Jeff Gettings

I have done a small blog on single property websites, but as I am restructuring this product, I wanted to see if I could get some feedback on what is important from the agents standpoint. So, agents, PLEASE let me know what is important to you in a single property website.

For those of you not familiar with this product, it is a great tool that not only helps sell your properties, but also attracts more listings. I know what it is like when you are trying to list a property, and this is one more cost effective tool that I believe you should add to your arsenal.

A single property website is simply a one page website with pictures/slideshow and all the details of your listing with your contact information on it - plus, it has it's own domain name. The domain name is usually the address or a part of the address - www.124MapleStreet.com for example (not an active site). The website and 1 years hosting is only $42.00. For an additional $20.00 you can purcahse a rider to hang on your sign that will have the domain name printed on it. All you have to do is email me a fact sheet and the pictures and I do all the work!

24 hour turn around time shows your seller that you mean business when it comes to selling their house. The seller will get a kick out of email her 'new website' to all her friends and family - in effect, marketing her own home to a degree. It also give you the ability to include the website name with all of your marketing materials.

If you have a virtual tour, you can add the link directly to this website as well!

Now, back to the original reason for this post...PLEASE give me some feedback about what is important in a single property website to you. I am a photographer that was in the tech world for years, but I just need to knjow what would make this product attractive to you...what I can do to make myself stand out from the rest of the crowd. This is a product that I really believe in and I believe that with your help, I can really create a dynamic product that will really help you guys.

Thanks for your help, and I look forward to hearing a lot of great feedback.

Jeff Gettings

www.GettingsPhoto.com

If you are not a photog, you may not realize that lighting is your single most important creative tool when creating a photograph. It does not take the most expensive camera with an array of expensive lenses (although good quality equipment is a good idea) to make beautiful, professional photos.

With that being said, improper use of light can be disasterous. I have blogged on lighting before, and I am bringing it back up a little more in depth because it is so important.

What choice do you have when it comes to lighting? Below is a listing that will hopefully make you think about lighting and what effects it will have on your photos.

• Ambient light - This is the light that is not provided by you, the photographer. Ambient light is what is naturally (or normally there). This can be sunlight, light fixtures in the house, and lamps, etc. There are certain times of day when inside light and outside light are similar enough that ambient light is enough to create stunning pictures. The time frame for these ideal situations is small, so if you plan on using ambient lighting only, you have to plan your shooting times carefully.
• Pop-Up flash/on camera flash - this is the the flash that came with your camera. Usually, this will create flat, lifeless pictures, depending on the usage and brightness of the ambient lighting. Another limitation of this type of lighting is that it does not have a large effective range (they are not terribly powerful), so on large rooms, it will not provide ample coverage
• External Lights - This is one of two of your best options - and my personal favorite. You have choices within this category. You can use external flashes, or you can use external continuous lights. External flashes will cost a little more, but they do not generate as much heat. This is not as much of an issue with RE photography, because your subject is not a person that is sitting under the extreme heat that continuous lighting can produce. One advantage to continuous lighting is that you can physically see how the light effects the environment. You can look at the shadows that are created and decide how to place your lights.

For an agent that is looking to create beautiful pictures with little or no experience in photography, the best bet may be to go for continuous external lights. The cost will not be as great and the continuous lighting will give you the opportunity to learn as you go a little easier because you can see the setting that you are creating.

One more category worth mentioning is HDR. I have been researching this, but have not yet delved into it physically. It does, however, seem promising. Basically you shoot a series of photos set one stop apart and then combine these pictures in a post processing sofware that runs about $100. HDR seems to be all about tone mapping and exposure blending. I am very interested in what will coem of this.

One important thing to remember...there is no magic formula to creating a beautiful picture. Regardless of how extravagant your lighting set up is, there will be times that ambient lighting is the perfect choice to create a beautiful picture. Other times, when shooting a small room, sucha as a bathroom, the pop up flash will be just right...you would not even be able to get the external lights set up!

If you have an interest in creating beautiful pictures, take the time to practice and read up on some of the more complex topics of photography. I can assure you that if you take time to capture beautiful images, you will be rewarded. Not only the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing the best you can for your client, but, also, you will probably end up with a reputation for going that extra mile!

Jeff Gettings

www.GettingsPhoto.com

Have you heard of Panoriders available from your RTV dealers to go with your virtual tours? How about single property websites?

Your local RTV virtual can provide you with a single property website and a beautiful rider to hang on your sign with this web address right on the sign. This is a great marketing tool that should really help boost your sales and your listings!

A single property website is basically a virtual tour with a domain name specific to that prpoerty (www.318MidsummerDrive.com) You can add map buttons, mortgage buttons, a sales flyer, etc to the tour and it is an easy way to help potential clients rememeber the address of the home!

The Panorider and the single property website combination are a great way to market your online tools offline.

Jeff Gettings

www.GettingsPhoto.com

I know that you are creating virtual tours, and hopefully doing so many that you can't keep up. But, what other services do you offer your clients?

I am also interested to see how you got into the virtual tour business. I was a photographer and decided to branch out into virtual tours. But, the opposite would work just as well. If you do not consider yourself a professional photographer, this is a great segue into that field. The two products work hand in hand and it would be a great way to expand your business.

I personally have always preferred commercial (mainly architectural) photography to portraits, but I do a little of both. Product photography is another great option. The start up costs are not that great these days. Sure, you can still spend $100k on equiptment if you are not careful, but you can also get started for about $1500, and have quality name brand eqpt that will create beautiful pictures. Plus, you can count it all off on your taxes. Don't be afraid to go and take a couple of classes, too. You can count those off on your taxes as well.

I have several cameras ranging from entry level DSLR's to professional models cameras and lenses. To be honest, Some of the pictures that I shoot with my Nikon D40 turn out just as beautiful as the pics I take with my Nikon D3

You already have a base of referrals (you VT clients) and often times they will be willing to help you get to know people that need photography...here is a short list of possible future clients:

• Electrical Contractors
• General Contractors
• Arthitechts
• Any business that has just built a new facility

Don't be afraid to try new things, either. Some folks may want to get some aerial shots. You can go to yourt local flying club and find someone that will take you up for $50 - $100 and then, you have branched out into aerial photography. A word of advice, if you think you will ever be asked to do this, invest the money to give it a whirl before you have a job to do.

I hope this has helped everyone to open their minds up to additional money making opportunities.

Jeff Gettings

www.GettingsPhoto.com

These days, there is nothing more important than a personalized webspace of you are in business for yourself. It doesn't matter if you sell hand made purses or real estate. Most of your customers simply expect you to have a personal website.

You do not need to spend thousands, unless you have the budget to do so. A simple site that gives great information about you with some pictures, etc is all that is needed. If you can't afford a IDX solution, you can probably link to your company website for the search capabilities (check with your campany on this). Some MLS offer a direct link at no or minimal charge that can be wrapped into your personal website.

Customized IDX solutions usually run up the price of a website more than any other item for real estate agents. Check with your loacl MLS and find out what they offer and how much it runs. Then let your web designer know what the MLS offers that can be easily added to your website.

Jeff Gettings

www.GettingsPhoto.com

Jeff@GettingsPhoto.com