How YouTube Has Brought in Over 10 Closings (and How You Can Do the Same)

Two years ago, I started my Living in New Bern YouTube channel. Today, I’m approaching 800 subscribers (which means absolutely nothing🙂) , and it has already helped me close over 10 real estate deals—with many more in the pipeline.

Every week, I receive inbound leads from buyers actively looking to move to my area. They’ve already watched my videos, built trust with me before ever reaching out, and many are ready to move forward. The best part? I don’t have to chase these leads—they come to me.

But here’s the key—not all YouTube channels generate leads. If you want to turn your YouTube channel into a real lead generation machine, you have to set it up correctly and create the right content. Here’s how:

Before We Dive In: This Week’s Newsletter is Sponsored by Fyxer

If you’re looking to work smarter, not harder, Fyxer AI is a must-have for busy agents.

Claim your 7 day free trial today!

Sell Smarter with Fyxer AI

Fyxer is the AI Executive Assistant for busy property specialists:

• Emails organized.

• Personalized replies written in your tone.

• Detailed notes from every meeting.

Less time on admin, more time on deals.

7-Day Free Trial

Step 1: Setting Up a High-Converting YouTube Channel

If you want YouTube to become your #1 lead source, you have to set it up properly. YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world (behind Google), so the better optimized your channel is, the more people will find it.

Here’s how to do it:

✅ Name Your Channel for Searchability – Instead of using your personal name, brand it around your location (e.g., Living in [City], Moving to [City]). This helps your channel rank for searches like “Best Places to Live in [City]” or “Moving to [City]”—which is exactly what relocating buyers are searching for.

✅ Optimize Your Channel for SEO – Use local keywords in your channel name, description, and video titles so your content gets found.

✅ Customize Your Channel Layout – Your channel should have:

• A branded banner image with a call-to-action (CTA).

• A clear channel description that includes your contact info.

• Playlists to organize videos by topics (e.g., Home Tours, Best Neighborhoods, Market Updates).

✅ Have a Strong Call to Action (CTA) – Every video should tell viewers how to contact you. Example: “If you’re thinking about moving to [City], reach out—I’d love to help you find the perfect home!”

✅ Avoid Common Mistakes – Many agents make the mistake of:
❌ Naming their channel after themselves instead of their market.
❌ Posting generic content instead of relocation-focused videos.
❌ Talking too much about themselves instead of giving value to the audience.

Step 2: The 5 Best Video Topics That Actually Generate Leads

Not all real estate videos bring in business. Many agents waste time making videos that only get views but don’t generate leads (e.g., restaurant reviews, community events, and local business spotlights).

If you want real, high-converting content, focus on these five video types:

1. "Where to Live in [City]”

• Cover the major suburbs and neighborhoods, breaking down the pros and cons of each.

• Hook: "You’re going to learn a few great areas to live, but more importantly, a bunch of areas you don’t want to live in."

• Buyers love eliminating options—this video makes you their go-to guide.

2. "10 Reasons NOT to Move to [City]"

• People trust honesty. Be upfront about downsides like traffic, weather, taxes, or cost of living.

• Example: “If you can’t handle the heat and humidity, then Houston might not be for you.”

• This builds credibility and attracts serious, motivated buyers who are weighing their options.

3. "Cost of Living in [City]"

• Covers unexpected expenses like utilities, local taxes, and homeowner costs.

• Example: Many people don’t realize that in Texas, you have to shop for your own power provider.

• This attracts relocation buyers who are actively budgeting for their move.

4. "Pros & Cons of Living in [City]"

• This is one of the most powerful and high-converting videos you can make.

• Should be 20-30 minutes long—buyers who watch the full video are highly motivated.

• The more authentic and detailed you are, the more trust you build.

5. The "Master Vlog" (Neighborhood Tours & Suburb Overviews)

• The hardest but most effective type of video.

• Takes viewers on a real tour of the city or neighborhoods—driving footage, home exteriors, community amenities, etc.

• Keeps viewers engaged longer, helping YouTube rank the video higher.

• A properly done vlog can rank #1 on YouTube for a city name and bring in massive lead flow.

I’ve personally seen these types of videos bring in buyers who are already sold on working with me before we even speak.

What NOT to Do on YouTube

🚫 Don’t Share Your Videos on Facebook – This can hurt your video’s performance because Facebook suppresses YouTube links.

🚫 Don’t Worry About Vanity Metrics – Views and subscribers don’t pay the bills. Leads and closings do.

🚫 Don’t Just Make Content About Yourself – Your audience doesn’t care about you (yet)—they care about what it’s like to live in the city you’re covering.

Want to See This in Action?

If you want to see how I’m using YouTube to attract serious buyers and sellers, check out my Living in New Bern YouTube channel here. You’ll find examples of videos that rank well, generate inbound leads, and help me close deals—all without running ads.

YouTube has become a game-changer for my real estate business, and I truly believe that any agent willing to put in the effort can see the same results.

Want Help Setting Up Your YouTube Channel?

If you’re interested in learning more about how to set up a high-converting YouTube channel or want personalized advice, reply to this email and let me know!

YouTube has completely changed how I generate leads. If you’re serious about growing your real estate business, now is the time to start.

Are you using YouTube for real estate yet? If not, what’s holding you back? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

— Ray @ AgentBeat