WellcomeMat’s founders made the decision to not allow future “videos” that are comprised of slide shows of photos that are merely panned and zoomed. No more of those dreadful virtual 360 tours either. This decision has sparked a heated debate over on their website.
There are dozens of places to host slide shows on the internet. Why shouldn’t they have the opportunity to differentiate themselves by raising the bar? After all, they are letting everyone with the slide shows keep them hosted on the site, and they allow you to host on their site for free.
Wellcomemat’s logo says, “Videos Connecting People and Places”. The mere use of the word “video” sets up an expectation – an expectation of full motion movement.
What if you went to the movies, expecting to see your favorite star in a film, and when the show came on – it was just still photos panning and zooming? Your expectations would be let down. Same for many people as it pertains to “video tours” when they end up being slide shows. I find absolutely nothing wrong with a slide show. But not when it is being delivered under the pretext as a video.
A lot of people are furious over WellcomeMat’s decision, stating that they have it all wrong and are missing the mark. WellcomeMat has not missed the mark. They are showing true vision towards the future. There are people on Wellcomemat (as well as other places) that have really raised the bar when it comes to full motion video.
As the public becomes more and more aware of what is possible when it comes to marketing their homes, they will start to demand full motion video – with appropriate music and appropriate audio voice overs. Especially at the higher price points. Full motion video represents the next logical evolution of marketing homes. About every 5 years – the cheese moves. You will either be ready for it, get left behind, or hire a professional full motion video company to do it for you.
I applaud WellcomeMat’s decision. They are entitled to run their show the way they want to.
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