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Nail the Presentation
All of us, at one time or another, have experienced anxiety over having to give a presentation. Whether it was presenting your homemade model of the universe for the 5th Grade Science Fair or presenting an idea to your boss, it can feel like a daunting task to make yourself heard and understood.
An inspection video is its own kind of presentation. You need to communicate clearly to the customer exactly what issues need to be addressed with their vehicle and why. With that in mind, we’ve put together a series of tips to help you nail your inspection video presentation every time.
Keep the customer in mind
The idea of an inspection video is to help the customer see exactly what you see. While you’re recording, pretend that the customer is standing over your shoulder. Make sure that whatever you can see on the phone’s camera screen is what you want to show them. Remember that most customers aren’t very familiar with the inner workings of their vehicle, so tell them what they’re looking at and what you found or didn’t find during the inspection.
Use Words Everyone Understands
Just as most customers don’t know much about engine parts, they also don’t know many of the words associated with those parts. When you’re narrating the inspection video, speak in clear, easy-to-understand language. Avoid industry jargon or obscure acronyms. Tell the customer about the condition of their vehicle in plain, simple terms. That way they’ll always get what you mean.
Take it Easy
The best presenters have a very relaxed style about them. They never seem hurried or rushed. Everything about their presentation is smooth. As you work your way around the vehicle, move in a slow, deliberate manner so the video doesn’t jerk or jump. If the customer is distracted by the movement of the video, they won’t catch everything you’re trying to tell them. When you do your first few videos, have a coworker watch to see that you’re moving at a relaxed pace.
Speak Slowly and Clearly
When you’re nervous about a presentation, it’s natural to speed things up. To get it over with as fast as possible. Remind yourself to speak at an appropriate pace and volume so the customers hears and understands every word that you’re saying. The most successful videos are the ones where the visuals and the narration work together to get the message across.
Lights on!
There’s a reason lights came before camera in the old “Lights! Camera! Action!” call by directors on movie sets. Without light the camera can’t see anything in the frame. Make sure you’ve got the camera light turned on when you’re recording, especially for the dark areas under the vehicle or inside the engine block.
Focus
No, not the camera lens. Your phone will do that for you automatically. We’re talking about focusing on a part or component long enough so that the customer understands what they’re looking at. When you’re showing gauges and test results, keep the camera focused on the measurements to give the customer plenty of time to read the numbers and learn why they are important.
Gauges and Test Results
Gauges are great visual devices on video. Use them when appropriate, mostly for tire tread depth and brake pad thickness. The best way to present test results is with a printout or a digital display from the testing device like a battery test or an alignment report.
Pause
There’s a reason for the Pause button on a camera. It’s nearly impossible to do an effective inspection video all in one take. Don’t be afraid to hit that Pause button whenever you need to collect your thoughts, grab a gauge, take a measurement or just cut dead air out of the video. You certainly don’t need to record the vehicle going up or down on the lift, so pause the recording and just show the things that are important to the customer.
Of course, you don’t want to overuse the Pause button. For example, don’t pause to go from one tire to another or from the back of the car to the front. Customers need context for where you are on their vehicle and what you’re showing them or working on. The best method is to walk around the vehicle and then move in and out from the major components to maintain a good, fluid flow.
Be Authentic
Your inspection videos don’t need to be Hollywood extravaganzas. No customer expects that. It’s better to be authentic, even if that means the video isn’t perfect. Customers relate a whole lot better to someone who is being their true self.
Inspection videos are the best way to communicate and connect with your customers. Following the guidelines above will ensure that your video presentation helps customers understand your recommendations for their vehicle.
Too bad we couldn’t help you with your 5th grade Science Fair presentation!
Interested in Learning More?
For more insights into what we’ve learned along with details about how to film and narrate inspection videos and overcome barriers to successful implementation, order a copy of our comprehensive book The Ultimate Guide to Inspection Videos.
