Should You Hire Someone to Make Your Reels? Episode 277

Should You Hire Someone to Make Your Reels? Not So Fast.

Before you outsource your content, hear what coach (and ecommerce founder) Melissa Davies wants you to know.

 

If the thought of filming Reels or TikTok’s makes you cringe, you’re not the only one. For most ecommerce store owners, video content feels like a time-sucking task they’d rather not touch. So when you finally think, “Maybe I’ll just hire someone to do this for me,” it feels like a relief.

But that quick fix? It’s not always the solution.

This week on the podcast, Inner Circle Coach and Bike Pretty founder Melissa Davies joins Susan to talk about the trap of outsourcing too soon—and what you should do before handing off your content.

 

Know What You’re Asking For Before You Pay For It

But first, reality check: if you don’t know what success looks like, no freelancer, agency, or influencer is going to deliver it.

Before you invest in someone else to make your Reels (or manage your content in general), you need a clear understanding of what you're hoping to achieve—whether that's brand awareness, clicks, or conversions.

 

“If it’s important enough for you to spend your hard-earned money on, it’s important enough for you to learn what it is you want to accomplish by doing that.”

 

Hiring it out without direction is one of the biggest mistakes Melissa sees store owners make. And it’s not just about budget—it’s about ownership. As the founder, you’re the one who understands your product, your audience, and the impact your content should be making.

 

Your First Video Can Be Simple—and Faceless

Not ready to go live or speak on camera? That’s not a dealbreaker. In fact, Melissa recommends starting with a slideshow video—and keeping your face out of it.

She made her first video with product photos, Canva templates, a little music, and some text overlays. No voiceover, no editing skills required. The result? Lower customer service questions and higher conversions.

 

“My first setup was like… I taped my phone to a picture wire in front of a window and filmed an unboxing. That video changed things for me.”

 

This kind of video is great for top-of-funnel visibility and works beautifully on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Plus, it aligns with what the algorithm wants—more video, more engagement, and more time on the platform.

 

Why B-Roll and Behind-the-Scenes Videos Sell

Even without showing your face or narrating your message, B-roll can be incredibly effective. Think: close-ups of your product, unboxing moments, or shots of your hands assembling an order. Add a simple caption and you’re done.

These videos build trust and answer key questions—like “How does it arrive?” or “What does it look like in real life?”

Melissa sees this kind of content making a big difference:

• Fewer returns
  
• Fewer product-related questions
  
• More confident purchases 

She encourages makers especially to go beyond process videos and show the product in a real-life context: hung on a wall, worn with an outfit, or styled on a shelf.

 

Live Video Isn’t the Starting Point—It’s the Next Step

There’s a lot of buzz around going live, but Melissa cautions against jumping in too early. Unless you already have an audience and a habit of posting consistently, live video can feel like talking to an empty room.

That’s why she always has a backup plan.

 

“Most of the time when I go live, I’m not speaking to anybody… so I always have an ulterior motive—like answering a customer question or showing a product feature I need video of anyway.”

 

Live videos can be powerful, but they work best when you already have a rhythm with your audience. Until then, build momentum with brand videos, product explainers, and demonstration clips.

 

Final Takeaway: Be Your Own Influencer (At Least for Now)

It’s tempting to think you can buy a solution. But if you want your videos to actually do something for your business, the strategy has to come from you.

You don’t have to make the perfect video. You just have to start with what you know—and speak to the customer you know best.

Want to take the next step? Get on the waitlist for Brand Video Bootcamp and we’ll walk you through creating your first high-converting brand video from start to finish.

 

Links Mentioned:

Waitlist for Brand Video Bootcamp

Episode 162 – How to Make a Brand Video
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/build-a-massive-audience-with-a-brand-video-episode-162/

Episode 106 – The TikTok Strategy That Exploded Sylvie’s Sales
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/the-tiktok-strategy-that-exploded-sylvies-sales-episode-106/

Episode 276 – The 3-Part Video Funnel Strategy
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/create-a-successful-stress-free-video-strategy-episode-276/

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