Zillow Certified Photographer Program2589
 WGAN ForumFounder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| This week, I was recruited - and joined - the free Zillow Certified Photographer Program using the Zillow Video Walkthrough feature in the free Zillow app. Benefits to Real Estate Agents 1. win more listing presentations 2. get more listings 3. get bigger listings Features for Real Estate Agents 1. Zillow curates listings higher in search that include a two minute Zillow Video Walkthrough 2. More views 3. More engagement Benefits to Photographers 1. opportunity to upsell or bundle 2. opportunity to (easily) add video to your services 3. sample video so agents want your high-end video services Features for Photographers 1. potential inclusion in Zillow marketing 2. Free 3. easy (use the Zillow app to record up to a two minute video) To learn more about the Zillow Certified Photographer Program, watch: 1. this Webinar (22 minutes) 2. this Tutorial (15 minutes) Note: I could imagine that Members of the Forum that are professional videographers - I am not - may be skeptical of creating a two minute video that can only be shot with the Zillow app on a smartphone and edited in the cloud by Zillow. The challenge is that the only video that Zillow (and its sister company, Trulia, will highlight in listings are videos shot with their app. Going forward, We Get Around Atlanta will add Zillow Video Walkthroughs to our bundle ... Are you a Member of the Zillow Certified Photographer Program? What has been your experience? If you are a professional videographer and skeptical of the Zillow Certified Photographer Program, why? By the way, later today (9 September 2016), I will buy this DJI OSMO mobile handheld stabilizer Gimbal to use with my new (coming soon) Apple iPhone 7 Plus.  While this is a pricy mobile stabilizer gimble - here's a low cost solution – I like that the high-end one has a lot of options/accessories. Best, Dan Related PFRE ( 28 July 2016) What's A Zillow Certified Photographer? |
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cire385 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Thanks for the info on Zillow Dan. I have recently bought the DJI OSMO with the zenmuse x3 camera. Absolutely love it. Got some great footage from a recent trip in the Rockies. I bought it for filming properties. (Thats what I told my wife) Some things to consider when buying the phone stabilizer vs the one with the built-in camera. Both provide the same stabilized 3 axes gimbal. The one with the built in x3 (Equivalent to the latest GoPro) or the higher price x5 Micro 4/3 does allow you to control the movement of the camera from the DJI app on your phone. Advantage is you can set the camera down using the tripod or a slider and film a smooth panning shot while controlling the movement of the camera from your phone. The x3 & x5 do film in D-Log for those that like to color grade in post to get the full look and feel for what they are trying to accomplish. Disadvantage of corse is the cost and limitation on using only the DJI cameras. All in with the x3 and DJI tripod I was out $569 for the rig and $100 for the tripod. $1999 for the high end x5, and $3699 if you want the x5 big brother that shoots 4k raw. I do like the fact that when ever Samsung & Apple come out with “The best phone we have ever made” you have the latest and greatest phone camera on the market. The iPhone 7 camera is defiantly impressive form what I have seen so far. Somethings to conciser when finding what works for you. I love that stabilization that used to only be affordable to big hollywood is now available to the prosumer market! Hope this helps anyone looking into this technology. Please feel free to take down or move if this is off topic from your original subject. Eric |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @cire385 Excellent addition the discussion. Sounds like I had to make a similar pitch to our 'CFO' before I woke-up at 2:45 am to buy new his/her iPhone 7 Plus and her iPhone 7. Please do not tell her about the OSMO Mobile purchase. Let's just call that a rounding error. Dan |
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 WGAN StandardMember Las Vegas |
VTLV private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I just finished the webinar and want to mount my phone on a tripod, aim it at the TV and hit play on my highlight reel from Matterport and see if it takes. I assume the odds will be low. | ||
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @VTLV HaHa! Very clever idea. I know you are kidding - you are kidding or at least half kidding, right? Well, minutes after your post, a representative of Zillow reached out to me to say no-can-do. Actually, he said: "I noticed someone responded by saying they’d film a Matterport walkthrough from another camera (which does not fall within our guidelines and would be taken down by our moderators)." Obviously, they did not appreciate your sense-of-humor. You were kidding? .... (though I was thinking, "why didn't I think of that!?"  Apparently, you must use the Zillow app to record the actual walkthrough. The "no-no" list includes: ✓ "Videos that are recordings of a screen playing another video" Here are the: ✓ Zillow Video Walkthrough Guidelines ✓ Welcome to the Zillow Certified Photographer Program Enjoy your weekend. Best, Dan |
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WGAN Standard Member Las Vegas |
VTLV private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Yeah, I was kidding. Figured my kids fingerprints would end up back on the TV when I hit record and that would give it away. lol Looks like this is a back peddle to how Virtual Tours Las Vegas started. Walking into houses for out of state investors who didn't have time to fly into town to see a house. Giving a step above site unseen offers. Shouldn't be difficult for all of us to do with less shaky technology now. Nice up sell we can offer. |
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 FounderNail Soup Media Sarasota, Florida |
GlennTremain private msg quote post Address this user | |
| The other thing about this is that listings with this included get more views in zillows' web site search. It helps the listing to "Trending." | ||
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Related We Get Around Forum Discussion ✓ Zillow Walkthrough Videos ✓ Zillow Video "Walk-Through" Dan |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Every time I shoot, I learn something new. I shot a Zillow Walkthrough Video Today (Tuesday, 13 September 2016) and learned the following: 1. I must buy a wide-angle lens for my iPhone 7 Pro when it arrives. (I shot today's video with my iPhone 6) 2. I wish this gimbal had arrived in time for this shoot; I used this instead 3. Watch out for window; they can easily be "blown-out" 4. Slower pan 5. Watch-out for unintentional selfies (outside window) It would be great if Zillow added a way to practice with your own home with everything working, EXCEPT publishing with a public link. While my video pales to a professionally shot video, what matters here is the prominence Zillow gives to video. Just look at this screen grab showing the play button as the fist thing that grabs your eye. What did you learn when you watched this video shot with the required Zillow app?  |
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WGAN Standard Member Las Vegas |
VTLV private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I shot one yesterday and found the program to feel glitchy in starting and stops. Got a little worried a shot took trying to get a replay and instead the scene got submitted by taping the screen twice. Really need to watch for lighting before shooting a scene. Even trying to glide a shot forward, got some shake in the scene. I'll still offer it emphasizing this is an add on and shot in an app with Zillow. Not sure about investing in glide gimble until business can gain some momentum. | ||
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @VTLV Thanks for sharing your experience. I would love to see the Zillow video to your video. Can you post it to this discussion? I anticipate that we will add the Zillow Video Walkthrough to the We Get Around Atlanta bundle rather than an optional extra, once we do some more testing with our existing clients. Our client was thrilled that we offered to do this at no charge for a listing that We Get Around Atlanta ( @YairYepez ) scanned recently. (www.1948northsidedrive.info) About investing in a wide-angle lens and gimbal for the iPhone 7 Pro, we want to provide an awesome experience that will continue to differentiate us, generate referrals and have raving fans as clients (to help us get more clients). Best, Dan |
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WGAN Standard Member Las Vegas |
VTLV private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Alright, here's a video I made about the experience. Understand our winds are 20 - 25 mph offering some shake. The home is already in contract, so doing things like closing the toilet lid were not on the priority list. Zillow Listing page Thinking about doing another shoot with the Ipad Air 2 instead of the Samsung Phone on a magic rig. More $ out the door for another mount. |
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cire385 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Am I understanding this right that it can only be shot on a cell phone using the Zillow App? | ||
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @cire385 Yes. It can only be shot with the Zillow iOS or Android app. Dan |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @VTLV Thank you for annotating the video so we can see your "notes" about the experience. Dan |
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cire385 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Thanks, now I see how valuable the new DJI Osmos for phones will be! Thanks for staying on top of things Dan! | ||
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by @VTLV I can not imagine NOT buying a gimbal like this for my (coming soon) iPhone 7 Pro for this two minute video experience. We want our clients to be raving fans that continue to engage us, refer us and love getting reference calls for us. For this video experience, a wide-angle lens and gimbal are essential tools for creating Zillow Video Walkthrough experiences. Dan |
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Mikesobay private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I'm not seeing any value in signing up for this at the moment. The quality certainly wouldn't be acceptable in most situations and it seems that these walk throughs would appeal only to the low-end property market, which is not where I find any interest in MP or in quality photography. Am I overlooking something that I shouldn't be? |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Mikesobay Yes. This has nothing to do with the quality of the video. I will be the first one to tell you my video is CRAPPY. But, we got to jump into the deep end of the pool and sink or swim within the Zillow Video Walkthrough experience. This is all about helping your client get the most traffic, that translates to the most offers to sell the house faster for the most money by: ✓ getting more views ✓ getting more calls ✓ getting more "saves" of which houses to re-visit Zillow ONLY features video made with THEIR app. Spend all you want on gear, training, 10,000 hours. It doesn't matter. For all videographers with lots of expensive gear, too-bad-so-sad. The rules just changed. Zillow gets to write their own rules about how to move listings up in Zillow search with THEIR video solution. VIDEO shot with their app is featured with a giant play button. Period. (By the way, Matterport should be focused on getting that same play button real estate. That will sell cameras.) We'll support this solution and do our best to make the video as good as it can be within the constraints of the app. That's the playing field. Best, Dan |
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JonJ private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @DanSmigrod, From my understanding, the Osmo mobile stabilizer is only compatible with certain video apps. Do you know for certain that it will function with the zillow video capture app? I want to be sure this rig will work before upgrading from my current stabilizer. Thanks, Jon |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @JonJ Yikes! That's a great question. I do not know. Zillow? Are you listening? Dan |
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cire385 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Ahh Jon has a point. You have to record using the DJI app to operate the Osmos from my understanding. That is the case with x3 & x5 Osmos camera and I believe I saw in one of DJI promo videos you connect this one using the app. | ||
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
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LewisBishop private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I just ordered the Osmo Mobile... hopefully it'll work. Zillow's video is a pain in the neck... it's like they want crappy content. | ||
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JonJ private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Here is a link to an example video that was given to me when I inquired about becoming Zillow certified photographer. example video Also, please note, that there is a regular cinematic video for the listing which was very well done. |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @LewisBishop If Zillow marketing came to the conclusion that video: ✓ gets more views ✓ gets more calls ✓ gets more "saves" of which houses to re-visit Then, the conclusion is how does Zillow get a TON of videos AND make that a competitive advantage of search Zillow. If you look at the pool of potential videos as as an iceberg, the tip above the water are Pro shot videos. That said, 90 percent of the iceberg is below water. That's the masses - any and everyone with a smartphone. That's simply brilliant thinking or at least courageous thinking. While we (all) might have a heart attack arguing about quality of the video, it is not about quality. It's about creating a tool that empowers photographers and agents - anyone - to easily, quickly and affordably create video that is exclusively available for Zillow (and Zillow companies such as Trulia). It's actual big picture, bold thinking by Zillow visionaries to make video - shot by the masses - via their app a top priority: so much so, that an image is reserved for promoting, shoot a video for this listing. I could imagine that other real estate portals will do the same. Obviously, it would be nice if they said Matterport is our choice. Given that News Corp. (Realtor.com) recently announced a strategic investment in Matterport, I could imagine this is EXACTLY the thinking. Trump Zillow video with Matterport front and center. if that's the case, then FINALLY, Matterport is helping create demand for the Matterport Pro community. Best, Dan Related Discussions ✓ Sweet Deal: Matterport Equity for Influence ✓ Ashton Kutcher/News Corp/CBRE invest in MP |
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LewisBishop private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @dansmigrod Agreed... though the results seem to be that agents are not using the video tool. When I look at local markets and click through the listings it appears that even in some of the more heated markets many of the listings do not have video. I can see an agent spending $225-1000 on a professional video that can not be displayed to help market their listing... getting frustrated. Imagine if every listing had a beautifully shot video representing the property instead of all those gray camera placeholders. In addition it requires someone to go to the property to shoot the video AFTER the property is already listed as you can not assign a video without the listing already being on market. I hear what your saying and STRONGLY believe every properly marketing home should have picture, video, Matterport and 2d floor plan... just wish Zillow would take advantage of the existing content. |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by @LewisBishop I see that as an opportunity for Pros. Zillow Video Walkthrough is another visual storytelling tool for us to offer our clients. For anyone hung-up on the restrictions - must be shot with the Zillow app - get over it (and figure out how to make money with this solution). Do fine art on the weekends for your creative outlet. Besides, restrictions allow you to be creative by pushing the limits like you do with Matterport with no f-stop, ISO, shutter speed or white balance. That's why I want to add a gimbal and wide-angle lens to my iPhone 7 Pro. Aside from blown out windows if we shoot at the "wrong" time of day, we should be able to elevate our Zillow Video Walkthroughs to an art form. About ...Quote: Originally Posted by @LewisBishop While I understand and agree with the frustration of investing money and time to be coming a Pro videographer - I have done neither - the rules have changed. Once Zillow helps potential sellers understand the value of the two minute Zillow Video Walkthroughs to helping sell their home, that's what they will be asking for: not the $1,000 profession video. While we (all) agree it would be nice if Zillow leveraged that visual storytelling asset, we all can appreciate businesses that want a competitive advantage to differentiate themselves. Zillow is pioneering this with proprietary video. I could imagine them promoting, "Zillow listings have 50 percent more video." That's a compelling statement. "Realtor.com has listings have 50 percent more Matterport Spaces 3D Tours" is also a compelling statement. If you are in the market to buy a home, are you going to search using the real estate agents' website or Zillow.com or Realtor.com? Quote: Originally Posted by @LewisBishop That's a good question, but I'm not sure it's true. While Zillow will only publish a two minute video for an active listing, I could imagine that you can still shoot the video and once it gets listed, the video would show up in the listing agent's cue to approve. Zillow, are you reading this? What say you on this point? Quote: Originally Posted by @LewisBishop Yes. Hallelujah and Amen. Zillow? Are you listening? By the way, and this is worth a separate Forum thread for discussion, about "and 2d floor plan" ... I could imagine that Matterport - and their white label 2d floor plan partner - are mapping the world of indoor spaces in 2d floor plans that will eventually be an API that Zillow or Realtor.com, for example, would  to include in their listings to say, "Our listings feature 50 percent more floor plans." It's another reason I say, "Save your models. One day, they may be the equivalent of stock photography that creates a recurring revenue stream for you with derivative uses from YOUR content.Best, Dan |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by @JonJ @JonJ The We Get Around Atlanta Zillow rep writes: "From our understanding, the Osmo Mobile utilizes their own app to record the video. The Zillow Video Walkthroughs must be recorded and uploaded from within our app, so at this time, the separate Osmo app would not be supported. For those who are creating Osmo videos, those can still be shared with the listing agent and uploaded in the virtual tour field that they use for other videos." @JonJ - I am depressed. I just received my Amazon alert that I will receive my Osmo on Wednesday 21 Sept. 2016). I bought it specifically to use to create the Zillow Walkthrough videos. Seems like the Osmo and Zillow Certified Photographer program are a great fit. I hope Zillow and Osmo become fast-friends. Osmo would sell a TON more of the mobile phone gimbals, Zillow would get a TON more Pros to participate in their program because Pro photographers care about creating great video. More on a Zillow related post in a moment. Dan |
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WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host Atlanta, Georgia |
DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by @LewisBishop The We Get Around Atlanta Zillow rep writes: (some good news) "You [Dan] are correct, videos can absolutely be added to properties before they are listed. The video will not be displayed publicly until 1) the home is For Sale and 2) the video has been published by the listing agent. For those using the Zillow Real Estate app, search the property address. For agents who are also photographers and using the Premier Agent App, you can find an off market home by using the “Search all homes” feature." "We are always keeping buyers top of mind as we build out new tools and features. Video walkthroughs have been designed in a way to maintain a consistent buyer experience across our site. Stay tuned as we continue to improve on our products and offerings." Dan |
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