For Craig Veroni, Vancouver is more than just where he works. It is where he has spent most of his life and built his career in real estate.
Before becoming an agent, Craig spent over a decade working as a professional film and television actor. He brought that experience to real estate, creating educational YouTube videos and cinematic neighbourhood tours that helped buyers navigate Vancouver's housing market.
Eventually, approximately 75% of his business came through YouTube.
"People would watch my videos," Craig said. "They would contact me and say, 'We're considering moving here. Can you help us find a home?'"
Then, in 2024, a fire in the unit above his family's home changed everything. The resulting flooding destroyed 60% of their belongings and damaged more than 75% of their home.
“Everything I had been working on and building up to that point suddenly came to a complete halt,” Craig said.
Forced to leave his home and without a suitable space for filming, Craig saw his video production come to a halt and the flow of incoming leads slow down.
"At the back of my mind, I was constantly wondering: how do I get back to creating video content?"
HeyGen gave him an answer.
Rebuilding his video presence without filming
Craig knew video worked, but traditional production required considerable time, equipment, and suitable locations. His neighbourhood tours could take over a week to produce.
Then two fellow agents told him they were generating business using AI avatars.
"I looked again in disbelief and said, 'What? There's no way someone has adopted a completely new channel using a digital twin and is generating business through it.'"
Intrigued, Craig joined a training group, created his digital twin with HeyGen, and published his first Instagram Reel.
"I could create this digital twin that looked and sounded like me," Craig said. "For me, that was the first 'Oh my God, this could actually work' moment."
Instead of filming every update, Craig could turn local property news into videos featuring a realistic version of himself.
"I started using HeyGen because I wanted to create video content again, without the burden of filming actual videos."
Building an audience that knows, likes and trusts him
Craig was not interested in using his digital twin merely for novelty content. He wanted to share the same useful information that had made his original videos successful.
“The twin exists to keep people informed about what is happening locally and provide them with relevant information,” Craig said.
He created his avatar using footage from his existing video library and paired it with professionally recorded voice models. He continues to write, review and fact-check scripts against local market data.
“Everything has to be absolutely accurate,” Craig said. “The moment I lose my audience’s trust, it’s game over.”
Initially, Craig was concerned that viewers might not connect with an AI version of him.
The response took him by surprise.
“Every single post I had created performed better than anything I had done personally,” he said.
Soon, strangers began recognising him in person. One person even pulled over while Craig was walking his dog to thank him for his videos.
"You can use a digital twin to build an authentic connection with your audience," Craig said. "I believe I've demonstrated that I can use AI to build an audience that knows me, likes me and trusts me."
Growing his Instagram following fourfold in 10 months
Craig began publishing one HeyGen Reel each day before increasing the frequency to two, sharing housing market updates, local news, and information for Vancouver residents.
Over approximately 10 months, his Instagram following grew fourfold, from around 1,500 to nearly 6,000.
“My Instagram following grew fourfold,” Craig said. “That left me amazed.”
His content now reaches over 7,70,000 accounts each month and generates approximately 60,000 to 70,000 interactions. Individual Reels regularly exceed 1,00,000 views.
The increased visibility supports Craig's ambition to become Vancouver's "digital mayor", a trusted source of local knowledge.
Equally importantly, HeyGen enables him to spend more time with clients.
“The digital twin frees up my time so I can work more closely with my clients one-on-one,” he said.
Regaining his freedom and enthusiasm for video
Craig continues to film traditional property tours and personally presents videos that require his presence.
“My use of HeyGen and the news Reels is not a replacement in any way for the original video content that I create,” he said.
Instead, his digital twin maintains his visibility while he focuses on clients and property marketing.
What began as a way to rebuild after an unexpected disruption has now become an integral part of Craig's marketing strategy.
"HeyGen has given me freedom, renewed enthusiasm, and a sense of excitement about video content," Craig said. "It has led to moments and interactions with people that still amaze me."
