How To Get Consistent Video Production Clients For Filmmakers

While pictures and video have been used to commemorate moments, and as an advertising mechanism for years, it is undeniable that the last decade has brought a huge surge of the want and need for quality digital content. Take a look at Instagram, or Facebook for example – the most popular content is generally high-quality photos or videos. With huge advancements in technology and the mass number of skilled photographers, and videographers, quality content is no longer as hard to come by as it once was. As an aspiring videographer you likely know that there are dozens, if not more, people in your area just like you and simply being good at what you do isn't always enough to get clients. With that being said, if you've got the skill and passion to pursue video production, you are in a market full of work to be done as clients for video work will never run out – there is almost always be a need for quality video content. Whether it is for marketing purposes, weddings, businesses, etc. you can guarantee there is someone out there looking for your services. But, how do you find your clients? Keep reading for our best tips on how to secure your next video production client, and continue to grow your video production business for years to come.

How To Get Video Clients

1. Identify Your Ideal Video Production Clients While there is no shortage of people needing video production, it does not hurt to visualize your ideal client. What is your preferred style of shooting? What would you consider your area of expertise? What is your past experience, and how does that play a role in your future as a videographer? These are all good questions when trying to identify your ideal client to work with. If you would consider yourself good at what you are most interested in (for example, shooting aerial shots with a drone) consider niching down and pursuing clients specifically interested in that type of videography. 2. Make Yourself a Digital Portfolio While it is a given that a photographer would have photos available to showcase their skill set, it's not as simple for videographers. Make yourself a digital portfolio, or consider creating a highlight reel of your past work to help attract new clients, or showcase your work to potential clients. With that being said, you don't need to have full versions of every job you've ever done available, but you should have something to represent yourself and the type of work that you do. Consider posting this (or clips of/from it) on your website, and social profiles so it is readily available to those just browsing – you never know who may need a job done. 3. How To Get Clients Using Organic Outreach Methods An organic reach out method is when you are personally working towards reaching out to prospective clients. While these require you to seek out people without the chance to break the ice before trying to grab their attention, it is a good way to secure potential new clients and bring awareness to your business/brand. Some examples of organic outreach methods are Email – Sending a personalized email to people you believe are potential clients Cold Calling – Making an unsolicited call to a person or business Direct Mail – Physically mailing a brochure or something else to draw attention to your business) Reaching out to people via social networks – Posting on social networks and willing people to engage with your content and mutually engaging with theirs. 4. Network, Network, Network Networking would be considered an organic reach out method. But it is so important that it gets its own bullet point. Networking is an opportunity to meet new people and, especially in smaller communities or niches of videography, can be a game changer for building your business. Network with prominent people and businesses within your community and, once you make a connection, it's almost like a free way to market your video production within a new group of people. Network with other local videographers, or photographers and consider teaming up to make content together. Networking isn't about going out and approaching random people to tell them about your service. It is about making connections within your community that can help you find, or attract more leads. Also consider attending local networking events, speaking at local events, or even host your own event. A quick way to network and put yourself out there is to join online groups. Consider joining a local small business group on Facebook, or engage in posts relevant to videography. Check out Reddit, Quora, or other social networking sites to find people to connect with and gain instant access to people similar to you, or people looking for services like yours. 5. Video Production Content Marketing This may be the most obvious of our tips on how to get video production clients. Market yourself on as many social media platforms as possible, and consider engaging with others on those platforms to help draw attention to your content. While the most obvious forms of content marketing are to post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn also consider creating free content to distribute. A good example would be to create a cheat sheet titled something like “10 Things To Consider When Hiring Your Wedding Photographer” or writing a blog post relevant to videography/photography and posting it online, or on your website. Alternatively, create some kind of content and incorporate it into a lead magnet. Offer your Wedding Photographer Cheat Sheet for free in exchange for someone's email. This way, you not only caught someone's attention (and hopefully willed them to check out your stuff) but you have also collected some contacts for future endeavors. Content Marketing for a video business is essential as it is a great way to get your content in front of others without having to reach out first.

Video Bonus Tip

Remember – when content marketing via social networks like Facebook and Instagram simply posting good content isn't enough to make your posts visible. In order to beat the algorithm and create organic reach, you will need to post with the intent to engage with your followers. Accompany your picture with a caption willing viewers to comment by leaving a reply, or tagging someone else. Also make sure you are engaging with those that engage on your posts, like their comments, reply back to them and give their page a look. Consider following and liking/commenting on other content that is similar to yours. Build a network of online “friends” and mutually use your engagements with each other to help boost your posts and help it show up on people's news feeds. While there is a multitude of ways you can attract new video production clients, we would suggest starting out with these few easy tips. Being a successful videographer in today's market is harder than ever, but is by no means impossible. Put in the work, and produce quality content and you are already on your way to success and more clients. Good luck, and happy filming!