7.12.21
C. Derick Miller
Head Writer
Your Stories On Video
Personal Service
In my opinion, I feel as though personal service has fallen off the charts in modern business. With the never-ending inventions of new and improved technologies, the human element is truly no longer present in pretty much anything we come in contact with. Even something as simple as paying for goods in a grocery store became a self service long before the Covid 19 Pandemic reared its ugly head in our world.
When I began writing for Your Stories On Video, my first interaction with a client was done through the initial interview. As I would read through the questionnaire, my interview subject would react with a story that would often lead to other tales and interactive discussions. I couldn’t help but interject with my own two cents or memories as my client would reminisce about days gone by or special memories they’d experienced during their childhood. I honestly love it, but it’s majorly time consuming. My own tendency to offer input was probably a reason for this as well, but the initial interview was often overwhelming to the client. After all, digging through those old memories stirred emotions, and not all of them were good. Remember the death of someone you cherished for a second and think of how it made you feel. Now, think about a lifetime of negative memories all crammed into ninety minutes or so. Can you imagine how you’d feel when the interview was finished? Still…imagine what it’s like to think back on all the good times as well! Those are the parts I really like!
As the interviewer, I would often leave these sessions feeling drained from sharing all the emotions of my interview subject’s experiences. It doesn’t help that I’m a bit of an empath when it comes to these things but that’s a story for another time. An interesting one at that. Don’t worry, you’ll all get to know more about me in one capacity or another but…you didn’t visit Your Stories On Video to learn about the head writer, right? You came here to share a bit of yourself with your own family and loved ones. Let’s get back on track.
A new idea we’ve had in the last couple of weeks is to take myself out of the initial interview process to sort of streamline the on camera interview process with the videographer. As it stands, the pre-interview is just a short answer session of what our clients will eventually be asked on film. Well, at least it’s supposed to be. Like I said, I tend to turn the pre-interview into a long, friendly conversation sometimes. Either way, there are those who feel as though the pre-interview process is redundant next to the full blown on camera interview. I’m on the fence when it comes to this process. Honestly, so are most of us at Your Stories On Video. This, ladies and gentlemen, is where you come in. We need your help!
What would you say if we left it up to you? Rather than enduring a pre-interview question and answer session via telephone with yours truly, would it be easier if the pre-interview were in written form? If it were, you and your loved one could sit together and go over the questions without time constraints or special scheduling and could even formulate some questions of your own not normally included in the question-and-answer pre-interview via telephone. Also, since the client and their family member or friend would be writing their own answers, they could be kept short or even edited if they felt the answers were a bit much. When it comes down to it, those exact same questions are going to be asked again on camera and the videographer will expect each of them to come with its own unique story.
Now, what would you think about this process becoming a choice? Letting the client choose if they’d like to be interviewed by one of our writers rather than filling out a simple set of questions? Sure, we could make all these decisions without your input, and you’d never be the wiser to the changes, but that’s not how we prefer to handle this business. Your Stories On Video is about YOU! The end result of all of this is a film about YOU or someone YOU love. Shouldn’t YOU be able to give your opinion on how the interview is conducted? We think so!
The question is…
Would you prefer to handle the pre-interview by yourself or with the help of a someone you know?
Or
Would you like to keep the previous level of personal service originally offered by YSOV and have one of our writers contact you for a short answer pre-interview?
We are always looking for new and unique ways to conduct ourselves and to better serve our clients like no one else can! We already know our own stories all too well. We want to hear yours! What are your feelings on personal service or the lack thereof in modern society? Comment below and let us know!