We recently connected with Zack Milligan and have shared our conversation below.

Zack, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

My company specializes in high-end to mid-tier real estate visual marketing. A prominent trend we’re observing involves major real estate brokerages and marketing firms investing in AI-driven programs to assist agents in property and brand marketing. For instance, Compass Real Estate has introduced an in-house AI tool aiding agents in various tasks such as writing listings, answering inquiries, providing directions, and facilitating client communication. Additionally, Luxury Presence, a leading California-based real estate marketing company, is also developing its AI tool for agents. It appears that many major companies are recognizing the competitive advantage of integrating AI into their agent support systems. Which seems to tell business owners in this market like myself, that developing AI tools and programs for our consumers is the direction that we need to strive towards in order to compete.

Zack, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m 27, originally from Highland, upstate NY. I graduated from the University at Albany with a major in Business and a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Marketing. Before starting college, I joined the Air Force Reserves as Security Forces (Military Police) and served part-time for 9 years, transitioning later to the Air National Guard.

During college, while also serving in the military, I connected with a fellow student who was becoming a real estate agent while I was exploring videography. He invited me to the Hamptons to film his family listings, and we noticed a significant need for marketing services in the area. This led to the creation of Hamptons Visuals, which I began developing during my sophomore year.

To gain industry knowledge, I obtained a real estate license and interned with one of the top real estate teams in the Hamptons, The Breitenbach Advisory Team, during my senior year. After graduation in 2019, I worked as the marketing manager for that team for 3 years before fully committing to Hamptons Visuals in January 2022.

Now, Hamptons Visuals offers comprehensive marketing solutions including photography, videography for for commercials, advertisements, personal branding, hotels, real estate brokerages and agents, weddings. In addition we also offer 3D scans, virtual staging, floor plans, aerial drone imagery, and more. While our primary markets are in the Hamptons, Long Island, NYC, Westchester, the Adirondacks, Connecticut, and Boston, we also serve clients across the US, including Florida, Texas, and Nashville. Hamptons Visuals is a one-stop-shop for all marketing needs. We’re dedicated to meeting all our clients’ needs and always finding solutions to help them succeed.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Before fully committing to Hamptons Visuals, I encountered a pivotal decision during my senior year of college. Contemplating my career trajectory, I grappled with the prospect continuing with my then side business Hamptons Visuals while acknowledging potential limitations in my network and experience. Presented with an offer to serve as a marketing manager for the one of the top teams in the industry, Breitenbach Advisory Team, I faced a crossroads between securing stable employment and pursuing the growth of Hamptons Visuals.

Following extensive consultation with mentors and thorough introspection, I opted to embrace the opportunity to work within an established team. Recognizing the invaluable potential for organic network expansion and accelerated professional development, I embarked on this path with the intention of immersing myself in the industry landscape. This decision granted me access to the desired market and facilitated active participation in the top industry events, enabling me to cultivate genuine relationships and bolster my industry reputation. I leveraged the opportunity to authentically express my personality, a skill at which I excel in networking.

Upon achieving a substantial presence and recognition within the industry, I realized that the time had come to fully commit on the next phase of my entrepreneurial journey. The reputation I had built under the team directly empowered me to transition seamlessly into full-time with Hamptons Visuals. My personality, the relationships, and the newly gained industry knowledge, served as catalysts for the accelerated growth of Hamptons Visuals.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Referrals are our primary source of new clients, stemming from past or current client recommendations. We prioritize our clients above all else, valuing their time and striving to exceed expectations in both quality and service while delivering results promptly. By maintaining a strong client-business relationship and going beyond the baseline, we aim to not only satisfy but also enrich our clients’ lives personally. These referrals not only validate our work’s quality but also serve as potent endorsements, instilling trust and confidence in prospective clients seeking similar solutions.

The bottom line is to keep your clients happy, go above and beyond when you can, and be a compassionate human. That will keep your clients continuing to refer you more business

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hamptonsvisuals.com
• Instagram: @zmilligan @hamptonsvisuals
• Youtube: @hamptonsvisuals

Image Credits
All credits remain to Hamptons Visuals