How to choose a host for a brand product video?

We produce short product review videos on a regular basis. However, one common question we face at the start of each project is, "Who will host the video?"

This is where the battle usually begins, as the client often suggests their own employee, while we insist on using an actor. If you are also faced with a similar choice, I would recommend the following logic when making a decision:

1) Your employee may be suitable for such a video. Salespeople who work on the floor are often a good fit because they are articulate and presentable. However, the only unknown factor is how they perform in front of the camera. People can easily get camera-shy when faced with an inanimate lens. Therefore, it is important to test them in advance before bringing in an expensive production crew. You can record a test shoot on an iPhone and review the material to see if the result looks good to you. If it does, then you have found your host.

2) An actor who doesn't understand your product can also do a great job, but it's important to control the script. Your marketing team should carefully review the script and perhaps consult with the sales team to understand which points to emphasize. A common mistake is failing to pay close attention to the script. The actor may read it, but later, it turns out that a term was used incorrectly, or a detail was named incorrectly.

In summary, both options can work for you, but there is no significant cost savings in either case. Attention to detail is required for a quality result in both scenarios. :)