YouTube Economics

YouTube is not just a venting ground for mindless babble, anymore. Local Realtors are using the top ranked video Web site to attract clients and build an online following.

Since Coldwell Banker Highlands Properties joined YouTube in February, as CBREAdmin's channel, they've had 376 hits on their virtual tour videos.

RE/MAX Realty Plus Realtor Laura Higgins' channel, LaurasRealNews, generated 641 video views and Andrea Mills' channel, MillsRealEstate, had 247 video views since she joined in January.

Compared to YouTube's nationally recognized channels these numbers may seem small but it's a growing trend and realtors say buyers are taking notice.

The marketing platform this site provides has led many of its Realtors to upload slideshows as part of their protocol.

"The idea was to generate new excitement in the real estate market and expose our properties to the millions of people who are already on YouTube," Sheila Nuzzi, administrative assistant to Coldwell Banker's Lake Jackson office, said.

These video slideshows may not be Hollywood quality but they serve their purpose. The videos help buyers narrow down their list and assist out of town buyers in pin-pointing properties throughout the county.

"There's nothing like face to face personal service but to narrow down the search and price range and help buyers know what they want, the internet is a great tool," Ann Pollard, Coldwell Realtor, said.

In real estate, time is money. So with a point and shoot camera and an Internet connection, agents can photograph a listing, add titles or music and upload it in a few minutes to a couple of hours.

By removing the middlemen the do-it-yourself site saves them time and money.

"Once the photos are up its starts marketing quickly and that'll generate a call," Pollard said.

The site provides the perfect template for companies to self-broadcast their homemade commercials, advertisements and allow potential clients in on their personality. After all, they are not only selling properties but their service for time to come.

Why YouTube?

"YouTube is a household name," Mills said.

The site's demographics reach a broad audience: 18 to 55 years of age and it's evenly divided between male and female users.

YouTube reports that every minute, 20 hours of video are uploaded to their site and 51 percent of their users visit the site at least once a week. But the potential is even greater because visitors don't have to be registered users.

In April there were 5.5 billion streams on YouTube, ranking it the No. 1 video web brand, according to the Nielson Online.

Jon Gibs, vice president of media and analytics for Nielson Online, said in a press release, "Despite what many believe, it is not the young, tech-savvy, early adopters who are attracted to long-form video. In fact, we see that it is the older crowd, viewers 35 plus."