There are many ways to market your Lexington, Clemmons or other North Carolina rental property, but using video is one way that has become extremely effective in the last few years.
Virtual property tours are becoming more and more popular, especially due to the pandemic.
Video tours lead to more views and qualified leads. People click more when a video is included in a property listing.
Many property owners believe that creating videos tours is costly and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be! In fact, you can create the video yourself by simply recording with your smartphone.
In this post, we are going over everything you need to know if you want to film a great video tour of your rental, including effective filming and video editing tips.
1. Stage the Property
Trying to raise your viewers’ interest in your property requires presenting an attractive living space. It’s essential to showcase a clean unit.
Remove unnecessary personal items and get rid of clutter. Your property should appear neat and refreshing. It should be tastefully designed with no clashing colors in the background.
You want to entice potential tenants to picture themselves as residents.
2. Plan and Practice your Route
Practice navigating the route you take before filming. This will ensure that the flow of the video is smooth. Keep the doors unlocked so you won’t have to fumble with doorknobs. Walk slowly and pause every now and then.
You want the viewers to get a sense of the space. Rushing can make the audience miss out on details.
Make sure to capture the exterior areas, too. This allows the viewers to appreciate the curb appeal.
Make a list prior to the filming shoot. This gives you a rough idea of the sequence. You don’t want to end up backtracking or miss showcasing a specific property feature.
3. Film in Landscape Format
Ensure that you’re filming in landscape orientation since it provides a broader view. You want the viewers to see a lot of the property details.
If you film in portrait or vertical orientation, the property’s size may get distorted. Make your audience comfortable by using a cinematic format when filming a rental video tour.
4. Favor Natural Lighting
Natural light makes the footage look crisp and bright.
Schedule your shoot in the late afternoon or early morning for that soft glow. If the sun is too high, the light can get intense and make the entire scene appear washed-out. Always check your settings and do some tests prior to filming.
Also, be aware that natural light can shift quickly.
5. Think about Framing your Shots
Consider what you want to focus on, such as what particular property features you want to highlight. Work to include them and do close-ups.
Avoid using your zoom camera feature since this creates blur. It’s best to physically approach what you want to film rather than use the zoom. This will create a clearer image.
6. Be Conscious of your Hands
Check where your hands are positioned. Make sure they’re not touching any part of the camera lens. You don’t want a part of your fingers to be visible on the footage.
7. Prioritize Stability
Even if your video is high-quality, your viewers will lose interest if the video is shaky.
Steady your hands by leaning on a wall. Hold the camera or smartphone close to your body. If the footage still appears shaky, you can set up a tripod instead.
8. Ensure Good Audio
When you plan to include narration, check that you have a good microphone, a quiet environment, and you’re choosing someone with a pleasant voice to narrate.
If your video doesn’t include narration, you can mute it to prevent external sounds from distracting the viewers. You can add an instrumental song when editing to create the mood you want.
9. Keep the Video Brief
You may think that the longer the video, the more interest you’ll capture, but this isn’t true.
People have short attention spans these days. It’s best to limit the video tour to under 3 minutes. This way, they can easily rewatch and find the highlights.
10. Make Time to Edit and Post
Create an engaging story with your video. This ensures an organized flow so viewers aren’t left confused. You can stitch different footage together while using smooth video editing transitions.
With so many editing apps these days, such as iMovie, Splice, and Vidtrim, it’s easier than ever to release a well-made video on your own. The apps are simple and straightforward to use.
You can trim your footage, add music and adjust the speed easily.
After you’ve edited your rental video tour, it’s time to think about the distribution. You want it to get shared a lot so you can have a pool of prospective renters to choose from. This provides you with a greater opportunity to pick a high-quality tenant.
Consider sharing your property tour on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Bottom Line
You may think that video tours have replaced property images, but this isn’t the case. Both are effective marketing vehicles and should be strategically used.
A great video tour of your rental can acquire higher views through quick sharing on social platforms. When crafting a property listing, it’s best to include both property photos and a property video tour.
We hope these tips were helpful and show you that creating a great video tour doesn’t have to be costly or challenging!
If you’re looking for more help, or for a dedicated property manager who can help you market your vacant rental units, please contact TE Johnson & Sons today!
