Getting Clients by Doing FREE Shoots is a Terrible Idea - Do This Instead!

A common piece of advice I’ve seen out there for filmmakers and videographers for getting work is to start by doing free shoots. This is something I disagree with.
So I wanted to make a quick video to share my experience of why I think doing free work to get paid work is a terrible idea and what you could do instead.
The advice I’ve seen is to call up a business or a video production company and tell them you want to make them a video or do a shoot for free. The idea is that if you do a good job, they will hire you next time and pay you what you want.
I’ve been doing this long enough to know that almost never works. If I had to estimate, I would say that works one out of ten times.
The first impression that a company will have is that you are the free labor. Even if you do an amazing job, and they decide to hire you again, they will never pay industry standard rates.
I’ve gone down this path many times and it nearly always ends the same. You get stuck in the box you created for yourself.
So what’s the better way to do this that actually leads to good-paying gigs?
After I went down this path myself, I realized I had to work with several businesses or clients to even get them to pay me anything. Doing five free shoots to get a paid one didn’t make any sense, especially when the paid one I got by doing this never paid me what I wanted to get paid.
Instead, I did a free shoot for a company that I didn’t intend to work with again. Why? Because I didn’t have any examples of that style of shoot or that type of client.
So I would do a free shoot simply as a marketing expense for my own company. I didn’t even think about it as a free shoot. I wasn’t trying to get more work for that company.
It was an exchange. I didn’t have an example to get similar clients. So I asked for their time and in exchange, they got a free video.
All I had to do was invest my time in exchange for a marketing asset I could use for the next five years.
What I did after that was use that sample video to get similar clients. I never tried to get that same client to give me paid work. Even though they were very impressed, they would never value me at the same rate as a new client. Because they already got me for free and that’s their first impression of me.
The next step was to build a landing page with that example video that targeted that exact type of client. In my case, it was a marketing video for a law firm that I did for free. I used it to target other law firms and show them exactly what they would receive. Then I created an offer and priced that offer around industry standard pricing. I never needed to do another free shoot or even a discounted shoot, because I had a very relevant example.
I’ve done this similar strategy with multiple industries in my early days. And it helped me break into law, healthcare and food, and travel, without ever discounting or doing a free shoot after I had my sample.
So, don’t do free shoots, hoping that client or company would give you paid work. Instead, shoot a video for a company only as an example and target similar companies with that example. The sample company doesn’t need to become your client. That’s not the goal. The goal is to use them to break into a new industry.
Learn the exact blueprint I used to go from a struggling videographer, to running a profitable video production business, in this one-hour free training.
www.filmmaking...

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Learn the exact blueprint I used to go from a struggling videographer, to running a profitable video production business, in this one-hour free training. www.filmmakingmentor.com/Video_Production_Accelerator_Opt_In

[@terrytang5367]

Please let me know when you are running a sale on it again.

[@robertenglebright8257]

Great advice. I wish all creatives would watch & listen to this, and take it to heart.

[@MarcusRFilms]

Great advice man! I would add to it be saying that if you are doing “free” work please invoice that client and show what the price would have been JUST IN CASE that client does want to pursue a working situation with you.

[@kotskyymedia7158]

This is the best advice ive heard all day. Ive been researching this topic all day on youtube, and all the FTF and other youtubers that i have watched just feel super scammy and they never get their point across on how to actually make money. Great Work!

[@HasanAmin]

I'm a filmmaker, Educator and content creator based in Dubai, and what you just said Saj I'll use as reference in my coming workshop that I'm giving with Sony Alpha Universe, about "How to get clients as a freelance" I'll give you credit because your valuable videos were so helpful for me through the years of my career, I've been following you since forever and man, you never let me down, always to the point and always solid info and insightful advice, so thank you so much for that, keep it up :)

[@EloquentVisions]

Good advice. Whenever we do a free video we provide the best product/customer service possible and ask for a testimonial from the client. That way we get a great video on our portfolio and a testimonial to build trust with the next client :)

[@AFCGameByGame]

Yep, completely agree. You can't go into those businesses you're offering free work to expecting them to become paying clients, but like you say if you're trying to create a portfolio piece for a specific industry then it is a great thing to do! Did a lot during the pandemic and the work it led to ultimately got my business to where it is now.

[@andytrace]

I have, I did a single days free work on a video that turned into £30k a year for 18 months. You've just got to offer them something nobody else can

[@danielsfilmworks]

ok how do you get that initial portfolio

[@jahronimo]

honestly. this is what advice should sound like.

[@fr2331]

This is one of the best explanations of how and why you should go about and view doing "free" work and is applicable to just about any media production. Great video, all creatives should watch it as well as anyone who has advocated heavily for or against doing "free" work.

[@jonying327]

Makes sense!!! Great action plan for marketing - thank you Saj. I subscribed

[@Jwillyyy]

I came in this video skeptical cause I’m like “ how do I build my portfolio without doing free shoots” but I left the video with so much game .

[@deejmartinezfilms]

Very helpful because I just started doing free work and don't want to do this forever. It's helpful for now but definitely not long term!

[@Kronik-Studio]

Thank you for this sir coming someone who's struggling to get clients. This is really helpful for my mental health, I am close to giving up in Videography and I'm glad I've watched this video. God bless you sir.

[@jyrop]

This is great advice. Doing free work has been more beneficial for me because I have gotten more work to show and has allowed me to take new challenges. I do agree that it should not be labeled as free. I like the wording used in this video. It’s more like an exchange while the customer acknowledges it’s not entirely “free”. Thanks for this insight.❤

[@noahfowlr]

So glad this was the first video I watched, you spit so much game I had to restart with a pen and paper. Thank you so much man. Definitely watching more of your content 👍

[@LookUpVideography]

This is perfect. I just offered a free video structure thinking it would work. This may have saved me a lot of headaches. Thanks!

[@jayr6839]

The free shoot is to build your portfolio and get practice. Not to get hired again. Nothing is wrong with doing free shoots. It’s all about leveraging so potential clients can see your work

[@fullyimmersivegameplay]

It’s better to use a beta client, same thing, but that beta client will provide you with what works in their industry. Then you take that knowledge to their companies in that niche and charge based upon the knowledge you received from the beta client.

[@martaszyszka7654]

I agree. You have to practice to actually become better to be able to charge later.

[@fakultieproductions9948]

How much of free work should you do to build your profile? I started shooting and it's all been paid work

[@jayr6839]

@fakultieproductions9948 If you already started to charge money for your work then no need to go back to not charging. I would say the most important thing now is getting booked and developing your skill. You’re in the stage that you can be flexible with your payment. For example, if you usually charge $300 an hour for a shoot, and if you get approached by a client that wants to work with you, but doesn’t have $300, then you can say, “ok I’m willing to drop it to $250 or $200 just for you.” This way, you’re still making money and getting booked, so you can develop your craft better. The last thing you want to do, is to be charging the same amount as an experienced photographer but can’t deliver the same great results. You’ll lose repeat customers that way. And repeat customers is where the real money is at, not just one time customers.

[@isaiahanderson8053]

@@fakultieproductions9948how did you decide on what to charge?

[@reichardtadrienn4361]

Great advice! 😊 I’m in this situation now but with weddings

[@tribzman3977]

So funny, this is the God's honest truth, this strategy is EXACTLY what I incorporated at the beginning, so I clicked on out of curiosity to see if it was the same, and it was! And perhaps what I'd add to that, is choosing your 'sample client' who may not be as big (but still credible and reputable of course) but also perhaps not as well known or potentially profitable, as others in the same industry who may have deeper pockets and that are bigger players that will pay higher dividends than your sample company. One thing though Saj, is what is the best way to acquire the most accurate industry rates, so you don't under or over-charge? Thanks heaps!!

[@captainfilmmaking]

I tried it out. Did a really nice real estate shoot for real estate construction company which does mainly family homes. The video turned out to be very nice and the client was very happy about it. It was our consent, that they will use it for their marketing und hence I will get some reputation back. Just keep in mind I did i free of charge. But until now - they did nothing with their new video I created for them. No posting on the website, not on their KZbin channel, not on linked In where I posted my making of shooting, nowhere whatsoever. I already reminded them to post the video, not the least because as I didn’t charge anything for the shoot, I at least would get some marketing for my brand. by the way ist about three months, since I delivered. Very frustrating

[@WyreFilmsUK]

Doing free work you need to be very selective of who you do it for! Do some research first and see where it goes!

[@smallbizdigitalmedia]

This is stellar advice with a great alternative approach to cheapening your brand👏

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Well this is advice for people starting out that don’t have a brand and looking to build a client base

[@EyeLensWeddingVideography]

Totally agree with that however I have worked with companies that I've done free work for. I also made it very clear to them that this may be free work but also I have the All rights to it, including the ability to use it for advertising. also I have them the sign of contract. I've had had people to contact me to do more free work but I turn them down.

[@arbolifestyle]

Great advice, thanks for that! 🙌

[@uniworkhorse]

Learning about spec ads was pretty enlightening when I saw people's cool work online!

[@icearchr6]

loved this advice! subbed for more info! thank you!

[@bornzelaokinda]

very helpful content especially for people starting out as myself.

[@tobioderso]

I just this exactly! I filmed a recruiting video for my cousin's car shop last week. Produced and edited it. Yesterday I pitched the video to a different company and made 6000€ deal.

[@andrewlutes2048]

Finally, actual advice on KZbin. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everyone I know who’s making a living never did work for free. They turned in pleasing results based on a recommendation.

[@Joyful-Yarn]

Great advice. Appreciate you.

[@leilahcastro9915]

I have a couple of questions as a filmmaking trying to get their feet off the ground. I recently had an artist shoot me a message about shooting a music video and I took him up on it. We both agreed and had many conversations about how we could help eachother out doing it so I didn’t want to charge as it was the first client to actually reach out to me and I didn’t reach out to them. We filmed 6 hours for his video and I also asked him for references that he liked so he could also kinda have his own vision for the video when it came to specific shoots. After filming I had let him know that I would be doing little work that night after filming and would pick it up in the morning to start editing and even sent him what I had so far in the works. He also expected a 15 second video that second edited as a promo video. He began becoming very needy and pushy and I had to explain to him how it works and he began degraded me and saying I was gatekeeping my own work. He was wanting me to send him something for him to edit and I explained to him that I would not be doing that as it was my work. He began degrading me, name calling, blowing up my phone, etc so I dropped it and told him I no longer wanted to work with him. When it comes to client like this and disrespectful clients, would it be wrong to back out like I did and not send him anything due to his responses considering it was for free, no contract, etc. I have regrets now because I believe I could’ve put something amazing out. Would it be wrong to finished it and still share a small snippet of what I created for my own sake? Thank you in advanced

[@OmgProductionsUK]

Very useful. Thanks for this

[@TheFirstMillion]

Absolutely agree! Great video

[@matrixphotodesign]

Great advise!!!

[@photographybydash]

Good evening. This was great information here. Thank you!

[@arunshekarfilms]

Brilliant thought😍 thanks dear!

[@ytv2024]

I learned this the hard way, they don't budge after that. They don't value you adn sometimes don't even respect your services. They would not buy you a coffee.I started giving them discounts on the first project.

[@dalloiselle7274]

Thank you for sound advice

[@yourwindow2theworld]

Epic bro. Thanks

[@TheStoryofYote]

This is why niche is so important. If you do a free video for an orthodontist, target other orthodontists. If you do a free video for law firm, target other law firms. Be a specialist in your niche. There’s a reason why general doctors get paid less than specialists.

[@BASheppard]

Tremendously helpful

[@bravomarj82]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@flinngriffiths3760]

Incredible advice!

[@showingillustration]

great advice brotha

[@barbodslens]

Awesome video!!

[@davidcarvalho1714]

Very good advice..

[@blancotv1]

Really good advise , anything free is taking in consideration for the future , the people have to understand the value of hard work and dedication , #bendecidos

[@danielsfilmworks]

your still doing free work to get the portfolio. then use that portfolio to show to prospects and not offer it for free! your still doing that initial free work. I have notices that you need to set client expectations of the free work. not just doing free work because your a good guy

[@joshdiditt]

This may be cheating but when I first started I subscribed to Storyblocks and downloaded alot of footage and edited it together in a 60 second sizzle reel with music and used that to pitch to clients. I never did or will never do free work unless it is for a big company and even then, they should pay you because big companies can afford it. It takes so much time just to reach a mediocre level at filmmaking and clients asking for free work is a slap in the face to us Freelancers.

[@boomernality1904]

I respect this hustle so much you have no idea lmao

[@tribzman3977]

I would imagine though, that it is CRITCAL, that any work you acquire after showing your Storyblocks sample videos, is that is HAS to be equal or even better created than your sample, or else you may get called out for as you say "cheating" That is, if some sharp-eyed employee or owner detects your samples aren't from you.

[@JessieDanceYoga]

Thank you!!

[@tebnuhotep217]

Great Video

[@jamiekenleyuk]

When its free they dont appreciate you, the service or deliverables. All they care abiut is they getting somthing for free.

[@tkm8184]

That is helpful for young videographers. I also would like to know how to find new clients.

[@Filmmakingmentor]

check out some of the other videos on the channel. I have some detailed step by step on getting clients.

[@tkm8184]

@@Filmmakingmentor Okay! thanks!

[@herodot86]

thank you so much. recently I exactly did this. I offered free first shoots for marketing engagement. Now, I will try your advice out. Do you have any recommendations or templates how you get in touch with the clients in the first place?

[@runliftuk]

Great video! Super helpful. How would you get people onto your landing page after you’ve made a few free videos?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Reaching out to them on LinkedIn with a cold message or paid ads via Google, LinkedIn or KZbin

[@nimatonthebeat]

So do you recommend making a landing page for each industry? I do a bit of everything and I can’t seem to get any leads from my site

[@Cindicate]

Saj, this was perfect as confirmation for my current game plan. Is there a way to contact you direct? I have and continue to work in the film industry for a major studio in Burbank. I am starting a small production company on the side but have some questions. Your input would by fantastic. Great video!

[@mejhon6592]

I like your experince and advice, so we just shoot places what we want to focus?

[@mediaflmcreation]

PLEASE READ VIEWERS: 11/19/2024 Clients calls to say she's not using me. Just a week prior she enjoyed the FREE VIDEO I did she liked how it worked for her. Today she showed A COMPETITOR MY WORK to (probably price shop) and we all know what a competitor will say to get business so needless to say I had to straighten her back with stupid nonsense they told her to get her business instead out again and I let her go. Stop doing free shit, it's 2024 almost 2025. If people want to "see", they can see with some money, no matter how much... just don't do free shit. Learn from my lesson and it's a pattern I'm discovering from years of doing this and I had to find this video to come back to mention this. I just added a price and making calls, NOW I have better clients I'm prospecting and setting meetings for. Listen to him and don't do what my dumbass did and not. it bit me

[@neighbors71]

fantastic idea

[@Long_Dream_SA]

Wish I saw this when I started

[@JaredSpink]

Fantastic video. Couldn’t agree more. Quick question, what did you use for your subtitles?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

I use Rev or descript sometimes but I just use the auto KZbin one for this channel so far

[@JaredSpink]

@@Filmmakingmentor gotcha. I was referring to the title graphics in the video to calm attention to what you’re saying in the video.

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Oh I got an editor for KZbin videos. He uses premiere and creates those graphic assets from scratch

[@Elusive_Pete]

I have a question. I am trying to get my feet off the ground and I'm good at what I do. My friend who is trying to build his own agency has brought me on board so we can grow together. What I don't like is that I am probably doing him a favor to fulfill his portfolio and I'm getting only footage in return with hopes to eventually get paid with my own clientele. Do you think I'm wasting my time?

[@kinze1439]

Can I see the landing page please?

[@andytrace]

This makes no sense, do the work for a client who's definitely not going to hire you Vs doing the free work for a company with a 1 in 10 rate of hiring you for a paid gig...? You just have to be firm on your prices when it comes to the paid gig. If they're not willing to pay your full rate after you've shown your value, either you're not worth what you are charging (to them) or they were never going to pay you that amount anyway! The best advice I can give is, if you're going to do free work, do it for the biggest, most interesting brands you can who will give you the most time and help whilst also giving you full creative freedom. You want the best example of your work with the brands with the most influence, unless if you're confident that the free shoot has a chance of turning into regular work.

[@XaneVidz]

U missed the whole breakdown ! U do it for a portfolio. No matter how good u are u need proof. No big brand will just let anyone film for them so take advantage of those who do.

[@XaneVidz]

I do free work for a portfolio and networking. Not for a cash grab. My content will speak for itself in time

[@christianmcnally4323]

So free shoots to get more work for other businesses

[@Filmmakingmentor]

You create a marketing asset. The expense is your time to create it. People keep doing free shoots for the same company, hoping some day they will realize they should pay them. I'm just talking about doing one shoot so you have a sample to show if you are new. If you are not new and it's not your first day, you can skip that step.

[@theDanDeleon]

Do you have an example website of one of those landing pages? Looks great!

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea here is the law firm one I show in the video www.newslatefilms.com/lawfirmmarketing

[@PatrikMatheson]

God bless you habibi

[@JonackFilm]

Great advice, and once you reach a certain point you don't have to do free work at all :)

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea it can happen pretty quickly too

[@MichaelAndrews-rp2od]

I do understand this point./ My question would be though, do you give them the video for free? Meaning, do you give them a deliverable or do they simply get to link to your work from YOUR youTube page. That is to say, if they have a youTube or some other SM, is it fair for them to actually have rights to the video they paid nothing for? It seems the video should be mine, by right. I own them nothing but the right to provide a link to MY youTube channel. Is this fair or not?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

You can do that but that’s not what I do. I just give them the video. It’s the cost of marketing. I’m getting g a marketing asset and they are paying for it with their time and trust in me.

[@MichaelAndrews-rp2od]

@@Filmmakingmentor lol, I guess to be direct; is what I'm suggesting unethical and/or bad practice? You said it's not what you do. That gives me pause.

[@jamesb8193]

Do they have to sign anything? A waiver to allow you to use them?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

I usually have a basic one page contract that gives me permission to use videos in my marketing. It’s safe to get something in writing for it.

[@ChadtheFilipino]

Great advice Saj. Do you have a template on verbiage when approaching companies with this proposition? Or is it as simple as you state that it's a marketing exchange for rights to pitch to other companies in a similar field?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea I say something along those lines. "We are a local video production company and looking to create marketing videos for law firms in the area. We are looking to create a free marketing video for a law firm, in exchange for using that video as a marketing asset to approach other law firms." I found that it's easier to ask for something in return. Otherwise, it sounds too good to be true.

[@zanehubbard]

I had to do free work to get videos to put on my website.

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea that makes sense in the very beginning to build a reel

[@anthonymelendez2605]

Can that marketing asset be written off?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

I think only the direct cost associated with creating it like hiring people or renting gear. Also the ad expense as well

[@lupe103344522]

Disagree completely, I’ve gotten multiple 10k a month retainer clients from doing free shoots for them. Either I’m just good at sales or lucky

[@glennfajota1787]

put that video out!

[@ArtDilla]

Need my 2 mins back

[@bobwiegers]

nope. I've never seen the advice that says do a free shoot so that company will give you more work. not sure where you've seen that. I've only seen advice for portfolio-building, which is exactly what you're saying here. so I think we're all on the same page, although that renders this video pointless, I guess.

[@steve_arcenio]

Basically you devalue yourself.

[@SR_PRODUCTIONS]

Don't do free work instead do free work

[@gregallen1]

Amen!

[@shontelhorneonline]

I just did this! Was a great way for me to learn, I have a film to launch my production company I and have something to pitch branded documentaries to companies I want to work with. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGGVqJunpdiLZ9Esi=JPAMV1QdcW7iEb_8

[@jacquelinelowe7535]

Most Important for me 🙏😙😙💘!! Get the results you deserve > 'Promosm' !

[@akeverydayyoualreadyknow]

Great advice! Thank you.

[@EzraWest-q4v]

Thank you!!