How much I made in September as a Videographer

[@Blakecheekk]

just finished the video. love your work ethic man. i’d say just raise your price as your demand increases. even increasing your $250-$500 shoots by $50-$150 a piece will put you even more in the green at the end of the month. Additionally i would say for the higher end clients you can make an even bigger price increase. in my experience you’ll get probably 4x as many no’s, but make more money. next month on your higher quality leads just test increasing your price by 25% on 50% of the leads and see how it goes. excited to see more from you

[@RyanWard99]

Glad you are thinking about charging more bro. Your work is quality I definitely think you should! One thing to think about is not just your time and skill, but what you are offering with your equipment. How much would it cost to rent cameras, lenses, gimbals, tripods, mics, lights, etc if you didn't own it? Quality video is a super valuable asset. I break my pricing down into my day rate, post production rates + kit rental fees for equipment I bring on set to make a shoot happen. Another way you can show value to new clients is to ask old/current clients how your work helped them to make a sale, or boost their engagement on social media for example. That way you have actual numbers to present instead of just a nice looking product. Keep up the good work man! I appreciate this kind of content.

[@JimmyMeetsTech]

Daily motivation to remember that it’s the days that make the money, and many ppp are like obsessed with the high ticket clients, but having a system like this allows for a much more significant chunk at the end of the

[@directed_by_steve]

Steady wins the race.

[@diesolit]

Yo wasup man, can you talk about how you setup your payment system for people to pay you. That’s currently what I’m working on

[@Eyeofkamau]

Love this content. Being in LA myself, I’d love to see you up your prices man! With the equipment and skillset you have, and work you’re doing, you can charge double on a lot of those gigs at the least. I did real estate as well, now doing weddings, corporate and production work. There are folks doing the same work with cheaper gear and less skill charging around your rates. Charge more brother, you’re worth more than that; especially with the cost of living here in California. Great earnings you’ve got regardless, good stuff man, you’ve got my support.

[@Semesem_]

It’s definitely coming. And finding newer clients is my biggest move for that now

[@JeffOrigOfficial]

Agreed. I am in a different market but I feel like you can and should charge way more for several kinds of the videos you are doing.

[@Semesem_]

@ ok thanks

[@JeffOrigOfficial]

@@Semesem_ You asked about how. Here's what I can fit in a youtube comment. Study sales and marketing. Keep bringing value. Create marketing materials that show the value you can bring. Ideally show how your work equates to real value for your clients. In real estate vides find/get sales numbers from your clients, get testimonials from your clients, get statistics that show how your work equates to more sales, faster, and for higher dollar than without your work. And specifically you, not just any person with a camera. Then put this material out there. Even with your current clients. Sometimes it's tough with existing clients because they are used to your old pricing. Also, a piece of advice, be on the high end not the middle or low end. This is easier said than done but try for it. You will inevitably lose in the low end. There is always someone who is dumber and cheaper than you. Let them drive themselves out of business. The middle is super busy and hard to differentiate. The high end is competitive but the rewards are disproportionate. You do the same amount of work or less but make way more. See Make. Art. Now./Josh Yo as an example. He is in the high end of real estate video but I can only guess what he charges. Probably a lot more than $1000. Even me for my real estate stuff it starts at $1200 but we are in a different market. Hopefully that helps. A book to check out is Dan Kennedy's Marketing to the Affluent. You are not necessarily your market. And that's a good thing. You want to be getting millionaire clients.

[@YGThaBeast]

The wait is what kills your mental every time! Even as a content creator on KZbin, I'm successful, it's do-able, but the stress of will I make enough by the end of the month is what's driving me back to work. Keep going Semeion! I enjoy your content.

[@Semesem_]

@@YGThaBeast I appreciate the comment thanks for watching

[@PhoenixIDGroup]

Living in a market like Los Angeles good to hear you plan on charging more. As a freelancer in NY I have to charge more.

[@Semesem_]

Yeah that’s defintley to goal to get higher paying clients. And at the same time doing jobs that encourage team projects

[@lensofjared]

Yessir!! Let’s keep these convos coming man, congrats on a good month!

[@Semesem_]

Thanks! Will do! We are building something great

[@markedsmearss]

Great insight man, would love something on your process to get new clients in terms of reaching out and actually pursuing them! keep up the good work

[@Semesem_]

I’m going to have a field trip day where I walk into businesses and talk to them directly

[@KianteMarron]

It feels like I'm in class with all the notes I've taken with your videos and it's only been a week! Thank you so much for your transparency as my goal is to grow my video production company!!

[@Semesem_]

@@KianteMarron I’m glad my videos are noteworthy

[@KianteMarron]

@@Semesem_ More than you know!

[@bbkiller0]

Keep the grind going! I see your KZbin channel going up, as I always enjoy watching all your videos. Another great video!

[@Semesem_]

@@bbkiller0 thank you. Hopefully you guys will see $60k months

[@HopeStreetProductions]

Thanks for being transparent on pricing. Its hard for videographers starting out not knowing how much to charge and I have a few years before I get up to where youre at but you are showing us a clear path. Thanks bud and you got a new subscriber!. keep up the great work .

[@Semesem_]

@@HopeStreetProductions I appreciate the comment and thanks for subbing

[@uNhlanhlakaSithole]

I just started my videography career on a little $1000 retainer for the month. But i appreciate it.

[@Semesem_]

@@uNhlanhlakaSithole let’s go!

[@AndrewJSims]

Great content bro. You have a lot of booking volume, and because of that you don't have to "charge more". I think we often forget the state of the economy and that EVERYONE is pinching pennies to save a dollar. You're giving your clients quality and value, so they keep coming. You're building demand, which will directly lead to charging more whenever you feel the need. Keep killing it 🦾

[@davidmorefield]

When I was doing RE, there were definitely times I missed a half bath and had to come back on site. 😂 I understand them wanting coverage that they paid for and I was happy to do it to satisfy the client…but that photo won’t be the make or break reason of the house being sold.

[@Semesem_]

@@davidmorefield exactly!!!! Man I had to go back one time because the client one drone shot directly above the listing . Like nobody is buying the house because of the roof lol

[@davidmorefield]

@@Semesem_ Bro you understand 😂. I made a decently successful re business over four years. Then pivoted to Corporate and am now targeting Doc. I mean, all of the experience is useful. Do you plan on continuing to grow your business, any pivots in the future. I always love to hear what career professionals see on their horizon.

[@Semesem_]

@@davidmorefield yeah I definitely planned on building this out and just outsourcing the work for the future jobs and moving into a industry that I love to do

[@farisabraham4334]

Great video man! As a freelancer myself: 1. Quality over quantity: I would rather charge more and only land 2 clients then charge half and land 4. This will save a ton of administrative, organizational, driving time etc…. But you are still getting paid the same. 2. High paying clients want you to give a higher bid. If they hear a cheap bid they will think the quality or value is lower. Clients are consumers too. They want to feel like they are getting a premium product. A premium product comes with a premium price. If someone hands you designer clothes for $30 you will think it’s fake.

[@Semesem_]

@@farisabraham4334 true. That’s why I don’t give bids. I let my clients build out their own rates. I tell them the base line and how many different services they can add on to really make the video engaging and the price difference.

[@philcupper]

Great video. It’s a grind! Nice to see someone in a similar place sharing their experience.

[@directed_by_steve]

Can you do a video on retain contracts and how you do? Most a honest channel. Here to support.

[@RobbyCisneros]

If you want to do bigger or better properties, I would find 2 luxury listings and do it for free, so that your portfolio helps reflect what you're trying to shoot more of.

[@Solo_Dolo_Nolo]

Great vid. Valuable info. Thanks.I already follow Jared. Great guy. ✌🏿

[@YamilSunRay]

The thing with selling clips to the ppl in the events is a very good point! I thought about this, too.. Wasn't really sure if that's a cool move for the actual client of the event.. but because one has the rights for the footage, I guess it's acceptable.. a thing I will keep in mind! Thank you again for the insight! :D

[@WinstonHarris]

I'd like to actually get more info on this... especially clearing it with the event organiser... how do you package the product... etc.

[@YamilSunRay]

@@WinstonHarris Yeah would be cool

[@ShanygneKing]

Thank you for this ! A freelancer here as well. I’ve been freelancing all of 2024 and it has really been more mentally challenging. However I’ve become more confident and while I’m back in the market for a 9-5 I see that this is something I love and will forever do in my life.

[@Semesem_]

@@ShanygneKing yeah it can definitely be challenging

[@nielsfreidel]

Thx a lot for your video, really cool insides here! I am from Germany and I have to be honest, I'm a bit shocked at the prices being charged in the USA. So please don't get me wrong, but I think your videos and your work could command much higher prices. So for example for the video on the 13th (from minute 3:46) I would have charged at least: two videos, the intro one (for about 600) + the apartment for 350. i usally charge 1250 for a whole day (8 hours of shooting) + 650 video edit - if its a whole day (like filming a conference). in your case I would have charged: half day shooting, one day edit for example. And thats mostly for boring stuff, where I know they dont put much advertising budget on the output - otherwise I calculate buyouts on top. also what I do: try to make everything as transparent as possible in my offers, many positions as possible, so that they actually see what's what's etc. last point then again is also: we pay much higher taxes and health insurance here in Germany.

[@danielsvids7325]

DAMN!!! That' crazy good! 10k is about my yearly income right now. Seems crazy that it's possible to achieve that in a month!

[@Semesem_]

Hopefully the tips I post will help you increase that number

[@EnriqueFlores-vr8jr]

You out of the IE?:0 I stay in Riverside! Super dope to see people from out here on the tube. Feel like now one out here takes advantage of being on here

[@Semesem_]

@@EnriqueFlores-vr8jr yes I am. I actually am Hosting a workshop for creators in Riverside on Oct 17th from 6-8 . Gonna be covering these topics and giving insight how to make more money

[@cristiat]

Props to you man! We need more videos of kind where people keep it real, with all of it, good and bad. Highly appreciate your honesty!

[@im.mattmims]

Love this content! Appreciate your transparency. Super happy to see how fast you're growing!

[@SantishaDeonarinePhotography]

Thank you for your content. Very inspiring.

[@Semesem_]

@@SantishaDeonarinePhotography I appreciate that Thank you

[@aliciac307]

I’m definitely interested in your programs!! Would love to see more of this content it’s great you can be open about everything!! Gives me hope that I can do this as well

[@TradeshowThomas]

thanks for posting this. appreciate the transparency. the work ethic involved is inspiring

[@JTGains]

appreciate the transparency brotha keep it up

[@Semesem_]

@@JTGains thanks for watching 🙏🏽

[@rogerdatfilms]

This is inspiring. How did you start getting into the real estate videography game?

[@ohitslalo]

Love these videos! Thanks for sharing!

[@Semesem_]

@@ohitslalo Thanks for watching and commenting

[@-441-]

Ok this confirms it, I gotta move to LA!! 🤣🤣Or Cali I should say!!!

[@Semesem_]

😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️😎😎

[@arturorealestate2385]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing bro. Great value and content!

[@Semesem_]

@@arturorealestate2385 i appreciate it. More to come

[@edgy__]

Huge value in these videos, I see no reason why anyone would come to the comments with negativity. Keep doing your thing bro, the videos are inspiring and hella entertaining. Wish you were in houston so I could shadow you. 🙌🏼

[@Semesem_]

I appreciate that

[@edgy__]

@@Semesem_ much love man, I can’t wait to get to your level with my own videography business

[@lesterkdmedia]

Thanks for sharing bro!!!

[@Semesem_]

@@lesterkdmedia thanks for watching 🙏🏾

[@TobeyKrafft]

Transparency is awsome man!!

[@soloriojpg8661]

Good to see the hustle man!

[@Semesem_]

@@soloriojpg8661 thanks. Time to take my business out of hustle mode tho

[@leekofficial1]

Bro be WORKIN! Keep it up man. Inspiring

[@Semesem_]

Thanks! Will do!

[@MBVideo_Productions]

I really dig your content man glad I found your channel

[@ThePhotographyPivot]

I wish I had some people to shadow...I jealy! Keep growing 🤜🏾🤛🏾

[@Stedmen]

Super inspiring stuff!!!

[@Semesem_]

@@Stedmen that’s always my goal.

[@MrLucrativethought]

So for the SPIN STUDIO that wanted RAW files, is that pretty much easy offload? Just come shoot and deliver the footage? I ask cause I think I can get some clients like that. Probably makes my job easier at end. Would you say good practice?

[@Semesem_]

@@MrLucrativethought most times I have real Dialogue explaining that RAW files are huge and to make sure they have a system to handle and manage that. Most times they don’t. But when some of my clients have different editors then I will charge them and just send the footage

[@MrLucrativethought]

@@Semesem_ sick! Thanks.

[@gregallen1]

Yes I’ve been full time 4 months avg 8K a month and I’m losing my mind!!! And I outsource photos and some video. People think entrepreneurs have it made but unless you have a team and have someone running your business, you’re life will be tough!! Keep that in mind YT community

[@Semesem_]

@@gregallen1 great insight. Yeah I’m really surprised by myself not outsourcing at all this month

[@MrLucrativethought]

Overall man great video. I feel like I'm on some journey with you, but the transparency is great. When you offload edits to someone else, is it expensive?

[@ChrisHowell870]

BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO UP THOSE PRICES HAHA

[@crell14]

This is such a fire video I’d love if you would make an video on editing as well that would be dope

[@Semesem_]

I might

[@ixvisuals]

Great work bro

[@Semesem_]

@@ixvisuals thank you. It’s just the beginning

[@DaneAmar]

ADTV as in American Dream? If so I used to work as an editor for them haha

[@Semesem_]

@@DaneAmar yes lol you don’t edit for them anymore?

[@brianmengini]

Love it! BTW - what Ronin are you using w the Fx6?

[@Semesem_]

@@brianmengini thanks. The rs4 but I don’t plan on doing that again. I love the fx6 handheld or on sticks way more

[@sasqwatch35mm]

I got it, this is a reality show 'how to get rich as a videographer in real time' :) just kidding bro, you doing great. thanks for sharing. really appreciate it. keep posting updates!

[@Semesem_]

I’m definitely far from rich with Cali prices but I’m saving and investing with bills paid. But now it’s time to turn it up an it and let you guys see how to increase rates and keep clients

[@sasqwatch35mm]

@@Semesem_ Oh, for sure, what people don't realize is that spending in this type of business is also on the higher end , and I'm not even talking about covering basic needs, like food, roof etc etc. Equipment is getting broke, outdated, customers asking for more view angles (i.e. new camera) and so on so on. So yeah, I'm pretty much on the same page with you. There are also other business expenses like advertisement, car maintenance the list goes on and on. I certainly joked about reality show, please don't get offended. What I see here is consistency , and with this consistency you will start growing even more, and that will happen quite soon I believe. Just be consistent. All the best!

[@RickyMarcic]

How do you usually send your uncut footage over? Also are you shooting log and sending in log? Love the content my man. Keep goin

[@Semesem_]

Sometimes I shoot in log if I need it when I’m editing.

[@RealHenryGomez]

How quickly do you have to turn these around to your clients? Great video!

[@Semesem_]

@@RealHenryGomez most times same day. If not then 1-4 days

[@ryanlauten7124]

I may have missed this part but do you have an hourly rate that you tell clients or do you base it per project like, photos is x ammount or a 1 minute video is x ammount etc....... thanks man!!!

[@Semesem_]

My hourly rate is $125 per hour for events like weddings but not for photoshoots or video projects

[@ryanlauten7124]

@Semesem_ weddings you should do packages doing hourly at those events is on the under paid for the ammount of work that goes in. Just what I've seen, know and do myself! Your good man, and definitely worth the higher end! But thanks for the response and the Info man! I really appreciate it! If I can return the favor let me know!

[@Savagebrothersmedia]

Thanks for the insight and sharing your knowledge. Appreciate your videos, looking forward to the next one. Would you recommend going to university, online courses or learn as you go/watch KZbin videos to become a videographer?

[@Semesem_]

KZbin and buying online courses and mentorship is all Important . That’s what I did

[@Savagebrothersmedia]

@@Semesem_ Appreciate the reply 🙏 wasn’t keen on going in debt to go to university.

[@auomi8762]

Great video! Do you do HDR photos for your real estate photos? I think you should charge more based off of what I saw in your video. I'm in a much smaller market than you are and I typically charge 300 for photos and 300 for video up to 1999 sq ft. Then I scale it up to $450 for photo and video for 2000sq ft to 3000sq ft. My reasoning here is that these types of videos are going to usually be cheaper than any other video type of gigs, so I try to instill a quick and seamless process on the backend. I use mostly flambient method for photos, which allows me to also edit faster. For events, I typically start at around 300 just to book and then $75 every hour that I'm there shooting. If the ask isn't crazy, again, I just know that my process is efficient, so I'm able to edit most photos/video the same day.

[@Semesem_]

As of right now I feel flambient is the best way for me to photograph listings. I just like the look better and editing is faster to me

[@auomi8762]

@@Semesem_ oh yeah I do the same and I hate when clients ask me to do HDR. Yes it’s quicker on site but it is a pain to edit. I also find Flambient to be very satisfying

[@cheekay_]

What your mic set up on screen? Looking to buy one but couldn’t find it on your Amazon list

[@Semesem_]

@@cheekay_ hit me on IG and I’ll send the link

[@krisshopov]

Great video! I’m not judging, as it’s part of your business model and your choice, but I feel it’s generally not advisable to provide clients with RAW files, whether for photo or video. It’s not something I’ve heard many photographers or videographers doing, if at all. I hit the subscribe button though ;). That said, I did hit the subscribe button! ;)

[@Semesem_]

@@krisshopov I appreciate the comment, and charging for RAW files so that I get something from it rather than it sitting idly on a external hard drive doing nothing for me just makes sense. I have several hard drives completely full and with footage I’ve never revisited . So I’d rather charge for it and charging for how long they have the license to my footage then just having $0 from it. Thanks for the sub

[@krisshopov]

@@Semesem_ licensing for how long they can use the footage is great, but giving them raw files is not common practice even if you are charging for them. My 2c on the topic. All the best!

[@Semesem_]

@@krisshopov understands but that isn’t everyone’s experience. What I choose to eliminate is the absolute rules that have been cultivated throughout my experience filming. And there’s a ton of people who don’t give RAWS , but don’t give a real Concrete reason as to why. So since I am In this for the money, I’m gonna charge for it and get it off my hands. Appreciate your comment

[@mountmorriah]

Thank you sir! Do you have an LLC?

[@Semesem_]

@@mountmorriah yes . I am a S corp

[@blacklabelsupplements]

i think instead of charging more you should hire a part-time second shooter who can help you with more clients only reason why you should charge more is because of where you live but besides that i feel like most of your pricing is fair and if you think you could charge more and be able to get 3 videos from one shoot like the last one then do it but I think your on the best path

[@Semesem_]

I do have a second shooter insight with me for all my events

[@PhantomRegret]

I’m curious, can you give us an example of what your raw footage would be for your client? I think I’d be embarrassed to give my raw content. Lifting the camera, sometimes some heavy breathing, hate hearing myself talk in the back if I’m directing someone etc. Also bro will you ever do podcasts? I have 10.5 work days and would love to listen!

[@PhantomRegret]

I’m also wondering how you stack multiple clients in ONE event, for example, the yacht. You got paid for a highlight video but somehow snuck in 3 more. How’d that go? Any fears on missing out what you were originally there for while you’re with your added on clients?

[@Semesem_]

@@PhantomRegret when I know I’m giving RAW files Im film different with that in mind so I’m not saying a lot of doing a lot of unnecessary movement. And no podcast but I probably should

[@forwardttnetwork]

Hey can you make a video based on how to get more clients?

[@Semesem_]

@@forwardttnetwork it’s coming soon

[@macklanemedia]

Ummm how do you edit everything yourself it would take my days to edit one video llol

[@Semesem_]

I’ve just had years of practice and created a shot list helps things in post production

[@MightyMigi]

On that messy house 7:50 I let them know hey PLEASE have the House Clean If I have to clean up the mess there will be a cleaning Fee cus I will call a claening Company. it's never that deep but it scares them.

[@Semesem_]

@@MightyMigi the agent was there and knew the situation so they weren’t going crazy over it thankfully.

[@peytonmclaurin]

How do you feel about having a mix of things on your business page such as real estate, restaurants, events, etc? Do you think it’s best to niche down in just starting my business.

[@Semesem_]

I think having a mix can be good starting out for sure . Niching down came later for me

[@WinstonHarris]

If i were you, i'd charge more just to get out of the awkward listings.

[@Semesem_]

@@WinstonHarris I’m currently doing that lol

[@HwayVision]

Chi Truong…

[@ideaplusagency]

You need to double your prices

[@Blakecheekk]

for real. or at least by 50%

[@fromdonwithlove]

Thanks for this, Semeion. I recently shot a birthday dinner (family photos, candid moments, and a camera-capturing video to record the toasts). The client originally asked for only photos. During the discovery call, I mentioned some of my other capabilities and what other past clients enjoyed (e.g., a video recap to help them relive the best parts of the day). Hormozi discusses a method where you give your client control in the selling process (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXOxloKPfZeFftE), which I used. I made the photos she originally asked for affordable ($500). Then, I included prices for additional options (the toppings on the yogurt) I thought the client might value (e.g., everything I captured stored on a hard drive, creating a short video recap, faster turnaround time, etc.). The client could pick the "toppings" they cared about. For the payment schedule, I allowed the client to save $10 by paying in total upfront or split the bill into two payments with no discount. The client added $1,023 worth of services to their cart and chose to pay it all upfront. Another benefit of doing it this way is that I didn't feel stressed about going above and beyond to rush a turnaround because they didn't pay for that option. The client could signal what they valued by paying for what they wanted and leaving out options that didn't matter to them.

[@Semesem_]

@@fromdonwithlove I made a video about this a month ago

[@fromdonwithlove]

@@Semesem_ I’ll check it out!

[@warioworld9105]

Hey man! I’m a photographer and videographer but need guidance is there anyway I can get on the mentor program…please I’m in need of help please contact me if possible

[@warioworld9105]

@semeion

[@Semesem_]

@@warioworld9105 hit me up on IG