Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Djayasaputra.
Hi Jeffrey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I am Jeff. I am a specialist photographer and digital producer, focusing on Virtual Tours and Architectural Photography.
I have 10 years of virtual tours and photography experience and 12 years of digital agency and architecture experience.
When I was a boy, I loved collecting scenic postcards from destinations my dad took us for vacations. I enjoyed the images so much that I tried to draw them with a pencil on paper. I lost most of them, but creativity has been a part of me from an early age.
In 2012, Google launched its Business View program and invited interested photographers to join. I was one of the first to join in Greater Houston, initially out of curiosity.
It grew from there. I found my new niche in Virtual 360 Tours. Since then, I have used my expertise to help showcase my client’s business spaces and products and attract more people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With a background unrelated to marketing and sales, going out on my own posed many challenges. While many of my stories are like other new businesses, one thing unique in my case is the challenge of introducing Google Virtual Tour to businesses. Everyone knows Google, but Google Virtual Tours was a new tool. Most businesses didn’t know about it, so I had to educate them. Explaining a virtual tour is one thing but trying to explain it and convince a client it is good for business and sell the product is another thing! Nowadays, many people know about Virtual Tours so I don’t have to educate as much – business owners know they want a virtual tour to promote their products and services.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bayou City 360. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bayou City 360 is a visual solution studio based in Houston. We serve any business, including but not limited to, apartments, dentists, hotels, schools, senior communities, healthcare, event venues, industrial facilities and many more.
What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
We are most known for Virtual Tour studio, especially Google Virtual Tours and architectural photography. We also do drone, videography, and web development.
Some examples of our work include:
Schools – We created a virtual tour for a private school. The school’s admissions director approached us to create a virtual tour because they could not conduct onsite tours during Covid. The tour turned out to be beautiful and able to impressively show many important areas of the school.
Fast forward two years later, the school’s admissions director approached us again to update the video and told us how helpful the tour has been for her admission process. Now that things are back to normal and people can visit the school again, but she wants the virtual tour to stay! I think this demonstrates that people love this convenient option.
Retirement communities – We also built virtual tours for retirement communities. Unlike apartments, these communities are always busy. Potential residents are interested in tours. With our virtual tour, the apartment staff can point people to the online tour that gives them the closest experience to an actual visit. There is no disruption, staff has more time, and residents are less exposed to potential health risks. And, while a virtual tour may not replace an actual visit, it allows more people to see a property online and helps identify strong rental candidates.
What sets you apart from others?
I think what sets us apart is how we serve our clients. We always try to understand from their perspective and identify their pain points. Then I find the best solution(s) to address their needs. What a client thinks they want is not always what they need because often time they don’t know where to start. I guide them. For example, a client may not need a video and will benefit more from a virtual tour or photography, or a combination of them.
If my expertise is not what they need, I provide them with other directions or refer them to someone else who has the right skills and background to help them. I think it is important to have integrity and honesty in this business because trust is the most important factor in business relationships.
What are you most proud brand wise?
I think our unique service as a Google Virtual Tour provider is an exceptional story. Born out of Google Maps’ experimentation with Streetview back in 2010, then released to be commercialized in 2012, it has become a lot more than what it once was.
I am one of the first Google Virtual Tour providers in Greater Houston and to this day, I continue to actively provide the service. I got certified in 2012 and since then, I have produced hundreds of virtual tours. I love some elements of the original Google protocols that focus on quality and standards. I appreciate the original, more rigorous set of rules that are no longer enforced because I understand and appreciate the value of maintaining a high standard. That enables me to maintain and improve the quality of our works and apply it to all my virtual tour solutions.
To sum it up, I offer businesses higher quality virtual tours produced by a professional photographer and digital media artist with over 20 years of experience.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
Virtual tours are not exclusively for the real estate market!
Google Virtual Tour is a proof that any type of businesses can benefit from investing in and using that tool. Because it is a part of Google Maps’ business locations, if you have a business with a brick-and-mortar location, you are eligible to have a Google Virtual Tour.
I encourage business owners to use Google Business Virtual Tour. It is a great way to show your Google viewers that you have a real business and a real location. This ‘walking’ experience link shows up with your Google search result and gives your business the stamp of authenticity that regular photos can’t do. This immediately increases rapport with your viewers. The interactive nature of a virtual tour offers additional benefits because it requires users to be proactive. Research shows that muscle memory leaves a much longer lasting impression than receiving passive information.
As someone who is passionate about photography, I want to emphasize that Google Virtual Tour by itself is an amazing thing to have. You hire photographers to capture your family, your loved ones, your pets. Why not capture your business? The place you put your blood, sweat, and tears into every day – your battlefield. The place you probably spend the most time outside your home, and chances are, you are very proud of it. All in an amazing 360º that makes you feel you are visiting the place, right from your computer, anytime you want!
How do you define success?
To me, success is helping promote my clients by providing value through my services and work. I want them to feel that our work makes a difference in their businesses and their lives. When I know we are helping them attract and retain more clients and our work reinforces their positive image, I think it’s a success.
In a grander scheme, I think success is when you find your purpose in this world, recognizing and utilizing the gifts that God has given you to support your family, to help others, and make this world a better place.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bayoucity360.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayoucity_360/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BayouCity360
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCoV3xM7FSJ49LhtEm1c2pYQ
Image Credits
Karla Gutierrez
