Video Playbook: A Practical Guide For Beginners

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Video marketing is one of the most effective ways to market your personal brand or business. However, it’s constantly developing and expanding to suit the preferences of consumers, so we need to meet them where they’re at. That means understanding the latest trends and best practices is essential for your success.

You’ve heard the experts talk about it, your colleagues rave about it, and know you need to record them, but how do you get started? You’re in the right place. I created this guide for you.

As a bonus, I added a short list of my favorite affordable tools at the end.

 

Write Your Video Script 

Collect your thoughts and write them down in advance to ensure a clear and concise message. Once you hit the record button, avoid sounding scripted or reading from your script. If bullet points help to keep you on track, then place them close to the camera lens on your device so it doesn’t look like you’re reading. The more you practice, the more natural and better you’ll sound when it’s time to record.

Personalize your video by speaking as you would to your ideal customer or a friend, reflecting empathy for the problem that you solve.

Setting Up Your Video Camera 

Place your camera on a tripod or steady surface at eye-level. Avoid angles where the camera lens is looking up or down on you. Shoot in landscape mode and position yourself in the center of the screen, allowing a few inches of space above your head and on either side for comfortable cropping to square or vertical versions.

If you’re standing, the bottom of your screen should be around your fourth shirt button or right above your belly button. If you’re seated, the bottom of the camera should end at your third shirt button or base of a half-zip sweater.

Choose a non-distracting background, avoid windows, showing other people, and posters/signs that viewers can read.

Wait 3-seconds before speaking once you hit record and leave 3-seconds at the end. Bonus tip: When you finish recording, pose in a few different ways so we can take screenshots from the video for a cover image.

If you’re having a hard time recording your video in one take, break it up into a few parts to be woven together later. 

Practice 

If you’re using a smartphone, set the phone in your tripod and record in selfie mode so you can position yourself in the frame correctly and get comfortable. Please note: unless you’re using an app like ProMovie or Filmic Pro, shoot the final video with the camera on the back of your phone as it shoots better quality footage than the front camera. 

Practice breathing deeply before you begin and smile at the intro and after certain points.

Remember, you’re providing valuable information that your audience wants to hear. Focus on the message and the people, not your appearance. They don’t care about your appearance as much as you do. Don’t curb your enthusiasm – If you talk with your hands, then do that in the video. Move around be the person they will meet in real life.

Lighting 

Find a location with plenty of natural light or non-fluorescent indoor lighting. Position yourself facing a window or set up your primary light sources facing you, not behind you. Avoid overhead lights unless you have an additional light source shining on your face.

Audio 

Use a lapel mic if you have a headphone jack or lightning port on your device. If you need a lightning port to headphone jack adaptor for iPhone, see the tool list below.

Clothing 

Wear solid colors that contrast with your surroundings. Avoid patterns, stripes, plaids, polka dots, and shiny garments.

Affordable Video Tools

– Vicseed 67” phone tripod

– Royal Voice Lavalier Lapel Mic

– Apple Lightning to Headphone Jack Adaptor

– ProMovie or Filmic Pro Video App

– Limo Light Studio 700W Output, LMS103

 

Relationship Marketing: Your New Best Friend

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Relationship marketing is a fancy way of saying building strong relationships with your customers. And you’re probably already doing it every day. 

Before we jump into the marketing piece, I want to stress that you’re not required to have a deep relationship to do business with your customers, but this form of marketing has stood the test of time and proven to be most rewarding. If you focus on personalized and engaging interactions, and not on the sale, the business and relationship will come naturally.Relationship Marketing

As a service provider, your customers want to get to know the person behind your business. They need to trust you. If they don’t, you have no chance for a deeper connection. So, how do we build trust? Enter your online presence and empathy.

People come to your social media profiles and immediately begin forming an opinion about you and your business. Are you happy with what they’ll find?

Everything from your profile photo, tone of voice, choice of words, and content will help them determine whether they like, respect, and relate to you. This is where empathy comes in. They want to know you’ve walked in their shoes, understand their needs, and will successfully help them accomplish their goals. If they decide to contact you, they already feel a connection to you.

Now the relationship building begins. Loyal customers are often your primary source of referrals and are likely to make repeat purchases. Much of your content should help your audience get more from your services. But posting is just the beginning of the conversation.

The engagement that comes along with it takes the awareness to a relationship level and if you supply your customers with truly valuable content regularly, they’ll develop a natural interest in your business.

Please share this post with any service provider who will benefit from the message.

Why You Need A Social Media Engagement Strategy

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A recent study by real estate website The Close found agents get 44% of their leads from posting on social media surpassing cold calling, buying leads, online advertising, and print advertising by at least 10%-30%. Which proves that posting on social media drives business if you’re consistent.

But If you’re spending most of your valuable time posting and hoping the social media Gods will grow your personal brand for you, you’re missing a critical element of growth, engagement. Your followers make a conscious decision to support your work, and you need to deepen that relationship by engaging them.

Think of posting as the beginning of a conversation.

When you use social media for business, you’re campaigning for trust and credibility with your audience. Your posts grab their attention and once you have it, that’s when the actual work begins. Now you have to keep them. 

Basic engagement heightens brand awareness, but conversations build relationships. A more meaningful connection with your audience means you’ll stay top of their mind. If you’re like me, you want connections you interact with, not a collection of people to beef up your follower count. Less is more here. More followers affect people’s perception when they view your account, but that’s about it.  

The Psychology:

Most conversations happen in the comments and direct messages.

Have you ever seen posts turn into a chat room? Those conversations are marketing gold for these reasons:

  • Inspiration for your content. 
  • Meet and learn from new people.
  • People feel more connected to you and your business.
  • Discover questions you can answer and share your expertise.

When you build your reputation for frequent participation and enriching the community, people will take note and visit your profile. From there, it’s on to your other social platforms and website. The best part is you don’t have to sell yourself. Your thoughtful engagement will lead the way.

The Methodology:

Time block 30-60 minutes per day to respond and leave thoughtful comments on yours and other people’s posts. Approach this concept with a “how can I help” rather than “what can I get” mindset.

When you gain a new follower, check out their profile. Look for commonalities and conversation starters and send a message thanking them for following. This small touch shows you care and sets the tone for the relationship in the future.

Use social media to network, meet new people, and deepen relationships with your audience. Your goal is eventually moving that relationship offline and into coffee shops and other personal settings.

How To Apply Storytelling To Your Small Business

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Storytelling is a term we hear every day.  But how does it apply to business?  

This is a question I get asked often.

The answer seems obvious, but when some business owners attempt to apply this concept to their business, crazy things happen.  The negative voices emerge and the mind draws blanks.  

“How do I tell stories about boring products?  My business isn’t interesting. I can’t think of any stories. I’m not a talented storyteller.” Sound familiar?  I’ve been there too.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is good storytelling is as much about the content as the way you tell it.  It’s an art, and everybody can do it.  Pssst…You probably tell them to your friends and family everyday.

Before I get into it, you may wonder why we need storytelling at all.      

Let me explain.

Humans are wired to connect to stories.  

Jonathan Gottschall, the author of The Storytelling Animal, said, “We are, as a species, addicted to the story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.” 

From early childhood we crave and rely on them to help us sleep, inspire, educate, and deepen our connection to each other.  This is the part that you should note.  The deeper your connection is with your customers, the more they will buy, remember, and share your product or service with their friends.

One of my favorite ways to incorporate a story in social posts is sharing my perspective. It’s the one thing that sets you apart from others in your industry and positions you as a thought leader. Your experience and ability to provide a unique experience draws your customers in.

You’ll see a never ending supply of stories to share.  There’s a story you could tell!

Here are a few of the best ways to share stories:

  1. Success stories from the field, the ugly too, and with how you prevailed. Your experience will educate and inspire customers entering the marketplace.
  2. Tell your customer’s story. How has your product or service transformed their lives?  We buy transformation, not products.  
  3. Your beliefs, mindset, and thoughts on topics related to your industry. Thought leadership is one of the best ways to build your credibility and community around your content. 
  4. Tell your story.  Invite people into your world (as much as you want to) and help them get to know the person they are considering hiring.

Remember, every story has a beginning, middle, and an end.  Apply what you already know and guide your customer down a slippery slope to the end.  

20 Things I Learned In 2020

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20 Things I learned in 2020 christopher pagli

This list is a compilation of my thoughts and observations throughout 2020.  Please feel free to chime in and share this post with a friend who needs to know they are not alone.

 

  1. I don’t need to go to an office. Working from home requires discipline, but once you have it, you’ll increase your productivity.⁣
  2. Many things I thought I needed in my life aren’t necessary.⁣
  3. I touch my face way too often.⁣
  4. Homeschooling and working from home is an educational challenge.⁣
  5. I don’t need to sit in restaurants. I love dining out, but so many restaurants are providing an equally fulfilling takeout experience.⁣
  6. I’m obsessed with grocery stores. I’m often seen roaming the aisles stocking up for the apocalypse.⁣
  7. Check in with your children. Ask them how they’re doing every day. All may seem well, but feelings are happening under those layers of innocence and sweetness. No kids? Check-in with your inner child.⁣
  8. Don’t believe everything you hear. Do your research and make decisions that work for you and your family.⁣
  9. I’ve been socially distancing half my life.⁣
  10. Your home is your sanctuary.⁣
  11. Slowing down is a good thing. In a stay-at-home way, I’ve never lived more freely.⁣
  12. People around the world feel the same way I do.⁣
  13. Most of the epic things I planned to do with my extra time never happened.⁣
  14. Dance parties suck on Zoom.⁣
  15. Self-awareness is the gift that keeps on giving.⁣
  16. Our country needs a spa weekend.⁣
  17. I could have hand delivered holiday cards and packages faster than the post office.⁣
  18. Netflix still has mostly crappy shows. Some things never change.⁣
  19. I have lots of great dress clothes but nowhere to go.⁣
  20. Positivity is a choice.

If you’re business was affected by Covid and wondering how to connect with your customers on  a deeper level in 2021, check out this post.

How To Market Your Business During A Global Crisis

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I’ve had a lot of real estate agent clients ask me if and how they should continue marketing their business during the global crisis.  

The answer is yes.  Continue to market your business, but your messaging and tone should change.  We need to be sensitive to the times we’re in and meet our customers where they are.

But how do you know where they are?  Pay attention to current events and what your customers are saying.  Social media is buzzing with your customers sentiments.  If you are in touch and tuned in, then you will have all of the information you need to succeed.

Refer to a traditional buyer’s journey for guidance.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with this journey, it comprises a few stages.  The first is awareness, the buyer becomes aware they have a problem.  Second is a consideration, they look for a solution to their problem.  And, the final stage is a decision, they are ready to purchase a solution.

Here’s what it looks like applying this journey to the global crisis:

  • Stage one – panic and uncertainty. Your messaging will be sympathetic.  You will craft posts to help put people at ease.  Whether it’s about food, working from home, hygiene, or how your industry is adapting to uncertain times.
  • Stage two – Finding balance working from home, homeschooling, productivity concerns, or curbside pickup for just about everything.  Put adaptation in motion.
  • Stage three – Most people have adjusted to change and now want to know how they will ease back into civilian life.  What will dining out look like?  How will they buy and sell real estate or experience other in-person service-oriented industries?  The future of schooling?  Travel?

If you create content relevant to your customer and MEET them in the stage they’re in, you will lead with empathy and become a resource for inspirational and valuable information.

I feel the best thing any small business owner or real estate agent can do now is pick up the phone and just be a friend to their database.  Ask them how they are doing.  If they want to talk shop, share information that will benefit them.

For example, at the time of writing, mortgage rates are hovering around 3%, now is a good time to refinance their mortgage and reduce their monthly payment amount.

Please share this post with anyone you know in need of marketing guidance.  Be well!

Real Estate Agents: How To Increase Your Chances Of Getting An Expired Listing

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Who wants to stand apart from the competition and increase their chances of getting a new listing?  You do.

More and more agents are going after expired listings every day.  Some call. Other’s mail. And then you have the doorknockers. The competition is swift.

If you are fortunate enough to get a listing appointment, you’re halfway there. Now you have to win the homeowner over and land the listing. The average seller interviews three agents before choosing who they want to hire, so you’re probably not the only one going in for an appointment.

Remember, they have already experienced an agent, so how you prepare for your appointment will make all the difference. This is your chance to go above and beyond and impress the heck out of them.

I will show you how to package their home prior to the listing appointment so they can see how you will present their property to the market rather than just hearing about it.

But first, aside from what their home is worth, what’s the one thing the seller wants to know?

What you will do to sell it in the shortest amount of time.

If you are dealing with an emotionally attached seller, they want to feel confident that their baby is in good hands.

Prior to your appointment, go into the MLS and analyze the previous listing.  Check out the quality of the photos, marketing remarks, and see if you can identify reasons the home didn’t sell.  Often it’s improper pricing or poor presentation.

Re-write the remarks as you would if you already got the listing.  How would you tell the home’s story? That’s the key here. Show the seller how you will showcase the benefits and functionality of their house.  If the previous listing remarks are great, then put your spin on them.

The marketing remarks are your opportunity to sell the lifestyle and benefits to your prospective buyer, not a ramble of features and fragment sentences.

I know it’s tricky to write remarks without a visual inspection of the property so piece the story together the best you can. Reference the previous agents remarks, photos, and do a Google search of the neighborhood.  Often you will find some interesting facts or history that will spice up your version.

In two recent cases, I discovered that the neighborhood surrounding a listing was developed by one builder of Macys Herald Square in NYC.  He wanted to create an enclave for the rich City folk to vacation during the summer. Leading with this information hooks the reader into your story.  It’s interesting and would make most people want to read more.

The second listing was in the 7th wealthiest zip code according to a recent Bloomberg study.  That will definitely get some people’s attention.

Now for the visuals.  If you break your listing appointment into two parts, snap some interior and exterior photos during your first meeting. Create a slide show with text overlay highlighting the functionality and benefits of the house.  

Animoto is a great tool for creating eye-catching home tours and you can export them in high definition.  For this to have maximum effect, the seller needs to see their house in the video.

The key is to show them what you will do rather than just hearing about it.

You may think this is a lot of work to do before you get a commitment.  You’re right. And your efforts will impress the seller. If you put this much thought and work into securing the listing, they’ll be interested to find out what you’ll do to keep it.

Even if you don’t get the listing, you’re practicing for the next.

Insanely Useful Gifts for Real Estate Agents and Small Business Owners (or You) Updated 2022

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Here’s the Pagli insanely useful gift guide for the real estate agent or small business owner in your life. 

Small business is big work and every business owner needs practical tools to succeed. These gifts are tested by me, and Above and Beyond approved. 

Bookmark this post for future reference.

 

Essential Reading Gifts

Everybody Writes 2 – By Anne Handley “The new and improved go-to guide for writing ridiculously good content” – Anne Handley – If you write anything, this book is a must read. Times have changed from what we were taught in elementary school. Anne helps us write for today’s online world.

The Experience Maker – By Dan Gingiss (Foreward by Ann Handley) – The customer experience defines a successful business. Dan shares how to create remarkable experiences that help you stand out in the marketp[lace and build lasting relationships with your customers.

Entrepreneur Magazine Subscription – Each month you’ll get inspiration from industry leaders and hear success/failure stories from other entrepreneurs. We’re all in this together.

The Go-Giver – By Bob Berg and John David Mann  – Every business owners needs this concept in their life.

Contagious – By Jonah Berger – Take a deep dive into why things catch on.

Practical Work Gifts

Bosch Blaze GLM50C Laser Distance Measurer  – The real estate agents best friend. Whether you’re working with home buyers or sellers this tool is essential.

Canva Pro Membership – Most small business owners don’t have the time or the capacity to learn design. Canva takes the guesswork and frustration out of creating digital and printable projects. They offer printing services for anything from mugs to t-shirts and fliers (brilliant if you ask me, keep it all in house).

Laptop Desk  –  If you work from this desk will increase your productivity and happiness from the comfort of your couch.  Everyone should look forward to going to the couch-office.

5-in-1 Laptop Stand  – You’ve probably heard that sitting is the new smoking. If you spend too much time working from the couch, this adjustable 5-in-1 stand will help you quit your nasty habit. Plus you’ll help support the MOMA in NYC, a win for all.

Pro Writing Aid – This tool is a super-charged editor for your writing. I used Grammarly for a long time and ProWritingAid lured me over with many heartfelt email offers. Saving $70 bucks on a year’s subscription was also enticing (they have a 25% off sale a few times a year). Whether you’re writing an email or creating social media posts, web pages, real estate listing remarks, blog posts, you’ll sound better and feel smarter.

Titita Portable Charger and Power Bank – This charger saved my life multiple times. It works great on smart phones and iPads/tablets.

WD 2T Elements Portable External Hard Drive – Finding a good external hard drive requires a lot of patience. There are so many options and just as many conflicting reviews. This one consistently ranked high and it’s easy to use. Compatible with MAC and PC.

Blue Yeti USB Mic – When the pandemic hit these mics flew off the shelf. Why? Because they are one of the best at an affordable price.  If you’re zooming, presenting, or podcasting this mic is essential for crystal clear audio.

Inkletech Ring Light  – Good lighting is everything when you are making videos.  This light ring is the perfect tool for bringing your bright ideas forward.  It comes with a mount for mobile devices or DSLR cameras, a travel bag, a six foot stand, and a remote control for the light and your phone.

Skillshare Membership – Wouldn’t it be cool to have access to thousands of classes ranging from entrepreneurship to marketing and design for a small price? You can! Skillshare has you covered. An hour a day goes a long way.

Udemy Membership – Another learning wonderland.

iPhone Video Bundle Gifts:  

If you want to make professional looking videos from your smartphone, these tools are essential.

Pop Voice Lavalier Lapel Mic – This lapel mic plugs into the microphone jack on your phone and makes your videos sound professional. Your viewers will feel more connected to you. If you have an iPhone 7 or newer, you’ll need an adapter for the headphone jack (I’ve got you covered, that’s next on the list).  

Apple Lightning Headphone Jack Adaptor  – There are many adaptors out there but this is the only one that I found that works with the Lavalier mic. Buy it direct from Apple for only 

Victiv 72” Camera Tripod – It’s compact and easy to use with smartphones or DSLR cameras. Place it on your desktop. Go full length. Take it with you wherever you go for more stable videos. 

Tip – Download the ProMovie app for $2.99 – It’s easy to ease turns your phone into a professional video camera.

Fun Gifts

Aqua Notes Water Proof Note Pad – Once the water gets goin’ the ideas start flowin’. Some of the best ideas are born in the shower. Now you can write them down mid-lather.

GoSports 3 Ft. Wide Four In A Row Game – If you love Connect Four then you’ll love this jumbo version for the backyard or anywhere else it’ll fit.

9 in 1 Multitool Pen

 

Have a gift idea I should know about? Send me an email AandBMS@gmail.com and I’ll consider it for my next post. Happy Holidays!

 

How To Find Your Niche In Real Estate and Connect With Your Ideal Client

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One thing we must get right in real estate marketing is identifying our ideal client. But that’s not enough.  We have to understand why these people are ideal and will they feel the same. Finding a niche is one of the best things you can do for your business.  

Let me explain.

In the early days of the web, we were expected to be on the mountaintop talking to everyone. No longer. With an online world more cluttered than a grandma’s attic, we need to figure out who we’re talking to from the start or risk wasting a lot of precious time and money. 

If you are trying to talk to everybody, you’re most likely talking to nobody. 

A broad message is impersonal.  Personalized messages bring a significant ROI and have a better chance of being noticed.

Take social media ads, for example.

They are everywhere and here to stay. We can’t control that.  But we can control the type of ads we see. Would you rather see ads that speak to your specific interests and needs or random ads that don’t pertain to you?  

I’ll bet you you chose specific targeting. That’s how you want your desired audience to feel when they come across your content.

I know that creating a niche sounds limiting.  Don’t be afraid to specialize; you won’t lose business. Instead, you’ll attract people who want what you offer.  You can specialize in one area or expand into other niches later on.

Meet Ben Caballero.

He is the founder and CEO of HomesUSA.com and holds the Guinness World Records title for the most annual home sales transactions through MLS by an individual sell side real estate agent.  You may have seen him in a recent Realtor.org feature.

Ben attributes his success to one primary factor.  Specialization.  

In his own words:

“Specialists dominate all professions from ditch digging to rocket science. I can’t overstate its importance to success in any profession. Real estate has many areas in which agents can specialize. I choose to be a corporate specialist.”

Whether you realize it or not, you are already attracting people who connect with your bio and online presence.  It’s the law of attraction.”

Let’s do an exercise.  Grab some paper and we’ll get started.

Write:

  • All of your past and present skills.
  • Why you got into the real estate business. 
  • What you enjoy most about selling real estate.  
  • The buyer/seller you work with most often?  
  • What is the average age?  Where are they located? 
  • The real estate you sell most.  

Look over your list. You’ll notice a theme. See what fills a need or if much of your business is associated with one or more items.  

Think about how your education, career history, and skills have helped in the past and how they’ll help your clients today.  If you are unsure of your skills and talents, check out the Clifton Strength assessments by www.Gallup.com

Do you have a corporate background?  Are you an investor? Own a vacation home or other specific property?  Work with a lot of divorcing couples? Have bank relationships or a finance background?  

If so, you are best suited to help these types of buyers and/or sellers.  I feel first hand experience adds a lot of value to someone who knows nothing about the process.  You can empathize with them and share your personal journey.

People want an expert not someone who holds many titles but masters none.  Specializing allows you to be the go-to person in a particular area of your field.  This is where the niche says loud and clear “You have found the right person”.

Potential niches:

  • Co-ops.
  • Condos.
  • Vacation homes.
  • Relocation clients.
  • New development.
  • First-time investors.
  • Divorce and estates. 
  • Waterfront properties.
  • First-time home buyers.
  • Corporate professionals.
  • Short sales and foreclosures.
  • Foreign investors or home buyers.

I want you to do one more thing.

Beginning today, erase “I can help anybody looking for X” or “I help buyers and sellers” from your sales pitch or “about me” page. Can you do that?  Good. 

Now that you have formed a niche, let’s fill in your blanks with a new brand positioning statement. It will consist of WHO your ideal audience is and HOW they will benefit from working with you.  Sounds easy, right? It is. But also requires considerable thought.  Take your time!  

Going forward, this statement will shape every single marketing decision you make.  

It is also the foundation of your elevator pitch and will help others talk about your business when referring you.  The clearer you are, the easier it is for them.

 

 

Below are some examples of a brand positioning statement.

  • I help first-time investors make calculated decisions and grow their money.
  • I help relocation clients find their place and adjust to life in Westchester County, NY.
  • I help improve communities by getting sellers the most amount of money for their home.

You’ve identified your niche.  Crafted your benefit positioning statement.  Now you’re ready to brand yourself and market to your niche.  I’ll show you how in my next post.  Stay tuned.

Until then, look at your competition.

  • Identify agents who focus on the same niche.
  • What do they do well and not so well?
  • What would you do differently to set yourself apart from the competition?

Know someone who needs clarity and guidance?  Share this post with them!

3 Best Ways To Promote Your Business And Show Your Value As A Business Owner

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The online world moves fast, like a freight train barreling down the tracks! And, it’s pretty congested too.

How can you cut through the noise?

I will show you three of the best ways to maximize your reach and exposure. Then, you can repurpose these ideas across your various social media channels and website.

#3 – Check out HARO – That stands for Help A Reporter Out. It’s an online resource for journalists to get feedback and input from business owners like you. A little-known fact is it started out as a Facebook group in 2008 and quickly grew to a 100,000 person email list. Now it’s a tremendous opportunity for you to position yourself as an authority in your industry.

You can sign up for free or get a paid subscription, and up to three times per day you’ll receive an email digest of inquiries from journalists looking for your input on your preferred topics.

#2 – Interviews – They offer you an opportunity to tell your story, add credibility to your business, and help you develop a relationship with the interviewer.

Collaborate with other industry service providers. You can interview each other and then repurpose the interview to reach a broader audience online.

Bonus Tip: When you receive the audio file from the interview, add it to your website. Transcribe it for SEO purposes. Google crawls through text more efficiently than video or audio.

#1 – Public speaking – In the form of hosting a class or a workshop. There’s no better way to let people experience the person they are considering hiring than getting in front of them and showing your value.

Unlike social media, you won’t have to worry about who hears you because you’ll have an audience who made a conscious decision to come and hear you speak.

 

Good Copywriter’s Do These Two Things Every Day

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What’s the most essential marketing tool?  The words you choose and how you arrange them on the page.

Persuasive copywriting is an art, and good writers do two things every day.

1. Write a minimum of 500 words.  It doesn’t matter what you write, just do it.  Keeping a journal is a great way to practice your skills and self reflect.

2. Read quality writing. The more you read, the better quality it is, the better you will become.

Need some inspiration?

Save examples of writing which sucks you in, in a swipe file on your desktop.  This is a folder that you will add inspiration or create a collection on your Facebook and Instagram profiles ((click the flag icon to save posts on Instagram and the three dots on Facebook).  We all need inspiration from time to time.

I’m going to leave you with this, People often say tell me that nobody reads anything anymore.  I say, If your writing is interesting, they will read it.

Create Better Videos For Your Business With This 7 Part Framework and Productivity Tip

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If you’re a business owner you probably already know by now that video is the essential tool for marketing your business but you might also be intimidated by the thought of putting yourself out for public display. You’re not alone.

 

When I began working with video a few years ago I had a fear of public speaking and I didn’t like the way I look at certain angles. The way I worked through my fear was pushing myself to record videos. 

 

I forfeited a chance to go on a family vacation and locked myself in the house for three days. I recorded about 20 videos but it took about 350 takes to get to the finished product.  I had poor lighting I didn’t have a microphone but I had a good message.

 

What I learned from this experience is the more I do this the more I push myself, the easier it becomes. I began to realize that it’s not about me it’s about you, the people who I’m trying to deliver a message to. What’s your take away?  The more I was able to put you first the easier it got for me. 

 

The top 3 reasons people tell me they don’t record videos are: 

#1 They don’t know what to say.  

#2 They hate their voice or the way that they look, and

#3 I’m not interesting.

We all just start somewhere but start we must!

The trick is to organize your thoughts before you hit record. Writing out a script will help you deliver a clear message but when you do hit record don’t sound scripted. 

Remember, take a deep breath and make it about your viewer the more you take yourself out of the equation the quicker your critical self will disappear. 

Here’s a 7-part framework that you can use to create better videos for your business.  

Part 1 –  The Opener, dive right into your topic from the beginning, in

the first five to ten seconds your viewer is going to decide whether they

want to keep watching your video or not. Plus it shows that you value and respect their time. 

Part 2 –  A branded bumper – this is a 5-15 second animation of your logo that you place after your opener. If you don’t have any creative skills or know any graphic designers you can go to fiverr.com and get one made for about 5 or 10 bucks.

Part 3 – Welcome your viewers. This helps build loyalty and everybody likes to feel special (Clapping)

Part 4 – Jump into your content. Let’s get into why we’re all here. 

Part 5 – Add a micro call-to-action (optional). A call-to-action is what you want your viewers to do and how you want them to do it. The reason we add one here is that we want viewers to make it to the end of the video. If they don’t get there they won’t be able to hear your final call-to-action. An example might be, at the end of the video I’m going to offer you a promo code or something special. 

Part 6 – The Closing. Wrap up and recap some of the important points from your video, and

Part 7 – Your final call-to-action. Remember, this is what you want your viewers to do and how you want them to take action. This could be subscribing to your channel, connecting with you on social media, or visiting your website.

If you’re struggling to find the time to record videos I get it. First, you have to record, then make edits and distribute your video across all your various social and other online channels. It’s a lot of work but the payoff is

well worth it if you’re consistent. I like to take a day of the week where I can commit 4-6 hours and batch record videos. If I can get 3 or 4 videos in that one session and I do that once a week, or even every other week, I will have anywhere from 8 to 16 videos in the bank for future use. You can also batch produce thumbnail images for your videos in that session as well.

 

Create a schedule and stick to it. Consistency is key. Your viewers are going to want to know when to expect your next video. By doing so you’re training them to come back to your content and that is what builds loyalty. If you have questions about video or you need some help with coaching you can send me an email at AandBMS@gmail.com.  I respond to everyone.

American Frozen Foods: A Client Story and Work Sample

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Just fourteen months ago, American Frozen Foods in Scarborough, Maine, was having a hard time putting together a successful digital marketing strategy.  They wanted to reach new customers while adding value and deepening relationships with their existing customers.

My work with them initially consisted of individual coaching sessions and grew to more of an in-house role.  I analyzed everything they were currently doing, researched their ideal customer, and asked lots of questions.  We determined that they were casting too wide a net and haphazardly posting on their social channels.

Some of these posts were cooking videos, and kitchen hacks from other companies.   I thought we should create our own videos and keep attention on American Frozen Foods instead of sharing posts that drive our customers away from our channels.

Since their Marketing Director, Theo Shaughnessy has 15 years of experience in the foodservice industry, I suggested we turn him into the American Frozen Foods resident Chef.   Kitchen Inspirations with Chef Theo was born, and four months later, we wrapped up our eighth episode (watch it below).  Theo was a little camera shy at first but with plenty of practice, he fully embraces his role and looks forward to it each month.

We support the recorded videos with Live appearances form Chef Theo for Q&A’s and various contests.

The response from their customers is overwhelmingly positive and providing the added value we all hoped for. They are engaging with us more and sharing the Chef Theo videos with their friends and family.  As of this month, we have gained 200 Facebook fans and Our videos have over 20,000 organic views!

More importantly, their customers are receiving the added value we hoped for and a little inspiration for preparing the products they purchase from American Frozen Foods.

Creative Email Marketing Video Tips

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If you are a business owner, you probably already know that a video is an essential tool for marketing your business.  You might also feel a bit intimated by the thought of putting yourself out for public display.  

You’re not alone.  

The top three reasons people tell me they don’t record videos are:

1. I don’t know what to say.

2. I hate my voice or how I look.

3. I’m not interesting.

 

Embedding videos into your email responses are a great, low-pressure way to experiment.  Check out  BombBomb or CoVideo, they make it easy.

We all have to start somewhere.  However, start we must!

The trick is to organize your thoughts beforehand, smile, take a deep breath, and remember, people, don’t care about how we look or sound.  All they want is useful information.  Focus on them, and your critical self will eventually disappear.

When I began working with video a few years ago, I had a fear of public speaking and didn’t like how I look at certain angles.  

I locked myself in the house for three days and recorded 25 videos.  It probably took around 300 takes to get there.

I didn’t have a mic, poor lighting, and my delivery needed improvement.  I leave these videos out for the public to view so they can see how I began and where I am now.  Night and day difference.  I got here with perseverance.

Because of that experience and repetition, I am much more comfortable today and share my journey freely with others.

Take the ride, it’s worth it!

 

 

 

The Traditional Real Estate Agent Website Isn’t Dead

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Traditional real estate agent website or google business listing?

I saw an ad recently from a popular real estate app stating the “traditional agent website is dead and a Google business listing is your new home page because people go to Google for answers.  If you don’t have one, you could be missing out on valuable traffic.”

If you upgrade to the PRO version of their app, they will create and manage your Google Business listing content.

They employed the “fear of missing out” technique.

There’s no need to pay a premium for any company to do this for you.  It takes minutes. Many companies prey on real estate agents because they think we are rich or can’t be bothered with handling our marketing.  

For some, this may be true, but I’m going to show you how easy it is to set up and maintain your listing. Nobody can connect with your audience better than you.  

If you don’t already have a Google Business listing, you can easily set yours up for free here.   Then, check out my step-by-step guide to optimize it here. 

The traditional real estate agent site isn’t dead nor is it for any other type of business.  A Google Business listing is essential but doesn’t guarantee that you are going to show up on the first page or amongst top results in a local search.  You will compete with companies who pay to appear there or are creating high-quality content regularly.

The content third parties create is usually generic and duplicated across the web.  That doesn’t help you.  Your audience wants to hear from you and to create unique, and high-quality content is your chance to demonstrate your value.  Provide your customers with an experience they can’t get anywhere else, and they will love you.

Yes, 97% of people go online to research businesses on Google, but they also turn to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other search engines.  This is the beginning of a conversation. Your website is the continuation and should convert that viewer into a customer.

Despite my love for the Google Business listing, your website is your bedrock.  It should be professionally designed and used to generate leads and sales.

According to a Google My Business Help thread on Tuesday, June 13, 2017:

“One of the most common actions people take when exploring a Google listing is to go to the website.”

Blue Corona found that 30% of consumers won’t consider a business without a website and Research from Moz local explains in full detail why a site is more important in 2019 than ever before

Much of the online world is leased land; one policy change can affect what you can do from day to day.  Google and other platforms will do whatever it takes to keep your attention on their platform. This is one of the main reasons they offer various tools and web services, not for your benefit.

Even website platforms like Squarespace are leased.  They are great for beginners and, but I recommend WordPress.  You can create simple, free websites if your budget is small and when ready, upgrade to a more robust site and hosting without changing platforms.  I use SiteGround for web hosting, and BlueHost is well respected too.

If you have a proper website, you own it and control the contents.  Nobody can take it away from you.

Here’s what your website can do that a Google listing can’t:

 

  • MLS IDX so customers can search for listings.  This keeps them on your site longer, and they will most likely check out your blog and other features.
  • Posts on Google expire after one week.  Your blog posts stay on your site as long as you want them to.  Your content can rank on in the search engines if you create in-depth, unique content for your audience.  Write in a conversational tone, speak to them, and don’t fixate on keywords.  Add images and videos.  Tag them properly to help with SEO.
  • You have their undivided attention.  There are no ads and distractions to pull them away from your content.  If you have valuable resources on your site visitors will spend more time there.  The longer they stay, the better your chances of them contacting you.

 

Conclusion

Before you shell out your hard earned commission check, research an offer and challenge yourself to see if it’s something you can do on your own.  Don’t be fooled by anyone telling you they will get you on the first page of Google right away.  Organic SEO is a long term play and takes work.  In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to take charge of your marketing.  

Need help?  Have questions?  I am here for you.  Send me an email AandBMS@gmail.com.

Please share this post with any real estate agent or business owner who needs this information.

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