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Everyone knows that videos are good for websites.  People like videos.  Search engines like videos.  And, if you have the time and equipment to make videos, I encourage you to do that.

But, what if you don’t have time, or can’t find the Flip camera, or you’re having a bad hair day…  or, what if you want to illustrate something on a computer, not a flipchart? 

In any of those situations, a screencast may be just the alternative you’re looking for.  Here’s an example of one now:

The screencast above was done using the free service at Screenr.com.  And, there are some great features incorporated into this screencast recording service.

• The first great feature, of course, is that the service is free right now.
• The screencasts can be viewed on iPads and smart phones like the iPhone.
• You can download the .mp4 file if you know what to do with it 
• You can publish your screencast to YouTube.
• You can embed the screencast on your website or blog.

Why Would You Want to Make A Screencast?

Since your Internet presence is so critical, I can see several reasons why you’d want to use a screencast.  For example:

• You’ve got a killer MLS search on your website.  But, to get the most benefit from it, there are a few things you want people to know about how to use it.  How about making a screencast?  Put it on a separate page on your website and have it open in a pop up window.
• You’ve got a lot of great information on your website, but you’re noticing that some of your key pages aren’t getting much traffic.  Make a screencast introducing visitors to the best pages on your site.

Those are only a couple of applications.  I’m sure you can think of many more.  If you’re using screencasts yourself, let us know how!!

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I was just introduced to a free service offered by US Inspect.  It’s definitely worth taking a look.  They have Print Content that you can use as a flyer or online content and Video Content.

The third offering is Web Content.  You may find some of the web pages interesting, but that does take people off of your website.  The widgets that are offered as Web Content can be used to good advantage.  You’ll see an example of one below.  The links in the widget open in new windows, so you can safely assume that your visitors can easily return to your website.

I looked at several of the offerings on the US Inspect website, and I found the information to be current, interesting and well-presented.  Of course, US Inspect also gets links back to their website.  But, that only makes sense since the content is free.

 Give it a try – let me know what you think!
U.S. Inspect Home Inspections

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You want your website to be sticky, right?  You know what sticky is – it means that the tools and information you have on your website is so good that visitors are encouraged to stay on the site once they land there, and they’re encouraged to return.  Hopefully often!

I’ve talked to a lot of clients who have told the same story.  At least one of their clients mentioned that they’d been visiting the agent’s website for months before making contact.

That type of thing only happens if you give visitors reasons to come back to your website.  And, using maps could just be one of those ways.  How could you use a map?  Here are two ways to consider.

Map Your Military Town

If you live in a military town, you know that there are lots of military folks who are transferring in and out.  For those who are coming to your town, it’s a pretty safe bet that they don’t know much, if anything, about the area.  Here’s an example of a map used in San Antonio.  There are more than a few locations where a soldier could be stationed in San Antonio.  This map is a big help for soldiers who are going to do a military relocation to San Antonio.

The map identifies where the military locations are in the area.  It also shows the medical facilities where many of the military transferees work.  Using that map, a soldier can familiarize themselves with how the town is laid out, they can visit the websites for the various locations, and if they are considering a particular home for sale, they can get directions and gauge commute time.

For Lesser Known Locations

If you live in an area that doesn’t have a big city close by, visitors to your website won’t know how the location of towns relate to one another.  But, with an interactive map, people looking for Marianna FL or Chipley FL Real Estate, for example, will find their way easily on this website.

For Niche Markets

If you are marketing to luxury buyers, you might want to provide a map that shows where the luxury neighborhoods are.  You could also help visitors figure out where the neighborhoods are in relation to local attractions – like the symphony or the best country clubs.

Actually, regardless of your niche, there is probably some type of an interactive map that would be applicable.   If you’re near a lake that is a big draw, for example, your visitors could determine what area they might want to consider to be close enough to work and to lake activities.  I think you get the idea.

There are many alternatives for providing maps.  We can custom-design maps for you, and they’d be very pretty.  But, as far as usefulness and stickiness, I don’t think you can beat an interactive map.

What has been your experience?

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Headlines are Important

So, what’s in a headline?  Well, you write headlines when you write the title of a blog post.  You write headlines in real estate web copy, blog content, printed material and real estate listing descriptions.

Headlines are important because, done properly, they grab attention and get you and your message more exposure.  And, as we all know, exposure is good.  In the proper context, of course.

And, the real estate blog/website content category on this blog (you’ll find it under the Real Estate Website Tips in the menu) has various tips and ideas related to content for your blogs and websites.

I came across a nifty free online tool to help you write better headlines, so this will be added to that Content category.  This tool will analyze your headline text and give it an Emotional Marketing Value (EMV) score.  In the words of the Analyzer:

• “This free tool will analyze your headline to determine the Emotional Marketing Value (EMV) score. As you know, reaching your customers in an deep and emotional way is a key to successful copywriting, and your headline is unquestionably the most important piece of copy you use to reach prospects.”

I agree.  Emotion sells.  So, I tried out the analyzer on the title of this post to see what it could do.

Here’s My Test

I started with “What’s wrong with this headline?”,  which produced a score of  0%.   So did “”Find out what’s wrong with this headline”.  Much too neutral – no emotional punch.

Then I tried “Technology to help you write better headlines”.  Pay dirt!  That headline got a score of 57.4%!!  Most professional copywriters will have a score of 30-40%.

So, if you want to punch up your headline writing and have some fun while you’re at it, try the Headline Analysis tool.

Just for interest’s sake, let me know – did you read this post because you were drawn in by the title??

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