After the B&W Zebra earthquake Debachle of ’07, I have come across a number of videos relating to real estate that are following suit (format, message, etc).
The best aftershock out there is by this dude in Tampa (I don’t know his real name and I don’t even want to look because I think “tough guy” is too good to have a mortal name).
After watching, pick a side:
(A)– Do videos like this create a Realtor vs. Consumer vibe that is leading down a dangerous road for real estate?
(B)– Is this video entertaining, educational and inspirational to consumers?
(C)– Does anyone besides Realtors watch or care about these videos?
Larry Yatkowsky
January 13, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Star Search – it’s got a different tone.”
I give it an “A”
Mariana
January 13, 2008 at 10:52 pm
(A)- Do videos like this create a Realtor vs. Consumer vibe that is leading down a dangerous road for real estate?
I guess it depends on each vlogging Realtors GOAL with using video and who their client demographic is.
(B)- Is this video entertaining, educational and inspirational to consumers?
It depends on WHO the consumer is. Maybe mildly entertaining, marginally educational and probably not insprirational whatsoever.
(C)- Does anyone besides Realtors watch or care about these videos?
Probably not anyone but other agents/lenders/etc. and the few non-licensed real estate addicts … You know, the type of peope who follow “behind the scenes” realtor-stuff, much like I follow underground comic books…
Benn Rosales
January 13, 2008 at 10:54 pm
so is that an A B or C Mariana?
Mariana
January 13, 2008 at 11:06 pm
How is that multiple choice? THere is a valid answer for each question.
But if you MUST know. Here is where I stand…
If you are going to make a video, make sure you are okay knowing that most viewers wont care a lick, you will make SOME people laugh and offend others. Other than that, I really don’t care what other agents do. It is what I do that matters. (and maybe what Derek does, but that is a WHOLE different story…)
Benn Rosales
January 13, 2008 at 11:13 pm
just giving you a hard time ;]
Mariana
January 13, 2008 at 11:20 pm
… Don’t make me come down there, young man! (Oh, wait … too late!)
Jonathan Dalton
January 13, 2008 at 11:55 pm
One slide’s not right, though … not all real estate agents know more about real estate than the consumer.
Check Trulia Voices sometime and tell me if I’m wrong.
I never got the “I’m deliberately being insulting” vibe off Daniel’s. This one, though, I did.
Bob in San Diego
January 14, 2008 at 12:12 am
Two thoughts –
1. cheap knock off
2. arrogant and insulting – 6 years in business does not an expert make.
Doubt anyone other than agents sees it, though.
Mariana
January 14, 2008 at 12:19 am
(I agree with Jonathan.)
Athol Kay
January 14, 2008 at 12:27 am
So what the heck was with the other toy in the video. I mean I get that “The Rock”… um “worked” as a prop, but the other one? What was that about?
Lani Anglin
January 14, 2008 at 1:47 am
I have to jump in here and note a few things:
(1) I randomly found this video on YouTube- ToughGuy did not ask to be subjected to our criticism, so my REAL hope is to discover what the census is becoming about the effect of this style of video which is becoming more popular. (ToughGuy could have made this for a friend as a joke for all I know, so please don’t criticize the innocent bystander– let’s stay on point of style and results)
(2) The other prop is the chunky mouse from Flushed Away. He’s the comedic relief I believe.
What do you guys think about this STYLE of video (not necessarily this specific video)- is it humorous, divisive or unimportant?
Matthew Rathbun
January 14, 2008 at 8:20 am
“C” is the most correct answer, I think….
I think both other options have merit. I don’t think that these videos can worsen an already bad connection with consumers.
If a client called me after watching this video or Zebras – I would want to work with them!
It’s a measured risk based on the agents biz decision as to who they wish to work with.
My 2 cents…
Benn Rosales
January 14, 2008 at 9:24 am
I think I’m with Mathew on C too. There is a large differene in these two videos as I feel like this one is much more intense in the delivery of the message. I also think the two messages in this video could have been split.
Jeremy Hart
January 14, 2008 at 9:47 am
Daniel’s video never tried to establish a dominant position in the real estate transaction. If consumers are going to trust us as professionals, belittling them doesn’t seem like a good place to start.
My $.02
Bob in San Diego
January 14, 2008 at 3:42 pm
>I randomly found this video on YouTube- ToughGuy did not ask to be subjected to our criticism,
The minute you publish online, it’s fair game. That is what makes this stuff dangerous. You were able to track it back to the agent, so can everyone else.
Any reporter looking for fodder for an agent bashing story would use this.
I liked the Zebra’s. I felt it could apply as much to the agent as to the seller. This one I found to be nothing but arrogant.
Benn Rosales
January 14, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Bob, we certainly agree with you. Our attempt to stay on message does not negate the fact that everyone can opine about anything in the public eye- I am however interested in what you guys think about the overall apprach in general. A, B, C and then if you want to fire off a comment about the quality of the video thats great too. Thanks for jumping in Bob…
Matthew Rathbun
January 14, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Yeah, I really want to say that I saw a difference in delivery with Daniel’s and not so much with the Rock.
There’s a difference in being fun and then appearing to be confrontational.
I still stick with “C”.
This is a great question, but it sounds like most everyone thinks there is a difference in the options.
Bob in San Diego
January 14, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I guess I think like Mariana – it’s not as much multiple choice as a 3 part question, but I’ll go with A. IMO, the attitude of “it’s what we do for a living, therefore we know more”, does nothing to endear the consumer to the agent.
Larry Yatkowsky
January 14, 2008 at 8:45 pm
It’s too cold to beat around the bush.
Here’s my Canadian vote: Eh! ;>)
Tough Guy Himself
January 14, 2008 at 11:33 pm
It has been interesting reading the comments. My wife and I made this video for the sole reason of blowing off some steam, and jabbing at a profession that has little to no humor.
Real Estate is a full contact sport…and if you say otherwise, your fooling yourself.
My wife and I come from a technical background…and have been thru some of these situations at some point in our real estate careers. I have been in the office when I have overheard on a number of instances, agents unloading about their clients, very similar to the film. This film was not meant for our customers to see, but if they do…I am not saying anything that isnt true! We are a “tell it like it is”…and that is pretty much why our clients hire us.
Its funny, when we showed this film in the office, most people were cracking up and saying “so true”…I guess you guys just need to loosen up a bit…life is too short!
And by the way…your A,B,C choices appear to set this up as a bashing session. It would have been more interesting to leave it without a choice as it seemed that you steered your reader base down a negative path to begin with
Just my $.04
Jonathan Dalton
January 15, 2008 at 10:46 am
Here’s what I’m thinking this fine morning …
Tough Guy, you know your clients far better than we do. They probably got a kick out of it as well. It’s amazing how often we end up working with people with the same sense of humor as ours.
If the video’s for them and for your peers, cool. I thought it was funny.
But my second reaction was “I sure as hell wouldn’t want the public see me say this stuff.”
Then again, you still could attract the people who are tired of listening to all their friends rave about their real estate brilliance at every cocktail party just because they sold one house once.
We’re actually a pretty laid back group here. Well except for Teresa, who scares most of us. If you want uptight analysis, there’s another dog-blog that will fit the bill.
If anything, we probably all had the reactions to Daniel’s B&W video in our minds when we saw this and that probably colored how we reacted here.
Keep fighting, bro.
Athol Kay
January 15, 2008 at 11:07 am
Well in part the reaction was in part “hey this guy just ripped off Daniel’s video!”
/shrug
You put something on YouTube and people will find it eventually.
>>We’re actually a pretty laid back group here. Well except for Teresa, who scares most of us.
LMAO
Tough Guy Himself
January 15, 2008 at 11:24 am
Well, in my defense…I did not know that the Daniel Video existed…but then again, thats like saying Burger King ripped of McDonalds, or Pizza Hut ripped of Dominos…
I am sure I could put out a video on something at random out of my head, and someone else out there has already done something similar
The uniqueness comes in the spin the individual puts on it…The Rock is somewhat of an inside joke and the Mouse…well thats something else all together…
In either event, I have tough skin (hence the name ToughGuy) so I welcome comments as long as they dont get personal.
I thank everybody here for continuing to comment
and just so you know I am not some crackpot…my wife and I are listing agents and are ranked in the top 2% in Hillsborough County in Florida (roughly 15k agents)
Athol Kay
January 15, 2008 at 1:16 pm
As I’m sure you are aware Tough Guy, real estate bloggers are constantly having their entire content stolen by splogs. Having entire posts ripped off and repackaged. And personally I can name more than a few blogs doing their own version of what amounts to my trademark post. I’ll argue that I do it biggest and best, but beyond a protacted legal battle, I’m helpless against it.
To be blunt, copycatting is generally regarded as a serious issue in these parts.
I do agree that two people can have orginal and identical thoughts without knowledge of the other. If you didn’t know Daniel’s video existed then you are the victim of the most unfortunate similarities between the videos. You certainly appear to have copied Daniel’s video. And that’s what we react to.
As a heads up, there also appears to be another commentor on real estate blogs going under the name “Tough Guy”. No doubt he has no idea you exist though. I believe he said at The Real Estate Tomato?
“Are you kidding me? Thanks for publishing Brian Brady’s exact presentation at Inman. You are a loser and copycat. Get an original idea.”
So you can see how this sort of thing can quickly get out of hand.
Tough Guy Himself
January 15, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I’ve been going by the name of Tough Guy and MadDog since the days of the Jerky Boys which is where I got it from…its getting harder and harder now a days to find a unique login name for anything online because its already used.
But again, thats like saying I cant name my child Brian because it is already taken
Tough Guy Himself
January 15, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Athol,
I looked at the Real Estate Tomato and found the Tough Guy person that you speak of and you can email him at loser@loser.com…which I assume doesnt exist since the domain isnt owned by anyone
I was hoping I could track him down to take a look…but no such deal