Video Mystery Shopping Companies:
What They Look for in Shoppers
Video mystery shopping companies need shoppers who can do more than operate a hidden camera.
They need people who can follow detailed instructions, act naturally, capture usable video and audio, meet deadlines, and complete accurate reports.
I've worked on many video assignments over the years, and I've learned that being dependable can be just as important as having the right equipment.
Want more help getting started? My book, Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, walks you through finding assignments, completing shops, writing reports, and avoiding many of the mistakes new shoppers make.
How Video Mystery Shopping Companies Find Shoppers
Mystery shopping companies may recruit video shoppers through their websites, job boards, emails to shoppers already in their databases, or referrals from people in the industry.
If you already perform traditional mystery shops for a company, keep your profile updated. If the company begins offering video assignments in your area, it helps if they already know something about your experience and reliability.
Companies may ask whether you own video equipment, what type of equipment you use, how much video shopping experience you have, and how far you're willing to travel.
Location can be particularly important. A company might have plenty of shoppers in one city and have difficulty finding someone 100 miles away.
That's one reason being willing to travel can sometimes lead to additional opportunities.
Companies Need Usable Video
Owning a hidden camera doesn't automatically make someone a good video mystery shopper.
The client needs to see and hear what happened.
That means the camera needs to be positioned properly, the audio needs to be understandable, and the recording needs to capture the important parts of the interaction.
A company may ask a new shopper to submit a sample recording before assigning work. If that happens, take it seriously.
Practice with your equipment. Record yourself walking into a room, sitting across from someone, standing up, turning, and having a conversation. Then watch the video.
You'll quickly discover whether you're pointing the camera too high, too low, or in the wrong direction.
I've learned from experience that equipment problems can ruin an otherwise successful assignment. You can perform the scenario perfectly, but if the recording isn't usable, the client may not get what it needs.
Reliability Matters to Video Mystery Shopping Companies
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that video mystery shopping companies need people they can depend on.
When you accept an assignment, someone is counting on you to complete it.
That may sound obvious, but video assignments can be more difficult to replace at the last minute than regular mystery shops. The company needs someone with the right equipment, experience, availability, and location.
If you establish yourself as a reliable shopper, schedulers may remember you when another assignment becomes available.
Meet your deadlines. Follow the instructions. Submit your reports and recordings properly. If something goes wrong, communicate with the company instead of hoping the problem disappears.
You don't have to be perfect.
You do have to be dependable.
Building a Relationship with Schedulers
Schedulers can play an important role in the assignments you receive.
Be professional when communicating with them. Respond promptly when you're offered an assignment, even if you can't accept it.
Don't accept work simply because you're afraid you won't be asked again. If the assignment is too far away, conflicts with your schedule, or requires something you're not comfortable doing, it's better to decline it professionally than accept it and fail to complete it.
I've found that mystery shopping works best when both sides know what to expect.
The company needs a dependable shopper.
The shopper needs clear instructions, reasonable expectations, and accurate information about the assignment.
Don't Look Only at the Pay
When video mystery shopping companies offer assignments, look at everything involved before deciding whether the job is worthwhile.
A $100 assignment isn't necessarily better than a $50 assignment.
How far do you have to drive?
How long will you be at the location?
How much reporting is required?
Do you have to upload a large video afterward?
Is a particular employee required to be there?
Are travel expenses included?
I've completed video assignments where additional travel compensation made a longer trip worthwhile. I've also learned that some assignments simply aren't worth the amount of time involved.
Experience helps you recognize the difference.
More Companies Can Mean More Opportunities
Video mystery shopping work can come in cycles. One company may have plenty of assignments for several months and then have very little in your area.
That's why I don't recommend depending on one company for all your work.
Registering with several legitimate video mystery shopping companies can give you access to more opportunities. Keep your profiles current and check for assignments that fit your schedule, location, and experience.
But don't accept everything that appears on a job board.
Be selective.
The goal isn't to complete the largest possible number of assignments. It's to find assignments that make sense for your time and circumstances while developing a reputation as someone companies can trust.
That's what can turn an occasional video shop into repeat opportunities.
About the Author
I'm Mystery Don (Donald J. Servais, Jr.), and I've completed mystery shopping assignments for restaurants, hotels, apartment communities, automobile dealerships, new-home builders, and other businesses.
I created MystShopper.com to share what I've learned from my own experiences, help new shoppers avoid common mistakes, and explain how legitimate mystery shopping really works.
I'm also the author of Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, which includes beginner-friendly advice, real-world mystery shopping experiences, and a directory of more than 150 mystery shopping companies.
Drawing on my 45-year career in television, I've also written 7 Keys to Success in a Changing Television Industry, a guide for people interested in building a career in television and video.
My goal is simple: honest guidance without the hype.
We're always looking for new faces to visit different places.
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