The Knoxville, Tennessee area real estate agents often work with particular photographers because they like the images they create and because they work very well together. It’s important they work as a team, both benefit from their relationship.

Providing good high quality photography helps an agent be successful and will go a long way to help them stay successful and always be in demand. Teaming together with their photographer also takes a huge chunk of time off an already busy schedule, giving them more time to spend with their clients, its another good reason for an agent to provide professional real estate photography to display on their web site.

In todays real estate world, professional real estate photography has really intensified greatly over the last many years, professional real estate and commercial photography is seen as the required property marketing tool for marketing to new buyers.

Most all new home searches begin with an internet search, an agents web site is an opening door to prospective clients, and very often is the principle reason new buyers are attracted to that real estate agent. It’s the professional photography that buyers want to see in their online searches and in turn will encourage the phone calls or the emails that will provide the agent the opportunity to help those buyers with their new home search, or not — its most often the agents web site where a agents listings are seen and become interested in and have made a good enough impression to engage buyers enough to make the inquiry on what they have found on the real estate agents web site. Real estate photography has become a must have for realtors.

Home buyers mostly don’t understand the complications involved in selling a property.  Houses weren’t designed to be placed on a sales table to be seen and inspected by prospective buyers from all sides up and down. It’s the professional photography that brings out just what a listing is. Its always best to structure the presentation of a new listing so as to really WOW for that first impression.

As a professional real estate photographer, my job is to help. I provide the images that best show what the property is all about, the beautiful area the listing lives in, the great Curb Appeal the listing has — probably the most important image I provide, it’s what kindles the burning interest to get the buyers into the open house to start the process. The interior photographs will be to showcase how the home is laid out, the furnishing help show how this house can be their new home, Its tells how well the owner has cared for the house. Professional real estate photography is a look into a make believe world of how the client can mold this property into their new home.

Professional real estate photography is an artistic profession. I have, with many years experience, developed my How I see when I go into a new listing, I’ve learned how and where to use my lighting to bring out a best look, maybe moving a chair a little to the left opens an area that looked crowded. Placing a few home items around to explain where there is a great place to sit and think with a cup of coffee is right here in front of this big window. Every picture I take, tells some part of a bigger story, Every client who sees my photography I hope will see what I saw — all the great possibilities this new listing has to offer.

Suggestions for best staging your home for photography and for selling your home

Frequently Asked Questions

Whenever real estate rates get low, lots of motivated buyers show up looking for investments. With the nation wide housing inventory shortage, you might have been wondering how you’ll make it thru all this coronavirus stuff, how it might affect you.  I came across Kevin Ward, (Yesmasters) he says he helps agents create the success and lifestyle they want. I thought he had some interesting thoughts about the coronavirus, and, since my real estate photography work depends on what work real estate agents get, I thought I’d pass it on to the agents who might follow my thoughts.  In short, his theory is if you’ve got some listings to show, the better off you’ll be.

What are you gonna do?  Distressed sellers are your motivated sellers, they’ll need some help getting their homes sold, they will need the money!  If you’ve got the listings, maybe you’ve got the deals.

Investors are always up for a cheap property, that is as long as there’s cash coming back after the deal.  They want to buy cheap, it’s easier because the renting works out better and much more stable.  Its will be best if you have relationships with some investors, that’s the rub, if you do, you can go to your investor and tell them what you’ve got for them, now is the time to buy.

One day soon we’ll be done with this coronavirus, it’ll be your chance to take care of business.  You must be cofident, work much harder, and do not be afraid.  Keep your eyes open, you’ll never know when a fresh opportunity shows up, this just might be your time to shine a little brighter.

This is just a synopsis, you can watch the Kevin Ward video here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqLSrJQnlig

Good photography should not be taken for granted, it is more important than many Knoxville real estate professionals realize or sadly don‘t really understand why it is so important.

Read this article and see the numbers.

You’ll understand better the impact professional real estate photography has, and what it provides for Knoxville real estate agents and their real estate listings.

Here are a few facts.

• Homes, professionally photographed sold 32 percent faster than the homes that were not professionally photographed.

• Homes with only one photograph, average around 70 days on the market, while homes with 20 photographs averaged 32 days on the market.

• Real estate properties, those in the $200,000 to $1 million dollar range, professionally photographed, will sell for $3,000 - $11,000 more than originally asked for.

• Real estate photography techniques and the equipment used to create good photography gets more sophisticated every day.

• The online platforms are getting better at using augmented and virtual reality resources (Ai), these tools are becoming much more in demand by real estate professionals.
  

Reference materials, are available through The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), is available to its members and summarizes a few important items:

87% of today‘s homebuyers, begin their search for a new home on the internet, and have found professional photography to be the most useful on REALTOR® websites, this is according to the 2018 NAR Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers.

All of this means is by using professional real estate photography, provides for an improved client experience, the photography showcases the listing which impressing the buyer with the agents professionalism and the savvy home buyers appreciate the convenience provided not just for the long distance moves but the local area moves as well.

Tell me again why I need a real estate photographer?

How can realtors best take advantage of this new information?

Created for members, and provided free, the Residential Real Estate Council (RRC), is now offering 3 internet courses, designed to help members enhance their visual skills.

1. A Photo Sells a Thousand Homes will show agents how they can attract new buyers to listings, how to identify which is the right photographs to have taken of homes and understand how to present them in the best ways.

2. How Do I Make My Photos Look Like That? is a course detailing how professional software and editing skills can make the property photography look more realistic helping listings to grab viewers.

3. Video Marketing to Enhance Your Business explains different how-to strategies for reaching home buyers in our fast-paced digital world by setting agents apart from others and grabbing home buyers attention.

To attain these online courses and other professional courses, check out the featured products at the Center for REALTOR® Development, the RRC’s online courses and packages, they offer a wide variety of educational products that will lead to the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation.

Real estate professionals can sign up for these online professional courses, and can earn industry designations, get certifications, CE credits, Code of Ethics programs and more.

For more information, visit RISMedia’s online learning portal from NAR’s Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD) and the Learning Library. they also offer specials and important educational updates. 

For more information or any inquiries contact: Mike ONeill Photography

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Knoxville professional photographers have always had a variety of creative directions to go after, working photographers will have defined, developed and after a few hours of repeated practice, refined a specialty into what they consider their specialty.

Real estate photography is a specialty

Real estate photography differs some what from other photography specialities, the pieces that make-up the final image, the furniture, a couch, the bookshelves, will always be fixed in place, you can‘t move them about, but other pieces are moveable, chairs, small tables, small lamps can be moved to satisfy the composition and the real estate agent.

Tell Me Again, Why Do I Need A Real Estate Photographer?

Every year, real estate agents are wanting better photography for their listings, they are realizing cell phones aren’t the best for photographing anymore, in the last few years, there has been a reorganization in the industry towards better photography, and it seems to be becoming the model for the future of real estate photography.

“things in real estate are changing, to be sure.” - Jarred Kessler

Photographers have been specializing in providing better real estate photographs to their clients, and they’ve been providing fast, quality results, and at more reasonable prices.

Photography is significant to the home buyer, they want to see the images of the properties they want to buy, and they expect these images to be shown to them, and in the fashion they expect.

Real estate has always been a photographic subject, and for a few recent years now, It‘s how home buyers expect to see the homes to buy, Photography is all around us, it on billboards, in magazines, television, the internet and social media sites every day of our lives.

It’s how home buyers, using smartphones, tablets and home computers will sit at home and decide if they want to go see a property.

“photographs have been an incredibly important part of the real estate industry, particularly since listings became readily available online through MLS and other private listing sites. Great photography is one of the cornerstones of a successful listing, and it helps buyers to make the right decision, too. From remarkably high resolutions on digital cameras to drone technology, the constant advancement in imaging capabilities that has occurred over the past couple decades is bound to continue.” - Jarred Kessler

Agents have to pay attention

Real estate agents need some education when they’re buying real estate photography. They need to know something about what goes into the work. They need to know what to ask for from the photographer they’ve hired, and what to expect from him or her. It would be good to know the time it takes for finishing the job, and the equipment needed to produce the quality photography that they should expect to get.

A real estate agents’ have-to

An internet on-line presence, with photography showing their listings is expected of real estate agents, in fact, its a have-to for sucess or their failure, its essential for generating new leads and clients for their business, and paying a lot of attention to SEO for their site is very important.

Agents should have their own website. Home buyers want to see photographs of listings. They’ll want information, a few funs facts, neighborhood statistics of areas they’re interested in, schools and shopping info. You’ll get higher conversion rates, increased sales and a lead-in to segway a introduction of your services. It‘s worth the time and money to set-up a professional website.

Finally

Todays home buyers are image motivated, baby boomers out number millennials; that‘s who you have to play to. Digital advantages has made it to easy to show real estate photography on your web site that your losing if you don’t. It takes just a couple seconds to make the impression you have to make, or buyers will move on to your neighbor if you don’t.

“Today’s real estate technology is essentially the primary vehicle investors use to gather information on a particular market.”   Than Merrill

www.mikeoneillphotography.com, Knoxville, TN

Smartphone cameras are useful to have. A camera right in your shirt pocket makes it easy for real estate agents to take their own property listing photos. Hiring a professional real estate photographer is an added expense, and, you’ll be much more successful!

According to Realtor.com, 92% of homebuyers begin their search on the internet when starting a new home search. Homebuyers will get their first real impression looking at listings. Good photography makes home buyers want to see the property.

Real Estate Agents and Professional Photography Working Together

Bad photography makes buyers move on to the next listing, you’ll decrease the value of your property by NOT using good photography, instead use an experienced professional real estate photographer, they know how to make the property view its best and motivates buyers to get in touch for a closer view.

A professional photographer will be well worth the price. Here are 5 reasons not to use your cell phone for taking pictures. 

Your home will sell faster and for more money 

Listings that use professional photography will sell 32% faster than those that do not. And, listings that use high-quality photography receive 47% higher asking price per square foot. 

A real estate photographer understands composition

A good photo needs composition, much as a painting does. It’s not only about what’s included in the frame, but what’s excluded. A pro will know how to frame a photo to draw a buyer’s eye to the selling features while keeping their attention away from anything less than desirable. 

Photo editing is important

A professional photographer will know how to enhance colors, remove unwanted elements, scuffs on the walls, or the owner’s chihuahua who wandered into the shot. 

Lighting can make or break a photo

It takes years for a real estate photographer to develop an eye for lighting placement. Placing the right lights in the right place at the right time makes a ho-hum house view like a grand palace and catch the eye of a buyer scrolling through listings photos

 
Professional photography makes YOU look good

The real estate agents who use professionals come across more professional and are way ahead of their competition; they know it’s not all about selling a home, it’s more about selling more homes and getting more referrals and they know they must take the best care of their clients.

 
Knoxville real estate agents know to put away there iPhone and hire a professional real estate photographer. they know it’s an investment that is well worth the money!

www.mikeoneillphotography.com 

Referral marketing or Word of Mouth advertising is one of the best ways to build-up your business for new clients, the Real estate industry has always urged clients to suggest them to their friends and neighbors to support their real estate services. 

I work with real estate agents as a professional real estate photographer; we work as a team when one of my Knoxville agents receives a referral, it may mean I will also get work, client referrals is one of the best marketing tools available for us, not to mention, most business owners.

Heres a few referrals marketing techniques you might adopt to pick up more real estate leads and new clients.

Just Ask

Asking your friends to refer you to their family members or their friends, ask, “If you have liked my services, please consider recommending me to your friends who may need real estate services.” Being yourself when you request referrals will help. It will surprise you how many will help you. Another place to ask is on your website, your blogs, marketing flyers, even on a business card.

Gifts in return

If an agent will refer you to another agent for work, show them how much you appreciate it, either a thank-you card or better — a thank-you card and gift or leaving a thank-you card and a gift; appreciation can be golden and could lead to the referrals your wanting.

Emails

A monthly Newsletter is an excellent way to stay connected with your clients, helpful informative articles can be priceless and may get them to refer their special agent to their friends who need help selling their home.

Client Rewards

Another great way to stay connected with your clients might be to offer future discounts for your services, a money card, even a gift certificate to a local shop to thank them for referring you to someone you ended up helping.

Contest Giveaways

A contest is always a fun way to increase attention for your social media post, awarding a gift card to a local restaurant or an Amazon.com money card can provide incentives and shows your appreciation.

Facebook Post

You can create a “referral culture” by posting thank-you post on how new clients get rewards for referral help, show appreciation for the help.

Referral marketing is the oldest and the most productive form of marketing, it’s the widest technique used because it works, people appreciate hearing how well a product or service has worked, from someone they know.

Additional info is available

https://www.referralcandy.com/blog/referral-marketing-awesome-infographic/

I’ve worked as a photographer for a good part of my life. I’ve been in Knoxville, TN since 2007 with my real estate photography and commercial photography business, I’m always eager to suggest someone who can be of help to someone who needs it. If you need a commercial photographer or real estate photographer services or if you know someone who does, please call me I will appreciate it.

Mike O’Neill Photography at 865-292-3865.

OK...so you’ve been wondering, “How AM I doing with SEO?” (it’s been in all the Knoxville, Tn newspapers) and why should I care?

Well, if you are wondering...real quick...Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results.

Ok, so...What happens when I get more traffic to my website? Easy. The answer is Attention!

When more people are looking at what you’re doing, chances are some of these lookers might have a notion to give you a call and want your services, maybe you’re exactly what they’re surfing for, You’ll get to make some $$$.

...and if you’re wondering why this question is even being asked. Well, if you’ve gotten this far reading this, maybe your one of those lost souls who missed that class on why SEO is so important. You may need to catch up.

You might already know how much influence that Google group, and a couple others, have on the inter web. These days you can hardly surf the web without them knowing all about who you are, what you like to look at while you sit with your iPhone, your iPad and we can’t leave out your desktop computer. With all that knowledge flying about, about almost every one of us, it only makes sense that we should care about how we can put that information to work for us. Yep, here’s where that SEO stuff comes back into our conversation.

SEO is a way to help connect. Real Estate agents want to connect with home buyers, they want home sellers to connect with them, the marketing guys want you to see what they’re trying to sell this week. Your business should orbit around SEO it’s how people find you and you find them. There is, of course, much more to this SEO stuff than what I can jot down here, you’ll just have to do some digging to find out, it’s well worth your effort, maybe I’ll get around to writing a little more later.

I provide professional real estate photography for real estate agents and commercial photography for commercial marketers in Knoxville, good photography provides them a platform to show off from, I provide that platform.

This is one way I’ve used SEO to connect with you, the reader, I hope you’ll contact me if I can help you out with your real estate photography needs, or if you need help marketing your commercial services or a product you’re trying to sell or even if you have a question about whatever, I’ll try to help. I have a good reputation and I give a 110% guarantee. Give Me a Call Today! Smiles.
Mike ONeill Photography  865 292-3865

A few truths about SEO to help get you started.

https://ppmag.com/news/5-seo-truths

1. SEO is not a marketing plan

SEO is a small piece of marketing. Good SEO practices can gradually build up website traffic from interested prospects. However, SEO is not a stand-alone substitute for good marketing.

2. SEO is a long-term play

If you’re banking on a quick fix to acquire new clients, SEO isn’t the tool you’re looking for. On average, it takes 3.4 months for a targeted piece of content to appear in search results.Consider paid advertising through social media or Google AdWords if you want faster results

3. SEO is a competition

There isn’t necessarily a standard benchmark for SEO. Yes, there are best practices, but the ultimate goal is to do enough to outrank your competition.

Pro tip: Try to post evergreen content that will stand the test of time and drive traffic to your website over a long period.

4. SEO is an investment

To be successful at SEO, you need to invest either time or money. Working with an SEO consultant or agency could run $500 to $1,000 per month and you’ll need at least six months’ worth of help. To do it yourself, be prepared to dig in. Greer estimates that he spent more than 400 hours on SEO work for his own website before he started seeing results.

Pro tip: When creating content for your site, go for quality over quantity. It’s better to create one amazing blog post with in-depth info than to blog every day with less engaging content.

5. SEO relies on good content

Ultimately, Google and the other search engines want to deliver good results to users. So your web pages need to serve the content that those users are looking for. It needs to be well written, relevant, unique and updated frequently. Blogging isn’t mandatory to produce good content for SEO. Search engines reward you for any content updates to your site.

So many people feel that if they buy a DSLR camera and watch a few YouTube demonstrations, they’re ready to take professional grade pictures of their home. Everyone wants quality photographs to sell their home at the best price, but often amateur photography falls short and the seller ends up settling for a lower listing price as a result or their home remains on the market longer. No one wants to see their home languish on the real estate market for weeks or even months.
 
DSLR cameras are awesome, but even though these cameras are noted for taking HD clear high-quality images, that doesn’t necessarily mean the shots are going to instantly be “professional.”

What makes a photograph truly professional?
Professional photographs have a way of drawing you in. They’re brighter and have a bit of character to them. The main thing is they draw the buyer’s eye to the home or object featured in the photograph.

Composition and Space
A professional photographer maps out the floor plan in his mind before a shoot. He takes time to learn how the rooms connect with one another. He visualizes the lines that run through a photograph and the objects therein. He wants to lead the buyer’s eye through the room in the shot. Viewing these pictures, the buyer will see how the home is laid out. This requires a mastery of composition.

Professional photographers focus on the space, not just on the granite countertop. You can tell when a real estate agent has photographed a home. You’ll see a close-up shot of a granite countertop or fancy backsplash. Or the farmhouse sink may be the focal point of the kitchen photograph. This shows the buyer nothing about the kitchen space itself as a whole and doesn’t give any semblance of context. A professional photograph will show where the kitchen is in relation to the living room and hallway. Is it an open floor plan? Is the kitchen a small “one-butt” kitchen or is it one with a huge island? This is something a professional photographer would show-and-tell in a shot.

Avoid Mistakes
Also, professional real estate photographers know how to avoid silly mistakes such as closed doors in a room shot. If the doors of the room are closed, how will the potential buyer be able to see how the room is connected to other rooms? Other noticeable mistakes that amateurs make are capturing themselves in the reflection of mirrors, taking shots with pets included, photographing small, crowded spaces, and not turning on the lights or opening the blinds.

Professional Camera and Lighting Equipment
A professional photographer will use the right equipment and be well-versed in various photographic techniques to capture photos that attract the buyer’s eye. Professional photographers like Mike ONeill Photography use high-quality cameras and wide-angle lens. Why is wide angle lens important? A lens above 20 mm allows the photographer to show how the rooms are connected. Now, that doesn’t mean you should make a room look larger than it really is. A professional grade photographer will capture the rooms of a home just as you would see them in person. Otherwise, the picture will seem manipulated and therefore the potential buyer may feel deceived. Honest photography is always best.
Natural light is best when shooting interior shots, but sometimes a flash is necessary. Having appropriate flash and lighting equipment is essential in real estate and commercial photography.

Hiring a professional real estate photographer is well worth the fee because quality photos capture a buyer’s eye and can bring about the first call of action—a request to see the home. That’s invaluable to anyone trying to sell their home.

Mike O’Neill Real Estate Photography has been serving the Knoxville area since 2007. Professional grade real estate photography can help you sell your home weeks earlier and at a higher listing price.

Call Mike today at (865) 292-3865 to schedule a session.

Many home sellers feel that a budding photographer in their family can take decent photographs of their home for the Knoxville, TN MLS listings. Unfortunately, many of these sellers end up facing longer stints on the market and possibly an expired listing. Poor or amateur photography can delay the sale of your home and leave you with far less profit.

Some real estate agents offer to take the photographs themselves using their iPhones, or they’ve taken photography at the local community college in the hopes of adding more value to their services. This is noble of them to try and help you save money, however, many times their efforts fall short and you end up losing in the end.

Professional photographers are career photographers, not real estate agents with a hobby. Below, are some points to keep in mind when you consider hiring a real estate photographer for your listing.

Photography as a First Impression
Listings that are accompanied by professional photographs sell for more money and they sell quicker. According to REALTOR.com, 92 percent of home buyers search for their homes online. So, listing photographs play a critical role in selling your home to these buyers. 

This doesn’t just go for upscale homes selling above $1 million. This applies to all homes selling on the market for more than $200,000. A great photograph can entice a homebuyer over the threshold of your home. The photographs are the first impression buyers receive of your home, so you’ll want to make sure it’s a good one. Photographs can also affect the homebuyer’s perception of the home before they even see it.

Photographs Trigger Emotions
A professional photograph of a home can set a positive emotion that the buyer associates with the home. It’s often said in the realtor field that emotion is the number one trigger of the luxury home buyer. Placement of props is important, too, so you’ll want to make sure that you hire a professional stager to “set the stage” so to speak. A professional photographer will be able to select the correct lighting and angle to give your home the best presentation possible. 
So, how can you tell a professional grade photograph from an amateur one?

Great Team
When photographing a home for sale, a professional photographer usually takes around 10 to 15 interior and several exterior photographs. There’s no point in taking 200 photographs.

A good art director can help make sure the photographer captures images of the rooms they feel would best represent the home. 

Teaming up with a Home Staging Professional
A professional photographer knows the value of working with a professional staging expert. If you don’t want to hire an art director and home stager, that’s okay, too. I’ve worked with many clients who chose to stage their own homes and were highly successful in doing so. 

A staged home will be easier to photograph and capture the right images to make the home stand out from the other listings on MLS. Photographing an empty home is difficult because the home does not give off any emotion. A poorly furnished home gives a negative impression. That’s why it’s a good idea to team a staging expert with a professional real estate photographer.

The stager will be able to set a stage that will feed the imagination of a potential buyer. That’s why home buying shows like the ones you see on HGTV are so popular. The viewer imagines themselves living in the featured homes. If the home is already furnished, the photographer and a home stylist can rearrange items to create a spectacular shot. If you’re not going to hire a home staging expert, make sure you remove personal items because this can distract a potential buyer from imagining the home as their own. And if your home is empty, please consider hiring a home stager. Empty homes sell for considerably less. As a professional real estate photographer in Knoxville, TN, I know and have worked with the best staging professionals in the area.

The Right Angle
You’ve probably heard people say that when it comes to photography, it’s all about the lighting and angles. It’s true. A professional real estate photographer highlights the best features of a home by using the right angles and lighting. They often use a tripod and sometimes add light to certain areas of the home to make sure each room looks desirable.

Preparation or “Scouting”
A professional photographer often visits the home a few days before a shoot, to scout the property. Sometimes an art director is hired to assist the photographer in selecting the best rooms for the photo shoot. During this scouting time, the photographer will sometimes take sample photos and analyze the light exposure inside the home. This allows the photographer to determine what composition he wants and which tools to bring to the photo shoot. 

Perfect Composition
Photographers use straight lines and curves to guide the homebuyer’s eye along the image and to make the home more appealing. A photographer will decide how best to fill the space, where to focus, and where to create vertical and horizontal lines. The lines should fall in such a way that they lead the potential buyer through the structural elements of the room. This is very important when photographing homes.

Enhancing Photos in Post-Production
Choosing the right photos that best represent the home’s finest features and enhancing those photos is what happens in post-production. Once the photographer artfully selects the best photos, he enhances the color and edits the photos to ensure that the brown patches of grass are removed, the home’s paintjob is impeccably presented, and the sky is bright and clear. This sounds easy, but it’s not. It takes quite a bit of expertise to lengthen and clone certain sections of a photograph.

These are just a few of reasons why a real estate photographer can make the difference in helping you sell your home quicker and for more money. With most home buyers turning to the Internet for their home search, professional photos are powerful tools in making a good first impression and promoting a call to action. 

Mike ONeill Real Estate Photography has been serving the Knoxville, TN area since 2007. Professional real estate photography can help you sell your home weeks earlier and at a higher listing price.
Call Mike today at (865) 292-3865 to schedule a session.

After all my years of being a real estate photographer, I still get excited about going to shoot a new listing. This is especially true when the real estate agent has been working with their client and staging the property so its best qualities show well. This makes my work much easier, and it also helps the real estate agent by providing a property that’s ready to show, which makes them look more professional. Most buyers are looking for properties that are move-in ready. A house that’s ready for its next owner has the inviting atmosphere that buyers naturally connect with and makes them feel they’re at home as soon as they walk through the door. If the professional photographer and agent have been working together, this is where the plan comes together.

Do you struggle with listings not ready to show? Not ready to be photographed? Go to my "Photographers' Check-List - Getting Your Home Ready". It's a FREE comprehensive List and can provide you a listing that's ready to show!  Smiles.

https://mikeoneillphotography.com/photographers-check-list/

Almost all new home searches begin on the internet. Everything a buyer could want is displayed to them. The online experience is designed to create the most favorable impression and make them want to see the property in person—and then buy. Real estate agents spend much of their time and their money marketing their listings. Experienced agents already know the pictures they want. They know which pictures will make a great impression and sell their listing, and they probably already know who can deliver the best real estate photography. The agent and photographer can work together to produce images that entice clients to go see the property and put an offer on the table. It’s perfect when a professional real estate agent and a professional real estate photographer join forces; they can combine talents to make the marketing process work the way it should and contribute to each other’s success.

Agents already know, or should know, that professional real estate photography makes a big difference. A Redfin study found that professionally photographed homes sell up to, on average, three weeks faster than those photographed by the non-professional photographers or even the agents themselves, and are more likely to sell for above listing prices. It only makes sense for an agent to use a photographer they like to work with, a photographer they can partner with to make the sale.

A professional real estate photographer’s job is to make listings look awesome. Together with an agent they know and work with on regular assignments, they can produce listings that stand out from other agents’ listings. Both the agent and the photographer will gain a more valuable reputation that can make them the agent to call and the photographer to hire when it comes to selling real estate.

The questions from this blog:

Are you working well with your photographer? 

Does your photographer know which pictures will sell the listing?

Do agents know what it is you want from the photography session? Have you worked with other photographers to see if they’re a better fit?

Are you wasting your time with a photographer who is not a good fit for you?

Selling real estate is a team sport. You work with others agents in your office; you should work with a photographer who shares your design with your marketing plan.

How to Hire a Real Estate Photographer: Expert Tips for Agents

https://placester.com/real-estate-marketing-academy/hire-real-estate-photographer/

Today’s Knoxville real estate listings are put right into the palm of your hand.  In the recent past, Zillow.com and Realtor.com and a few others weren’t around to provide listing information, real estate agents were the primary source, and they only cared about reaching the buyer's agents and not the average home buyer.  With the advancements in technologies, agents can now market directly to the consumer.  Social media marketing trends have become the essence that some agents should have become comfortable with, but, Realtor.com reports only about 29% of agents really feel comfortable with social media.

Real estate agents really need to work at becoming more comfortable with social media marketing, it's reported that only 9% of real estate agents actually share their listings with social media sites; a direct link to potential buyers that really works well in the driving of awareness that leads to an interest with potential clients. Social media is a connection to the people; the audience where 72% of adults are active on social media sites like Facebook.

Social media is an ever-changing medium, the main requirement: all the content needs to be good, be useful and up-to-the-minute information for the reader, sharing the latest advancements and trends in photography and video can assure that your social media profile stands out and finds the audience you want.

Building your online reputation should be the most important reason to use social media to build your business, providing quality content is the best way to stand out from other agents and position yourself as an industry expert.  Real estate photography is an excellent media to use to engage your audience, it creates an emotional connection and gives the impression of providing special treatment, it provides clients a feeling of being inside the listing and it can generate more inquiries.

Digital photography has become the requirement in real estate marketing, photography captures a listings’ personality and is a showcase for its character, it allows clients to navigate properties as if they were actually there, making it easier to relate to the listing.  Real estate photography is more likely to generate a higher price per square foot, will receive on average 61% more attention and spend fewer days on the market.  Photography is surprisingly influential with a power to lure in clients or even turn them away. 

Finding and using social media properly is a great way for real estate agents to grow their business and strengthen their online reputation positioning themselves as an industry expert, keeps your readers interested and engaged in your postings and makes it a lot easier to attract new clients.

Read a little more,

Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents and Brokers

https://www.business.com/articles/social-media-marketing-for-real-estate-agents-and-brokers/

My real estate photography business, Mike ONeill Photography, is designed around helping my clients; by providing a consistent level of professional real estate photography and services, it's my continuous responsibility.  I want return business, I know that won't happen if I do not deliver the professional services, my clients expect. 

My job is to meet my client's demands and be good at anticipating their now and future needs. Working with real estate agents is a must-do part of my job, my clients know I value and I understand the way they market, not just to sell a listing but to help them pick up more listings in the future.  It’s not hard to understand that the better the professional photography and services I provide, the better my real estate agents’ marketing results will be, and the more listings the agent sells, and the more that agent will come to depend on me to photograph their future listings that I helped them to get.  

Robert Nowell is a Canadian photographer who understands the photography industry and how its changed over the years but also knows how the old business of business to business really hasn’t changed that much from the old fashion providing good customer services.  I think he explains pretty well how I feel I want to run my Knoxville business.

Photography Business Basics

By Robert Nowell 

http://sproutingphotographer.com/the-3-basics-in-business-that-havent-changed

A good real estate agent or broker is a valuable resource.  Agents know the mortgage brokers, inspectors, a good handyman, the neighborhood area, and sometimes even other listings that the rest of the public does not.  And then there’s all the contracts and other legal matters to keep in order. It’s a lot of work!

Agents also help the seller understand the reality of selling their home, the work involved in getting the home ready, and in a condition that will impress home buyers when the property is first seen, which will probably be on the Internet. Getting to that point requires a few steps. People will want to see what the property looks like, so this means professional photography. But before photographing the property, there is staging to be done, preparing the listing for sale. (http://www.joehaydenrealtor.com/home-sellers/updates-staging-and-photos/)

It only takes a quick glance--three seconds--and a prospective buyer forms an opinion of what the property means to them. Those three seconds will make a lasting impression. A realtor’s success may very well depend on a three-second viewing  (http://www.dailynews.com/lifestyle/20130822/the-truth-behind-staging-will-it-help-you-sell-your-house-faster-at-a-better-price) As a professional real estate photographer, I’ve gone into a home many times to find the home has not been well kept, is not clean, areas have not been picked up, beds are not made, dirty dishes are left in the sink or still on the table. Basically, I’ve walked into an unkempt house. The property was not staged. This is where realtors and real estate photographers can give their sellers some very valuable advice.

Staging can produce such good results for the home seller. A staged home will photograph better and make the home look like it’s just waiting for its new family. When staging and professionally photographed listings are used together, they compliment one another. The property will shine, creating a beautiful home showing.

Staging is best done by professionals, but home owners can do their own staging. There are many resources on the Internet explaining how to stage a home to sell. Staging should not be focused on the seller's personal taste and needs, but on making the home appeal to a broad range of buyers. The basic idea of staging is for buyers to be able to picture themselves living in the home as it’s presented and wanting to buy it.  (https://www.nar.realtor/news-releases/2015/01/home-staging-can-help-sell-home-for-more-realtors-say

Here in Knoxville, when I photograph a home that is for sale, I’m expecting to see that it is neat and organized. This means the home has been cleaned thoroughly; living areas are picked up, and beds are made. This means at least some staging effort has been made. I like a table set as if for an evening meal, to emphasize this home is waiting for you. Another small but important thing is to have window blinds open (or flat) to bring in the outside. This allows me to create a more comfortable, natural lighting as I photograph the home. These are just some of the ways staging can help show off your listings. I’m on the job to help Knoxville sellers show off their property, and this helps the agent get that awesome three-second viewing that will help sell the property quicker and for more money. (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/is-it-worth-it-to-stage-your-home-when-you-put-it-on-the-market-2016-05-04)

Real estate is one of the most competitive businesses you can be in. So much of your time is spent trying to stand out among everyone else doing the same job. Every day, agents are pushed aside by others who sell their services for a reduced commission or a flat fee, not to mention all the online real estate search sites racing past you. (http://realtormag.realtor.org/news-and-commentary/commentary/article/2010/05/friendly-competition) So what’s an agent to do?
 
You have to make your business personal. Buyers and sellers want an agent who’s trustworthy and has their best interests at heart. Selling real estate is like having a best friend, and you’re helping your friend to settle into a new home. When you give your customers individual attention, you understand what they are looking for. You respect their needs by showing them homes in their price range and in the neighborhoods they’re interested in. Before you know it, you’ll earn a reputation for helping people that all clients who need a good friend are looking for when they buy or sell a home. They will tell their friends about you and spread the word about you and your personalized business. You’ll attract more clients, make more sales—and stand out!
 
I’m a pretty good real estate photographer, and I like helping people.  My work depends on how well realtors do their jobs and how well the Knoxville real estate market is doing. It’s just natural for me to want to help realtors be better realtors. I work hard at what I produce, and I’m always trying to improve what I do. I work at making sure my clients are satisfied. Today’s blog is about me trying to help you find more properties to sell (which helps my realtor customers have more work for me!). It's a pretty good way for me to spend my time.
 
I’m listing a few sources of information for you to read that I found interesting. We all know there is an abundant supply of ideas on the Internet of how to best attract new clients, but I hope these sources will provide fresh perspectives, new ideas, and some things to think about. And when you put this information into practice, I’ll hope you’ll call me to photograph your new listing. Then we both win. Smiles.

• 4 steps to content marketing that will grow your real estate business

https://www.inman.com/2017/06/26/4-steps-to-content-marketing-that-will-grow-your-real-estate-business/

Inman News is the leading real estate news source for real estate agents, Realtors, brokers, real estate executives and real estate technology leaders who need the latest real estate news, insights and analysis to grow their business and stay ahead of the competition

You have a website that’s supposed to help you get more clients. But no one’s visiting. 

• Improve Your Branding to Attract Better Clients

http://www.marketleader.com/blog/2015/01/28/improve-your-branding-to-attract-better-clients/

A pioneer in lead generation and contact management systems, Market Leader has been helping agents and teams manage, grow, and thrive since 1999.

Just as all real estate agents aren’t alike, nor are all real estate clients. Some are better than others. Now sure, “better” is in the mind of the beholder. Maybe a better client to you is one that can make up his mind before touring the 100th house for sale. Perhaps to the agent at the next desk, a better client is one that instantly trusts her.

• 5 Top Real Estate Marketing Tactics You Need in 2017

http://www.chatterbuzzmedia.com/blog/5-top-real-estate-marketing-tactics-need-2017/

Chatter Buzz is a full service Creative Orlando Marketing Agency. A digital advertising agency with locations in Tampa, New York and Miami, Fl.

There was a time when a prominent downtown office was all a real estate agent needed to attract prospective sellers and buyers searching for their dream home.

• How Does a Rookie Get Listings?    

 (This one is a little old, but the info is still viable)

http://realtormag.realtor.org/sales-and-marketing/feature/article/2005/06/how-does-rookie-get-listings

The Official Magazine for the National Association of REALTORS, covering real estate trends, real estate news and data.

The first months in the real estate business are sure to be a challenge; getting your name out, finding clients, and securing your first listings are no small tasks.

Professional real estate photographers don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, your job is to work closely with your client or real estate agent. Your job is to provide a service to that agent who’s trying to make a living selling a house. They need your professional images to help promote their business and connect with clients. A professional real estate photographer must form--and support--a relationship with an agent. You must set this relationship pretty much from the beginning. Your part of the business relationship is to photograph their listings and help get their properties sold. You must also be able to get along with them, and you must have an understanding of how the real-estate system works. If you want to keep working, you have to be a professional.

Your client will already know what type of photography they want and will expect you to already have a pretty good understanding of what needs to be photographed. If you're new to real estate photography or are already a working real estate photographer, the following advice (a little basic for some, I hope) may make you more aware of some of the skills you should be experienced with. These skills will help you to create that important professional relationship with your agents.

The best photographers know what questions to ask; show a genuine interest in the business; and learn about their agent's unique needs and their business goals. Photographers must learn to listen to their agents and anticipate suggestions that will be helpful. A professional photographer will be reliable, always show up on time (when promised), dress professionally, and care about their agent's needs. Professional real estate photographers know they have to always work to keep their agent’s trust and work even harder to always do the best work they are capable of. It's all about taking care of business, making that property shine, sell faster and for more money, and making that agent look good. Your photography will one of the most important parts of your agent’s marketing. Your photographs are a reflection of the agent. Your photography has got to top-notch. (http://realtormag.realtor.org/sales-and-marketing/feature/article/2017/06/rules-for-hiring-high-quality-photographer)

Differences in Lines

There are some major differences between experienced and unskilled real estate photographers. The most obvious (and what should be the first thing to look for) is vertical lines. When the look of an interior or an exterior property photograph seems to be at an angle or “tilting,” your vertical lines are not straight.  Almost everywhere we look doors, walls, windows, and buildings are all perfectly straight. It's important to have a strong and sturdy tripod, and you should ensure that it is perfectly level when you take your picture. A level camera will straighten the vertical lines and make the resulting photo more pleasing to look at, and there’s always your photo editing program to help you.  (http://photographyforrealestate.net/2012/05/21/dont-charge-for-real-estate-photography-until-your-verticals-are-vertical/). A real estate photographers’ job is to display the property their clients are trying to sell in the best possible way. Your pictures have to impress the viewer; they need to have true verticals and flat horizontals lines. A professional photographer will know how to level the image to take that best picture. Otherwise, the room or the house will appear distorted and out-of-balance, suggesting the room is in need of repair. That's not good. 

Necessary Bracketing

Manipulating exposure is an important technique for any photographer to fully understand and know how to do. A scene does not always have the same exposure. There are normally light areas and dark areas that have to be dealt with to capture the brightness range of a scene. There are editing programs for photo manipulation as well as other methods; but if you have the software experience, you may be able to edit the exposure problem out. One good method is exposure bracketing. It's a better method that you can use to solve the problem, if you know how to make the camera adjustments. Exposure bracketing is taking the same picture multiple times—but with different exposures each time, either changing aperture, shutter speed, or ISO. One of the exposures should be a more correct exposure; the goal is to get a great photograph that is a realistic looking image.  (How To Shoot Brackets So You Capture The Whole Brightness Range Of A Room)

Filling with Flash

Professional photographers are expected to be able to create great images that are well-exposed and with flash used correctly. Mixing the room light together with either on- or off-camera flash to create a natural look is the best way to show off the features of an interior room. You can bounce your flash off a white ceiling or off a white wall to diffuse the light to avoid the harsh shadows that can ruin your interior shots. Learning this one skill will greatly improve your real estate photography. (How Do You Use A Flash To Light Interiors?) 

White Balance

White balance is important to understand. It is essential to get it as correct as possible for a true representation of the image you're photographing. White balance is the color of an object, affected by the color or temperature under the light in which it is viewed. Our brains and our eyes will compensate for the differences in the light temperature; that's why white objects look white. Our digital cameras can’t compensate as people do and will need help in presenting an exact color. The white balance settings on your camera are what will help your DSLR emulate the correct color. It is a good practice to learn about white balance and how to set it on your camera. White balance works with your fill flash. You need to learn to match the color temperature of your flash with the existing light in the scene you're photographing. White balance can make a dramatic difference in how pictures are seen. (What Workflow Do Real Estate Photographers Use For White Balance?)

There is much to learn to be a professional real estate photographer. We’re only just touching on some of the basic things that will help define you as a professional photographer. You want to be the photographer that you would want to hire as a professional photographer for yourself! Your main goals should be: to be as helpful as you can for your client, know your clients’ needs, and know how they always want certain photography. Understand that the photography you create will either help sell your agent’s listing or perhaps be part of the problem when it stays unsold for too long a time, which will probably cost you your continued work with that client. You want your client happy with your work as well as with you. (http://photoh.com.au/so-you-want-to-be-a-real-estate-photographer/)

A Reflection of your Brand, Professional real estate photography can really make a big difference in property marketing and most certainly determines how quick listings sell or sit on the market. The marketing photography that a real estate agent provides can brand them as a professional or non-professional. Either way, it is a reflection of your personal brand.

An Effective Way to Grow your Busines

Your clients will be impressed when they see you making the extra effort to sell their property quickly and efficiently. But too many agents cut corners. They try to save a few dollars and take their own photographs by using their cell phones or point-and-shoot cameras. These unprofessional tools can have a very negative effect on your brand. (https://thenextweb.com/creativity/2017/04/09/personal-brand-deserves-high-quality-photography/#.tnw_QAWwW6n2)  The quality of these images can give clients the impression that you’re not very interested in marketing their property. I don’t really have to say, this often paves the way to dissatisfaction and leaves them less likely to refer you to their friends or family, but it can. (And we all know that client referrals are an effective way to grow your business—you can’t miss these opportunities!)

Buyers will recognize unprofessional photography, which can slow down the selling process. The next thing you know, your sellers will think they’re not receiving the service they expected. With so many real estate agents to choose from in the Knoxville area, a good plan is to show your clients that you have more to offer than the rest.  Showcasing clients’ homes with professional real estate photography will help you to stand out from other agents, and it will convince your clients that you provide excellent service.

Conveying the Beauty and Benefits

The home seller may sometimes need to take the initiative to invigorate their agent’s marketing efforts. The listing may be a beautiful property; but if the pictures don’t show it at its best, be prepared to let that “For Sale” sign stay planted in the ground for a while. So if your seller asks you to engage a professional photographer, embrace the opportunity to use someone who has the skills to convey the beauty and benefits of the home in pictures that will catch the eye of a potential buyer.  

In Knoxville, TN’s competitive real estate market, professional pictures mean the difference between a property that sells quickly and at a higher price versus one that doesn’t move and sells below value. In this very real sense, time *is* money!

Take a few pictures and they will come is an outdated view of real estate marketing. If you don’t show off a home with professional-quality photography, the odds are against you when it comes to getting the best offer and selling it quickly (http://retipster.com/ignore-professional-photography-real-estate-investing/). Just recently, I came across a video by a real estate professional that I would like to share with Knoxville agents. Pete Lorimer is a listing agent in Los Angeles, California. As the top agent in his brokerage for several years, he knows a thing or two about what it takes to sell homes. Check out Pete’s short video with straight talk for realtors where he outlines his reasons for saying, “You absolutely must, must, MUST have professional photographs taken in a house.” Pete asserts that your buyers will “swipe away” any homes shown using DIY photographs but will shortlist properties shot by professionals.

In my career as a real estate marketing photographer, I’ve been called numerous times to re-photograph listings that were not done by professionals. In those cases, I hear the same stories: the old pictures don't show off the house, agents and sellers became frustrated, and the listing became stale. These issues can be avoided when you use a pro from the start.

“You absolutely must, must, MUST have professional photographs taken in a house …”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1oti7sF_1s

This point has also been made before by:  North Carolina real estate agent Leigh Brown in this video

Looking for information about a home to buy isn’t hard. Internet searches give buyers a lot of information in seconds. However, home-buying information has become a clutter of data simply dropped onto the Internet. As a realtor, what can you do make your listings grab home buyers’ attention? The answer: make sure you show your property online before your buyers walk through the door.

More than 89% of home buyers use computers and mobile devices to begin their new home search. The Internet is central to the home-buying process, which makes real estate photography the main component to attract buyers. Good professional photography makes it easy to decide to visit that property both online and in person.  

Professional real estate photography brings more attention to your listings. A professionally photographed home will sell faster, and it will sell at a higher price. The National Association of Realtors (NAR, www.realtor.com) found that the listings with professional photography generate an average of 140% more Internet interest than similar homes with pictures created with point-and-shoot cameras and cell phone photography. NAR also says that only about half of all real estate properties include photographs by professional photographers.

Every year Knoxville real estate agents deal with more competition from new agents entering the profession. The real estate game is not easy to win. Our technological world not only demands consumer convenience, but also demands a professional Internet presence. Successful Knoxville realtors meet the expectations of a typical online shopping experience—just like buying from an online store.

The business of real estate is more about getting clients than about selling properties. Real estate agents who enhance their marketing by using a photographer who specializes in real estate marketing will have a leading edge. High-quality pictures separate agents who are in the game from those who are on the sidelines. The payoff is bringing clients to you.

Mike O’Neill Photography provides pictures that add to the “wow factor” of your listings online and in print. Mike is a real estate marketing specialist who delivers beautiful images of your buyer’s next home.

The Best Real Estate Marketing Strategy - 5 Rules for Exponential Growth

Many times real estate photographers will have to solve on-the-job problems and sometimes the answers aren’t always easy.  Larry Lohrman, the blog owner of “Photography for Real Estate”, a blog post for discussions about real estate photography, recently got this question from one of his readers:

Professional photographer, John, a wedding and portraiture photographer asked:

“I upgraded my camera from a D-90 to a D7100 and I still get this reddish brown color cast in a lot of interiors. I have tried adjusting color balance to the flash mode or sunlight mode instead of A (auto mode) with little success…. I have tried raising the color temperature manually and that sometimes helped in certain rooms, but not too often. It seems the auto mode works the best then I adjust the color balance in photoshop as needed but this a lot of extra time… Do you know of anything I can do to get more accurate exposures on interiors?”

Real estate photographers, including those just starting in the business and also the experienced ones, have to deal with many problems while photographing a property. Knoxville real estate agents are not always aware of the obstacles that their professional real estate photographer has to deal with on the job. Every day their job is to help make a house look good while at the same time dealing with houses not being ready for photographs, rainy days, overly bright windows and last minute cancellations, as well as technical issues like white balance, fill flash, color cast, verticals, and more.

In recent years photography has become the most important aspect of any real estate marketing campaign, selling a Knoxville, TN home is just like selling any product, It's important agents understand as much as possible what really goes into the photography of their listings, and as equally important too it's important for the photographer to know his business and to know his or her product. In the photography business, being a Knoxville real estate photographer is much more than just taking photographs, they have to be a marketing person too.

Larry's response to the question:

1. “Color balance: Interiors photographers have to deal with color balance issues more than other photographic situations because of many temperatures of light sources in rooms. Different light bulbs can have different color temperatures. The reddish brown can be old incandescent. John was shooting JPG so when the color balance came out of the camera off he had a hard time changing it. The best way to deal with color problems is to shoot RAW. Shooting RAW makes your life much easier in post-processing. Lightroom is designed to deal with RAW files quickly and easily! You can make color adjustments to a RAW file that you just cannot do to a JPG!

2. Using flash in interiors: John was shooting with his flash on his camera resulting in a very flat looking lighting. It is much better to keep your flash off your camera when shooting interiors, the results have flat looking light when the flash is on the same axis as the lens. Put it on a light stand, that doesn’t slow you down that much.

3. Verticals and barrel distortion: John wasn’t correcting verticals or removing barrel distortion. When shooting weddings and portraits neither make much difference but in interiors they become a big deal. Learning to use Lightroom is the fastest and easiest way to correct verticals and remove barrel distortion.”

These problems are minor and not so hard to work out, the more experienced the photographer the better they’ll be at handling any situation.  Knoxville has many really good experienced photographers, and the Knoxville housing market is one of the stronger markets. if your a Knoxville real estate professional, probably what’s best to take away from this blog is to choose the experienced photographer, they will provide you with better service and better photography, you’ll end up selling your listings quicker and you'll make more money.

Mike ONeill is an experienced real estate photographer.    www.mikeoneillphotography.com                                                                                   Contact us today for a promotional discount to try our services.                                     

We all know how 1st impressions work; they grab our attention and when it comes to marketing one of your real estate listings here in Knoxville, TN, its pretty much the most important thing in the world -- to you the agent.  In 2015, over 92% of prospective homebuyers started their home search looking on line, and if you don't have the quality images that prospective homebuyers are looking for you might be out of luck, and those prospective homebuyers go looking for another agent who can grab their attention.  Spending a little money, having professional photography done on that little cozy shack can sell that property quicker and make you a little more money.  Read on...

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They say a picture is worth a thousand words – but when it comes to selling a home, the right picture could be worth much more. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 92% of prospective homebuyers use the Internet to look for new homes, with 42% beginning their home search online. The same study found that 87% of homebuyers rated photos as very useful in their online home search – even surpassing detailed property information (84%).

It is no secret that buyers value the ability to view images and video of a property before deciding if it is worth visiting in person, and technology has made it much easier to do so. It has also enabled buyers who are out of state to narrow their home search and even, in some cases, to make a decision if they are unable to physically visit the property before moving.

Technology has also made it cheaper and easier to take photographs and publish them online. However, just because it is possible to take, edit and upload a photo from a smart phone does not make it ideal. Anyone can do that. It is the quality of the photos that can help differentiate a real estate agent’s listing.

Professional photographers should have the equipment – like cameras, lenses, light kits, etc. – needed to provide sharp, high resolution images of a property. They may also have unique accessories or tools, like drones or video equipment that can help a listing stand out from the crowd. But it takes more than nice equipment to take a great picture. Professional photographers also understand how to use lighting and angles to their advantage. And those who specialize in real estate photography know how to use their skills and equipment to show off the best features of a home in the best way possible.

While hiring a professional real estate photographer comes at a price, real estate agents might consider it an investment. One doesn’t have to search long to find testimonials from agents who report selling homes faster or for a greater price per square foot as a result of hiring a professional real estate photographer. Investing in high quality photography not only has the potential to impact how fast, and for how much, a home sells, but also demonstrates the level of service an agent provides to his or her clients – which could prove beneficial for securing referrals and other future business.