You’re finished with your training and have worked on a few videos. Maybe you did an internship in video editing. How do you take that next step with your business to make it look more professional and attract new jobs?
Treat It Like a Business
If you are trying to grow your video editing business, be sure to treat it like a business. Come up with a name and register it with the appropriate state and local authorities. Apply for a tax number if you need to. You need to decide whether to run your business as a sole proprietorship or start a corporation such as an LLC (limited liability corporation). Incorporating helps build trust among clients and it also protects your personal assets if you are sued.
Establish an Online Presence
Creating and maintaining an online presence is important, so set up a website if you don’t have one yet. This is a good place to post samples of your work. Get some business cards printed, and set up social media accounts for your business on sites like Facebook and Instagram.
Get Insurance
Get insurance on the business and equipment. Accidents happen and it can be expensive to pay for mishaps committed by you or someone working for you. Automate Your Finances
Use software to generate quotes and invoices, as well as keep track of expenses. This will save time and help you stay organized. It will also make filing taxes much simpler.
Have some cash on hand to get through slow times and to help with upfront costs on bigger projects. Ask for a deposit upfront big enough to cover your start-up costs and pay your bills during the project.
Invest in Good Equipment
Get good quality cameras and equipment but be careful not to overspend. Get the minimum you need. If you get a job that requires something more, rent. It’s cheaper than buying and you can try out new equipment before laying down the money. You may not need that type of gear for future jobs and it is expensive. You can also form a relationship with other small video production companies to share equipment.
Build a Professional-looking Portfolio
Potential clients want to know that you can deliver on time, that you know what you are doing, and that you are trustworthy and easy to work with, but first and foremost, they want to know that you can create the kind of content they want. Having a portfolio of sample videos shows clients what you can do. Every job should lead to more work. Keep your website up-to-date with samples of your latest jobs. It helps people find you and builds your reputation.
Put Some Effort into Networking
One of the most difficult things for people to do is talk about themselves, particularly creative people who tend to be loners and introverts, but that is exactly what you need to do to grow your business. It’s important to make connections with people so they will check out your work and keep you in mind for future assignments.
How Networks Work
Josh Short describes networks as having four layers:
- Layer One is the Inner Circle which is made up of close friends and family
- Layer Two is extended family and friends you talk to on social media
- Layer Three is people you know but don’t connect with often and
- Layer Four is made up of people you have met but don’t know
According to Short, the key to networking is to build relationships with people you meet. This could be in professional settings like conferences or film festivals, or it could be semi-social gatherings. Tell people what you do. If it is a professional gathering, be specific. If it is more social, describe your business in more general terms. The most important part is to tell people who you are looking for work but to be sure to do it in a natural way that is friendly but not creepy, annoying, or desperate.
Networking is a long game. It is about connecting with others so that when they hear of jobs, they will think of you. Maintain digital contact with your network two to three times per year, and meet in-person once a year, if possible. When people think about you, their network becomes your network.
Establish a Good Reputation
A good reputation goes a long way toward getting you more work. When you charge fair prices, and are reasonable and easy to work with, people will recommend you to others. When you produce quality work in a timely fashion, word will get around. It also helps to treat employees and subcontractors well because that helps your reputation as well.
Build Relationships with Other Video Companies
Having a good rapport with other video companies can help you get work, too. If you share equipment when you have it, send work their way when you have too much and are generally helpful, they will usually reciprocate. Outsourcing the parts of a project that you are weakest at can be helpful to you and to the other company.
Look for the Right Clients
Despite all of the above, don’t cast the net too wide. Many leads will be irrelevant and that can be a waste of time. Look for targeted leads that want the kind of work you do. If you prefer to work just on editing, be upfront about that. That way you won’t have to wade through requests to shoot weddings.
Conclusion
If you are ready to take that next step toward a new career in video editing, check out Noble Desktop’s video editing classes. Choose between in-person sessions in NYC at Noble’s location or sign up for live online video editing courses and attend from anywhere. Use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me to find other courses in video editing in your area.