Very lengthy post

[P. j. Severtson]

You’re absolutely right about budget. Many clients want what they can’t afford. It’s up to the videographer to educate them and not let them grind him down to an unprofitable price when they don’t really know what they want or its fair market value.

Remember: The joy of a low price quickly fades with the reality of a low quality product. Low quality products will not get you repeat business and your business won’t grow. Consistent high quality helps your business to grow. Clients need educating.

When the client gives you a “low ball” price that you know is not realistic, you need to educate him.

You might try giving them a proposal with different tiers of prices with minimal quality, medium quality and best quality. A short demo of each quality level lets the client know exactly what they’re buying and may help to sell a higher quality. The hitch is that you must make your client aware when they pick the minimal quality that the may not get the product that they want.

Remember the old saw: Quality, speed, price. Pick any two.

Wireless mics have the inherent risk of having the audio signal getting “stepped on” by other transmissions during the recording as frequency bands are continually getting more and more crowded.

Wired mics are generally a better idea. A shotgun mic on a boom arm is ideal for an interview, as it gets better sound and the tallant doesn’t have to fiddle around with it.

A realistic business plan with all of your costs included will tell you what you need to price as a minimum to break even. You are the only one to determine your minimal quality product. Most videographers don’t fail based on poor quality products, but as poor businessmen.

As for lighting, if you can pick up used lighting gear bit by bit over time, you’d be surprised how quickly it adds up. Check with rental houses for sales on used gear.

I don’t mean to “preach” but there are all too many clients who will gladly run a videographer out of business. They’re called “grinders”. One is better off letting the job go to some one who doesn’t want to stay in business for long.

Good luck,

PJ