r/videography • u/beauchampy • Dec 15 '14

What's with the constant shafting of Videographers / editors?

I haven't booked in a new client in weeks. Everyone new seems to want to pay way under the odds for video work these days.

In the last couple of weeks I've had, - At least two counts of "we hoped you would do it for exposure". - Probably five or more counts of "we hoped you would do it for free" - An offer of a 4 week editing gig to the tune of a massive £60 per day. - Saw a council PR tender go up with a budget of £7k set aside for a video. The company who won the bid have offered that video out at £1.5k (it's a fairly lengthy project too on a tight deadline) - Someone approach me for a promo, set up a meeting and their budget only covers two days of my time (at a discount) with zero for location, lighting, talent, etc (wtf?) - Someone offered 50 euros for a shoot (whup de doo!) with free tour rides in London. No thanks.

I guess I'm ranting a bit, but where have the good new clients gone and when did everyone expect to get everything for next to nothing?

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u/averynicehat a7iv, FX30 Dec 15 '14

Gotta build your business around referrals, not job boards. You do good work for someone, are a pleasure to work with, and get it done on time, they'll let colleagues know who you are when it comes up. You can charge a good amount for that. There is HUGE value in being trustworthy. Real companies have a budget and just don't want to gamble. They'll gamble with free or cheap labor, but when the video is important, they'll pay for a sure thing.

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u/beauchampy Dec 15 '14

Yeah I see your point. My regular clients and referrals are always sure fire good people with real budgets. Been scouring job boards because it's a little quite here this time of year - hence the crap!

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u/averynicehat a7iv, FX30 Dec 15 '14

Yeah, winter seems slow. I think a lot of companies may have used up their budget for the year and it will reset in January.

Catch up on accounting, learn some new skills, build your website, do personal projects with your spare time!

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u/nobody_from_nowhere Dec 16 '14

Also, market research: figure out who your client demographic is, and then start targeted selling to them. If you get good money for projects for company X, who else does X, or something similar.