How I got my job reviewing cars | And how you can too!
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- čas přidán 15. 07. 2024
- Thanks to my day job at Kelley Blue Book, I drive and review lots of cars including this 2020 Volvo S60 from KBB’s long-term test fleet. The number one question people ask me is how I got my job reviewing cars. The number two question is how they can get a job reviewing cars too.
In this video I break down my work history and layout the steps that guided my career from janitor to professional car reviewer on CZcams. I also explain the tactics that allowed me to jump from one job to the next, finding opportunities along the way. Finally we offer some tips for how to make car videos on a budget and how to find cars to review, plus I share the best advice I can offer anyone hoping to review cars for a living.
Have you always wanted to review cars and wondered how to make it happen? Watch and see. #MicahDrives
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I really do write the music for these video reviews. The songs in this video are…
/ 10-13-14-omaha - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Awesome video! Solid advice
Especially since some of that advice was yours! 💪
Proof that you don't need a college degree to appreciate good lumbar support.
Love the backstory, I’ll keep my day job lol
Definitely don't want my face to be seen by other humans on a video
What's your day job?
Should I Get It Reviews it was a joke in response to him being funny, but I’m a CPA in Florida.
I am living for all these old school pictures! I love them!
I would love more ask a question and dig in types of videos!
Micah, I'm a headhunter and I gotta say - you shared so many good nuggets of advice for people pondering their future, careers, and what they can do today to get them to that next step. Really well done.
Loved the advice but you left out not to lower your expectations. In your case there is an exception. You lowered our expectations of what you should do, followed your own path, succeeded and gave us all a good laugh about expectation.
I wish I could love your comment twice. 🧡
I may be alone in this but I would love to know more about your musical background. The music you compose has sophistication in its simplicity and your sound palette is rich like expensive chocolate truffles.
I like it!
In actuality...in the parlance of CZcams commenters far and wide...I see Micah Muzio, I click "like" and view. So...I appreciate any content that you put up. And when we do ever come up with a specific question you are a good enough dude that we can ask that question!
You are the best! So glad KBB snagged you!
Robyn!!! You are also the best, so you're well-positioned to recognize excellence. ;)
Great story, Micah! The universal takeaway is
1) Passionately pursue what you enjoy
2) Cultivate a reputation as the go-to guy,
3) Go where the action is, and
4) Be open to new opportunities.
Recognizing that there is no "one path" to success leaves you free to find yours, assuming it includes paying your own bills along the way.
That's an excellent encapsulation.
And the yes! The concept that there is no single path to success is something I've pushed for years. I'm glad that came through in the video.
Great video! A lot of times when someone ask someone on this platform how they got their job or how they got on here are real guarded or don't want to say how they got where they are. And you just opened up and spilled the beans. That is why you and your family are great and put out the best content. Just honest real people! Thank you!
Love your family. I would bet they have heard this story before :). Your daughter has totally tuned this out and is taking in the sights on your drive.
This is the perfect video..... everything I want to and need to know
This is great Micah, very humbling, useful information on gear and an excellent reality check for the dreamers out there (like me) looking to start a channel.
So sweet, honest and encouraging. Y’all thanks for sharing your story - it’s really quite inspiring :-)
I appreciated the touch or “Evie & Micah: Love Story” we got! I would’ve thought you got your start through your dad since he’s in media. Nice to hear it was good old hard work!!
Thanx for sharing this.
Smart, likable, nice looking, articulate, good personality. Obviously secure, and knows his value.
Great video! Love the format.
Not sure if your daughter was mimicking/mocking you, but that was awesomely cute.
Ideally a bit of both. :)
@@MicahMuzio that was hilarious! Have a feeling you'll be seeing that face a lot as she gets older.
Awesome video and solid advice Micah! You are awesome and you are the best!😸😻😸
Yes, we want the four keys to success!
I enjoy watching your early videos because you can really see the beginnings of something special in terms of your review style. Even in the early videos you can see there was something there.
Man, that's so nice to hear. When I look back it's hard not to cringe.
Yes do More question videos!!!
So many correct things were said in this video.
Absolutely right with CZcams being a lot of work and a grind. The general viewer, or maybe even some who want to make content on CZcams consistently, just don't understand the amount of work that goes into it. Not just work, but personal sacrifices you make as well. The more content you make, the less time you have for friends and family in some instances.
Also right about the first videos that you make just aren't going to be good. It's a fact. If you're starting out fresh, just expect that you're not going to be good at it, but the more you do it the better you get. I'm an idiot and I've made over 1200 videos between 3 channels and if I can do it then you can start a CZcams channel too!
Great video Micah! Cheers from Canada!
I would love to see more videos like this, it’s real, authentic and solid advise. I would love to do car reviews and make videos. It’s my 2 biggest passions in life, cars and film editing.
Even though I knew the answer, I loved hearing the story again, and with more details. Those old photos are gold!
The reactions from the back seat deserve their own blooper reel, btw!
Do more do more!! You’re well respected in a lauded profession and we want to know more about you!!
I no longer do journalism but I can’t tell you the number of people I came across, especially in undergrad, that thought making videos for news segments was easy. That minute fifteen to 90 seconds of video that you see is hours upon hours of work and if you’re a one man band it could be a couple of days work for 90 seconds. Now imagine having to have several 90 second news clips a week. Also, I’m sure editing is easier now than 25 years ago but that’s the most tedious part of making a video that a lot of people don’t realize.
In addition to proximity, you forgot to mention being charming and super funny (👈🏼 I suppose that could be debatable) in your list of skills. I imagine that helps in that line of work.
really enjoyed the format of this video. I say do more Q&A videos mixed in with the car videos (maybe once a month). your viewership wants to get to know you and your family more but still have that tinge of cars and auto industry insider content. keep it up
Very interesting, hope you do more, and share your four keys to success!
Hi Micah,
That's an awesome video. Thanks for how you got into it. I do Car Reviews and it is going ok and one day i really would love to have this as a full time Job
How to scale to get cars from manufacturers to review?
Thanks for sharing Micah, you’re such an inspiration
Dude! This was really inspiring ☺️ I think it would be a fun hobby to review friends’ cars lol
If you think you'd love making car videos, go give it a try! Post a link and I'll happily take a look.
Love the content! Yes, I would love to hear your points for success and this format is definitely better than helicopters :-)
Great origin story. I't made me thing of that other car review guy, Doug DeMuro, and his origin video. I love your aerial videos. Between your video skills and your piloting acumen, you may have a new job. Not a job that's a labor, but rather a profession that's a labor of love. Monetize that.
Awesome. Thanks so much for sharing. I didn't realize at once your the helicopter guy too! 👍👍
Yes to the “more videos based on questions!” ....Would be neat to see Evie’s editing process and learn more about Micah’s experimenting lol 🦎......and Trixie is like a silent film star with the faces she pulls in the back lol
You should release the first video as a learning experience for the rest of us! No shame Micah, no shame!
I need a wife who looks and listens to me like her. You have a great future because of your perseverance.
MORE OF THESE VIDEOS, PLEASE!
Yes more!
Micah, you are so likable. I could watch you just talk, about anything. You’re a good man ‘Charlie Brown’ 🚁
This video does not explain the fear of white vans. PS the back seat facial commentary was hilarious!
Sure! I’d watch that
I love the helicopter videos! Maybe make them more exciting by buzzing people though. Or flying super low to the freeways! Lol
Amazing video, I always watched all the reviews from you and other channels as well. I think I have basic knowledge about the car review methods and specialities overall. However, this is not a great job in my country. I hope I can make some videos about cars from other sites of the world where not well known in EU or US 😁😁
How did I never see this video before today? Excellent subject! Not to correct your autobiography, lol, but I think you missed two things that helped shape your success. 1. Your raw talent, even from the very beginning videos, was so evident to everyone... I'm sure even MORE so to Evie lol, and 2. Having a parent already in the television broadcast business, someone known to the viewing audience, allowed you to be relaxed in and around cameras and to see that attaining celebrity - from your vantage point behind the scenes - can be the product of "ordinary people" who have executed their work exceptionally well and remained open to their audience. That last line, of course, describes you perfectly today. More continued success, and my best to you all.
Micah! Basically, Right place, Right time.
Hmm. Kinda. There were a lot of other people along the way who could've done what I did but didn't. There's something to the old adage about luck being where preparation meets opportunity.
@@MicahMuzio btw.. love that you call out the knee intrusion on a lot of these vehicles. All about any and all push back against the growing intrusive confines of over styled interiors. It's awful how tight and uncomfortable they've all become. Dare I say, "Can I please have my column shift automatic lever and 40/20/40 back? Or at least the OPTION.?"
I enjoy your videos😎
🤗 What a Special Treat this is!!💝. Thank you guys for All You’re Hard Work.. This was So Cool!! And hopefully helpful and inspiring for others. And again Cutest Couple🏆❤️
First, I'm happy to see you love your wife , and she loves you. Your blessing of a daughter is beautiful. I don't care about helicopter reviews but I sure do care about seeing things from up there. My late father in law said he learned to fly to have freedom up there, not the smallest part was freedom from my late mother in law. They were both good people but I surely understand as she was a control freak and while flying only he was in control and it was healthy for him.
I had wanted to become an astronaut when I was a kid, but changed to the medical field. I never stopped being fascinated with exploring nature and technology so I am never bored. Seeing as this is only the second video of yours after the So Cal beach flyover, I just need to thank you for giving me the chance to see what I probably won't get the chance to in real life as I'm 64 and disabled physically, but I refused the pain meds the specialists said I should be on after they looked at my MRI of my spine and said " how are you not screaming?". I told them screaming wouldn't help and I'm not willing to numb my mind as I already screwed up my body lifting my desk through the window assembly of the house I moved into 13 years ago and I need my mind functioning. It took 3 moving men to get it out from my old house, so I should have known better, but without the desk I could not work from my home office, so I did it myself. I'm in 7-9 out of 10 level pain all the time but I can walk 25 feet or so between resting and got a walker and electric scooter. My bud got me a ticket to Burning Man last year and I'm thinking how am I going to move around there? I had a thought. Recumbent trike maybe??? I went to a trike store and tried to pedal it. A miracle happened. Very little pain. So the owner of the store said take it out on the street. I got out there AND I FLEW. The wind in my hair, I screamed THANK YOU GOD, as I went down the street, out of the prison my body had become. I took all the money I could gather, borrow, sell things to get and I bought one. I can move by my own power again without additional pain. I love it. I had taken bike trips up to 1000 miles before I injured myself, so this is amazing. I miss using it in the lockdown but there are places I just found about that aren't that far from my little home and piece of high desert Southern California freedom where I'm told I could use it now. I feel as if I'm up there with you in that helicopter and it is amazing. There are times the pain for so many years has gotten to me I thought of giving up for a few minutes but that is not who I am. Then I found the trike and it has opened a world I thought was gone. It's the same feeling seeing from your helicopter. It is a great gift and I Thank You from my soul.
This is the first non-helicopter video of yours that I have seen, so my understanding is more stunted than most of your viewers. Micah, I suspect that people are naturally drawn to you because you are naturally extrovert and I hate saying this to another guy, but you are easy on the eyes so you have a lot going for you. I don't even know you and I think you would be fun to work with in ANY field. Lastly, I think your wife is adorable and it is easy to see that you two make a great pair. Lastly, you are probably the only "regular guy" on CZcams so you are very refreshing as I live on CZcams and there is too much of the same "type". See you in the air.......
Also, I for one love the Enstrom/aviation videos!
The thumbnail picture is perfect.
Actually thought it was rocket science but I got a different perspective of this!
Kesha is still incredibly popular, I highly recommend her newest album as well. It has so much heart put into it! But yeah, I agree. CZcams is NOT easy, and I don't even do it! I stream on Twitch and that itself is hard, it can be incredibly exhausting too, but I wouldn't wanna do anything else. It's all about the grind, you can't give up, you gotta let yourself suck at something before you can be good at something. :)
I always like these family videos. I think car reviews with personal story videos mixed in once in a while are very enjoyable. Maybe go back further and talk about where you grew up, having a Weatherman Father, and where you met Evelyn Dish.
Just when thought this guy couldn't get any cooler. He needs to speek at schools. A true family person and role model for the young.
hey man love your content, this video is very helpful, i'm actually using it as reference in my genius hour presentation, I'm discussing how I would like to get into this line of work, i'm not sure if you covered it in your video or not but how much do you make for reviewing cars, if I could get some details on the money and benefits of this job, that would really help my project. keep up the good work, can't wait to dive int more of your videos
Awesome video Micah I wish I could review cars, but walking round a car showing all the style elements is a bit of a problem for me!
My favorite thumbnail
Micah,
Seeming to be at the upper echelons of the car reviewing trade, you strike a admirable balance in your content between specs, subjectivity, and most importantly: being pleasing to watch. I always enjoy a Micah video and have yet to stumble across a review where I wasn't floored by your passion, skill, and enthusiasm for your craft.
My one question to you is with being partnered with a large automotive company, does this mean you never have to worry about buying a car again? ie is your driveway a diversely specced fleet full of press vehicles?
That Volvo turn signal is looooooooud!! lol
RIGHT!? Noticed that too.
Love the backstory! Also, neither of you have aged a day!
Look at your wife's expressions, proves she has been a great support through your hard times.
Very interesting story, Micah. I'm struck by several points. First and foremost for obvious reasons you didn't mention that you're unusually talented and articulate. Skills you've developed and honed along the way and those skills are critical for what you do. Second, a point you did make was the critical role played by simply being in the right place at the right time. A factor that's often the result of pure luck and seldom if ever mentioned in lessons in "How to Succeed" stories in almost every field. Third, you didn't focus heavily on the role Evie played in your success but I'm sure you'd agree that she did much more than simply recognizing your "potential." I know my wife's role has had much to do with the course of my career.
Finally, I'm sure that some young viewers will be inspired by the fact that you've been successful without going to college but I suspect you'd agree that you're the exception, not the rule. And that your ability to communicate as well as the opportunity to take advantage of opportunities when they came along would have been enhanced with that experience. All in all, congratulations and thanks for a rather inspiring story.
Stephen Hendricks Astute observations.
-As a natural introvert it took years to build confidence in my speaking abilities. If you know where to look you can find some awkward early videos that show my development.
-Without Evie supporting my career leaps (both financially and emotionally) I’m not sure I would’ve wound up in this line of work.
-College is a tool like anything else. If it’s useful for the job then I fully support it. For my specific path it proved unnecessary but if I’d had a degree it wouldn’t have hindered my progress (excluding the implications of debt and opportunity cost)
-You are absolutely correct about luck. I can easily imagine another timeline where I wound up doing something completely different. That said, the old concept of luck being where preparation and opportunity meet has held true in my experience. Preparing for the job I wanted and positioning myself to take maximum advantage of opportunities has served me well.
Thanks for the thoughtful input!
5:15 yes for the love of pasta.
Great video! I've been trying to experiment on doing CZcams videos recently, hence my aviation trip report channel that I film for using my cell phone. Of my career choices, independent automotive journalist is up there. I've been thinking about trying to make a video on my new Civic to try it out. I wish Sofayan at Redline Reviews made a video like this!
Love this video. Can you review a Tesla? It was easy for me a regular guy to have access to a tesla model s for a day. I just walked into showroom and struck up a conversation and got a test drive. At the end I asked if I could drive one for a bit longer and they said yes. My 24 hour test drive was awesome.
My point is for you that you have it all and talking with them should be a nice friendship between the both of you. If you open that door you might be able to drive them all. Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and soon the Model Roadster , plus soon the Simi Truck, and the pickup Cyber Truck and by the time you got to drive all of those you might be able to film in some of their awesome locations.
Note that they actually have a new roadster and Simi already out there and just maybe those doors could open for you. They are very friendly and easy to talk too.
Good luck and I will be hoping and waiting to see your Tesla Videos if you ever get to make them.
BTW, be careful doing the test drives. If you have a slight chance of addiction to fun you might get hooked. I ended up getting a fully equipped Model X and my oh my, 1.1g excelleration is not to be missed.
Let that door open up for you.
Great video Muzio Family! It's always nice to see people without a college degree (like myself) succeed. Great change of pace video. The Muzio Fam is an interesting family and I wouldn't mind seeing a day-in-the-life home video. You're practically reality stars now. Watch out Kardashians! lol
Anyway, continue the great work and thanks for this inspiration video. *big thumbs up*
4 keys to success video would be welcomed!
(I'm only 5 minutes in, exactly)
I'm a few years younger than you, college dropout. I've discovered in life that college wasn't REALLY necessary; It gets you in the door when you have no practical experience, and probably makes finding jobs easier if you need a job and have no contacts in your chosen industry, but generally speaking as long as you're a motivated individual you can get into the field of your choice in some low-level position and network your way up by proving yourself. And more often then not, as long as you keep your mind open, somewhere along the way the doors will open for you onto paths you never even dreamed you'd consider travelling down.
The thing is, you need to work for it. Those opportunities don't just present themselves. So many HS and College dropouts I know never try to get what they want. They don't think they can accomplish it, or they're hoping the opportunity will just fall into their laps. It takes time, and work, and travelling down roads you didn't expect to end up on. I'm finding success doing exactly what I wanted to do. It took me almost fifteen years and a roundabout path to get here (and frankly I'm far more crass and jaded than I'd have been if I'd walked into the job thirteen years earlier), but I'm in a job that I wanted and love, which supports my desired lifestyle, and overall I'm really happy with where my life turned out. All my siblings went to college and none of them have quite gotten where I am yet with their lives (My younger sister is nipping at my heels though).
You've done a fantastic job. I'll be honest and say that I'm jealous; I'd have loved to end up where you are (automotive journalist, seriously I started studying journalism because I wanted to do it), but never would have done what you did to get there. I doubt the quality of my videos would be anywhere near what you put out. I really enjoy your work. Congratulations and Thank You.
Now I need to go watch the last 7 minutes and 6 seconds of the video, as I may somehow have more to say.
Yup - Hard work can get you pretty much anywhere. It's experience. Doing 50 car review videos might teach you how to do it, how not to do it, that you can't do it, or it might teach you that you can't do it for cars but you CAN do it for some other interest you have, and present some other opportunity for you to follow (if your mind is open). Wonderful video and advice Micah!
Your comment smartly identifies something I’ve noticed as well. That hustle and adaptability yield dividends over time.
Hi5 for hustling and landing a job you love!
I don't know how you've been successful without a degree from Bakersfield State.😉 IDK, I worked in Yosemite after high school and never fell into anything interesting... even with my prestigious AA degree from Merced College later on. 😄 Seriously though, after watching many car reviewers over the years the successful ones have a certain "thing" that catches the audiences eye and keeps them coming back. There are many who are perfectly capable, but dry presenters and they end up just fading away. It is something of an entertainment industry and you have to have talent.
What a lucky woman!
I want to know the 4 keys and the accompanying complicating factors Micah!
Yes yes 4 🔑 to success. Plz! You’ll become a star ⭐️ on LinkedIn. 🙃
More helicopters!! I just didn’t know you made those. Also didn’t know you made so many videos, and so regularly, BECAUSE CZcams 🕊ING SUCKS!
Thank You, You Manifester Yoooou🤺
The day that I see Micah's daughter driving a review car, while Micah's on the back seat looking confused & disoriented.
Great video! Do you have any advise on how to contact manufacturers for press fleet vehicles?
One suggestion. You can often find contact info for PR folks on car makers press sites. If you’re going to reach out though, be sure to have a clear pitch for what you’ll do with the vehicle plus an overview of your channel’s audience and reach.
@@MicahMuzio thank you so much for that info. I will give that a shot!
Let’s see the 4 keys!!
Windowless van? Talk about big c pillars. It's not who you know, it's how close to work you are? Just kidding. Really do enjoy the segments. I was interested in how you jumped to an Enstrom.
so seemed like as a janitor you really had a key for writing and video productions. did ya have decent grades?
Hey Micah, janitor or custodian? Which one is higher on the building maintenance hierarchy and who has the larger keyring?
Unfortunately, while these days anyone can make a video, few have the on camera presence and personality of a Muzio! So don't quit your day jobs.
Would you suggest walking into a dealership and ask if you can do a review on said car?
It's not that we don't care about helicopters. They're awesome! But I think far less of us have the ability to relate to them, cause we all are here for cars originally and most of us own cars!
Would military aircraft experience help with this line of reviews?
This thumbnail should have been used for a Toyota...." 'Oh, what a feeling!'
Ok sarr
Can we see video #1? We don't mind if it's terrible. It'll be a blooper video?
Please reconsider about the helicopter videos.
They are enjoyed but if you're worried that any "flight" videos will clog up the Micah Drives series... can I suggest creating another Channel...how about Micah Flies..?
where do you get your car t-shirts from?
TV Xyooj Blipshift
TLDR; college degrees are overrated
How did you get your job?
How about Evie? did she go to school for video editing?
I have a question - Once you’ve got yourself established enough with making car review videos, how do you get car manufacturers to pay attention to you and y’know send you cars?
Good question. For most of my career, access to press vehicles has been made possible by working at KBB. KBB is a big name and car companies want to give KBB their cars to review. After years of working at KBB I've built good relationships with PR folks and press fleet management companies. Those relationships have helped me secure cars on my own.
For up and comers, once you have a track record of making good content independently, you can reach out to PR folks at different car companies. Tell them you're building a new channel but have already made some great videos and would love to review one of their products. Get them excited about what makes your channel unique.
I'd also suggest asking for a car that is mainstream and not too expensive. Prove yourself by making a great video with a simple car. If that goes well they'll probably offer other more impressive vehicles.
Yeah I’m so stuck
So I’m in the 11th grade, I want to make videos on cars and review them, I got several problems though, Of course i’m gonna start out bad, but How would I get the cars? Do i get a journalism degree and get press cars? Or do I rent cars out and do reviews on them
Access to press cars is extremely hard to arrange, especially for people who are just starting out.
While there’s nothing wrong with getting a journalism degree, having one will do nothing to gain press car access. All that PR people care about is whether you have an audience and if the content you’re making aligns with the goals of the brand they represent.
I’d suggest starting by making videos with cars owned by friends and relatives. With a small catalogue of those videos, go hit up a local car dealer. Show them what you’ve made and ask if you can create a review with one of their vehicles (fyi, they probably won’t want you to drive it)
Continue making content with cars from friends, relatives, and dealerships. Once you’ve built a catalogue and a following, find a PR representative from a car brand near you and ask if they’d give you a chance to review a press car.