This news was simply too exciting to withhold, so we’re not even going to try. We are proud to announce that WellcomeMat is now iPhone-ready BABY! Ok…ok…we’re almost entirely iPhone ready baby. The alpha version of our iPhone app is now live at www.WellcomeMat.com/iPhone. The way that it is coming together is as follows:
-We have converted about 1/5th of all our videos to H264 format (the only video format that iPhone’s will play). This means that your channel videos may not be showing up right now. If you are upset about this, please write Apple and tell them how lame it is that they are not yet supporting flash video, as they inevitably will have to and are just dragging their feet.
-Once we have completed all conversions, you will be able to send iPhone users (and soon all mobile users) to your WellcomeMat channel, or individual videos for viewing.
Example: property hunter pulls up to the curb of your newest listing. They love the house! So, they stroll up to the sign to get some contact info and BOOM! “View the video of this home at: http://www.wellcomemat.com/iphone/BostonVideoTours”
Disclaimer: this is the first version of our mobile solution(s). You’ll likely hit some snags. But, right here in the collective brain of Team WellcomeMat is a mobile video platform that is going to absolutely change the name of the local game. If you have any feedback/questions, as usual, get in touch already!
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It is with great pleasure that we announce a partnership with Turnhere. To us, a partnership of this nature has always made sense, and here’s why:
As most people already know, WellcomeMat does not plan to make money on video production. However, after having lead the charge on the match-making between local video producers and clients, what we often realize is that many of our national-level prospects face a steep climb when trying to quickly find local pros in many areas at once. We have very strong coverage in some areas (these production companies know who they are), but not-so-great coverage in others. WellcomeMat is very proud that we have become known as a match-maker amongst other things, but we often get ourselves in a bind when we need solid coverage in hard to cover areas. Turnhere is a one-stop solution when these things come up, and the best part is that we know for a fact that quality will be the end result.
How does this effect our current video production companies?
To a large extent, our partnership with Turnhere helps our current base of video production companies. For one, they are posting gigs to the production board already. Two, they bring a recognized name to our directory, and help to set the bar in the quality arena, making our system more trustworthy. Three, we can stick to our focus of being the technology company, the marketplace, and video management system that we have always been. Our focus in these areas is not a trivial thing for local video pros: the better WellcomeMat is at leveraging our strengths, the more business that we’ll drive to local producers.
Other than the aforementioned benefits, the game on WellcomeMat doesn’t change: video producers are still being positioned based on their level of local activity and the trust that they have gained over the years on WellcomeMat.
Thanks very much to the Turnhere team for putting their trust into WellcomeMat.
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This week, WellcomeMat.com highlights the top five panelist videos from last Thursday’s Salon Series event to showcase how agents, brokers and video producers are helping to re-define the real estate buying and selling experience. Take a look at these high-quality and entertaining videos we’ve selected. Thanks to the panelists and congrats on kickin’ it in the Real Estate video arena!
Class and elegance grace the screen when Teddy Stoecklein takes control of the camera. This beautifully shot business video tour of Helen Mills Event Space and Theater located at 137 - 139 W 26th Street New York, NY fits the style and attitude of NYC and the business itself.
What a gorgeous apartment for sale in New York, NY! Doug Heddings of Prudential Douglas Eliman does a wonderful job at presenting this spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment using web video. The historical details provided in the presentation along with the smooth, fluid camera work combine to make a great video tour. From the shots of the beautiful English garden to the detailed interior this is video worth watching.
Video producer Richard Blakely of Gawker.com takes on Midtown East in NYC. Richard and his on camera sidekick make this neighborhood video tour a wild and crazy adventure through the city. His original script along with his use of unusual props in the city keep you wondering what will happen next.
Political activists, musicians, spiritual healers and more! Find your muse right in Union Square NYC. Go on a web video journey with presenter Mike Sandwich through the heart of it all. Mike shows a little slice of life and the fun that ensues when out on the town.
Frontdoor.com takes you on a video tour of Madonna’s former cities she called home. This Cool Houses Daily episode doesn’t waste on previewing the homes for sale in the many different locations. With varying cities and prices, you will surely find a home to fit your budget and lifestyle. Whether it’s a studio apartment in NYC or a family sized home in California, you can find it here… Madonna style.
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If you’re in the NY Metro area this Thursday, join us August 14th for our life-changing “Salon Series: The Future of Local Video”. Five panelists discuss current and future trends in using web video to advertise and showcase local businesses, real estate, neighborhoods, cities, and more! If you’re in advertising, marketing, video production, pr, video blogging, real estate, journalism, acting, or just plain interested in the subject, this event is not to be missed.
RSVP here to guarantee your seats
Panelists:
Richard Blakeley - Video Editor | Gawker Media
Kelly Roark - VP Interactive Sales & Development | HGTV/Frontdoor
Teddy Stoecklein - Creative Director & Video Producer, BBDO
Doug Heddings - NY Real Estate Broker, TrueGotham.com
Andrew Kaplan - Business Development Manager, TURNHERE.com
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We’re back for round three of WellcomeMat’s B.Roll! Each week, the B.Roll will be your guide to the local video space, wrapping up the top local videos, relevant video news and tips, and neighborhood gossip—you don’t need to waste time sifting through nauseating amounts of information.
- Vote for Your Top 5 Local Video of the Week!
- Matman Speaks, Tip of the Week: Make Your Videos Clickable with Chaptering
- Real Estate and Local Video News Roundup
- Neighborhood Gossip: HD Video Online = Marketing Scam?
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This week we’re going to talk about how you can power your videos with WellcomeMat’s video chaptering. Why should you care? With an infinite amount of places to go online (i.e. you can click right now and be off surfing for something else), just because a viewer clicks the ‘PLAY’ button does not mean they’re going to watch your entire video. WellcomeMat’s chaptering tool let’s you spotlight specific sections of your video. Use the tool and viewers can click on scenes and jump right to any portion of the video (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc.) you’ve highlighted. This effectively gives you more opportunity to attract viewers with different interests and motivations.
Here’s a quick tutorial on how to Make Your Videos Clickable with Chaptering:
Tip of the Week: Making Your Videos Clickable with Chaptering
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1. What does it mean when The Los Angeles Times axes their real estate section?
2. Google has been trying to find a way to earn a return on the $1.65 billion it spent on YouTube with a variety of ad formats. Saul Hansell’s New York Times article, “Google Goes Gawdy With YouTube Ads” covers one of Google’s recent efforts to balance advertising with consumer/pro generated content.
3. Inman News offers an insiders view of Real Estate Connect, San Francisco.
4. Mike Boland, star analyst from the Kelsey Group takes a deep look at WellcomeMat.
5. Will user generated content ever make money for YouTube and others? Stefanie Olsen writes, “Between a rock and YouTube, video execs see promise”.
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HD is a term that’s tossed around the web like crazy, but is the web ready? The hood came alive around this very subject, and those that are interested in the subject should check it our here: HD video = marketing scam?.
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