement across your marketing channels.
- YouTube offers a perfect formula where agents provide valuable content while generating leads and building trust and credibility with potential clients.
In short, by utilizing YouTube for real estate marketing, agents can take advantage of limited competition, improved search visibility, early adoption benefits, content repurposing opportunities, and a powerful formula for delivering value and generating leads.
YouTube for Real Estate In Context – Expectations
As an agent venturing into the world of YouTube for real estate, set realistic expectations and understand the dynamics of the platform. While YouTube can be a powerful tool for generating leads and growing your business, it isn’t a magical wand. Here’s what you can expect when using YouTube for real estate marketing.
Results on YouTube are not instant, especially for real estate agents, so don’t rely on getting leads within a short timeframe or with just one video. Patience is key.
In addition, consistency is crucial. By staying the course and consistently creating high-quality content, you increase your chances of building a loyal audience and generating leads.
All things considered, success as a real estate agent on YouTube doesn’t solely depend on you having millions of subscribers or views. Focus on delivering valuable content that resonates with your target audience. Even if you have fewer followers, you’ll find that those followers act more consistently in seeking your help or sharing you with others.
Leads can be generated with a reasonable view count and number of videos. Even with a moderate reach, providing valuable content and building trust can attract qualified leads.
While instant results should not be anticipated, staying the course, being consistent, and focusing on quality engagement are paramount. Don’t be discouraged by not having millions of subscribers or views; leads can be generated with a modest audience size. In short, by providing value to your viewers and nurturing relationships, you can use YouTube as a powerful lead generation tool for your real estate business.
Steps To Get Started on YouTube for Real Estate Agents
Now that you know what to expect, it’s time to get started!
Identify Your Goal
Before diving into the world of YouTube as a real estate agent, it’s crucial to identify what a “win” looks like for you. Are you using YouTube as a hobby or as a lead generating machine? Your answer will determine your outcome.
If you’re doing this for the sake of doing it without caring about getting leads, that’s one thing. But if you’re serious about this to generate traffic, your actions need to back it up.
By making the decision right now that you are going to use YouTube as a real estate lead generation machine, you will have a clearer picture of the types of videos you’ll be making.
In addition, you’ll be more motivated to take out that camera more often and get to work.
Find Your YouTube for Real Estate Audience & Niche
When leveraging YouTube as a real estate agent, it’s essential to identify your target audience and carve out a niche. Finding your audience and niche allows you to create focused and engaging content that resonates with your specific viewers. This will also allow you to grow and help you generate more real estate leads.
Do you want to work with buyers or sellers?
Identify whether your primary focus is on buyers or sellers in the real estate market. This distinction will help shape your content strategy and determine the type of information, advice, and resources you provide to your audience. Tailor your videos to address the specific needs, challenges, and interests of either buyers or sellers—or even both, if your target audience encompasses both segments.
Do you want to specialize?
Consider the specific real estate niches that you have expertise in or want to specialize in. Examples include probate sales, divorce real estate, new construction, or catering to real estate investors. By narrowing down your niche, you can position yourself as an expert in that particular area, attracting a targeted audience that is specifically interested in your niche. This specialization allows you to provide valuable and tailored content that meets their unique needs and challenges.
Finding your audience and niche is essential for success on YouTube as a real estate agent. By focusing on either buyers or sellers, identifying specific real estate niches, and leveraging your expertise, you can create content that is tailored to the needs of your target audience. This targeted approach not only helps you attract the right viewers but also enables you to provide valuable and relevant content that sets you apart as an authority in your niche.
Prepare the Equipment
To make your first YouTube for real estate video, you will need some basic equipment to ensure good video and audio quality. Here’s a list of essentials to get started:
The List
- Camera: Use a smartphone with a quality camera or invest in a digital camera or webcam. Ensure that the camera can record at least 1080p resolution for clear, sharp video.
- Tripod or Stabilization: A tripod or stabilizer will keep your camera steady while recording, reducing shakiness and ensuring professional-looking shots. Choose one compatible with your camera or smartphone.
- Microphone: Consider an external microphone for better sound. Options include lavalier (clip-on) microphones, shotgun microphones, or USB microphones that connect directly to your computer.
- Lighting: Proper lighting significantly enhances the quality of videos. Use natural lighting by positioning yourself near a window or invest in affordable lighting kits with softboxes or ring lights.
- Background Setup: Choose an appropriate, visually appealing background. Use a plain wall, set up a backdrop, or create a dedicated filming area with props and decorations aligned with your content style.
- Video Editing Software: After recording your video, you’ll need to edit and enhance your footage. Options include free software like iMovie (for Mac), Windows Movie Maker (for Windows), or professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
- Computer or Laptop: A computer or laptop with sufficient processing power and storage is necessary for video editing. Ensure it meets the requirements of your chosen editing software.
- Internet Connection: Uploading videos to YouTube requires a stable, reliable, and reasonably fast internet connection for smooth uploads.
- Optional: Additional accessories such as a green screen for chroma key effects, extra batteries or power banks for extended recording sessions, and a memory card or external hard drive for storage and backup.
Remember, while good equipment is important, content quality, engagement, and consistency are equally crucial factors for a successful YouTube channel. Start with the essentials and gradually invest in higher-quality equipment as your channel grows and you gain more experience.
Create Your YouTube for Real Estate Channel
Creating a YouTube channel involves several simple steps to set up your account and optimize it to get leads.
The Steps
- Sign in /Create a Google Account: If you don’t already have a Google Account, create one. Then, either use an existing account or create a new one specifically for YouTube.
- Go to YouTube: Visit the YouTube website and sign in with your Google credentials.
- Click on the Profile Icon: At the top right corner of the YouTube homepage, select the profile icon. This will open a dropdown menu.
- Choose “Create a Channel”: In the dropdown menu, choose the “Create a Channel” option. This will direct you to the channel creation page.
- Create a Channel Name: Enter a name that makes sense for you. It can be your name, your name plus what you do, the area you practice real estate, etc. As examples, I could choose Jaime Resendiz REALTOR®, The Dallas Homeowner, Dallas Real Estate Exposed, etc. You can use your real name, a business name, or any other name that reflects the content you plan to create.
- Customize: Upload a profile picture or channel icon that represents your brand or personal image. You can also customize the banner image/header with visual branding elements or to showcase your content.
- Add Channel Description: Write a brief and informative description to provide an overview of your content and help viewers understand what they can expect from your channel.
- Set Channel Preferences: Go to the YouTube Studio dashboard by clicking on your profile icon and selecting “YouTube Studio.” From there, navigate to settings to customize channel preferences like privacy settings, upload defaults, and notification settings. This will save you HOURS over the long run. Select what you want on all your YouTube descriptions, what tags you plan to use on your videos, if the videos will automatically publish or go to unpublished (as I suggest).
Now, if you don’t want to worry about doing any of this and would rather us take care of it, that can be arranged! Send us an email at admin@jaimeresendiz.com and we can help you optimize and start your YouTube channel!
Caution! Stay Out of Legal Trouble
When creating content for your real estate YouTube channel, it’s crucial to understand and abide by the laws and regulations governing your real estate license and media licensing among other governing bodies. Here are important considerations to help you stay out of legal trouble:
Know Your Real Estate Law
Familiarize yourself with the real estate laws and regulations specific to your state and online marketing. There are certain things your real estate commission, association, and brokerage just will not allow you to say or show. Be sure to ask!
Disclose Affiliates
If you promote or recommend products, services, or other affiliates in your YouTube videos, it’s important to disclose any financial or material relationships you have with them. Disclosing your affiliates ensures transparency and helps you comply with advertising guidelines, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) endorsement guidelines.
Don’t Make Claims
Avoid making unsubstantiated claims or promises in your videos. Be cautious when discussing potential outcomes, market trends, or investment opportunities. Provide accurate information and clearly differentiate between your opinions and facts to avoid misleading viewers.
Take Music/Video Copyright Seriously
Respect copyright laws when it comes to using music or video clips in your YouTube videos. So, only use content that you have the rights to or that falls under fair use. Utilize royalty-free music libraries or licensed tracks to avoid copyright infringement. Similarly, if you include video footage or images from other sources, ensure you have the necessary permissions or adhere to fair use guidelines.
Understanding The YouTube for Real Estate Algorithm
YouTube’s algorithm plays a significant role in determining the visibility and success of your videos. Of course, your content will ultimately drive what the algorithm does, but by understanding how the algorithm works, you can optimize your content to maximize reach and engagement. Here are key points to consider when it comes to the YouTube algorithm:
Search, Browse, Suggested
The YouTube algorithm takes into account different factors to recommend videos to users. It considers search queries made by users, the content they browse, and their viewing history. Additionally, the algorithm suggests videos based on users’ interests and behaviors, aiming to provide a personalized experience.
Search Traffic
Search traffic refers to viewers who discover your videos by directly searching for specific keywords or phrases on YouTube. When users enter search queries, the YouTube algorithm analyzes factors such as video titles, descriptions, tags, and engagement metrics to determine the most relevant and engaging content to display in the search results. Optimizing your videos with relevant keywords and providing valuable content can increase your chances of appearing in search results and attracting search traffic.
Browse Traffic
Browse traffic refers to viewers who discover your videos while browsing or exploring content on YouTube. This type of traffic is driven by YouTube’s recommendation system and the user’s browsing behavior. As users watch videos, engage with content, and explore related topics, the algorithm suggests videos that align with their interests and preferences. By creating engaging and compelling videos that capture viewers’ attention, you can increase the likelihood of your content being recommended to users during their browsing sessions.
Suggested Traffic
Suggested traffic refers to viewers who discover your videos through YouTube’s suggested videos feature. This type of traffic is driven by the algorithm’s recommendations, which appear as related or recommended videos alongside the video a viewer is currently watching. The algorithm suggests videos based on factors such as viewer behavior, preferences, and similarities to other popular videos. Engaging viewers and encouraging them to watch more of your content can increase the chances of your videos being recommended and attracting suggested traffic.
Get Found by Keeping People Watching
To improve the chances of getting your videos discovered by the algorithm, it’s important to focus on increasing watch time and engagement. Watch time refers to the total amount of time viewers spend watching your videos. The algorithm favors videos that captivate and retain viewers’ attention, as this indicates high-quality content. Encourage viewers to watch your videos till the end, engage with the comments, and interact with your channel through likes, shares, and subscriptions.
Your Content is Not Getting Suppressed
While it’s easy to assume that the algorithm may be suppressing your content and is against you, that’s probably not the case. Maybe the topics you’re creating videos about are not that appealing. Or maybe you still need to improve your content so that people will take the time to consume it. If you’re struggling to get views, start with improving your content, thumbnails, and titles/descriptions before jumping to any conclusions.
Types of YouTube for Real Estate Videos You Can Make
When creating content for your YouTube channel as a real estate agent, there are various types of videos you can produce to engage and inform your audience. Here are a few popular options to consider:
Talking Head
This type of video features you speaking directly to the camera, sharing information, giving advice, or discussing relevant real estate topics. It allows you to showcase your expertise, establish a personal connection with your viewers, and build trust through direct communication.
On-Location
On-location videos involve taking your viewers to different properties or locations. You can give virtual tours of properties, highlight key features, and provide insights about the neighborhood or community. On-location videos add visual appeal and give potential clients a sense of what it’s like to be at the property.
Animation
Animation videos are a creative way to present information, explain complex concepts, or showcase statistics and data. By using animation, you can make your videos visually engaging and entertaining while effectively communicating your message in a visually appealing manner.
Live Videos
Live videos provide an opportunity for real-time interaction with your audience. You can host live Q&A sessions, conduct virtual open houses, or share market updates and insights in real time. Live videos foster engagement, allowing viewers to ask questions and receive immediate responses, building a sense of community and authenticity.
How to Make Talking Head Videos
Talking head videos, where you directly address the camera, are an effective way to engage with your audience by establishing a personal, face-to-face connection. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create compelling talking head videos:
Setting
Choose a suitable setting for your video. Ensure that the background is clean, uncluttered, and relevant to your content. Consider using your office, a well-lit room, or a professional backdrop. Position yourself slightly off-center, using the “rule of thirds” to visually divide your screen into three sections, both vertically and horizontally. Then, align your eyes with the top horizontal line (in your imagination) to add visual interest for viewers.
Camera
Use a camera that can record high-quality video. You can use a dedicated digital camera or even your smartphone, which often offers excellent video capabilities. Mount the camera on a tripod or use a stable surface to keep it steady throughout the recording.
Microphone
For clear and crisp audio, use an external microphone positioned close to your mouth to ensure people can hear you clearly. Consider using a lavalier (clip-on) microphone or a shotgun microphone, depending on your preference and equipment availability.
Camera or Screen Share
Decide whether you want to record yourself directly or incorporate screen sharing to display additional visuals or information. If you opt for screen sharing, use screen recording software to capture your computer screen and combine it with your talking head footage during the editing process.
Script or Bullet Points
Plan your content in advance by preparing a script or a set of bullet points to guide your talking points. A script can help you maintain a consistent flow and ensure you cover all the necessary information. Bullet points can serve as prompts to keep your delivery natural and conversational.
You Can Start and Stop
Don’t worry about recording the perfect take in one go. It’s normal to make mistakes or stumble over your words. Feel free to start and stop the recording as needed. You can edit out any errors or unwanted parts during the post-production process.
How To Make On-Location Videos
On-location videos provide a dynamic way to showcase properties and your city, to share insights on the neighborhoods, and much more. To create compelling on-location videos, consider the following steps:
Have a Plan Before Before You Go
Before heading out to shoot on location, plan your video content and key talking points. Consider the specific aspects of the property or location you want to highlight. Having a clear plan will help you stay focused and capture the most relevant footage.
Think of Angles, Lighting, and Audio
While on location, pay attention to the angles and perspectives you capture. Varying shots and angles can make your video visually interesting. Consider the lighting conditions and try to shoot during the time of day when the lighting is most flattering (often, this is right after the sun rises or right before it sets). Additionally, ensure that the audio is clear and understandable. Use lapel microphones or directional mics to capture high-quality audio and minimize background noise.
Bring Plenty of Batteries and Memory Cards
On-location shoots can be time-consuming, so make sure you have sufficient battery power and memory card space. Carry extra batteries and fully charged spares to avoid interruptions during recording. Additionally, have multiple memory cards to store your footage, allowing you to capture all the necessary shots without worrying about running out of storage space.
Get Mounts
Consider using various mounts and stabilization tools to capture smooth and steady footage. Tripods, monopods, or gimbals can help stabilize your shots and prevent shaky footage. They also provide flexibility when shooting from different angles or heights.
Know This is More Labor Intensive
Keep in mind that shooting on location can be more labor-intensive compared to other types of videos. You may need to carry equipment, set up shots, and manage external factors such as weather conditions and ambient noise. Be prepared to invest more time and effort into the production process to achieve the desired results.
Examples of On-Location Videos
- Property tours: Walk through the property, showcasing key features and providing detailed information.
- Neighborhood highlights: Explore the surrounding area, showcasing local amenities, attractions, and points of interest.
- Market updates: Visit different areas or properties to discuss market trends, recent sales, or investment opportunities.
- Community spotlights: Interview locals or community representatives to gain insights into the neighborhood’s culture, events, and lifestyle.
“BOSRED” video workflow
Now, if you want to start but have no idea how to actually begin moving forward, there are a series of steps you can take to make this process happen NOW. Here’s how to make better videos and quicker—follow the BOSRED formula.
Brainstorm
Begin by brainstorming ideas for your content. Identify topics that align with your audience’s interests and needs. Consider trends, industry insights, and common questions or challenges your viewers may have. Generate a list of potential ideas to explore further.
Optimize
Once you have chosen a content idea, really optimize it. You want to answer the triple “T”s. Traffic, Thumbnail and Title.
- Identify if there is demand – Traffic
- Visualize what the design of your Thumbnail will be
- Articulate what the Title should be when finished
Script
Create a script or outline for your video. Plan out the main points you want to cover, the structure of your content, and any important details or examples you want to include. A well-structured script helps ensure a smooth flow and effective delivery of your message.
Record
Set up your equipment, including camera, microphone, and lighting, based on your specific requirements. Follow the script or outline you prepared and record your video. Pay attention to audio quality, framing, and lighting to capture professional-looking footage. Consider multiple takes if needed to ensure the best possible recording.
Edit
After recording, edit your video to enhance its quality and add any necessary adjustments. Trim out any mistakes or irrelevant parts, add visual elements, graphics, or captions if desired, and ensure a smooth transition between segments. Incorporate any necessary music or sound effects to enhance the overall viewer experience.
Distribute
Once you have completed editing, it’s time to distribute your video. Upload it to your YouTube channel, following the recommended video settings, and ensure that your video is properly optimized with relevant tags, description, and thumbnail.
How To Brainstorm Videos
When brainstorming ideas for your YouTube videos, it’s essential to explore various sources of inspiration and consider what will resonate with your target audience. Here are several methods to help you brainstorm video ideas effectively:
Authority Sites
Visit authoritative websites related to real estate such as industry blogs, news sites, or professional organizations. Look for trending topics, news updates, or informative articles that you can leverage to create engaging video content. These sites often provide insights, statistics, and expert opinions that can inspire your video ideas.
YouTube Channels
Explore successful YouTube channels within the real estate niche or related fields. Analyze the types of videos that receive high engagement, comments, and views. Look for gaps or areas that haven’t been covered extensively. You can gain inspiration from their content, adapt it to your unique style, or even collaborate with other YouTubers to bring fresh perspectives to your audience.
In The News
Stay updated with current events and trends in the real estate industry. Pay attention to market fluctuations, new developments, or regulatory changes. Discussing these topics in your videos can position you as an informed and knowledgeable real estate professional, providing valuable insights to your audience.
What’s Already Working
Reflect on your previous successful videos. Identify the topics, formats, or styles that resonated well with your audience and received positive feedback. Analyze the comments, engagement metrics, and viewer interactions to understand what worked effectively. Use this information as a foundation for new video ideas or consider creating a series that expands on popular content.
How To Optimize Videos
Optimizing your YouTube videos is crucial to increase visibility, attract organic traffic, and engage with your target audience. But more than anything, when I say “optimize,” I mean filter out the video ideas that won’t work and only record the videos that have a higher chance of generating views and leads.
Traffic
Is there demand for the topic you’re thinking about recording? Use tools like Keywords Everywhere, Google Keyword Planner, and Answer the Public to explore how often people are searching for your topic idea.
Or, go to Google and YouTube and start typing the topic you’re thinking about then wait for the autocomplete. This should tell you what others are searching for in relation to your topic.
Thumbnail
A compelling thumbnail attracts viewers’ attention and entices them to click on your video. You need to visualize what the thumbnail is going to look like long before you press record. Consider the following thumbnail optimization tips:
- High-quality visuals: Use clear and visually appealing images or screenshots from your video as the thumbnail. Ensure the thumbnail accurately represents the video’s content to avoid misleading viewers.
- Contrasting colors: Use bold and contrasting colors to make your thumbnail stand out in search results and suggested videos.
- Text and branding: Add concise and engaging text overlay on the thumbnail to highlight the video’s key message or benefits. Include your channel’s branding elements, such as your logo or recognizable color scheme.
Title
A well-crafted video title not only informs viewers about the content but also improves search visibility. Consider the following best practices for optimizing your video titles:
- Include target keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords in your title to enhance search rankings. Place the most important keywords at the beginning of the title.
- Keep it concise and engaging: Aim for a title that accurately describes the video’s content while capturing viewers’ attention. Make it compelling and intriguing to encourage clicks.
- Add timestamps or descriptors: If your video covers multiple topics or sections, consider including timestamps in the title. This allows viewers to easily navigate to specific parts of the video.
How To Structure Your YouTube Real Estate Videos
Structuring your YouTube videos effectively can significantly improve viewer retention and engagement. Here are some strategies to help you structure your videos for higher retention and engagement:
Start with a Hook
Begin your video with a strong hook that captures viewers’ attention right from the start. Use an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a captivating visual to immediately draw viewers in and make them curious about what’s to come.
Get To the Point Quickly
Viewers have short attention spans, so it’s important to get to the main point or topic of your video early on. Avoid lengthy introductions or unnecessary tangents. State the purpose of the video and the benefits viewers can expect right away.
Provide Value Early
Deliver valuable content early in your video to keep viewers engaged. If viewers feel they are receiving valuable information or insights from the beginning, they are more likely to continue watching.
Use a Clear and Logical Flow
Organize your content in a logical and coherent manner. Use a step-by-step approach or a clear progression of ideas. This helps viewers follow along easily and understand the structure of your video. Don’t confuse and lose your audience.
Include Calls-to-Action
Encourage viewer engagement by including clear and relevant calls-to-action throughout your video. Ask viewers to like, comment, and subscribe. Encourage them to share their thoughts or ask questions in the comments section. The more engagement, the more your videos get shown to others on YouTube.
Summarize
Toward the end of your video, summarize the key information covered and emphasize the benefits viewers have gained from watching. This helps reinforce the value of your content and reminds viewers of the key messages. ****
End with a Strong Call-to-Action
Close your video with a strong call-to-action that encourages viewers to take a specific action. Ask your viewers to contact you directly, or ask them to download one of your digital assets (list of homes, home seller net sheet, etc.).
How To Distribute (Upload) Your Video
You’re almost there…don’t fumble the bag! Here is when you take your finished product (your video) and upload it for your future real estate clients to see.
Sign in to YouTube
Log in to your YouTube account using your Google credentials. If you don’t have an account, create one by following the on-screen instructions.
Click on the Upload Button
Located at the top right corner of the YouTube homepage, click on the “Upload” button. This will take you to the upload page.
Select Your Video File
Click on the “Select files to upload” button and choose the video file you want to upload from your computer. You can also drag and drop the file directly onto the upload page.
Now, be sure that your video file is labeled the same as your YouTube title. We want to optimize every single meta tag possible!
Edit Video Details
- Title: Enter a compelling and descriptive title that accurately represents the content of your video. Include relevant keywords to improve search visibility. But remember, if you followed my system…you should already know what the title should be. Also, be sure that this title is the same as you used to label the video file.
- Description: Write a detailed and informative description of your video. Include relevant keywords and timestamps for different sections if applicable. Provide a brief overview, links to relevant resources, and any necessary disclosures or disclaimers.
- Tags: Add relevant tags that describe the content of your video. Use specific keywords related to your video’s topic to increase search visibility.
- Thumbnail: Choose a visually appealing and eye-catching thumbnail image that accurately represents your video. Again, if you’ve followed my workflow, your thumbnail should be ready already.
Set Visibility and Audience
Choose the visibility settings for your video. Decide whether you want your video to be public, unlisted, scheduled, or private. When you first upload, you for sure want to leave it unlisted while you optimize it. AFTER you’ve optimized your video you can schedule the publish date.
Add Cards and End Screens
Utilize YouTube’s interactive features by adding cards and end screens to your video. These elements can direct viewers to other videos, playlists, or external links, enhancing engagement and increasing watch time.
Add Captions or Subtitles (if applicable)
YouTube will automatically add captions to your videos. However, you do want to be sure the captions are correct. There are some words that will likely be wrong, so do your due diligence to double-check and edit where necessary.
Review and Publish
Preview your video to ensure everything looks and sounds as intended. Review the video details, settings, and added elements. Once you’re satisfied, click on the “Publish” or “Upload” button to make your video live on YouTube.
Complete Post-Upload Optimization
Now that you’ve got your video out into the world, there are a few things you can do to optimize it further.
- Add to playlists: Organize your videos into relevant playlists to improve navigation and encourage viewers to watch more of your content.
- Promote and share: Share your video on your social media platforms, embed it on your website or blog, and encourage viewers to engage with it through likes, comments, and shares.
- Engage with comments: Monitor and respond to comments on your video. Engaging with your audience helps foster a sense of community and encourages viewers to continue watching and interacting with your content.
How To Make Engaging Thumbnails
Creating engaging thumbnails is essential for attracting viewers and encouraging them to click on your YouTube videos. If you’ve been following along on my Workflow HUB, you will have some clarity on what your Thumbnail should already be.
Use High-Quality Images
Ensure that your thumbnail image is clear, visually appealing, and high quality. Avoid blurry or pixelated images that may deter viewers from clicking on your video.
Choose Eye-Catching Colors
Incorporate vibrant and contrasting colors in your thumbnails to make them stand out in a sea of videos. Experiment with color combinations that catch the viewer’s attention and evoke emotions relevant to your video’s content.
Highlight Key Elements
Identify the main subject or focal point of your video and make sure it is prominently featured in your thumbnail. This could be a person, an object, or a visually striking element that represents the essence of your video.
Add Text Overlay
Include concise and compelling text overlay on your thumbnail. Use bold and easy-to-read fonts that complement the visual elements. Consider using text to pose a question, tease the content, or highlight a key benefit to pique viewers’ curiosity.
Create Contrast
Enhance visual interest by creating contrast between the foreground and background elements in your thumbnail. This helps make your subject stand out and grabs attention.
Keep it Simple and Uncluttered
Avoid overcrowding your thumbnail with too many elements or text. Maintain a clean and uncluttered design that allows viewers to quickly understand what your video is about.
Show Emotion or Expressiveness
Use facial expressions or dynamic visuals to evoke emotions and connect with viewers. Emotions such as surprise, happiness, curiosity, or intrigue can make your thumbnail more engaging and increase click-through rates.
Maintain Consistency with Branding
Develop a recognizable style for your thumbnails that aligns with your channel’s branding. Consistent branding elements, such as colors, fonts, or graphic overlays, help viewers associate your thumbnails with your content, fostering recognition and trust.
Test and Analyze
Experiment with different thumbnail designs and monitor their performance. Pay attention to click-through rates and viewer engagement metrics. Analyze which thumbnail styles or elements resonate best with your audience and adjust your designs accordingly.
Create Calls To Action that Actually Get Leads
A major tip you CAN’T miss is to create a compelling call to action (CTA) that actually drives viewers to call you, email you, or submit their contact information so that YOU can reach out.
A great way to grab attention is to offer “lead magnets” which serve as incentives. Consider these lead magnet ideas that actually get you real estate leads from your videos:
- Homes List: A curated list of homes under the average sales price designed to appeal to budget-conscious buyers.
- Calculators: Tools such as affordability calculators or mortgage estimators can help buyers understand the financial implications of a home purchase.
- Guides: Comprehensive documents that walk a potential buyer or seller through the process, providing valuable insights to reduce the stress of real estate transactions.
- Cheat Sheets: Quick reference materials offering critical advice on aspects like filing for a homestead exemption or contesting property taxes.
Offer these below your YouTube video with a link that takes them to a “registration page” where they need to enter their email and name to receive the information they want. Be sure to mention in your video that you offer these resources so they don’t miss it!
Workflow Videos Every Real Estate Agent Should Make
There are specific “workflow videos” that every real estate agent must create when they first start on YouTube. These are videos you can integrate into your regular workflow when you’re working with clients, offering essential guidance to your audience throughout every stage of the home buying or selling process.
These videos not only help you provide a better client experience but allow you to generate real estate leads at the same time. People that are in research mode for their own real estate transactions will come across your helpful workflow videos and will reach out!
1. “How To Buy A House”
Explain the home buying process from beginning to end, covering aspects like mortgage pre-approval, home inspection, negotiations, and closing.
2. “How To Sell A House”
Detail the home selling process, discussing aspects like staging, pricing, listing, open houses, negotiations, and closing.
3. “How To Search For A Home The Right Way”
Give your viewers tips on effective house hunting, such as making a wish list, setting a budget, researching neighborhoods, and viewing homes.
4. “Before We Sign A Contract”
Outline what potential buyers and sellers should know before signing a contract, including contingencies, inspection periods, and timelines.
5. “What To Do While In Contract”
Discuss the steps that occur while in contract, mortgage approval, what NOT to do, and other aspects specific to your state and/or brokerage.
6. “10 Days To Closing – Are You Ready (Buyer)”
Prepare your buyers for what to expect in the last 10 days leading up to closing, discussing topics like final walk-throughs, closing costs, and moving preparations.
7. “10 Days To Closing – Are You Ready (Seller)”
Walk your sellers through what they need to do in the last 10 days before closing, including repairs, cleaning, moving out, and more.
8. “You’re A Homeowner – Now What?”
Inform new homeowners about the next steps after closing, including utilities setup, home maintenance, and important paperwork.
9. “You Just Sold Your Home – Now What?”
Guide your sellers on what they need to do after their home is sold, such as finalizing the move, filing tax documents, and making future housing plans.
Creating these workflow videos allows you to engage with your audience at multiple touchpoints throughout their home buying or selling journey. Now, please make sure to keep these videos as informative as possible. Put your best stuff out there so future home buyers or sellers know the level of professionalism and expertise you provide long before they ever call.
YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts, a new YouTube offering with short, mobile-first videos, provides an unprecedented opportunity for real estate agents to expand their reach and engage new leads fast!
Seriously, with YouTube Shorts, you don’t even need any subscribers or a serious following. YouTube will promote and push your content (as long as it keeps performing well).
So, within a couple of minutes, you can find yourself with 10,000+ views on a single YouTube Short. Yes, things do get crazy out here in the Shorts World.
I encourage you to create short-form content that you can use on YouTube but you can also upload to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This way, you fully leverage that one piece of video content across multiple platforms, not just YouTube.
It’s simple and easy to create a short video, and you’ll soon find that leveraging that content across all your social channels will give you a pretty big boost in lead generation!
Study Your YouTube Analytics Frequently
Studying YouTube analytics is essential to see how your content is performing and how you can improve it. This is really the key to achieving exponential growth!
However, it doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process. Here’s how you can efficiently analyze your YouTube analytics in just 10 minutes:
1. Focus on Key Metrics (2 minutes): Look at the most relevant metrics that provide an overview of your channel’s performance. These include:
- Average percentage viewed: The average percent of the time that your video was viewed.
- Average view duration: The average amount of time viewers spent watching the video.
- Click-through rate: How often viewers watched the video after seeing an impression.
2. Check Audience Retention (2 minutes): This metric shows how long viewers watch your videos before they leave. Videos with high audience retention and watch time are more likely to be promoted by YouTube’s algorithm.
3. Examine Traffic Sources (2 minutes): Understanding where your views are coming from can help you identify which promotional strategies are working and where there’s potential for growth. Key traffic sources include YouTube search, suggested videos, external sources, and direct or unknown.
4. Look at Demographics (2 minutes): Take a quick look at the age, gender, and geographical location of your viewers. This information can guide your content strategy and help you target your videos more effectively. You can create content for the exact age group or geographic group you find watches your videos most.
5. Review Engagement (2 minutes): Check the likes, comments, shares, and other engagement metrics. These can indicate how well your content resonates with your audience and can provide insights on how to improve future videos.
How To Handle YouTube Comments on Your Real Estate Channel
Effectively managing YouTube comments on your real estate channel is crucial for building and maintaining a strong online community. However, we all know that comments can be a scary place to hang out. Here are some strategies to help you handle comments effectively and with as little stress as possible.
Regularly Monitor and Respond
Make it a practice to check your comments regularly. Responding to viewers helps build a connection with your audience. Answering questions or simply thanking viewers for their feedback shows that you value their engagement.
Encourage Interaction
Prompt your viewers to comment on your videos. You can do this by asking a question related to the video topic or requesting feedback. Increased interaction can help your videos get promoted within the YouTube algorithm.
Stay Professional
Remember, your responses represent your brand. Always maintain a professional tone, even when dealing with negative comments. If a comment criticizes your content constructively, acknowledge it and let the commenter know how you plan to improve.
Handle Negative Comments Wisely
Not all criticism is constructive, and you might face outright negative or offensive comments. It’s essential not to react defensively. If the comment is offensive, report or delete it. If it’s just negative, you can choose to ignore it, respond kindly, or use it as an opportunity to showcase your customer service skills.
Use Comments for Content Ideas
Viewer comments can be a goldmine for future content ideas. If several viewers are asking the same question or expressing interest in a particular topic, consider creating a video to address it.
Set Comment Filters
To keep your YouTube channel a positive space, you can use YouTube’s community settings to set up automatic filters for spam or offensive content.
Remember, YouTube is not just a platform to share content; it’s also a community. And you are trying to build the biggest and baddest real estate community possible.
You want your audience to grow and then to reach out to you when it’s the right time for them. So maintain that vibrant community through the comment section. That way, you’ll already be on track to deliver personal support to whichever audience members come to you for real estate help.
Ways To Grow Your YouTube Channel
Growing a YouTube channel requires strategic planning and execution, but it’s not all that difficult if you have the right steps in place. Here’s how you can accelerate your channel’s growth.
View Competitor Videos
Monitor your competitors’ successful videos and understand what works for their audience. Create similar content to attract these viewers to your channel. Be sure to keep your content unique though…add your own spin on it and make sure that you’re not copying the entire video, even if you take the topic idea.
Leverage Current Matters
Stay up-to-date with trending topics or current events related to your niche. Creating content around these themes can attract viewers looking for timely information or commentary.
Engage in Collaboration
Collaborate with other YouTubers, especially those in your niche. This can expose your channel to a wider audience and potentially bring in new subscribers.
Email Your Database Regularly
Notify your email subscribers about your new YouTube content regularly, whether that’s every quarter, month, or even week. This direct communication can drive more consistent traffic to your videos.
Engage with Your Audience
Encourage viewers to like, comment, share, and subscribe. Also, take the time to respond to comments on your videos. This will create a sense of community around your channel.
Keep a Consistent Upload Schedule
Maintain a regular uploading schedule. Consistency is key on YouTube; it helps retain your existing subscribers and signals to YouTube’s algorithm that your channel is active.
Remember, growing a YouTube channel takes time, patience, and consistency. These strategies, when implemented effectively, can significantly speed up the growth process.
If you follow these strategies, trust that you WILL see success in your YouTube channel. If you’d like us to help automate all of this for your real estate business, here’s how to work with us.