Tech with Ty

🤖[T]echnology: Notes
🎓 [E]ducation/Entertainment: Networking 101
💪[C]oaching: I'm Motivated
📹 [H]ow To: Upload Thumbnails

[T]echnology:

I know I’ve talked about the enhancements coming to iOS18, but one of the most basic, useful features is currently my favorite. ❤️

You’ve probably noticed my affection for AI note-taking, whether from online services like Fireflies or physical devices like PlaudNote; I’ve tried just about all of them. 

However, one of the features baked into iOS18 is (surprise) in the Notes App.

All you have to do is hit the record button, and it will provide you with a transcription. ✏️

For the time being, throw that into ChatGPT and ask it to provide you with a detailed summary with bullet points, and it will churn out something like this:

This was a 40-minute presentation on the new tools becoming available to us as brokers and agents. This only took me 10 seconds to prepare and will only get easier once more of the AI features are baked into iOS18.

In the meantime, utilize ChatGPT and send out minutes or notes on your next meeting…hell, use it to summarize your meetings with clients! 🙌

[E]ducation:

Last week, I said that agents aren’t educated.

Well, not exactly. ❌

I said that agents need to be more proactive in seeking knowledge associated with real estate. Just like I’ve always said, “NEVER STOP LEARNING.”

I practiced what I preached this week and attended the RE/MAX Broker/Owner Conference (BOC).

I also had the chance to sit down with my friend and the King of Conferences 👑…we legit had to stop 20 times on our way to film because he knows everyone.

Here’s how to make the most of conferences:

[C]oaching:

I’m not much for motivational speakers. 

It’s just not my cup of tea. ☕

BUT…

Sometimes, you’re in the right place at the right time and get to witness and learn from someone different. 

Someone special.

At BOC, I was fortunate enough to see Inky Johnson, a once-promising NFL prospect who unfortunately suffered an injury that would change his life.

There were so many takeaways from his session (and I know…I should have had the Notes app taking notes 🤦), but I didn’t, so watch this.

While not exactly the same, this has the same message:

[H]ow To: With Abby

Recently, I’ve been doing a lot of video editing for agents, primarily focusing on the NAR settlement. Many of them have asked if I could create thumbnails for their videos. It made me realize that several agents don't know how to upload a thumbnail. 😥 If you already know how to do this, feel free to scroll to the last paragraph for an exciting TikTok update.

Let me back up a bit, in case you’re unfamiliar with what a thumbnail is.

A thumbnail is essentially the 'book cover' of your video. It’s your opportunity to entice someone to click on your video just based on the cover image. If you check out any of our social platforms, you’ll see plenty of examples.

YouTube: 

When creating a thumbnail on YouTube, your dimensions should be 1280 x 720 pixels. I highly recommend including your face in the thumbnail, particularly with an expressive emotional reaction. 🫨Additionally, the topic of your video should be clearly stated in bold, easily readable text, along with bright, engaging colors.

When you start uploading your video, scroll down to find the option to 'Upload Thumbnail.' Make sure to save your thumbnail as either a PNG or JPEG file.

Facebook:

When uploading a thumbnail to Facebook, the dimensions will be similar to those for YouTube, UNLESS the video is in portrait orientation rather than landscape. In that case, the dimensions should be 1080 x 1920 pixels.

When you're ready to upload your video, hover over it, and you’ll see an option to 'Edit' in the top left. Click that, and then select the 'Change Thumbnail' option.

Upload your image, and again, only use PNG or JPEG file types.

Instagram:

When uploading Instagram Reels, the dimensions should be 1080 x 1920 pixels. Click to upload your reel, choose your trending sound, and then click 'Next.' At the final stage, right before uploading your reel, click 'Edit Cover' and upload your image.

The tricky part with Instagram is that only the square format appears in your feed. Be careful where you place your text, or it may be cut off when people view your Instagram feed. The square's dimensions for Instagram posts are 1080 x 1080 pixels.

TikTok: 🙂🙂🙂

Yes, this is the exciting news I have to share! TikTok is FINALLY testing thumbnails on their app. No more relying on low-quality images with their free-to-use title cards. So far, they are only testing this feature with certain users, so it isn’t available to everyone... yet. With TikTok actively trying to overtake YouTube, this isn’t surprising.

If you need help designing thumbnails, Canva has tons of templates to get you started!

-Ty Morton + Abby G