Your video production business can literally go to the dogs...
...and cats! Birds! Monkeys! Ferrets!
But you will still be able to make a living at it because people love their pets and often become enthusiastic when you suggest creating a professionally produced Pet Video Biography of one (or all) of their non-human family members. I mention dogs first, because they are either neck-and-neck or second only to cats in how they are loved, doted upon, spoiled and treated...
...as well as abused, but that is another story I will share at the end of this article.
Any breed, or type of animal or creature that can display a personality, do tricks on command, or respond to its human companion is ripe to star in its own video biography. And the family members who love and care for their special friends love having something to show off to other friends and family members, as well as the story of their pet that they can visit in the event that one day their favorite animal is no longer around. Pet Video Biographies extend the lives of these animals for their families, renewing and preserving special memories over the years.
Maybe even fish...
...well, maybe not a fish. Perhaps if there is a pet dolphin?
Pet Video Biographies are excellent focus for personal professional video production services. Properly promoted and with good production skills represented in a couple of samples you could make this aspect of video production a full time career in and of itself.
I created one example, using a special family pet, a black lab - young, energetic, personable and special (obviously) - to its human family, as well as neighborhood friends, both canine and human. His name is Mickey.
I spent about an hour with Mickey and members of his family, videotaping Mickey's favorite activity - going for a walk around the neighborhood. Mickey loves his family, and they love him, and he gets so excited when it comes time for his daily exercise routine that he almost puts on his leash by himself. Well, he does take it in his mouth and makes a dash for the back yard gate, tossing the leash end up into the air and catching it in his mouth, sometimes nearly making the loop fall over his head and onto his neck.
I've no doubt that Mickey sooner or later will learn to make that trick happen. He also lets one of his family place a doggy bone biscuit on top of his nose then, upon command, makes a quick move causing the biscuit to disappear into his mouth. Before that command though, Mickey rolls his eyes, searching and patiently waiting for the command that will let him put the tasty treat where it belongs. Mickey has no problem letting the rest of the family know when he is hungry as well, grabbing his food dish in his mouth and sitting in front of the first one home, looking up with those expressive eyes, catching their look and smile before dropping the dish at their feet. Subtle hint, huh.
The family has something to say as well, sharing special anecdotes, tales of excitement, close encounters of the scary kind, and unique personality traits and tricks their favorite pet can perform. Many of these can be captured as well, along with the narrative that will often take on a life of its own. Invariably, there will be family photos of their pet as well, alone and sharing in family outings, splashing at the beach or in the lake, riding the boat, bicycle or even a little red wagon - maybe even pulling some kids in one.
The narrative, the live footage, photos - from "childhood" to those taken during production acquisition, as well as stills taken from some of the live footage that does not lend to inclusion as moving shots because, well, maybe the pet isn't moving. Maybe he, she or it is posing. All this comes together to create a combination of narrative, establishing a story line; action and photo montage with music that can generate a very special production.
Usually, for this kind of production, I find that on-camera audio is adequate for the purpose. But you can certainly improve the interview, or story telling part of the video by using a more direct audio acquisition approach when action is not involved. I was fortunate in my first sample production because Mickey's family genuinely loves him with great affection. Talking about him, interacting with him, and talking to him came perfectly natural for them, giving me all the narrative I needed to put it together.
There will be challenges. There will be perfect and natural successes. There will be many experiences and interesting events along the way, but offering, creating and producing Pet Video Biographies can fill a special service niche for pets, pet lovers and people who love capturing their stories on video. When professionally edited, these documentaries are an excellent formula for growing your business as a professional video services provider.
I also acquired through a library of public access images, and my own, a series of mixed dog and cat still shots that I put together in a music montage. As a demo, I discovered that this was a bit to long, and am now in the process of reducing the sample to only enough special images and a music track that can represent to potential pet lovers another, more affordable, possibility for preserving their memories of their special animal friends.
I currently shoot up to one hour, at $100 per hour. This is usually enough if the participants have planned it, or if it is part of a standard daily routine (these come off a bit more natural, usually). Sometimes it may take more time, more dates...charge accordingly.
I include photos (theirs) at $3 per image for actual photos; $2 for slides; and $1 per image for digital jpegs on CD. I charge per music selection (they provide on their personally purchased and owned CDs); titles or other special inclusions.
I charge $100 to $200 for editing, depending on the complexity, and deliver a production that varies in length from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Their first DVD, with special printed graphics on insert and DVD, and clear plastic library case, is $25. Copies 1 to 10 are $15 each; 11 or more go for $10 each - all with the custom graphics.
I average about $400 per project, for around 4-5 hours of work. Not a bad way - FUN actually - to pick up some coin, enjoy the "work", get out of the standard wedding/event production routine, and tell a special story. This is something you can actually feel good about.
Regarding pricing - I've gone cheaper, and I've charged more, depending on the situation, story, cooperation and the family's budget and interest level.
I talked earlier about abused and/or abandoned pets. Millions of dogs and cats a year are mistreated, abused, abandoned, all too few of them finding their way into a shelter. Sadly, even the shelter is often only a way station to euthanasia - a necessary but troubling mercy killing of all but a rare select few who find a second home with loving people. (Other species also are victims of uncaring, or stupid heartless, people, I am sure - we often read or hear of horses, pet pigs, boas and other animals suffering from inhuman treatment, or lack of...)
Video can be utilized here as well. A local public access station I have worked with in the past always maintained a program, or allowed time as part of another program, to introduce a few animals from the local shelter, hoping to entice someone watching to come, visit and take home a pet. Paid, or simply finding a way to provide this service for your local animal shelter can go a long way toward establishing you as a caring and active community member, pet lover and provider for a very real need. Contact your local shelter and find out what you can do with your video skills that might help a few of these animals find loving homes.
Did you know that a ferret is a domesticated version of the Old World polecat, often trained to hunt for rats and rabbits?
That's it for now. Find a pet. Tell a story. Make some money.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Great Ideas Only Work if You Do
I can post something every single day here that has the potential to make you money with your video equipment, bring you new business and clients and take you from aspiring beginner to money making business person. But, as the title says, you are going to have to put some forth some effort in order for any of my ideas, or yours, to work.
I don‘t want to sound like a preacher here, but so many times people tell me “it won’t fly” talking about one or another of my...
...“concepts” they call them. To be honest with you I’ve not yet written about anything I haven’t personally tried. And, the only reason any of my “concepts” do not pan out is that I quit working at it.
I admit that most of my suggestions for diversified video business are not new, or even unique. Most of them in one form or another have been tried with light to moderate success, occasionally to huge levels of success. Most of you at one time or another have thought of doing one or more of my suggestions, but never seem to quite get around to it.
Keep in mind, however, that if you are not excited about it, your potential clients will not be either. It takes effort to prime the pump of possibility, and you have to find ways to spread the word about your services that will be most effective for you. Waiting for the phone to ring, for someone to find you by chance, or show up at your door isn’t going to cut it.
Sure, you know this, but we all still fall into a non-aggressive rut occasionally and become lax in our attempts to stimulate business.
That being said, take video-to-DVD transfer services, for example. You can let people know you are willing to provide this service, tell your existing client base that you offer this service, advertise and promote the service in a big way. Essentially, this is grunt work, and though others have expounded on it as being “easy money” and a “monkey job” that anybody with a VHS-to-DVD standalone burner can accomplish, there is a bit more to the process.
There’s more you have to do if you even care to compete with all the drug store chains and WalMart types that provide similar services at cheap prices. First, get it out of your mind that you must compete with price. You cannot! The difference, and one for which many individuals are willing to pay, is personal service.
I tell my existing client base, and people who inquire after finding me on the web, or referrals from other satisfied customers, that the difference between what I do and what the local drug store chain does is that I “babysit” their tapes. If something goes wrong - tape jams, long lengths of no image or audio, broken tapes, short tape lengths, etc. - I am there to do something about it, not just let it continue recording (or not) junk footage.
Sure, I’m multitasking (to the extent that a male is capable) but I am in the same room, always alert to situations that can arise when transferring video to DVD. I am getting other work done, but I am giving their transfer projects my professional attention as well.
What I do not do, is take their prized videotapes, giving the illusion that I will personally be doing the work, then ship it off to Crater, Moon or some other facility where the process isn’t as I have described to them. You know, the one about personal service.
If my clients come up with a format I cannot handle, I do have resources for getting them done. I always explain that I have to outsource this format, but will do everything in my power to ensure the safe handling and return of their original materials. If you do enough stuff like this, and ship out enough product, sooner or later something will happen. Murphy’s Law is a guarantee, right up there with death and taxes. Just be prepared to be up front, and honest about the mishap. Commiserate with them, show empathy, and refund their money, as well as some portion of the insurance you placed on their (now lost, damaged or destroyed) materials.
Insurance will not replace those memories, but money and sympathy will go a long way toward softening the situation. Never, ever, send a client’s personal materials out without insuring it for all you can claim, and without first having your client’s signed written permission to do so on file. This is a highly recommended C.Y.A. measure.
If you are not yet frighted away from trying. Start by investing around $150 in a VHS-to-DVD transfer system. Most brand name consumer products perform nicely. Get an adapter for VHS-C tapes and you are in the VHS and compact VHS transfer business. Have an Hi8/Regular 8 deck or camera with A/V outputs, you are good to go on another format. MiniDV camera with outputs, or a playback deck? There you go.
There are other formats, and you either need to plan to establish resources for outsourcing this material, or avoid it, or refer it to a resource you trust. Film transfer? Even I tremble at the thought and will always outsource film transfers, or refer my clients directly. I have done some on a very small scale, but unless you are properly equipped and can capture a large enough volume of this business, it is not for the faint of heart.
Pricing is pretty straightforward. Yet, clients will still attempt to find ways to whittle down their costs. Don’t yield. If they use the local drug store argument, politely suggest that this might be their best route if they are on a limited budget, or don’t care about much more than getting their memories dubbed over for archival purposes.
I now charge $35 for each one-hour of video, or portion thereof. I will only place up to 2 hours of video on each DVD. And, I charge a $1 tape change fee for people who also want to squeeze as many tapes as they can (like the old 20 minute VHS-C format, for example). So, a DVD will cost them $70 for up to 2 hours of transferred video, and they will pay me an additional $1 each time I change to the next tape. This should give you a basis for establishing your own transfer service price list. You can also check out the competition on the Web via a Google search. Just remember to not fall into a price competition rut.
Make sure what you do is what you WANT to do, and make what you get for it worth your while.
I don‘t want to sound like a preacher here, but so many times people tell me “it won’t fly” talking about one or another of my...
...“concepts” they call them. To be honest with you I’ve not yet written about anything I haven’t personally tried. And, the only reason any of my “concepts” do not pan out is that I quit working at it.
I admit that most of my suggestions for diversified video business are not new, or even unique. Most of them in one form or another have been tried with light to moderate success, occasionally to huge levels of success. Most of you at one time or another have thought of doing one or more of my suggestions, but never seem to quite get around to it.
Keep in mind, however, that if you are not excited about it, your potential clients will not be either. It takes effort to prime the pump of possibility, and you have to find ways to spread the word about your services that will be most effective for you. Waiting for the phone to ring, for someone to find you by chance, or show up at your door isn’t going to cut it.
Sure, you know this, but we all still fall into a non-aggressive rut occasionally and become lax in our attempts to stimulate business.
That being said, take video-to-DVD transfer services, for example. You can let people know you are willing to provide this service, tell your existing client base that you offer this service, advertise and promote the service in a big way. Essentially, this is grunt work, and though others have expounded on it as being “easy money” and a “monkey job” that anybody with a VHS-to-DVD standalone burner can accomplish, there is a bit more to the process.
There’s more you have to do if you even care to compete with all the drug store chains and WalMart types that provide similar services at cheap prices. First, get it out of your mind that you must compete with price. You cannot! The difference, and one for which many individuals are willing to pay, is personal service.
I tell my existing client base, and people who inquire after finding me on the web, or referrals from other satisfied customers, that the difference between what I do and what the local drug store chain does is that I “babysit” their tapes. If something goes wrong - tape jams, long lengths of no image or audio, broken tapes, short tape lengths, etc. - I am there to do something about it, not just let it continue recording (or not) junk footage.
Sure, I’m multitasking (to the extent that a male is capable) but I am in the same room, always alert to situations that can arise when transferring video to DVD. I am getting other work done, but I am giving their transfer projects my professional attention as well.
What I do not do, is take their prized videotapes, giving the illusion that I will personally be doing the work, then ship it off to Crater, Moon or some other facility where the process isn’t as I have described to them. You know, the one about personal service.
If my clients come up with a format I cannot handle, I do have resources for getting them done. I always explain that I have to outsource this format, but will do everything in my power to ensure the safe handling and return of their original materials. If you do enough stuff like this, and ship out enough product, sooner or later something will happen. Murphy’s Law is a guarantee, right up there with death and taxes. Just be prepared to be up front, and honest about the mishap. Commiserate with them, show empathy, and refund their money, as well as some portion of the insurance you placed on their (now lost, damaged or destroyed) materials.
Insurance will not replace those memories, but money and sympathy will go a long way toward softening the situation. Never, ever, send a client’s personal materials out without insuring it for all you can claim, and without first having your client’s signed written permission to do so on file. This is a highly recommended C.Y.A. measure.
If you are not yet frighted away from trying. Start by investing around $150 in a VHS-to-DVD transfer system. Most brand name consumer products perform nicely. Get an adapter for VHS-C tapes and you are in the VHS and compact VHS transfer business. Have an Hi8/Regular 8 deck or camera with A/V outputs, you are good to go on another format. MiniDV camera with outputs, or a playback deck? There you go.
There are other formats, and you either need to plan to establish resources for outsourcing this material, or avoid it, or refer it to a resource you trust. Film transfer? Even I tremble at the thought and will always outsource film transfers, or refer my clients directly. I have done some on a very small scale, but unless you are properly equipped and can capture a large enough volume of this business, it is not for the faint of heart.
Pricing is pretty straightforward. Yet, clients will still attempt to find ways to whittle down their costs. Don’t yield. If they use the local drug store argument, politely suggest that this might be their best route if they are on a limited budget, or don’t care about much more than getting their memories dubbed over for archival purposes.
I now charge $35 for each one-hour of video, or portion thereof. I will only place up to 2 hours of video on each DVD. And, I charge a $1 tape change fee for people who also want to squeeze as many tapes as they can (like the old 20 minute VHS-C format, for example). So, a DVD will cost them $70 for up to 2 hours of transferred video, and they will pay me an additional $1 each time I change to the next tape. This should give you a basis for establishing your own transfer service price list. You can also check out the competition on the Web via a Google search. Just remember to not fall into a price competition rut.
Make sure what you do is what you WANT to do, and make what you get for it worth your while.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Make Money with Video Greeting Cards
You can make money creating and selling Video Greeting Cards even in this current tight money and DIY (do it yourself) market environment. Though there are plenty of available programs and internet resources for this, not all DIYers are getting beyond the usual amateur creations. In addition to providing DIYers with a more professional product, there are plenty who do not fall into the DIY category.
The market is wide open for a fresh, if not unique, approach to greeting card creation and sharing. In years past I have done this full scale using a shopping mall booth rental during the holiday season (actually from Oct. 1 through New Year’s Eve), as well as on a smaller scale, marketing to existing clients I know might be receptive.
Ironically, my biggest Video Greeting Card breakthrough came last season when I decided to develop my own personal and business VGCs and sent out about a hundred of them. Several clients, as well as family and friends responded to thank me for the “special and unique” holiday greeting. And, they wanted to know if I could create VGCs for them!
Initiating a set of appropriate content for differing personalities, and developing a library large enough to give some choice for people is, and will continue to be a challenge, but there's no doubt that investing time to do so can pay off.
My typical Video Greeting Card is about 15 minutes in length. I have a few that focus on specific holidays such as Thanksgiving, Mother’s/Father’s Day, Halloween and, of course the Christmas season with its various flavors - from traditional to religious, to contemporary, serious or humorous.
When I developed material for the shopping mall experiment, I generated a number of selections and seasons with appropriate music from my library of copyright free selections, and used live video as well as moving stills representing the event. For example, I have collected quite a library of outdoor winter scenes and holiday decorations for the Christmas themes.
At the mall, and even now, I added a live greeting from individual or families, inserted that at the end of what is essentially a montage with music, then created my master. This first experience was during the VHS era, so I used short tapes purchased specifically for the purpose.
Now, with DVD, the process is even easier and faster, offering time to generate 20 or more copies for people who want to do more than just send one to a specific special person, family member, friend or client.
You will have to figure out what your time and the product is worth, and also what your specific market will bear. This starts out feeling like a labor of love but can soon escalate into a fun and profitable element of business. Things can change, and you will not always experience a long shelf life of the contents used even from a year ago, but Video Greeting Cards are an excellent approach to a work once, sell many concept.
Creating, marketing, selling and producing Video Greeting Cards can grow as huge as you want, or stay as subtle as you desire. It is up to you how much time, effort, money and income you put into or get out of this, but the market is real.
There is a lot more to this aspect of diversified video business, but this article should be enough to get your creative juices going. I will follow up with more details as reader interest dictates.
The market is wide open for a fresh, if not unique, approach to greeting card creation and sharing. In years past I have done this full scale using a shopping mall booth rental during the holiday season (actually from Oct. 1 through New Year’s Eve), as well as on a smaller scale, marketing to existing clients I know might be receptive.
Ironically, my biggest Video Greeting Card breakthrough came last season when I decided to develop my own personal and business VGCs and sent out about a hundred of them. Several clients, as well as family and friends responded to thank me for the “special and unique” holiday greeting. And, they wanted to know if I could create VGCs for them!
Initiating a set of appropriate content for differing personalities, and developing a library large enough to give some choice for people is, and will continue to be a challenge, but there's no doubt that investing time to do so can pay off.
My typical Video Greeting Card is about 15 minutes in length. I have a few that focus on specific holidays such as Thanksgiving, Mother’s/Father’s Day, Halloween and, of course the Christmas season with its various flavors - from traditional to religious, to contemporary, serious or humorous.
When I developed material for the shopping mall experiment, I generated a number of selections and seasons with appropriate music from my library of copyright free selections, and used live video as well as moving stills representing the event. For example, I have collected quite a library of outdoor winter scenes and holiday decorations for the Christmas themes.
At the mall, and even now, I added a live greeting from individual or families, inserted that at the end of what is essentially a montage with music, then created my master. This first experience was during the VHS era, so I used short tapes purchased specifically for the purpose.
Now, with DVD, the process is even easier and faster, offering time to generate 20 or more copies for people who want to do more than just send one to a specific special person, family member, friend or client.
You will have to figure out what your time and the product is worth, and also what your specific market will bear. This starts out feeling like a labor of love but can soon escalate into a fun and profitable element of business. Things can change, and you will not always experience a long shelf life of the contents used even from a year ago, but Video Greeting Cards are an excellent approach to a work once, sell many concept.
Creating, marketing, selling and producing Video Greeting Cards can grow as huge as you want, or stay as subtle as you desire. It is up to you how much time, effort, money and income you put into or get out of this, but the market is real.
There is a lot more to this aspect of diversified video business, but this article should be enough to get your creative juices going. I will follow up with more details as reader interest dictates.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Marketing Projection Services
You can pick up a lot of business, new clients and referrals simply by doing something for free!
“Free?” You ask. Why not? I am willing to bet that over the period of a year most people in business do something for free, believing this will somehow bring them extra paid business. Done wrong, it will bring you nothing but frustration. But, done right...
...you will get your money’s worth, or your time’s worth.
In this particular case I am talking about promotion of not only your availability for providing projection services, but your production work as well. A few times over the past six months I have held planned, and impromptu, block parties, backyard events and even a Movie in the Park event that brought me a lot of good contacts and new business.
I have to tell you that there are potential hazards to doing this, especially in this litigious era where lawsuits, complaints and city/county ordinances abound. Some people with attitudes get miserable just watching others enjoying themselves and are quick to lob verbal, legal or real water balloons at the happy crowd. Use a bit of discretion and plan your guerrilla style movie presentations a little and you might be able to avoid the nastys.
I’ve had people who live on a circle actually get neighborhood permission to close the circle off and throw a block party where I’ve offered to project a movie. The “catch” to my offer is that prior to, and following the movie, I show one of my productions. I might show a montage, a cuts-to-the beat production with photos of kids and animals (pets), or even a wedding highlight, or some other celebration event.
I have also shown highlights of youth sports events, especially if I have something that includes or involves the people throwing the block party.
I have done the same thing with others who have made neighborhood announcements that they will be having a neighborhood social in their back yard. They also announce a movie showing to be projected on the Big Screen (I use a 6x8, T-stand screen), and maybe even children’s entertainment as well. Again, I show my stuff before and/or after.
The most guerrilla of these is to take a chance on showing a Movie in the Park. I am particularly lucky in that I have access to a few small parks in my area where pretty much anything but loud rock concerts goes, at least until 10 p.m. or so at night. This works especially well if you try it on a weekend as opposed to week nights, when surrounding residents might resent the noise and complain. I mean they have to get up and go to work next morning, and they probably want their kids to get some rest before school. Right?
Summer time is more conducive to mid-week park projections, but be prepared for a few people who might “crash” your event and try to raise a bit of sand. Usually, however, you and a few of your followers can keep the bad boys toned down.
I have been able to access power from some nearby source, even from the park’s auxiliary facility - some parks do have these and you can usually sign up to use the facility if you plan ahead. I have sent out notices, usually by e-mail, to people in my neighborhood, others whom I know, and urge them to invite friends. Keep it smaller rather than trying to attract a crowd of hundreds - the local law enforcement will surely come down on you then, and not because they want to watch your movie.
You can get permits, ask permission, get neighborhood support, etc. and sometimes you can simply jump in and back out before anybody causes a problem. Another thing is to not always show something at the same place, on the same day, at the same time. You can be responsible about this, or treat it like a RAVE - notifying past participants via phone text or e-mail.
Occasionally the shear outlaw sense of showing a Movie in the Park will be fun if you can keep things from getting out of hand. Use some common sense about it. And reap the benefits of having an open-minded, fun-loving crowd that not only enjoys the movie, but your productions as well, brings out potluck-style snacks and asks for business cards.
“Free?” You ask. Why not? I am willing to bet that over the period of a year most people in business do something for free, believing this will somehow bring them extra paid business. Done wrong, it will bring you nothing but frustration. But, done right...
...you will get your money’s worth, or your time’s worth.
In this particular case I am talking about promotion of not only your availability for providing projection services, but your production work as well. A few times over the past six months I have held planned, and impromptu, block parties, backyard events and even a Movie in the Park event that brought me a lot of good contacts and new business.
I have to tell you that there are potential hazards to doing this, especially in this litigious era where lawsuits, complaints and city/county ordinances abound. Some people with attitudes get miserable just watching others enjoying themselves and are quick to lob verbal, legal or real water balloons at the happy crowd. Use a bit of discretion and plan your guerrilla style movie presentations a little and you might be able to avoid the nastys.
I’ve had people who live on a circle actually get neighborhood permission to close the circle off and throw a block party where I’ve offered to project a movie. The “catch” to my offer is that prior to, and following the movie, I show one of my productions. I might show a montage, a cuts-to-the beat production with photos of kids and animals (pets), or even a wedding highlight, or some other celebration event.
I have also shown highlights of youth sports events, especially if I have something that includes or involves the people throwing the block party.
I have done the same thing with others who have made neighborhood announcements that they will be having a neighborhood social in their back yard. They also announce a movie showing to be projected on the Big Screen (I use a 6x8, T-stand screen), and maybe even children’s entertainment as well. Again, I show my stuff before and/or after.
The most guerrilla of these is to take a chance on showing a Movie in the Park. I am particularly lucky in that I have access to a few small parks in my area where pretty much anything but loud rock concerts goes, at least until 10 p.m. or so at night. This works especially well if you try it on a weekend as opposed to week nights, when surrounding residents might resent the noise and complain. I mean they have to get up and go to work next morning, and they probably want their kids to get some rest before school. Right?
Summer time is more conducive to mid-week park projections, but be prepared for a few people who might “crash” your event and try to raise a bit of sand. Usually, however, you and a few of your followers can keep the bad boys toned down.
I have been able to access power from some nearby source, even from the park’s auxiliary facility - some parks do have these and you can usually sign up to use the facility if you plan ahead. I have sent out notices, usually by e-mail, to people in my neighborhood, others whom I know, and urge them to invite friends. Keep it smaller rather than trying to attract a crowd of hundreds - the local law enforcement will surely come down on you then, and not because they want to watch your movie.
You can get permits, ask permission, get neighborhood support, etc. and sometimes you can simply jump in and back out before anybody causes a problem. Another thing is to not always show something at the same place, on the same day, at the same time. You can be responsible about this, or treat it like a RAVE - notifying past participants via phone text or e-mail.
Occasionally the shear outlaw sense of showing a Movie in the Park will be fun if you can keep things from getting out of hand. Use some common sense about it. And reap the benefits of having an open-minded, fun-loving crowd that not only enjoys the movie, but your productions as well, brings out potluck-style snacks and asks for business cards.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Offering Projection Services
Sometimes you have to spend money to make money: investing in projection equipment in order to market a value-added service, for example.
That can be easier said than done during the present economic state of the union, and your pocketbook. However, if you can manage $2,000 or less (often way less) to invest in a large screen, projector, table, skirt and a bit of marketing you can easily recoup your investment in 90 days or less.
All it would take would be four, maybe five gigs and you’re now into R.O.I. territory.
“Projection!” you might exclaim. Who is going to pay for projection services in today’s depressed economy when I cannot even get them to buy into wedding video production?
The short answer is: A lot of people will “buy into” projection services if you are reasonably priced, service oriented and willing to do the work. Actually, doing projection gigs for a “reasonable” price, say $350 to $450 for a one-time showing, on site for 3 hours or less, will get you a good bit of business if you promote it right.
Nothing wrong, that I can see, in averaging $100 an hour for fairly easy work. Set up. Show. Pack up. Go! It’s over! Next!
If you have been in video production as a business for any length of time, attend church, are a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc., participate in your children(s) school events/activities, youth sports programs, or just enjoy a great social environment in your neighborhood, or on your block, you have the human resources available to start making money by offering projection services.
I constantly hear the argument that “everybody has it,” meaning projectors, large screens, etc. but that isn’t what I’m seeing in the real world. I have provided projection services for block parties, outdoor social events by groups and individuals, memorial montage showings at funeral homes, mortuaries, chapels and churches, school graduation, sports awards banquets and other events. Some of these venues even actually have some or all of the equipment, but they don’t always have access to it for one reason or another. Usually, and often it is simply “broke” or inoperable due to poor maintenance.
The key to successfully marketing your projection services is: “If you don’t ask, they can’t say ‘yes!’” If you do ask, not everybody is going to say, ‘no!’ And that’s not just dumb blah, blah, blah...
...it works, if you do. Gotta make the investment, make the effort, ask them, and tell everyone you know that you are doing it. Put it on your web site, feature it in your brochures, direct mail it to any good address you can lay your hands on.
“Good” addresses include anyone who has ever, ever used your video production services, bought a product or paid for your time, referred you to someone, offered you a drink, dinner out, or a reduced price on t-shirts from that defunct church fundraiser. If you are too embarrassed to pursue your available resources then, video AND PROJECTION, being service oriented business is probably not what you should be doing full time, part time, or in your spare time.
I currently have two relatively cheap ($800 or less) 1,200-to-1,500 lumen rated projectors and one Panasonic 2,000 lumen rated projector, VGA or S-VGA, without auto focus or auto keystone control, but totally serviceable for the vast majority of my gigs. Contrary to public opinion (public opinion sort of being like the ubiquitous “They” when people quote: “They say...”) most venues, projection times I service don’t mind lowering the lights if it will help.
My Panasonic works in pretty much anything but open sunshine, no shade, and I have been able to get by using it under carports, inside the garage, or under the backyard lattice cover with decent results. Sure, you can get brighter ones, if you want to spend the money. The key word here is “want” because you certainly do not have to.
I use a projector stand with screw-in legs that are adjustable to a variety of heights. This is covered with a black velvet drape material making it look a bit more professional than the spindly legs (especially at more formal venues such as wedding receptions and memorial services). There are carts as well, that do not require assembly and can be loaded and rolled into position. If you have the means for transporting this, it might help, but again it isn’t totally necessary. I can get my projector table up and covered with equipment in place before most of you would be able to unload your system from the vehicle and roll it into place.
I use a $28 player from WalMart for most of my gigs, and it works just fine, thank you. I purchased a 6x8 front projection screen, t-stand assembly, from ScreenWorks and have used it for nearly 10 years. Yes, it has a few patches here and there, and I’m about ready to put it into second place backup position soon as I purchase another one before the end of the year.
It has been my experience that front-projection, unless you invest in a projector that has an extremely short throw, will more often “work” in your average venue. Even with the 20-feet, or less, throw of my Panasonic, I get full 6x8 screen capacity. That’s workable.
There are dozens of places where you can shop for price and product, and just about that many affordable projectors out there for the taking. Check it out and get started making money even if you are not shooting or editing video today.
That can be easier said than done during the present economic state of the union, and your pocketbook. However, if you can manage $2,000 or less (often way less) to invest in a large screen, projector, table, skirt and a bit of marketing you can easily recoup your investment in 90 days or less.
All it would take would be four, maybe five gigs and you’re now into R.O.I. territory.
“Projection!” you might exclaim. Who is going to pay for projection services in today’s depressed economy when I cannot even get them to buy into wedding video production?
The short answer is: A lot of people will “buy into” projection services if you are reasonably priced, service oriented and willing to do the work. Actually, doing projection gigs for a “reasonable” price, say $350 to $450 for a one-time showing, on site for 3 hours or less, will get you a good bit of business if you promote it right.
Nothing wrong, that I can see, in averaging $100 an hour for fairly easy work. Set up. Show. Pack up. Go! It’s over! Next!
If you have been in video production as a business for any length of time, attend church, are a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc., participate in your children(s) school events/activities, youth sports programs, or just enjoy a great social environment in your neighborhood, or on your block, you have the human resources available to start making money by offering projection services.
I constantly hear the argument that “everybody has it,” meaning projectors, large screens, etc. but that isn’t what I’m seeing in the real world. I have provided projection services for block parties, outdoor social events by groups and individuals, memorial montage showings at funeral homes, mortuaries, chapels and churches, school graduation, sports awards banquets and other events. Some of these venues even actually have some or all of the equipment, but they don’t always have access to it for one reason or another. Usually, and often it is simply “broke” or inoperable due to poor maintenance.
The key to successfully marketing your projection services is: “If you don’t ask, they can’t say ‘yes!’” If you do ask, not everybody is going to say, ‘no!’ And that’s not just dumb blah, blah, blah...
...it works, if you do. Gotta make the investment, make the effort, ask them, and tell everyone you know that you are doing it. Put it on your web site, feature it in your brochures, direct mail it to any good address you can lay your hands on.
“Good” addresses include anyone who has ever, ever used your video production services, bought a product or paid for your time, referred you to someone, offered you a drink, dinner out, or a reduced price on t-shirts from that defunct church fundraiser. If you are too embarrassed to pursue your available resources then, video AND PROJECTION, being service oriented business is probably not what you should be doing full time, part time, or in your spare time.
I currently have two relatively cheap ($800 or less) 1,200-to-1,500 lumen rated projectors and one Panasonic 2,000 lumen rated projector, VGA or S-VGA, without auto focus or auto keystone control, but totally serviceable for the vast majority of my gigs. Contrary to public opinion (public opinion sort of being like the ubiquitous “They” when people quote: “They say...”) most venues, projection times I service don’t mind lowering the lights if it will help.
My Panasonic works in pretty much anything but open sunshine, no shade, and I have been able to get by using it under carports, inside the garage, or under the backyard lattice cover with decent results. Sure, you can get brighter ones, if you want to spend the money. The key word here is “want” because you certainly do not have to.
I use a projector stand with screw-in legs that are adjustable to a variety of heights. This is covered with a black velvet drape material making it look a bit more professional than the spindly legs (especially at more formal venues such as wedding receptions and memorial services). There are carts as well, that do not require assembly and can be loaded and rolled into position. If you have the means for transporting this, it might help, but again it isn’t totally necessary. I can get my projector table up and covered with equipment in place before most of you would be able to unload your system from the vehicle and roll it into place.
I use a $28 player from WalMart for most of my gigs, and it works just fine, thank you. I purchased a 6x8 front projection screen, t-stand assembly, from ScreenWorks and have used it for nearly 10 years. Yes, it has a few patches here and there, and I’m about ready to put it into second place backup position soon as I purchase another one before the end of the year.
It has been my experience that front-projection, unless you invest in a projector that has an extremely short throw, will more often “work” in your average venue. Even with the 20-feet, or less, throw of my Panasonic, I get full 6x8 screen capacity. That’s workable.
There are dozens of places where you can shop for price and product, and just about that many affordable projectors out there for the taking. Check it out and get started making money even if you are not shooting or editing video today.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Videotaping Funerals
Funerals are not for everybody. “Ewwww, videotaping dead people and infringing on the privacy of mourning loved ones.” While that may be the general reaction, it certainly isn’t so.
This may not be for everybody in the Independent Professional Video Services provider arena - wedding and event video producers working part- or full-time. It is, however, one of the most under-served potential event video production markets on the planet.
I recently had a friend on the East Coast tell me that she had “never heard of such,” adding that it must be a “West Coast thing.” Maybe.
I don’t know about the other side of the Mississippi, but I do know I have videotaped and edited funerals, created and projected memorial montages in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Utah, as well as California.
I have created basic memorial photo/music montages for clients all over the U.S.A., including the above states, and Florida, South Carolina, Maryland and Ohio - by mail using USPS Priority.
Granted insurance doesn’t do a thing to replace lost or damaged original photos, if that happens. I have to say that before there were digital formats and jpeg photo CDs the risk was greater, but with the hundreds I’ve produced over the past decade or longer, the Post Office has lost or mis-delivered nary a one.
Interesting enough, deviating from this article, I have had bills, payments, checks lost or dropped off at the wrong addresses, and an equipment order I once made was delivered to Colorado Mining Company before making its way to me...
...eventually. This is over a 40+ years span, mind you, so the percentages are quite low.
They’ve done well by me and my clients.
Churches, funeral homes, mortuaries, cemetery associations and even an ad published on the obits page of your local newspaper, are excellent resources for offering this service. While many large churches, and many of the larger funeral homes usually have audio/video, the vast majority do not. Often those that do provide inadequate equipment, and impersonal service. At funeral homes, especially, they rarely have someone who is well-trained in operating or maintaining their audio/visual equipment.
Quite frequently, even the montages these folks produce are not of a professional quality. It is usually generated by a point-and-click program, limited in scope and selection, length, time to create, and often put together by a minimum wage assistant who has plenty of other responsibilities to overpower her creative focus. Few facilities or their employees are dedicated enough to compete with what you are capable of producing, able to offer.
Putting together a montage, as we all know, can range from simple to complex, but simple is the direction I’ve taken to both get this business and get the projects done within the 24-hour turnaround I promise...
...and have managed to maintain for a long, long time. I have hundreds of satisfied clients. Not one has complained about the quality, or lack thereof, of a single, solitary memorial montage.
Creating montages, frequently within a day of receiving the materials; providing projection service as well, and offering videotaping and editing of funeral and memorial events does require a major commitment. I occasionally have to put in an all-night session in order to deliver as promised.
Over time, however, the over night express has slowed down and many of our family client counselors now give us advance notice, knowing they can depend on us to deliver. Over the years they have become convinced that we are serious about not letting them down. We’ve earned their trust.
Money isn’t huge, but over time it can be. Other than churches, most of the other resources want pricing at a level where they can tag on a percentage and provide this as a value added service. The upside to this is that eventually you’ll get to increase your prices, bring in extra orders for copies, even book other events from people who are impressed with both your work and your presence. Many other potential business sources have come my way through this area of video production.
It all started with a one-page cover letter, backed by a full-length 8-to-15-minute (100-to-150 image) demo with 3 songs, opening/closing title and packaged in a full-color case/insert, with matching graphics on the DVD. And a promise/commitment to “Be there, on call, 24/7, or have somebody who can be.”
Mail these to every church, and all the other resources I mentioned earlier, within your service area. If you do not hear from them, mail the ones who did not respond again within 90 days, then, if you are serious about pursuing this, follow those non-respondents up with a phone call within two weeks after the second mailing.
Even in rural areas throughout the U.S.A. there are literally hundreds of churches, cemeteries as well, where funeral and memorial services are held. Pretty much every state has a Bible belt somewhere, and believe me when I say cemeteries are just about as numerous.
Follow up, follow through and make it happen, and you will soon have all the funeral and memorial business you can handle. Unless, of course, you want to pay and train others so you can provide multiple services at multiple locations and different times of the day. It’s up to you, but if you want this kind of business it is certainly a wide-open area for growth, income and company name recognition.
There are a practical set of things that can and/or should be done when videotaping/editing a funeral, or creating/projecting a memorial montage. That is a subject worthy of follow-up if anyone responds further to this article.
Click on the title at the top of this article to see a one-page web site promotion of this business.
This may not be for everybody in the Independent Professional Video Services provider arena - wedding and event video producers working part- or full-time. It is, however, one of the most under-served potential event video production markets on the planet.
I recently had a friend on the East Coast tell me that she had “never heard of such,” adding that it must be a “West Coast thing.” Maybe.
I don’t know about the other side of the Mississippi, but I do know I have videotaped and edited funerals, created and projected memorial montages in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Utah, as well as California.
I have created basic memorial photo/music montages for clients all over the U.S.A., including the above states, and Florida, South Carolina, Maryland and Ohio - by mail using USPS Priority.
Granted insurance doesn’t do a thing to replace lost or damaged original photos, if that happens. I have to say that before there were digital formats and jpeg photo CDs the risk was greater, but with the hundreds I’ve produced over the past decade or longer, the Post Office has lost or mis-delivered nary a one.
Interesting enough, deviating from this article, I have had bills, payments, checks lost or dropped off at the wrong addresses, and an equipment order I once made was delivered to Colorado Mining Company before making its way to me...
...eventually. This is over a 40+ years span, mind you, so the percentages are quite low.
They’ve done well by me and my clients.
Churches, funeral homes, mortuaries, cemetery associations and even an ad published on the obits page of your local newspaper, are excellent resources for offering this service. While many large churches, and many of the larger funeral homes usually have audio/video, the vast majority do not. Often those that do provide inadequate equipment, and impersonal service. At funeral homes, especially, they rarely have someone who is well-trained in operating or maintaining their audio/visual equipment.
Quite frequently, even the montages these folks produce are not of a professional quality. It is usually generated by a point-and-click program, limited in scope and selection, length, time to create, and often put together by a minimum wage assistant who has plenty of other responsibilities to overpower her creative focus. Few facilities or their employees are dedicated enough to compete with what you are capable of producing, able to offer.
Putting together a montage, as we all know, can range from simple to complex, but simple is the direction I’ve taken to both get this business and get the projects done within the 24-hour turnaround I promise...
...and have managed to maintain for a long, long time. I have hundreds of satisfied clients. Not one has complained about the quality, or lack thereof, of a single, solitary memorial montage.
Creating montages, frequently within a day of receiving the materials; providing projection service as well, and offering videotaping and editing of funeral and memorial events does require a major commitment. I occasionally have to put in an all-night session in order to deliver as promised.
Over time, however, the over night express has slowed down and many of our family client counselors now give us advance notice, knowing they can depend on us to deliver. Over the years they have become convinced that we are serious about not letting them down. We’ve earned their trust.
Money isn’t huge, but over time it can be. Other than churches, most of the other resources want pricing at a level where they can tag on a percentage and provide this as a value added service. The upside to this is that eventually you’ll get to increase your prices, bring in extra orders for copies, even book other events from people who are impressed with both your work and your presence. Many other potential business sources have come my way through this area of video production.
It all started with a one-page cover letter, backed by a full-length 8-to-15-minute (100-to-150 image) demo with 3 songs, opening/closing title and packaged in a full-color case/insert, with matching graphics on the DVD. And a promise/commitment to “Be there, on call, 24/7, or have somebody who can be.”
Mail these to every church, and all the other resources I mentioned earlier, within your service area. If you do not hear from them, mail the ones who did not respond again within 90 days, then, if you are serious about pursuing this, follow those non-respondents up with a phone call within two weeks after the second mailing.
Even in rural areas throughout the U.S.A. there are literally hundreds of churches, cemeteries as well, where funeral and memorial services are held. Pretty much every state has a Bible belt somewhere, and believe me when I say cemeteries are just about as numerous.
Follow up, follow through and make it happen, and you will soon have all the funeral and memorial business you can handle. Unless, of course, you want to pay and train others so you can provide multiple services at multiple locations and different times of the day. It’s up to you, but if you want this kind of business it is certainly a wide-open area for growth, income and company name recognition.
There are a practical set of things that can and/or should be done when videotaping/editing a funeral, or creating/projecting a memorial montage. That is a subject worthy of follow-up if anyone responds further to this article.
Click on the title at the top of this article to see a one-page web site promotion of this business.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Will Blog for Money
I will get back to the promised topic for the remaining quarter of this year regarding ways to develop your video business beyond focusing exclusively on wedding video production, but...
...I have got to share with you this article (click on title for link) about blogging. Naysayers be warned, there ARE ways to make your blog do something other than reveal your innermost dark secrets, stupid mistakes and desires - like sharing your personal diary or journal with the world.
Blogging for Dollars: How Do Bloggers Make Money by Michael Agger, is an interesting read, full of great links.
...I have got to share with you this article (click on title for link) about blogging. Naysayers be warned, there ARE ways to make your blog do something other than reveal your innermost dark secrets, stupid mistakes and desires - like sharing your personal diary or journal with the world.
Blogging for Dollars: How Do Bloggers Make Money by Michael Agger, is an interesting read, full of great links.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Need More Business?
Even with a downturn in world economics people will continue to invest in memories. What better way than to have special events professionally videotaped? People still celebrate life, and can still be convinced that they will better enjoy a professional quality production over home video. Of course we, as a professional service industry, need to find the sweet spot between price and product for them, as well as us.
And, we need to find the clients.
In their single mindedness wedding video producers, part time or full time, often overlook other options - many of these business options result in a higher level of income on an hourly basis than any wedding video they have ever produced. Yet, for whatever reasons, they continue to pursue only wedding video production business.
Most professional video service providers already know, or are aware of the possibilities. Many, however, simply are not motivated to pursue them. In a series of ongoing posts during the remaining quarter of 2008, I will focus on areas of potential. I will not only tell how to do them, but where to go to find them, bringing more business than you can handle.
This article will simply list a few of them.
1.) Funerals
2.) Memorial montages
3.) Projection services
4.) Video greeting cards
5.) Video-to-DVD transfers
6.) Dance recitals
7.) School plays
8.) Sports events
9.) Paparazzi parties
10.) Pet video biographies
11.) A Day in the Life videos
There are more, but these are enough for now.
And, we need to find the clients.
In their single mindedness wedding video producers, part time or full time, often overlook other options - many of these business options result in a higher level of income on an hourly basis than any wedding video they have ever produced. Yet, for whatever reasons, they continue to pursue only wedding video production business.
Most professional video service providers already know, or are aware of the possibilities. Many, however, simply are not motivated to pursue them. In a series of ongoing posts during the remaining quarter of 2008, I will focus on areas of potential. I will not only tell how to do them, but where to go to find them, bringing more business than you can handle.
This article will simply list a few of them.
1.) Funerals
2.) Memorial montages
3.) Projection services
4.) Video greeting cards
5.) Video-to-DVD transfers
6.) Dance recitals
7.) School plays
8.) Sports events
9.) Paparazzi parties
10.) Pet video biographies
11.) A Day in the Life videos
There are more, but these are enough for now.
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