My Social Media Client Refuses To Get On Camera, What Do I Do?
Not every client loves being in front of the camera. Some freeze, some hate the sound of their voice, some don't have the time, and some don't even give a reason.
But video content and founders' stories are priceless. We don't want our strategy to suffer, so what do you do when your client refuses to get on camera?
Get to The Bottom of The Problem
As we mentioned above, there are a variety of reasons a client doesn't want to show up on camera. Take the time to listen and get to what their hesitations are. Ask questions like:
“What makes being on camera uncomfortable for you?”
“Is it about time, confidence, or just personal preference?”
"Do you feel like any tools would help you film better?"
"Do you think having someone film with you would assist you in this process?"
And pro tip: it's even better if you can start asking these questions in the discovery process so you know before they sign.
Start Small
Clients don't have to be in front of the camera for 10 minutes; have them start small with a story that disappears, or a voiceover instead of a face-to-camera. This can make the process feel less intimidating to them and easier for you to start slowly incorporating them into your strategy.
Find a New Face
Is there a team member who could step in? Could a UGC creator be a good thing to add to the budget? Could you step into this role for an added invoice? The voice doesn't always need to be the founder specifically. See if there are other options for getting faces in your content.
Creative With Other Ideas
Voiceovers
B-Roll
Screen recordings
Offer content days to film them.
Photo montage
Ask them to invest in an influencer strategy + management
Know when to cut ties if you have to! Consistently fighting over getting content isn't worth the stress.
Not every client is cut out for being a TikTok influencer, and that’s okay. The best social media strategies are the ones you get creative with.