Ned Miller
3
COW Coins
Forum Replies Created
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Check out:
https://www.videobusinessadvisor.com/sample_video_production_contract.html
I prefer Letters of Agreement because I am too small to sue and the clients are usually too big to be sued. Besides, the lawyers would take too much, so to me a contract is just confirming my Letter of Agreement. The above free one is pretty similar to what I use. The problem is if the client is a large company they will have their legal counsel “mark up” the contract you send them, then you have to pay an attorney to figure out what it means and it goes back and forth.
So in summary, I think having an agreement as to who is responsible for what is more logical, since we’re not going to go to court anyway.
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
http://www.bizvideo.com -
Problem solved! The writer has agreed to pump up my Word doc since he is an expert at Word, plus if I don’t get the job he doesn’t either so it’s in his best interest.
I feel, a high quality presentation adds subliminal value added so I believe when there’s a good budget to be had having a fancier proposal to pass out helps.
Thanks all.
Ned
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This will be going to the C level of a Fortune 500 and I’ve seen proposals that other industries have presented, sections on bios, timelines, etc. and I would like to have something pro like that.
I can make an “adequate” Word proposal, I’ve done many before, but it just looks like a plain business letter. I’d like something punchier because I imagine the kind of companies I will be competing against will have something nice. I imagine if a company has a graphic artist on staff they can make Word sing, I can’t, that’s why I was hoping there’s something simple to use for Mac out there.
This bid is too complicated for them to just go to the last page and look up one bottom line price because there are many options being presented, they’d have to read and digest to understand.
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
http://www.bizvideo.com -
I come here because I think Creativecow is for Pros. Nathan, no offense, try an entry level forum for such beginner questions.
But…my three cents, feel out what your client is willing to spend and come in right under it. There are no formulas. Your question is too vague.
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
http://www.bizvideo.com -
You should have grabbed $75 of dinner and drinks! I do…
I run into this all the time and the previous posters have been correct. Now you know better for next time. You need to divide clients into two categories: “Never will see again” or “Possible Repeat Clients”. Within those two classifications I further subdivide them into another two groups: “Those spending their own money” or “Those spending their company’s money”.
In sum, cut slack for possible repeat customers and those spending their own money. They appreciate it and will remember you.
Good luck next time.
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
http://www.bizvideo.com -
Pat Bohan:
There is NO MONEY in real estate videos. Realtors are cheap, even the million plus homes. Not only did I try this but I get many calls and they want you for what amounts to at least half a day for $100-$200, and you have to give them a media file which means some editing.
Around nine years ago I tried to specialize in QTVR (Quick Time Virtual Reality), these are 360 degree panoramas, mainly of Civil War battlefields and national; parks, and then I tried to move QTVR into real estate. They were so cheap I decided to target commercial real estate developers, such as huge office buildings, warehouses, etc. There is some money there if you get in but in no way should you waste another minute going after consumer real estate. You are dealing with individual agents rather than companies and they are tight with a buck because like us freelancers they live from big check to big check.
I hope this forum has saved you a lot of time. There is no money in non-commercial real estate. It’s now DIY.
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
http://www.bizvideo.com -
I just took a money order from a Canadian company, no problem. Especially if you are sure of their brick and mortar address, etc.
However, do not take a money order when selling equipment. A friend got burned by a perfect counterfeit money order for her van. She took the buyers to her bank, the teller said it was “good”, she turned over the title and keys. A week later the bank said the mo was a fake and the teller had no authority, so my friend lost $11K.
I’ve been taking Pay Pal but you have to mark it up 3%.
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
http://www.bizvideo.com -
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Are you a man or a mouse? Go in there in your tightest muscle T and demand payment. I’ve done it dozens of times over three decades. Seem slightly unhinged. Works every time.
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
http://www.bizvideo.com -
Does anyone else done this? I have two long term clients: one I produce training videos for, they are the US’s largest bank and only do 90 days net and the other I DP for and put together the crew, sometimes a large crew, they are the US’s largest packaged food company and are now 60 net for everyone. Both pay exactly on that day, then there’s maybe three days in the mail.
All costs are “soft”, meaning no “hard” costs like airfare, hotels, etc. So what I do is tell the crew and vendors like teleprompter services, etc., “I have good news and bad news. The good news is I have a good piece of work that we can bump up in rate due to their being a late payer. The bad news is they will be 60 days (or 90). Are you in or out?” Perhaps if it’s a kid in his twenties who needs the money badly I will pay out of my own pocket, otherwise all us older pros will wait. That’s the deal.
Since the people I call have worked with me, sometimes for decades, and we know these are two of America’s largest companies with no danger of going under, most people I call are cool with it. I email the day I get the check that their check will be going out in that day’s mail.
The food company: ALL vendors are 60 days, no matter what. No upfront, no negotiation, period!
The big bank you all know: They are 90 because they are worried about vendor fraud and the invoice has to go through MANY layers of approval, and if it’s for a new department I start all over as a “new” vendor with incredible paperwork. I have worked with both companies for many years, going back to when 30 was the norm.
But…there’s a premium I charge and I can bank on the exact day the check will arrive. Most of the work all of us on this forum would consider not too challenging. Seems like sticking to my guns about upfront and 30 days net would be shooting myself in the foot. Anyone else do this?
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
http://www.bizvideo.com