I've been posting my real estate videos to www.wellcomemat.com for quite a while now. No offense to Jeff Turner's Real Estate Shows. I like Jeff. He's a nice guy and Real Estate Shows is a great product that is also very affordable. But I am a fan of "free" =)
But this post is to find out if anyone else here uses WellcomeMat. I'm asking because WellcomeMat has made a lot of changes to their site, including a points system. (Gee. I wonder where they got that idea) But part of their points system is "Connections". When members mutually "connect" with each other, they earn profile points. So, if you're a member on WellcomeMat, can you please let me know in my comments? Unless we're competing in the same area, which is not likely, we can "connect".
If you're not familiar with WellcomeMat, it's not just a site where you upload your real estate videos or slide shows. That's how I use it, because I like to do things myself. But you can actually find professional real estate videographers in your area, to create video presentations of your listings. And I have to admit, the pros obviously do a better job than I do.
So let's connect on WellcomeMat! Let me know if you're a member and/or consider joining. But if you're considering joining, will you let me know before you do? Yes, we get points for inviting others as well. Again, I wonder where they got that idea.
If you've been using You Tube for your real estate videos, you really need to switch to a more professional platform. I'm on You Tube all the time, but it's for play. When it comes to business, I don't like not knowing what other videos are going to show up next to mine. On WellcomeMat, you have total control of your channel, and have different sized widgets you can use, to embed on your blogs and web sites.
Finally, since I know the WellcomeMat guys are here on Active Rain also, I thought I should let them know, the site looks great! The changes look much more professional!
EDIT: One of the comments made note of the still shots instead of video. You can use either still shots alone and create a slide show, or video, or combine them as I did for this property. I do that frequently since some rooms are too small for video, or sometimes there are certain rooms that just don't look good in a video OR, I couldn't get enough light in a room. I am after all, a REALTOR. I don't carry huge lights into a house, just to video tape it. These are instances when I use still shots instead. But if you want all video, you can hire a professional videographer... or bring big lights with you. =)
AND: Don't make the mistake I did in this video. I forgot my tripod =/ It will be wobbly without one, but you can find them at Sam's Club for only $25 or get a sturdier one for under $100. I have both.
I am not a member - but would be interested in using this tool.... invite me thesa@centraloregonbuzz.com
thanks for the tips
Oh can you invite me too: brooksrm2042@aol.com
thanks for the tip, bookmarked. I love free too
Wow that seems pretty interesting. I am bookmarking the post to review it tomorrow.
J.
Me too me too. I love free and would love to be invited. info@vickiegambrell.us
Thanks a bunch!!
Thesa, Rosemary, Vickie, Mary- Thanks! I appreciate you letting me invite you =D
Sam & Jeff- I think it's a great system. You just have to have some knowledge of making videos. And you can always learn as you go =)
Bob- I've pretty much got it all figured out. I have over 200 "play" videos on You Tube, so I'm experienced at making my own videos. And I'm impressed with the new changes on WellcomeMat.
Howdy Lisa....Thanks for the heads up! I will certainly check it out.
I have to admit...I am a fan of free as well. Google has got me hooked on fee so....free it shall be for me! I have used point2's f little virtual tours for.....well, since they were free. And, I just love em'. My clients like them better than may paid Circlepix VTs (Still keep Circlepix on contract though). I have not done video and just don't see myself as a cinematographer. I think I would get too carried away and turn a simple home tour video into a darn Blair Witch Project...then what? Have to hire a manager, driver, pilot, dog groomer, groundskeeper. Nope, I think I'll just keep my day job and leave video for someone else. Video killed the radio star ya know! :)
Lisa
Thanks for the kind words and lovely review! Back when the old site was live, I believe you and I actually spoke over the phone a few times. I helped you out with your video yes? Help is the one point I want to underscore here. WellcomeMat is here to help YOU DO VIDEO. Yes we are free. Note: We will soon offer a premium level service (for those interested or in need of something more) but what you see now what you get. Connect, find video pros ready to help you shoot your tours, share/email videos, etc. We're 100 percent focused on Real Estate and Local Business so you'll find the tools that speak to you and your needs as an agent or broker (private video views, MLS pop-up player, etc.). The points system was added to both encourage and reward all the good people out there doing video, the trend setters. Yes points were first implemented here on AR for sure. AR rocks! Keeping on Blogging and to those of you out there ready to make the dive into video, go for it! Now's the time when you can really make a name for yourself. Should you have any questions, give one of us (Christian or Phil) a shout (call or email) anytime. We love to talk video. And thanks again... Bob, Lisa, everyone.
To those of your still on the fence about video, check out this clip (on WellcomeMat):
Why Should Agents Use Video?
Hello Lisa
Thanks for introducing me to this site. I like free sites, and the options to get professional help if needed. I checked out youtube some while ago but never got around to producing videos of my listings because I don't have the right camera. What do you use? I am going to research this further. I do like to join. Please invite me (sherryactiverain@sherrysim.com). Thanks.
Vickie- I just sent your invitation. Thanks! =)
Christopher- I'm a complete nerd. I love to fiddle with anything technical. Plus, I have plenty of experience with my You Tube videos. I usually combine still shots with video. But they have people to do it for you too!
Brad- Thanks. I just noticed the feature. Cool! =D
Yolanda- Free is a good thing ;)
Sherry & Lanre- I just sent your invitations. Thanks!
Lisa
Please send my an invite!!! celestedecker@bellsouth.net
Thanks
Lisa,
Thanks a million. Looks like a winner..
Lisa,
Thank you for the great information! I too am a big fan of Real Estate Shows and got all of the agents in our office using it. That was during the two years I worked as a licensed assistant. Now that I'm an agent and have to pay the bills, I've been looking for a free place with a professional appearance. I haven't got a listing yet. But, when I do, I'll have somewhere else to put it. Hooray!
Please invite me at karen@realestatesails.com
Thanks!
Great post, lots of good info. Thank you
Rich Lecinski
Long Realty
Oro Valley, Arizona
520-834-4663
www.arizonagreatliving.com
I don't always read terms of service so I'm wondering how common a condition such as that found at wellcomemat (which I have pasted below) is:
By enabling the submission of Content and accepting the consideration set forth in this Agreement, as consideration for our permitting you to use of the Site and the Services, you unconditionally grant to WellcomeMat a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, fully-paid, transferable, right and license, with the right to sublicense through multiple levels of sublicensees, under all of your intellectual property rights in the Content, to (a) reproduce, create derivative works of, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, digitally transmit, and otherwise use the Content in any medium or format, whether now known or hereafter discovered and (b) exercise any and all other present or future rights in the Content.
Lisa, Great post and WellcomeMat is an awesome site. Both as a real estate agent and video producer it has allowed me a simple way to promote my videos and photo slideshows.
Christian and Phil (of WellcomeMat), Keep up the great work!
Lisa...we meet again...online again. Someday we'll have to shake hands!
First of all, thanks for the kind words. One point I want to make: we have always utilized a points/rating system, as we have always had a need to put the best, most trusted videographers at the top of our Videographer Directory. But, here's the deal: WellcomeMat has property owners getting in touch with us quite frequently asking "how do I find a real estate agent/broker that uses online video to market their properties?"
We have known for a long time that we would create a services directory on our site and that we'd have to apply some method of standard measurement. The points system is us making the inner-workings of our rating system known, and there to help guide people that want to show up in the top search results for their profession-type. Property owners are, in fact, searching for agents that use video...we are about to make sure they find what they are looking for on The Mat. Note: we absolutely took a solid look at AR's point system (they are the best of the best) while building out "The Scoreboard." With the amount of respect that we have for their team, and offering, it would have been a really bad move not to.
When used for home selling I wonder what disclosure an agent would have to give to the seller if they post video content of the home on WellcomeMat. At some point in the future WellcomeMat under their TOS can use that video any way they want. Wouldn't some seller's object to that?
Lisa,
Thanks for sharing this info. I love FREE stuffs. It cuts down on marketing costs. I am always looking for new ideas. Please invite me.
Lisa: Yes the wallet widget! I remember now. I'm glad you dig the new layout.
Mike: While Lisa's example is technically a slideshow, she has posted some videos and most of the content on our site is video. We don't discriminate but do encourage and reward those who upload video over slideshows.
Vickie: You can use a camera to shoot video. Most digital cameras now offer a video feature. We would not suggest trying to convert a 'Virtual Tour (360)' into a video. You can use a program like Microsoft Photo Story to make slideshows into 'faux' video. That said, this is not something we recommend either. When someone viewing a product/service advertised as video clicks the play button, they expect to see a video not a slideshow (Real Estate Show). That said, we're all learning here so do what you can and learn as you go. There is technically no right or wrong answer.
Paul: These are standard Terms of Service (TOS) that you'll find on just about every video site. Simply put: our users are in control of their content on/off WellcomeMat and we do not-ever-violate the trust of people using our site. Speaking of TOS, note that on just about every other 'generalist' video site, posting real estate related videos is against their Terms of Service. Some of these video companies are already sending cease and desist letters. And, we should expect to see this become commonplace.
Jeff: We've allowed invites since mid 2007, before we rolled out the point system. Thanks for pointing out the sign up option! We're certainly not exclusive. Anyone here can join WellcomeMat.
Phil,
I haven't checked other sites but youtube TOS state:
C. For clarity, you retain all of your ownership rights in your User Submissions. However, by submitting User Submissions to YouTube, you hereby grant YouTube a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the User Submissions in connection with the YouTube Website and YouTube's (and its successors' and affiliates') business, including without limitation for promoting and redistributing part or all of the YouTube Website (and derivative works thereof) in any media formats and through any media channels. You also hereby grant each user of the YouTube Website a non-exclusive license to access your User Submissions through the Website, and to use, reproduce, distribute, display and perform such User Submissions as permitted through the functionality of the Website and under these Terms of Service. The above licenses granted by you in User Videos terminate within a commercially reasonable time after you remove or delete your User Videos from the YouTube Service. You understand and agree, however, that YouTube may retain, but not display, distribute, or perform, server copies of User Submissions that have been removed or deleted. The above licenses granted by you in User Comments are perpetual and irrevocable.
So not only does the license terminate if you remove the content, the license itself appears restricted to promotion of the YouTube website.
I haven't read the TOS for other video sites (but I will). I am disturbed by the scope and perpetuity of the license users grant to WellcomMat. I also know that probably not more than 1 in a 1000 people that sign up read the TOS although they all click "I agree". To most, it may not matter. To others it very well may. I have to believe that WellcomeMatt would not include such a broad scope if they did not expect, sometime in the future, to be able use the content in a way not anticipated by the original provider. Perpetual is a long time.
Great timing . . . I was just browsing the Wellcomemat site a couple of hours ago, seeing how useful it would be in my business, particularly versus what else is available such as RES, VEOH, etc., so hearing from someone already using it was cool. Thanks for sharing your insight. Seems like a pretty good service / product. If I sign up we can "connect" . . .
Candice- I just sent your invitation. Thanks =)
Mike- It's whatever you want to upload. You can use still shots or video. I usually mix both. Some properties don't look good in video. When certain things need to be hidden, or if a room is too small for video, I use still shots instead.
@ Paul,
Christian Sterner here with WellcomeMat. Neither Phil, nor I are attorneys, but I can tell you that-if you want to see some big bad monster in the TOS for any service-you will likely be able to do so (for example, we could ask ourselves what a 'successor or affiliate' of YouTube/Google means). I would re-iterate that our members are in control of their content; even a surface level understanding of our service would confirm this to be true. And, we have statuses that determine whether videos are live or not. Don't want your video to show up, de-activate the video...simple as that. You can also delete your videos entirely from our system. Should you not want to join WellcomeMat, that is your choice. Of course, the benefits of doing so are many. Btw...we appreciate you diving so deeply into the service. If we can help in any way, just email csterner@wellcomemat.com. Thank you!
Jeanette- I think you'll like it. I'm actually a member of several video sites, but for business, I've stuck with WellcomeMat.
Rachel- You do have to create your own videos. But I think all Windows based PCs come with Movie Maker if you want to DIY. I use other video producing programs, but WMM is fine. Or you can hire a videographer on WellcomeMat.
And anyone can join! You don't HAVE to wait for an invitation. I didn't mean to imply that you needed an invitation to join. I was asking you to allow me to get a few points via the invitation feature.
Jeff- I'm on Veoh also. But I've gravitated toward WellcomeMat.
Joan- What a great idea! You could even do videos of neighborhoods.
Katharine- ActiveRain is most certainly a wealth of information! It beats the heck out of sitting through a boring sales meeting and you get at least twice as much information.
Al- I just switched the video. I didn't realize my other one was all still shots. This one is a combination of still shots and video. (Just don't forget your tripod, like I did.)
Thanks Lisa, I will check it out ! I am sure it is much better then www.slide.com as well!
Rich- Which link isn't working? I just checked them all. They worked for me.
Judi- You can post as many videos or slide shows as you want. I currently have 8 posted.
That said, I'd like to address the representation that most other Internet home tours cost a certain price but Wellcomemat is free. It's only 180 degrees off.
What Wellcomemat largely provides is a player, a frame within which to insert a video. That video has a certain cost, in time and money, whether done by a Realtor for his/her own use or contracted out to a videographer/producer.
The true cost comparison is between the cost of a finished video and the other Internet alternatives, including virtual tours, still photos and RealEstateShows.com.
The frame and whatever other features that Wellcomemat.com provides may be of great value (or not) but whatever that value turns out to be, it is not about the content of a presentation.
There he is!! Jeff, let us not forget the cost of not doing video well when your competition is. This is the cost associated with losing business, and believe me when I say this is a real cost, facing every real estate agent/broker on our planet. Lastly, while I appreciate you attempting to reduce WellcomeMat to our video editor/player, I would offer one note: more than anything, WellcomeMat is a thriving community of people softening the learning curve associated with video, and insuring competitive prices for professionally-created video content. See you in Colorado man...hope all is well.
As for the wobbly camera, you can build a video stabilizer for 15 dollars at your local hardware store. I did and it works great.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/