How to Make Money as a Videographer
If you love being the “man behind the camera,” turning your hobby into a career may sound like a dream come true. As more businesses build an online presence, the need for skilled videographers will continue to grow. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the need for camera operators will grow 11 percent between 2008 and 2018. Although many industries require a videographer's services, finding a paying project may seem daunting. By promoting yourself and giving your clients exactly what they want, you improve your chances of having all the work you need to keep you busy and to get your career off the ground.
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Instructions
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Get a film degree. Community colleges and four-year universities alike offer classes in film and editing. Although available majors vary by institution, if you have the opportunity to obtain a film degree, take it. A degree shows your clients that you're serious about your work and have the necessary training to create a video that meets their exact specifications.
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Shoot sample videos showcasing the different film and editing techniques you have at your disposal. Edit them together into a professional presentation, known in the industry as your "reel." Show your reel to prospective clients.
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Make business cards with your name, your profession and contact information. Distribute them as broadly as possible. Even if an individual or business does not currently need your services, they or someone they know might require a videographer in the future.
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Offer your services to wedding planners and bridal shops. Couples often want a professional wedding video to remember their big day. A couple that doesn't know where to hire a videographer is likely to ask a wedding planner or bridal shop for a recommendation.
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Offer your services at local television stations. Television stations need camera operators to film news events and local television commercials.
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Offer your services to attorneys. Attorneys need videographers for a variety of tasks, such as taping depositions or other legal proceedings, documenting the work conditions at a given location, making a video of an accident or crime scene, or taping testimony from absentee witnesses.
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Contact small business owners and offer to film commercials at a reduced rate or film video clips for the company's website.
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Make your own website. Upload your sample videos and your resume. Include your contact information and details about your specific areas of expertise within the film industry. Consumers look to the Internet to guide them to a wide variety of products and services. A website gives your clients what they're looking for and promotes your business for you.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't give up if companies repeatedly turn down your services. There is a lot of competition, but the more businesses and individuals you contact, the more likely you are to find a paying project.
Always give clients your best work. A client that likes your work is more likely to recommend you to a friend or colleague. Word of mouth is the best advertising possible — and it's free.
References
Resources
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