nichepropertyinnovations.com

If you haven’t heard of these yet then you, like me, have been missing out on one of the best new marketing tools out there. What is it?.... a type of bar code that can be scanned from a Smartphone and immediately take you to the website embedded in the code. From now on all my Brochures and Sign Riders will have these at no extra charge.  They can be linked to your website or the Virtual Tour website. This is a free application and your buyers are using them. Here’s a sample: 
   This QR Code goes to: 1214WildHawthorn.com ....really cool!!!

Embedding is actually planting content right on the face of your Webpage or Blog. The advantage of this is it adds interest and immediate access to the content you want to highlight. The less clicking around someone has to do to find what you want them to see the better.

Here is a sample embedded Virtual Floorplan

(Just hover over the photo you would like to see on floorplan and it appears. Move the mouse away and the floorplan view returns for you to select the next image.)

Here is a sample embedded HD Video

(Just hit play button. You can change resolution to HD depending on internet connection speed and watch in full screen if you like)

It has come to my attention after scouring listings on MRIS that about 99.9% of Virtual Tours are never seen, so all that money you paid and enthusiasm you had for that wonderful tour is trumped by the low quality, bland, default MRIS slideshow that every listing gets. Just check your listing on any of the search databases and click the Virtual Tour link. Is that what you paid for? If not follow these simple steps to make it right.

Well here’s the quick fix:

Log into MRIS and pull up your listing, Click the Edit button on the far left, then Listing, then Tours, then Delete the MRIS Tour (Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.). You also want to make sure the tour is correctly linked to your website and Realtor.com. All other databases pull from these 3 sources….then just sit back as the calls come pouring in from excited buyers!

The original Virtual Floorplan Tour was a revolutionary concept in its time, but as technology improved and the bar was raised it was necessary to go to the next level and here it is - [Click Here for Sample]  Other than the obvious advancements in Layout and Hi-Rez Photography viewer, there are some subtle additions as well:

• A Room Planner Feature that lets you play around with furnishing the floorplan
• Zoom in Feature on Floorplan to see detailed room views
• More extensive Contact Info including linking to other listings.
• Extensive customizable list of Special Features, links to local schools, street view mapping, local info and weather,
• Printable Materials, embed and share options….and more. 

Of course all this still links to our most popular new feature, the HD Video Tour, which has a you-tube link attached to floorplan as well as direct access through NPI Tours on You-tube. [Click Here for NPI Tours Channel]
It’s this type of exposure that we consider Online Dating for your Listing.

I have found that most Real Estate Agents use the basic website provided by their broker and never look at it or have the foggiest idea of how to update it. No offense intended, I probably wouldn’t either. That is why I recommend the Blog. Oh NO!!! I don’t want to have time to journal and respond to all these comments and who would want to read all that anyway???.... Relax, you don’t have to use it in that way. Here’s a sample of what I recommend CarolandNatalieBlog.wordpress.com. It’s simple, has some basic info about the agents, testimonials, listings with quick links to virtual tours and embedded video, and a few posts. It is a great way to promote yourself and your listings, it’s easy to navigate and easy to update…and those annoying comments you may get, they are potential clients! Now, if you have a custom website or you update it regularly than you may not need a blog, but it may be fun to explore anyway.

As a past and current “ user ” of NPI Tours products, what can you say about the various marketing materials and the level of service? I appreciate your business and feedback very much!

Imagine you have a referral or someone hears your name in passing, but doesn’t have a number, email, or office information….just your name and that you are a Real Estate Agent in this area. Type your name and then the words Real Estate into Google and see what comes up. If you are the first link than congrats, you have a great name in the business !!! (But what does the search say about you? Would someone want to click the link to find out more?) If you can’t find yourself or someone else has stolen your identity and is selling fabulous hand woven quilts…it’s time to think of coming up with a new “Marketing Name”.

Whether you’ve been in business 5 minutes or 20 years, we could all stand to take a few minutes and think about the name we use to market ourselves online. Let me pause to say that I am not an expert on the internet, but I know enough to make some suggestions and then look forward to your feedback to point us all in the right direction. What I purpose is to come up with a “Marketing Name” that is unique and offers a clue to what you are trying to promote. ex: JohnSmithRealestate.com probably won’t place very high on a search engine nor will it inspire visitors; on the other hand CrazySmidiSellsHouses.com will definitely get attention…but would probably work better for a used car salesman. When I chose Niche Property Innovations it was to represent an idea of offering a unique product for a certain segment in the Real Estate Biz. It pops right up in search engines because there is no name like it and it’s a name that can grow as my business grows. Marketing is only one facet of my business. I have recently added the domain NPITours.com because it is easier to remember and I have it targeted directly to my website marketing page. You don’t have to change your website at all!  You could just buy a new domain that targets your existing website. Once you’ff decided on a “Marketing Name” you expand from there. ex: CrazySmidiSellsHouses.com, CrazySmidisBlog.com, CrazySmidi on Twitter, Facebook, CrazySmidi mailings, CrazySmidi on You-tube. Every facet of your business is linked to the same name. What’s in a name? It’s how people find you and more importantly remember you.

As the president of Niche Property Innovations , I worked tirelessly for the past 3 years to develop the best in Real Estate Marketing Products… Beautiful Hi-Rez Photography, Interactive Floorplans, HD Video, Sign Riders and Brochures…and now Blogs. I tried to have all the bases covered.

I did overlook one important thing though… These tools I have developed are only effective IF my clients (Real Estate Professionals) know how to use them. In the fast paced world of digital progress it is overwhelming to keep up with website development, MLS linking, database search engines, Facebook, blogging, Twitter, video and whatever else comes next; while managing clients and contracts and open houses and mailings and … a family?!?

Well… here is my attempt to help. I will lay out some basic principles in developing an Online Presence that can be gradually built upon. I will try my best to answer questions and develop a strategy to not only manage my marketing products, but also make the most of all the wonderful FREE resources online that will distinguish you from the sea of agents out there.

All I ask is an open mind and for you to set aside some time to embark on this Journey with me. Here we go!

Welcome to my Blog. I hope this will be an enjoyable resource for Real Estate Professionals to get some simple pointers on how to market themselves and their listings Online.