Isn't it crazy how fast things change? A couple of months ago virtual tours wasn't on the radar for most people-and right now it's the main way that most leasing professionals are meeting with prospective residents! For those of you who have dived into this whole virtual selling, I applaud you for taking the plunge!

Now-it's time to up the industry's collective game in this area. As more and more people get comfortable with virtual selling, simply offering virtual tours will not be enough. You need to be good at it too! 

Here are four simple things you can do RIGHT now to be ready for your close-up while doing a virtual tour: 

Look into the Lens:

The next time you're on a virtual meeting, pay attention to where people's eyes are when they're talking. My guess is most people will look like they're looking away from you-because they're most likely looking at the screen and NOT the lens. Here's the thing...the next time you watch the news where do the anchors/reporters look? Yep! Into the lens.

Why? Because that's how they make the viewer feel like the anchor/reporter is speaking directly to them.So be sure you know where the lens is on your device and look into it whenever you're talking! It will help your prospect feel like you're looking at them!

Smile More When Virtual:

When you're meeting in-person with a prospect there is a lot of time where your prospect is not looking at you, even though you're standing in close proximity with each other. Your customer's attention may be on buildings, the grounds, the landscaping, or even the ground; but during a virtual tour, when you're on the screen, what do you think your customer is looking at? 

Yep. YOU!

So, put on that smile my friend! Especially if you know your natural tendency is to look grumpy, angry, bored, disinterested when your face is at "rest." Trust me...it helps!

Use a Headset:

I highly recommend that you use a headset when on your virtual tours. It doesn't need to be anything fancy! The one that came with your cell phone would be great. A headset will filter a lot of the external ambient noise and make it easier for your prospect to hear and focus on you .

If you use your device's microphone and speaker, the sound will just not be as good as it would be if you were using a headset. The microphone on your device is more than likely omnidirectional, so it's picking up sound from all directions.

Someone screaming in the back? Landscapers in the distance? Dog barking? Wind howling through your community?

Yep. Your prospect just heard all of that!

Practice and Review:

I know-out of all these tips, this one will feel the weirdest. But trust me on this one, all performers need to practice and review their performance, so that their next performance is even better. And on a virtual tour-you're a performer, my friend!

I have been in hundreds of videos during my speaking career and been on a ton of video webinars and one of the most powerful things I do is to review the video footage; see what I look and sound like on the screen and then figure out what I need to do to be better next time. 

So, record yourself doing a virtual tour and review it to see what you like and what you'd change! If there's more stuff you'd change at the beginning-congratulations! You're normal! The important thing is to learn from it and make the changes for next time. 

Have Fun:

My friends...my last bit of advice...have fun! Be creative! Help your customers fall in love with your community by standing out during your virtual tours!

Questions about virtual tours?

Please reach out to me at rommel AT rommelanacan.com. I'm happy to answer your questions and help in whatever way I can!