Hi All!

We have had the Merchandising thread for quite a while which made me wonder if it would be possible to get a Video shopping thread. Yes, I know there are a couple other forums out there on this, but one of them I just don't like and the other has sporadic posts. Let's face it...I just can't stand to be away from you guys. Feels like I am cheating on you.

Do you mean a thread or a sub-forum?

I think she means sub-forum.

Walesmaven has suggested the same and it will probably happen at some point.

If you're someone who would actively participate in a Video Shopping sub-forum, please chime in.

Would participate Jacob!

Oh gracious...I meant thread on this forum because I don't like visiting the other forums (the V-forum and dedicated video forum).

I'd be interested.

I would participate. I'm part of a couple other forums as well and I agree that there is one I just don't like and the other one gets posted on only sporadically.

Absolutely. I dot visit THAT forum and the video forum is somewhat sporadic.

There is so much knowledge and experience from video shoppers on this forum. I would love to read about and ask questions to those
Who are also doing these types of shops.. It seems like video shopping is the way the industry is somewhat moving. Unfortunately, when I just search video shopping, I get tangled up in Threads that are somewhat sporadic.

I'm honestly not sure if I'm comfortable sharing here which companies are doing video shopping simply because I like it better if they are not inundated with under qualified shoppers. Honestly part of it is selfishness. I enjoy the fact that video shops still are a bit lucrative and pay better than regular shops, and the more flooded those companies get, the more the fees drop. I'm already seeing it happen in just the past 3 years or so that I've done video shopping. The fees were downright amazing for some shops back then, now I'm seeing 1/3 the pay on some of them.

I will happily participate and share what companies will work with new video shoppers. Many of them share a large data base, so once you work with a couple of video companies, at least 7 wil have your contact info. AND, those 7 have schedulers who will actually refer good shoppers to schedulers for MSCs outside of their group.

We need to expand the number of trained, equiped and capable video shoppers in order to serve the growing demand for video by clients. All that Carrie P has accomplished with years of training newbies in video is that it has permitted the demand for video to grow! May sound strange, but this is a PhD economist making the statement! Most video shoppers mentor new video shoppers for that very reason.

I also support a video sub-forum because we get sooooo many total newbies asking about video, or folks with strange preconceptions about video that we really could all benefit from havig a central area to which we can refer them for both general and specific guidance about video.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2013 11:46AM by walesmaven.

My first video shop wouldn't have been a success if it wasn't for Wales mentoring me.

Jacob,
I'd like to add that I think that if there is a new sub-forum the topic might be inclusive of audio and video recording. The state and federal laws, or lack there of, are the same issues forboth, simply because video shops include audio. These birds need to stick together so that misunderstandings about the legality of either/both can be hit with the same well aimed stone...errrr, make that laser pointer, please.

This is the coming thing in the industry, along with new generation voice recognition software. VR applies to any and all types of shops that have any narrative component, so can be dealt with in those contexts. But legally and structurally, video and audio really stand apart. The scenarios tend to be much morecomplex and the interactions much longer than any sort ofwritten shop except, perhaps, fine dining, when you think of continuous interaction. (Hotel shops are little short scenes; long scenario shops are huge one act plays.)

Thi forum has already brought much of the video/audio forum folks over from the other one. And folks who visit
VS network (VSN) also bump into us from here and get sent this way. So this is becoming video/audio shoppers' real "all purpose" forum of choice. And quite a few folks from this forum, video and non-video shoppers alike, have clearly been spreading the word about Jacob's forum while at the Atlanta IMSC conference. (I have had lots of PM on that subject!)

Perhaps have a sticky on the sub-forum of a list of the states and whether they are single or two party, sort of a quick reference.

I am interested in learning about video shopping. I'd participate.

Me too!

It seems like there would be value and participation in this thread. I hope we see it soon. As an experienced video shopper, I still have lots of "what if" questions that I would LOVE to get feedback on. It is hard to do that on an open sub-forum or thread. There are shoppers with SO much experience and knowledge that are active on this forum. I would love to ask their opinions and also read other threads from other members. Seems like a win-win to me!

I'm interested.

I was planning to venture into video this summer so I'd be interested.

I would love to learn.

Count me in too!

I'd definitely read and participate. Very interested in video shopping training, unfortunately could not make it to Atlanta for the conference. A Video Shopping sub-form would be so helpful for new video shoppers.

Sounds like a good idea....

I personally believe in order to become a successful video shopper you really should just get certified through Undercover Essentials. There is such a wealth of information that you learn there that I have seen in no other forum.

I did and know of others who did not and are successful. The training is excellent, but many shoppers want to know about video before taking the plunge and making a large investment.

A sub-forum would also be useful in helping new shoppers because even if they have taken every class and certification available, things happen. While the vast majority of video schedulers are readily available, nobody can be at the other end of the phone 24/7. With such a large group of experienced video shoppers right here, it could help get questions answered and ease a lot of anxiety. We would not serve as a replacement for training.

topaz74 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm honestly not sure if I'm comfortable sharing
> here which companies are doing video shopping
> simply because I like it better if they are not
> inundated with under qualified shoppers. Honestly
> part of it is selfishness. I enjoy the fact that
> video shops still are a bit lucrative and pay
> better than regular shops, and the more flooded
> those companies get, the more the fees drop.
> I'm already seeing it happen in just the past 3
> years or so that I've done video shopping. The
> fees were downright amazing for some shops back
> then, now I'm seeing 1/3 the pay on some of them.



You don't have to share the companies in order to share techniques or tips. That's one thing that I have always loved about this board, the fact that people are so open and willing to help and advise we newbies on the ins and outs of different things.

I was mainly thinking along the lines of helping each other troubleshoot random problems. It would also be nice to know what equipment folks are leaning towards as the technology available is getting better and changing quite rapidly.

I definitely would like to see this sub-forum. I want to learn more about video mystery shopping, as I have been doing audio shops the last couple of months.