I use the word “now” lightly because although I frequently study and research Animoto and other video creation technologies for their new features, one detail slipped through the cracks and in my opinion, it changes everything…
Many Realtors are tired of the annual subscription to this, that and the other and want a one off option, and Animoto delivers. Rather than signing up for their all access account for $30 per year, you can buy single credits for $3.
Although the annual subscription is probably a better deal for most people, it at least lets you try out the full service without spending the equivalent of 10 Starbucks coffees.
To learn about Animoto, you can check out some sample videos we posted in 2008. Animoto is a really wicked product that allows you to upload your pictures and videos, select music from a massive library of tunes (that are actually modern for a change) and when you tell it to publish, it times the pictures and animates them according to the beat of the music you’ve chosen- voila you’ve got an embeddable video. As a side note, they’ve just released some new earth themes, and they’re really eye catching for real estate (especially the “fire” theme).
The all access pass allows you to have longer videos (the free account offers 30 second videos), it takes the Animoto logo off of the video, add subtitles and opens up various options that only paid accounts get. Although it is great as it is for free, 30 seconds doesn’t always cut it.
So, plop down $3, give it a try for one of your listings, open houses, parties, family event or whatever and share the link of your newly created video in the comments.
Lani is the COO and News Director at The American Genius, has co-authored a book, co-founded BASHH, Austin Digital Jobs, Remote Digital Jobs, and is a seasoned business writer and editorialist with a penchant for the irreverent.
hermanchan.com
July 7, 2010 at 1:01 am
i sold a house to the CEO and cofounder of animoto years ago. It is great how far the site has come ! very proud of him.
Benn Rosales
July 7, 2010 at 10:44 am
I’d totally pay 3 bucks a pop, or pay the 30 a year. This is great blog material when done correctly, it’s even a commercial for your sidebar if done correctly. I’ve always been a fan of animoto even if they’ve never thanked us for the new vertical we brought them over two years ago 😉
Eric Holmes
July 7, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I’ve got a subscription and it’s by far one of the better slideshow/video packages out there in my opinion. I wish they’d allow for more custom text characters in their slideshow but that’s the only complaint I’ve had with the product.
Mary Towler
July 8, 2010 at 8:50 am
I love Animoto! I use it for all of my listings
Bruce Lemieux
July 8, 2010 at 9:55 am
Personally, I don’t think this an effective marketing tool. The music and crazy slide show doesn’t enhance a buyer’s ‘virtual viewing’. It will surely annoy and turn off many online buyers. A listing agent is much better off with very large, bright, professionally taken pictures. IMO.
Don Corson
July 8, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Animoto is so simple, but the results look so impressive. Their software is genius. Bruce is right, in that it wouldn’t be good for a video tour for an out of town buyer, but it does make a good “commercial” for the house. Like a 30 second trailer for the latest action movie coming out…
Ricardo Bueno
July 8, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Love Animoto and totally love it when I see an Agent use it to creatively market their listings!
Lani Rosales
July 8, 2010 at 9:08 pm
I challenge you guys to think outside the box- it isn’t just for listings, it’s for teams, agents, subdivisions, special events, news/stats, post open house coverage and more.
Mary Towler
July 9, 2010 at 1:45 am
Bruce it’s not meant to replace pictures or a virtual tour. I use it in addition to those things. Another tool in the toolbox if you will. I post them on YouTube, my website and blog, and in my single property websites just under the traditional VT. I like and my sellers like it.
Bruce Lemieux
July 9, 2010 at 10:05 am
It’s definitely a very slick tool. If a seller likes it, then that’s reason enough to do it.
Andrew McKay
July 14, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Here you go Lani. 1st one added to my blog post on the local Elvis Festival next weekend:
animoto.com/play/UIsYeAtcsnR57GhhPUXgBQ