Low barrier of entry

[Tracy Peterson]

I think this is just an extension of my other post, but lets look at some facts:

1. costs are down but pricing isn’t going down, at least for the guys who are the “old salts”. they aren’t used to the lower pricing yet.

2. much larger “low end” pool : more people afford gear

3. slightly larger high end pool : more people can afford training

4. client pool INCREASING : that’s right, it’s getting bigger

I’m sure there’s more information we could put together and find some illuminating points, but I figure we can start here. The first big realization is that the client pool is actually growing. Because of the web and the huge number of self publishers, people who would never have the budget to have broadcast media, can now self broadcast and use video. This doesn’t mean they should waste the time of seasoned pros with their three minute talking head introducing their used car sales team. Those danged kids can do that work!

In the meantime, you can still do broadcast and film work! The trouble is that corporate video gets lumped in with small business video and with wedding video for some reason. When you compare it as an equal to the work you are doing, it obviously will start to feel like you are being forced down a road of reduced returns.

Sadly, some of those returns ARE reduced by the current costs. Technology shifts change industries, it’s a fact and has been happening since long before anyone here has worked.

The upside is that there is a lot of help to be found online, in broadcasting or promotion. You can blow away a lot of these kids with a great website using cheap/free services and try to nab a client on the upper end that doesn’t BS with “the cheapest rate”. The sad fact is that now just investing huge money in gear won’t guarantee your success.

One more factor: the recession. Business SUCKS EVERYWHERE. What you may have been thinking occasionally about the young turks at the gate, you probably are just feeling it a lot more acutely when business drops off due to budgets slashing left and right.

Good luck!

Tracy Peterson
http://www.onetwomany.com