23 Jan 09 Shorty Awards – The Final Countdown
Stand Out with Video
So what’s the moral of the story? Simple… Matman didn’t work hard enough and is a total failure. No no… we LOVE YOU Matman! The lesson is this: Take a chance, be different, and stand out with video. Congrats Matman! Your parents would be very proud of you.
Our sincerest thanks to everyone who voted. We could not have done it without you. Congrats to all of the Shorty nominees as well. Last but not least, a BIG thank you goes out to the shorty awards staff @semel, @gregory, @varga, @atw and everyone else involved. We look forward to the Shorty Awards Ceremony taking place this coming February!
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22 Jan 09 Distribute Your Videos Online with Twitter
Yes it’s true! You can now publish your WellcomeMat videos and ‘Neighborhood’ posts to Twitter. Distribute links to your content and promote your videos online without any extra work!
To get started…
Step 1: Sign in on WellcomeMat.com
Step 2: Click the ‘Account Settings’ link (top of page)
Step 3: Add your Twitter account info (username and password).
That’s it! The next time you upload a video or post a question/comment to the Neighborhood, we’ll post a message to your Twitter account. You’re busy, let us do all of the heavy lifting.
Note: If you do NOT have a Twitter account, sign up here for an account (Don’t worry, It’s FREE!).
This is great but what the heck is TWITTER? Well, Twitter can be many things. Most importantly it’s a way to voice your opinion, build your personal brand and connect with both consumers and experts.
“Twitter is nothing short of a phenomenon. At the very least, it connects people to each other through a rich and active exchange of ideas, thoughts, observations, and vision in one, highly conducive ecosystem (known as the Twitterverse).” - Brian Solis, PR 2.0
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05 Dec 08 YouTube’s Embedded Search – The Reel Fix
Mark Robertson of ReelSEO cranked a ball out of the park today with his post about how to control the search bar within embedded YouTube videos.
I wasn’t aware of the fix for this when I put up our post on YouTube’s search function, so-as it turns out-there is control over this function (sorry YouTube).
Truth is that ad/entertainment based video sites have no place in the local scene. Yes, there are SEO benefits of sending content to specific sites (not all), but when videos ARE the advertisement (ie…local video), we are going to see the generalist sites become less and less applicable to the local cause. It’s a natural progression and one that we are actually very excited about (of course).
04 Dec 08 We’re Hopelessly WellcomeMat
We’ve always struggled with what our blog should be. Should it be a place where we objectively post news? Answer: whenever possible. Should we be promoting the product here and stop trying to even hide our passion for WellcomeMat? Answer: this is what we have to do.
We have tried the righteous path of objective news gathering. Truth told, it’s impossible for us to be objective on the video front. We in this to win it, in this to make money and can’t hold back our advocacy…we’re…ummm….hopeless. So, with that, we are making some changes around here in terms of the types of content you are going to see posted to our blog. Stick around to see what I am referring to.
Oh…one announcement. We’ve discontinued the WellcomeMat Top 5 Videos of the Week for now. We loved doing this, it made a lot of people happy when they were included, but MAN…it took a lot of resources to keep it up. Look for a leaner, meaner, and more democratic version of the Top 5 at a later date. Thanks.
04 Dec 08 Free Video Platform = No Control
Here we go for a mini-post here. One thing that is very cool is how heavily Google is going after Microsoft: good things are coming fast and furious, from both companies, as a result. One thing that is not very cool is that all the people that continue to rely on free video platforms are finding out the hard way that they have no control. Look no further than YouTube’s new search-enabled video player for proof:
WellcomeMat will have a very valuable free level of service. But, in local video, control is everything. Entertainment/advertising based video platforms are not where you need to be.
Update: Google/YouTube have since removed the search bar from this particular video.
17 Nov 08 10,000 WellcomeMat Members – A Major Milestone Reached
It would be tough to count the number of times that a reporter or potential partner asked us “how many members do you have on WellcomeMat?” We did not talk about this number, partly because it’s better to keep competition guessing, and partly because the total number of WellcomeMat members wasn’t, in our mind, something to be vocally proud of…until now!
Few people (you know who you are) know as much as team WellcomeMat how much of a shlog local video has been. It’s been a lot like marching up a vertical, muddy slope, with a boulder strapped to your back, every single day for years on end. There hasn’t always been a lot of believers, there haven’t always been a ton of video success stories to point to and say “that’s why you use video,” and-quite simply-only people with a clear vision into the future adopt new ideas, tools and systems.
While we in no way believe that we have “arrived,” it is with great pleasure that we announce that WellcomeMat has exceeded the 10,000 member mark! We have a lot of people to thank for helping us early on and don’t forget where we come from (ever):
-First and foremost, thanks to all of our local production teams. Our common thread has always been the massive challenge that we collectively faced in making real estate and local video happen.
-Joel Burslem, publisher of FOREM (futureofrealestatemarketing.com) .
-Joseph Ferarra of Sellsius
-The Inman News team
-Rudy Bachratay of Trulia (and Sellsius past)
-Fred Light of Nashua Video Tours
-Doug Heddings of TrueGotham.com
-Erick Hersman of White African
-Dustin Luther – 4Realz.net
-Marc Davison of 1000WattConsulting
-The Active Rain Team. While they liked video enough to start a competing video platform, they are a great group of people and had our backs since way back.
14 Nov 08 Video’s Silver Lining in a Bad Economy
The last big run I made with a tech company was with Webroot Software, and the explosion occurred while there was very little going on in tech, very little funding available, and our economy was in shambles. While I hate to see people hurting, and companies failing, failure is just part of playing the startup game and a down market is a great thing for companies that have a strong plan, revenue and a lean cost structure. The future belongs to niche players…
Erick Schonfeld posted a solid rundown of the current state of the online video market yesterday. The things that made me proud to be taking part in WellcomeMat’s success became more evident while reading Erick’s post, which I read only shortly after I read Mark ‘Rizzn’ Hopkins’ post entitled “Online Video Publishers Should Look to Monetize Audience, Not Video”.
Check these two articles out: it’ll make you proud to be part of the local video niche!
14 Nov 08 Top 5 Local Videos of the Week
WellcomeMat.com highlights the top five new videos of the week to support the many agents, brokers and video producers helping to re-define the real estate buying and selling experience. Way to go! You made it into WellcomeMat’s Top 5.
Here we go! It’s time again to get your vote on.
Just a note, the Top 5 videos are listed in no particular order here.
Michael Biondo – Videographer – Royal Oak, MI
Video producer Michael Biondo does a top job at filming this Bloomfield, MI home. Michael’s steady camera work, nice transitions and choice of music make this a prime candidate for WellcomeMat’s Top 5 videos. Take time to enjoy this video tour of a lovely vintage colonial home!
Joe Boylan – Real Estate Agent – Colorado Springs, CO
A great aspect of this home video tour is that you see the many features of the neighborhood along with the interior and exterior of the 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom Colorado Springs, CO home. Real Estate Agent Joe Boylan does a nice job of narrating this video tour. The combination of descriptive narration and quality camera work make this video enjoyable to watch!
Danielle Zeilger – Business Owner – Omaha, NE
A great presenter, superb video quality and upbeat music that fits this neighborhood video tour nicely, all make this video standout. Danielle Zeilger of CBSHome Real Estate has a host of features to offer in this Falcon Ridge neighborhood located in Omaha, NE. In two minutes, you gain great insight into this Omaha neighborhood.
Rosario Diaz – Real Estate Agent – Miami Beach, FL
Dreaming of the sun and beach in the midst of the cold November weather? Pause and take some time to view this beautiful condo located in Miami Beach, FL. This video tour may have you drooling over the beaches and luxurious 3,000 sq. ft. open living space. Rosario Diaz and her partner Josh Stein are lucky to have such an exclusive condo that could be just for you!
TourFlix Real Estate Videos – Videographer – Fort Wayne, IN
Tourflix Real Estate Videos does a wonderful job at reeling you into this well-done home video tour. The beautiful drive up to this amazing Fort Wayne, IN home and the different camera angles help keep your attention while viewing. It’s a great match between the music, camera work and style of the home!
12 Nov 08 Selling Real Estate: How to Stand Out in a Down Market
Congrats to WellcomeMat member Brian Copeland for the recent AP coverage, “Real estate agents getting creative“. This only goes to prove what WellcomeMat has been saying for a very long time now. The agents who embrace the power of video will dominate their local markets and stand out from the competition. Those who do not (embrace video) may eventually find themselves behind the proverbial eight ball. Congrats to Brian and everyone who’s persevered through this rough and tumble market. Stay strong… you’ll come out on top in the end and your clients will thank you. Although they probably already have!
For those of you ready to make the move to video:
Get started and find professional help today!
07 Nov 08 Top 5 Local Videos of the Week
WellcomeMat.com highlights the top five new videos of the week to support the many agents, brokers and video producers helping to re-define the real estate buying and selling experience. Congrats to this week’s winners!
It’s that time again! You know what to do. Watch the Top 5 and you decide who the winner is this week.
Vincent Spoto – Real Estate Agent – Wellesley, MA
A great community tour of Wellesley, MA! Real Estate Agent Vincent Spoto offers this well-produced video tour. In just over three minutes, you’re taken on a drive around town. From the interviews with parents and other residents to the multiple restaurants, shops, parks and schools; this Wellesley tour is worth watching.
Fred Copeland – Videographer – Temecula, CA
Video producer Fred Copeland creates this beautifully shot home video tour. This video of a lovely Temecula, CA home includes informative narration and is set at a nice pace. You get the feel of the interior and exterior of the home all in a timely, professional fashion.
Made Green – Videographer – San Francisco, CA
Made Green does a fantastic job at producing this home video tour for Real Estate Agent Michael Kerwin. The elegant camera movement, Michael’s narration along with the soft music combine to set this video tour apart. Made Green does a great job at capturing the essence of this San Francisco, CA home.
Noel Fleming – Real Estate Agent – Broomfield, CO
Real Estate Agent Noel Fleming takes you on a home video tour in Boulder, CO. The video speaks for itself with the music and text guiding your way. Cinema Realty captures the inside of the home as well as the outside including the beautiful mountains, trails and lake right outside your door.
Matt Fisher – Videographer – Taylors, SC
Video producer Matt Fisher takes his time in filming this home located in Taylors, SC. The narrator does a nice job at guiding you through the many rooms and features of the 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom home. You’ll come away from the video tour with a sure sense of the home and full of information!
