Mike Cohen
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COW Coin
Forum Replies Created
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Then of course are the ads for student films and low-budget films, stating: We can’t pay you. Free food and a copy of the film for your reel.
Sounds tempting indeed.
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Just today I received a quote from a young guy for a half day video shoot. He is clearly just out of school trying to get some experience. however his price was below market value – $150 for a half day shoot. Sounds too good to be true, possibly an indication he is not confident in his abilities. I actually wrote back to him telling him he needs to charge more to be taken seriously.
Mike Cohen
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Easy answer – walk away.
However you can offer them expert training for $5000/day.
Training on premiere elements? Seriously? -
Nice post Hawke. Cool name too.
Don’t forget, which you touched upon, to compensate yourself for the work that you do. Cameras, editing systems and rental rates will change over time. Your experience only gets better and that is what you are charging for. In other words, a Client is paying you to create their video, not because you own a Varicam, but because you can make their project better than anyone else in your market, at a cost that is reasonable for both parties.
For example at our shop, we have loads of experience doing what we do – that experience and expertise has value. And this goes beyond earning a good salary – you need to have a profitable business or you will just work your tail off and still be in debt.
Mike
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One of my college internships was at a local Cable advertising office. When purchasing ad time on the local cable system, dealers got $250 worth of video production, which is basically nothing. They sent us donuts provided by the car manufacturers, so the 10 second hole was filled with a pan of the car lot and the name and address of the dealer with some VO. That is what they wanted, probably still is.
I have seen the odd higher end local car spot, but they are somewhere between the corporate donut and a Monster Trucks commercial (lots of shouting).
Our local Ford dealership in Waterbury CT for years had their own homegrown commercials featuring the cute kids of the owner saying cutesy things. I’ll bet those got a lot of customers onto the lot. Now those cute kids are probably in college and will one day work for their dad and buy cheaply made car commercials.
From what I’ve read, dealers are dying in droves, and they make very little money on the cars they sell, so paying for a spiffy car commercial is a long shot.
Your ad is nice, but looks like a Free Credit Report.com commercial, but without the singing pirate! Hate those commercials by the way, but I bet who ever is making them is making out, because the website does not actually offer anything for free, it is just a tease.
Good luck.
Mike
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sounds exactly like the plot to an episode of the show Supernatural – a cool show if you have never seen it.
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I would imagine there are alcohol importer consultants and/or manufacturers reps. There must be a trade association for the beverage industry who may be able to send you in the right direction.
Perhaps you can send several cases of whatever you are selling to the moderators of this forum. We’d like that!
Good luck.
Mike Cohen
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Did you send them an invoice?
There have been many many threads on this board about your exact situation.If you do freelance work, you need a contract or agreement, and the hiring party needs your W9.
Mike Cohen
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Great advice, as always Nick.
I was merely suggesting that when a customer identifies a problem, one is best to agree versus escalating matters. Or if it was your fault, as Nick said, absolutely admit it and find a solution.
Oops, there I go defending myself 🙂
Seriously, there are subtle ways to keep things running smoothly. Sometimes clients and/or vendors need to hear themselves talk. But as John suggested – they are paying you for a service.
Mike
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The client is always right. Even when you know they are wrong, keep it to your self unless the entire project is in jeopardy, which it usually isn’t.