Inspectorjoe Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Is anyone using YouTube to promote their business? It seems like a great opportunity and the price is certainly right. Not too many things are truly free, but so far, YouTube is. I'm very familiar with how YT works. I've been uploading personal videos for a while now, but would of course open a different account for anything inspection related. The problem I see is putting out something that doesn't make you look bad. With things so slow, I surf YT quite a bit. So much inspection related stuff is so bad, you have to wonder what they were thinking. I just ran across this one, which is jaw dropping bad. Warning - don't be drinking a beverage at 1:12, at 2:00 and beyond, or you'll surely spit it all over the monitor. [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> The guy below must be slow too, because he's branched out into being a marketing consultant. In addition to needing improvement on his presentation and delivery, he doesn't seem to realize that he contradicts himself in the videos, by not heeding his advice on what to say if someone asks what you do for work. [utube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD3n84MQkac" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> [utube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyy3-ZxrIZ4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> I've also run across many customer testimonials. I don't recall seeing one where the home buyer came across as relaxed and not appearing to be reciting something scripted. Ken Compton uses YT for this also. What comes to mind when seeing those videos is Stepford inspectors. So is anybody doing it effectively?
Richard Moore Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Tip: If you are going to make a finger or thumbnail the star of your show, pick one you haven't recently whacked with a hammer! As for the content....EEEEK! The second guy seems about as organized as his shelving, which is appropriate as he has the personality of a wood plank. I'll bet he's a real hoot at a party. [:-yawn] The internet is both an amazing tool and a place where tools are amazing.
Inspectorjoe Posted July 25, 2009 Author Report Posted July 25, 2009 Rob: Your link didn't work, but I found the video: [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344">At first, I wondered why you posted a video of a stoned-out-of his-mind moron, but then I checked out who posted it. It was the 'Piece of Mind' inspector, David Lelak. It's unfriggin' believable that an inspector would mix that in with his 'professional' videos. Check out his video below, where his 'customer', the real estate agent gives a glowing, you-got-your-nose-far-up-my-ass testimonial. Someday a plaintiff's lawyer is going to find that and salivate. At least he finally corrected 'piece of mind'. [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344">
RobC Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Thanks Joe, Got to learn how to insert VDOs. The second one could initiate a major thread hijack and being that I enjoy this place I'll refrain from doing so. Anybody know how to save these to a hard drive?
Jim Katen Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 I thought maybe these were previews of the new hit movie, "Ernest Becomes a Home Inspector."
Tom Raymond Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 "The internet is both an amazing tool and a place where tools are amazing." That is the funniest thing I've seen all day. Tom
Robert Jones Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Rob: Your link didn't work, but I found the video: [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344">At first, I wondered why you posted a video of a stoned-out-of his-mind moron, but then I checked out who posted it. It was the 'Piece of Mind' inspector, David Lelak. It's unfriggin' believable that an inspector would mix that in with his 'professional' videos. Check out his video below, where his 'customer', the real estate agent gives a glowing, you-got-your-nose-far-up-my-ass testimonial. Someday a plaintiff's lawyer is going to find that and salivate. At least he finally corrected 'piece of mind'. [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> One of nicky's finest.
Robert Jones Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Did one of you guys make these up in your free time? I mean really!
Ben H Posted February 5, 2010 Report Posted February 5, 2010 Guys don't foget to stab your screwdriver in the panel the next time you think it's aluminum wire. This guys trying to get rid of the competion.[:-eyebrow
Erby Posted February 5, 2010 Report Posted February 5, 2010 The internet is both an amazing tool and a place where tools are amazing. Let me fix your spelling there for you, Richard! The internet is both an amazing tool and a place where fools are amazing. You're welcome!
hausdok Posted February 5, 2010 Report Posted February 5, 2010 Hi Erby, I thought Richard had it right, since a tool when describing a person is a stooge. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike
CharlotteInspector Posted July 10, 2010 Report Posted July 10, 2010 [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> This one of mine maybe really bad but it might make you laugh. [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> Preston sandlin http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com http://www.askthecharlotteinspector.com http://www.charlottenchomeinspector.com
Inspectorjoe Posted July 10, 2010 Author Report Posted July 10, 2010 I liked the second one. What a great idea! As a guy, I hate to use this word too often, but it was cute. On another note ..... From your Youtube profile: About Me: I have bee peforming Home Inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 14 years performing 23,458 home inspections. Holy cow! That's well over 1,500 inspections per year. Where do you find the time to make videos? Seeing the amount of business you have, I guess it pays to ensure that "Goldie gets her sale". Me, I'm happy doing 1/6 the volume you do and not having to give a thought to satisfying Goldie. Edit I see you deleted the post with the first video. How come?
Michael Brown Posted July 10, 2010 Report Posted July 10, 2010 I see you deleted the post with the first video. How come? That was me... sorry thought I was just cleaning up... looked the same at first glance. Fixed. Michael
Jim Katen Posted July 11, 2010 Report Posted July 11, 2010 This one of mine maybe really bad but it might make you laugh. They're not bad, they're funny. I think you should make another, where the nice young couple fires Goldie when they realize how rapacious and manipulative she is. Then they realize that they can buy a home all on their own without Goldie.
Ben H Posted July 11, 2010 Report Posted July 11, 2010 This one of mine maybe really bad but it might make you laugh. They're not bad, they're funny. I think you should make another, where the nice young couple fires Goldie when they realize how rapacious and manipulative she is. Then they realize that they can buy a home all on their own without Goldie. LOL[]
kurt Posted July 11, 2010 Report Posted July 11, 2010 I'm still trying to work through the idea that the gentleman did 5-6 inspections a day, 6 days a week, for 14 years, without ever taking a vacation.
Jim Katen Posted July 11, 2010 Report Posted July 11, 2010 I'm still trying to work through the idea that the gentleman did 5-6 inspections a day, 6 days a week, for 14 years, without ever taking a vacation. It's a multi-inspector firm. Looks like he has 7 guys in the picture on his web site. - Jim Katen, Oregon
Inspectorjoe Posted July 11, 2010 Author Report Posted July 11, 2010 I'm still trying to work through the idea that the gentleman did 5-6 inspections a day, 6 days a week, for 14 years, without ever taking a vacation. It's a multi-inspector firm. Looks like he has 7 guys in the picture on his web site. That solves that mystery. Then I guess he ought to change "I have bee[sic] peforming[sic] Home Inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 14 years performing 23,458 home inspections" to "We have been performing Home Inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 14 years, performing 23,458 home inspections." Small point, but it makes a difference.
mcdonalda Posted September 17, 2010 Report Posted September 17, 2010 Hi Tim here with my first post. We have been using video both on and my site as I feel it does lend credibility if done well as has been already demonstrated. My web guy set up a custom channel on YouTube for me which looks much more professional than the standard blank ones and it is designed to match my site so they work together. Here is a couple of videos from my site. And check out the YouTube Channel. Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/losangeleshomeinspec http://www.youtube.com/user/losangelesh ... VfGWkraDzQ Here is our cute video. The goal is to be entertaining while showing the value for our services. Tim Los Angeles Home Inspection, San Diego home Inspection, Riverside Home Inspection
Inspectorjoe Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Posted March 12, 2011 Well, for what it's worth, I have my first video on YouTube. It's got some problems, such as the audio levels not being consistent, but overall I'm pretty happy with it. I shot the video Thursday at a vacant house. I scoped it out Monday when I set the radon monitor. I intended to leave the camera in the basement and position myself at the crawlspace opening, doing the shoot before the inspection, while I was still fresh as a daisy. Unfortunately, I hadn't noticed that an insulated metal duct cut the clearance down to about a foot. I could barely squeeze though and it wasn't big enough to frame the shot anyway - plus, I got there later than I had planned. After the buyer left, I lugged my stuff through the main crawlspace, through a narrow tunnel and positioned myself in the far crawlspace. I set the camera up in the tunnel. By then it was about 6:30 pm and I wasn't fresh as a daisy. I was dirty, sweaty and somewhat disorganized with my thought process. I hemmed and hawed a lot. I know I'll never have a career in TV broadcasting. When I played the raw video for my wife and stepdaughter, they both had the same reaction - uncontrollable laughter. That wasn't quite the reaction I was expecting. [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344">
emalernee Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Joe, I think I would have hired a pretty model to come crawling out of that space and have her say something like; "If I would have hired Joe to do the inspection, I wouldn't have had to get into this crawl space, he does that for you and takes pictures that show up on the report. He's such a swell guy!" then show your logo with a voice over of all your services and services areas. I am not very photogenic and the camera adds weight (my case, lots of weight). I think drawing the looker to your services is more important then seeing you in an uncomfortable position. But, you did get something out there, way ahead of me. I have let to figure out how to get the Facebook page I started for my business get noticed.
Inspectorjoe Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Posted March 12, 2011 Now Ezra, if I could afford to hire a pretty model, I sure as heck wouldn't be futzing around with homemade videos. Of course, even if I could afford a pretty model, I doubt my wife would understand: "honey, I swear, it's just business". I agree about the uncomfortable position. In my original intended location, I would have had only my torso showing. Being fully exposed where I ended up doing it, I look like an overstuffed sausage in the coveralls. Now on to figuring out this Facebook thing. Since I now have my short URL, it's time to do something with it.
Tom Raymond Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 I give you a lot of credit for reaching outside your comfort zone and trying some new things. You've motivated me to up my marketing efforts, and I truly appreciate that. My only criticism would be that you did your entire pitch with a respirator on your forehead. The straps look like Goofy's ears, and if I wasn't so impressed by the effort I'd have laughed too.
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