A Video Shopper's Guide to Guidelines
So you've got your PV 500 camera ready to go and you're eyeing those high-paying video assignments. Hold up there, future Spielberg – before you start rolling footage, you need to master the art of actually reading (and following) the guidelines. Trust us, nothing kills your video shopping career faster than delivering footage that completely ignores what the client actually wanted.
The Golden Rule: Guidelines Are Your Bible
Every mystery shopping company has different requirements for video assignments, and these aren't suggestions – they're commandments. What works perfectly for Company A might get you booted from Company B's platform faster than you can say "action."
Pro tip: Print out the guidelines or save them to your phone. You'll want to reference them during the assignment, and "I thought I remembered it correctly" isn't going to cut it when you deliver unusable footage.
Time Stamps: The Great Divide
Some Want Them, Some Don't
This is probably the biggest split in video shopping requirements:
Time Stamp Lovers: Some companies want visible time stamps on every second of footage. They use these for precise timing analysis and legal documentation.
Time Stamp Haters: Other companies find time stamps distracting and prefer clean footage without any overlays.
The bottom line: Always check the specific requirements for each assignment. When in doubt, ask your scheduler directly. It's better to look like a detail-oriented professional than to deliver footage that's completely wrong for their needs.
The "Start Recording" Timing Debate
Before You Even Get Out of Your Car
Here's a universal best practice that most companies appreciate: Start recording before you exit your vehicle. This eliminates any fumbling with equipment as you walk toward the location, which looks suspicious and unprofessional.
Why this works:
- No obvious camera adjustments in public view
- You're already recording when you enter the establishment
- Smooth, professional-looking footage from the start
Don't worry about the random stuff: The company can easily edit out your McDonald's trash, coffee cups, or whatever disaster your car interior happens to be. They're not judging your housekeeping skills – they just want clean footage of the actual shopping experience.
Location and Date Announcements
The Verbal Slate
Many companies require you to verbally announce specific information at the beginning of your recording:
Common requirements:
- Location name and address
- Date and time
- Your shopper ID or assignment number
- Specific scenario you're testing
Example: "This is assignment 12345 at Target, 123 Main Street, Anytown USA, on March 15th at 2:30 PM. Testing customer service in electronics department."
When and How to Announce
- In your car: Most companies prefer you do this before entering the store
- Speak clearly: Remember, this is part of your professional documentation
- Check the script: Some companies provide exact wording – use it exactly as written
Important: Not all companies want verbal announcements, and some want them at different times (beginning, end, or both). Always check your specific guidelines.
Other Guideline Variations to Watch For
Recording Length Requirements
- Some want the entire experience from parking lot to car
- Others only want footage inside the establishment
- Specific minimum/maximum recording times
Audio Requirements
- Clear conversation capture vs. general audio
- Background music tolerance
- Multiple employee interaction documentation
Specific Scenarios
- Required questions to ask
- Products to inquire about
- Services to test
- Departments to visit in specific order
File Format and Delivery
- Specific video formats required
- File naming conventions
- Upload procedures and deadlines
- Backup copy requirements
Red Flags in Guidelines (Run Away!)
Watch out for companies that:
- Don't provide clear guidelines at all
- Ask you to film in legally questionable situations
- Want footage in areas where recording might be prohibited
- Have unrealistic technical requirements for standard equipment
The Professional Approach
Before Every Assignment:
- Read guidelines twice – once for overview, once for details
- Test your equipment with the specific requirements in mind
- Plan your approach based on the guidelines, not your assumptions
- Prepare any required announcements or scripts
- Double-check file format and delivery requirements
During the Assignment:
- Stick to the script – don't freelance unless guidelines specifically allow it
- Document everything required – missing elements = unusable footage
- Stay within legal and ethical boundaries always
After Recording:
- Review footage before submitting to ensure it meets all requirements
- Follow naming conventions exactly as specified
- Submit on time with all required documentation
The Bottom Line
Video mystery shopping pays more because it requires more skill and attention to detail. Part of that skill is being able to follow specific, detailed guidelines that vary from company to company. Master this aspect, and you'll find yourself getting invited to the most lucrative assignments.
Remember: every company thinks their way is the right way, and when you're getting paid their premium rates, their way IS the right way. Read those guidelines, follow them exactly, and watch your video shopping career flourish.
Now stop assuming you know what they want and go actually read those guidelines – your bank account will thank you.
