First came phonographs, then record players.  We knew 8-track tapes were the shiznit, then regular audio tapes blew them away. Those were replaced with CDs which I would’ve never imagined they would disappear as quickly as they did thanks to this digital age.  But they did and now MP3’s and iPods rule the roost. 

Just two years ago, videotaping listings was the talk of the real estate marketing world.  My friend and I actually taped one of my listings and posted it on Blip TV.  We were especially delighted that we captured a white-tail deer leaping away from the camera in the woods behind the house.  Apparently Bambi wasn’t enough to sell the house, though, because even after a thousand views without a contract, the video was yanked because it was an “advertisement” (oops!).

This site that describes terrible real estate videos beckoned me back to my old Blip TV spot.  The agent that was highlighted as a “bad video” on this post had used a slide show to pull her feature together rather than a video camera.  If you’re going to use a slide show to make a video, then use the right tools.  I had the great fortune of finding Animoto.com last September which is my Number ONE choice for Slide Show videos.  You can make as many 30-second spots as you want for free, but it costs $30 per year to go “full length.”  I spent the $30 with great success.  I pulled together a neighborhood tour several months ago and heavily promoted it through my Animoto Slide Show.  We did end up selling two or three of the homes featured (not mine, though… boo!).

To make the SLIDEO (like that new word? slide/video combined) you’ll need at least 20 photos to upload.  Then you can pick your music and this is where Animoto excels because they have several song categories.  You can choose from classical to indie rock to rap, or you can download your own music (keep it legal, music geeks!).  You’ll title your creation, give producer credits, etc. and push the magic button that enables the software to build the video.  It’ll take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many photos you use and how busy they are.  If you don’t like the results, you can remix.

Here’s the best thing about Animoto … it doesn’t have to be about real estate to use it!  I’ve loaded family Christmases, photos from a daughter’s birthday party, Easter egg hunts, and more.  My heart swells for technology that I can use for work AND play!

OH WOW… I just learned you can now export to YouTube and so I give you this example of Animoto.  Here’s the link if the video doesn’t load…

[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdZNsggkD-8″]

Here’s some Memorial Day homework if there are any takers.  Take some photos of your activities (kiss a soldier, have a barbeque, go swimming) and put together your own Animoto video.  Send us a link!  We’d love to feature your work!

Have a safe holiday weekend!