How Freelance Videographers Can Charge More and Unlock Higher Paying Projects

Within the ever-evolving world of freelance videography, not solely is ability essential, however so is the flexibility to navigate the enterprise aspect of issues. In case you’re seeking to increase your earnings and make a greater residing out of your ardour, listed here are some key methods to contemplate. Cowl photograph by Chase Fade.

1. Discover Shoppers Who Are Prepared to Pay Extra

Focusing on purchasers who perceive the worth of high quality videography means that you can command greater charges. Establish industries or niches the place your abilities are in excessive demand and the place purchasers have the funds to pay a premium for top-notch work.

One approach to discover these purchasers is to attend business occasions the place your audience is hanging out. Whether or not that’s a tech convention, an actual property conference, a marriage expo, and extra. Your purchasers are at these occasions to study and to community. Assembly them the place they’re at is an effective way to get your foot within the door.

Another choice is to hitch Slack teams with native companies. For instance, right here in Utah we now have an internet neighborhood devoted to subscriptions and e-commerce companies. They’ve a Slack channel the place they put up jobs, share suggestions and recommendation, and community. Being current in these conversations is an effective way to point out your experience, discover new associates, and throw your hat within the ring when a brand new job is listed.

LinkedIn can be an incredible place to search out high-paying clientele. The LinkedIn of at present is way more various and attention-grabbing than it was 5 years in the past. Videographers who’ve proven their means to unite enterprise functions with spectacular video high quality have been capable of drive their shopper acquisition by means of the roof.

Lastly, try to be asking for referrals out of your highest-paying purchasers. An introduction has way more energy when it comes from a well-connected individual, so ask your highest-ranking purchasers in the event that they know of anybody else you possibly can work with. These introductions will carry extra energy than your aunt’s neighbor who is aware of that you’ve a digital camera and prefer to make movies (although I might by no means discourage your aunt’s neighbor both. You by no means know who they is likely to be linked with…).

2. Offering Superior Service

One of the vital efficient methods to cost extra on your videography companies is by constantly delivering distinctive high quality. Which may not sound very groundbreaking to you, however purchasers are prepared to pay a premium for excellent work. And in case you are constantly delivering dwelling runs, purchasers can have a tough time in search of a brand new contractor to exchange you.

Past executional proficiency, you may as well give attention to understanding your shopper’s wants and exceeding their expectations. Creating an atmosphere the place communication freely flows between each events is an effective way to maintain purchasers in-the-know, feeling valued and understood, and serving to them to really feel a way of calm.

One approach to streamline your shopper administration is by using freelance tools like Whelm—a devoted shopper administration platform designed particularly for freelance video professionals.

PRO TIP: Get 1 month of Whelm free with our affiliate link!

It has asynchronous media evaluate instruments that help you maintain in touch together with your purchasers with out having to arrange conferences or sending lengthy emails backwards and forwards. Plus it additionally helps you retain your initiatives so as, handle invoices, create authorized contracts, and extra. It’s every part it is advisable to maintain your purchasers joyful and make your administrative wants disappear.

3. Leveraging Upselling Methods

When you’ve established a shopper base, discover upselling alternatives. Provide extra companies or premium packages that improve the general worth of your videography companies. This not solely will increase your earnings per challenge but additionally strengthens shopper relationships.

Don’t fear about promoting all your companies directly. For some purchasers, it is likely to be simpler to promote them on a small one-off modifying challenge. In case you nail the job they usually’re joyful together with your work, you stand an excellent probability of pitching them in your different companies. Constructing that rapport goes a good distance, and pays dividends. So don’t draw back from the small initiatives.

4. Solidifying Your Workflow

Establishing a well-defined workflow is essential for maximizing productiveness and making certain constant high quality. From pre-production planning to post-production modifying, having a streamlined course of not solely saves time but additionally enhances the general shopper expertise. A structured workflow additionally positions you as a dependable and arranged skilled.

Your workflow can embody issues like time-blocking for maximizing your inventive output, AI instruments for quicker completion of tedious duties, and even outsourcing a few of your each day grind so you may give attention to the issues that matter. All of those little suggestions and methods is not going to solely make you extra environment friendly, however will help you tackle extra purchasers (and earn more money).

Moreover, freelancers ought to count on purchasers to respect lifelike turnaround occasions, and will cost more cash for a rush-job. Consumer wants a video inside 2 days? Inform them it should value 50% greater than regular. You’d be stunned at what number of purchasers gained’t balk at this concept, as most professionals have encountered this situation greater than as soon as of their careers. After all, this isn’t recommendation that ought to be taken as a one-size-fits-all resolution. Each shopper relationship is totally different, however having a rush-job clause in your contracts is not going to solely assist forestall these awkward situations, but additionally aid you to earn more money once they do happen.

5. Being Reliable and Accessible

Reliability is a cornerstone of a profitable freelance profession. Be clear about your availability and talk successfully with purchasers. By being reliable and accessible, you construct belief, making purchasers extra prepared to spend money on your companies. Immediate communication and assembly deadlines are key facets of being a dependable skilled.

This doesn’t imply it’s a must to reply to emails from purchasers at 3:00 AM. But it surely does imply it is advisable to reply inside an inexpensive period of time. Being constant in these small efforts lets your purchasers know that they’ll belief you to handle them.

On prime of that, it is advisable to be reliable in your experience. It’s a lot simpler to belief a freelancer who can successfully share professional recommendation than it’s to work with one who doesn’t collaborate very nicely.

6. Getting Retainer Shoppers with Assured Month-to-month Contracts

Retainer purchasers present a secure earnings stream, providing monetary safety for freelancers. Securing retainer agreements with assured month-to-month contracts is usually a game-changer. This not solely ensures a gentle circulation of labor but additionally means that you can plan your schedule and assets extra successfully.

Considered one of my good associates tried to go full time as a contract videographer on 3 separate events. He obtained nearer every time, however as soon as he obtained a retainer shopper on his third strive, he was lastly capable of make it work. Unlocking that secret to stability has helped him to search out his groove, and he has been a freelance filmmaker ever since.

However how do you discover that excellent retainer shopper?

For him, it was all about discovering his area of interest. He’s obsessive about vehicles and vehicles, so breaking into automotive videography was his key to success. He did a couple of ardour initiatives to construct his portfolio, which helped him to get a job at a automotive dealership. From there, he solely improved his technical abilities whereas constructing a large portfolio of automotive work. A couple of 12 months later, he signed his first retainer shopper – an auto fanatic with a bunch of vehicles.

My pal was capable of perceive his shopper’s enterprise and development methods as a result of he had in-depth business information, and he might converse to how video would enhance these techniques. He might additionally supply his shopper personalized packages with charges which can be each inexpensive to the shopper, and profitable for himself.

When you’ve nailed that formulation, repeat it as a lot as you may.

You may max out your capability at 4-6 purchasers, but when all of them are paying you a pair thousand {dollars} a month (or extra), you’re making a fairly good residing doing what you’re keen on.

7. Diversifying Your Ability Set

Develop your ability set to supply a broader vary of companies. This recommendation sounds prefer it may fly within the face of my final tip, which centered on discovering your area of interest, however I promise it doesn’t.

Videographers with experience in extra areas, corresponding to movement graphics, post-production, advertising, design, and extra, can place themselves as specialists and command greater charges. Diversification not solely attracts a wider vary of purchasers but additionally means that you can capitalize on rising tendencies.

Even in case you are “niched-down” into a selected class, with the ability to carry a number of ability units into that area of interest will make you a one-stop-shop on your purchasers. This can help you maintain your purchasers from in search of new contractors, and also you’ll be capable to cost greater charges on your service.

Conclusion

By implementing these methods, freelance videographers can’t solely cost extra for his or her initiatives but additionally construct a sustainable and affluent profession. Keep in mind, it’s not nearly creating nice movies—it’s about making a thriving enterprise and way of life that you simply wish to maintain.

Larger paying purchasers sometimes are extra enjoyable to work with (although they are often rightfully demanding), however the payoff is price it. You possibly can stay a life you’re keen on, make loads of cash to assist your loved ones, and do work that evokes you. Now go make it occur!