10 Quick Tips for a Better NACHI.TV Commercial

By Chris Morrell

A home inspector should always know how to present him or herself professionally to clients, real estate agents, et cetera. But sometimes, when the camera turns on, even a confident home inspector can lose his or her composure and come off as uncomfortable, unsure and maybe even unqualified.  Here are ten tips to help you look good in front of a camera. Many of them can also help you interact with people on the job.

Preparing for the Shoot

1. When dressing for your NACHI.TV commercial, avoid wearing green. We use a green screen to superimpose your video on to a different background. If you're wearing clothes that are similar to the color of our green screen, it will be hard for us to remove the screen without also removing part of your body. You should also avoid wearing stripes (particularly tight ones), bright red, or all white/black as these generally look bad on screen.
2. Get a haircut a few days before the shoot, and consider having your clothes professionally cleaned and pressed. You want to look as professional as possible and having wrinkle-free clothes and a fresh haircut can do wonders. Also, if you are a man, shave as close to the shoot as possible (you might even want to consider bringing your razor to the shoot and shaving there).
3. Try to write a basic script before-hand, so you have a general idea of what you want to say during your commercial. We'll help you refine your script when you get to the shoot, but the more comfortable you are with the material, the better it will sound when recorded.
4. If you have a camcorder (or even a cell phone with video capabilities) take some time to practice being on camera. We typically look and sound different when recorded, and getting comfortable with those differences before your shoot will translate to a better commercial. If you don't have a camcorder, practicing in front of a mirror is very similar.
5. Actors, actresses, singers and other performers often do vocal warm ups before a show. As silly as this may feel, having a confident and commanding voice can really help you connect with your commercial's viewers. It doesn't need to be much: clear your throat, open and close your mouth a few times, and maybe try a few tongue twisters from your childhood. What's most important is that you prepare yourself to speak clearly and with confidence.

During the Shoot

6. Try to avoid nervous stops and starts like "um" or "uh" (or for those younger inspectors, "like"). It's OK to have a short pause in your speech. In fact, it will often help your audience by giving them a moment to more fully take in your last sentence. On the other hand, if you find yourself very comfortable speaking on camera, avoid rambling. You want to be clear and concise without your speech being stop-and-go.
7. The camera will tend to cloak subtle movements and weaken posture. You will have to go a little bit over-the-top for things to look right on film. Be sure to stand tall with your shoulders back. Plant both feet solidly on the ground, and avoid rocking from one side to the other. If you don't know what to do with your hands, try holding a tool that you use during an inspection (such as a clipboard, PDA, or IR camera) or standing with your hands behind your back (similar to the military parade rest position). Don't lean on the set. Be expressive in your movements when they're intentional, and avoid nervous movement such as tapping your feet, rocking, or fussing with a prop. In general, try to be confident in your stance like you are confident in your inspections.
8. Eye contact is important, even when you're looking at the lens of a camera. Look directly at the camera to show that you are engaged and ready to demonstrate your prowess as an inspector. Try not to look down between sentences (unless you're reading from a script) as this can convey shyness and a lack of confidence.
9. SMILE. Remember, your clients want to feel like they can trust you and be comfortable asking you questions about the biggest purchase of their life. If you are relaxed, comfortable and happy, your potential clients will be relaxed, comfortable and happy while watching your commercial.
10. In the end, the most important thing is to be yourself. These tips should help you prepare, but if you over-think things you might start second-guessing every word and every movement you make on camera. Before your shoot, take a moment to remind yourself that you're a great inspector and that people ought to hire you. Take a deep breath, smile, and say, "take one."

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