Not Making Enough Money as a Filmmaker or Videographer? Do This Now

[@camilojilo]

My business changed 100% when I started learning more about the business side of videography. And this video is exactly what I went through. I was afraid to charge more than $500 per video and when I was editing I would be so mad because I didn’t charge enough. When I started selling video strategies instead of single videos, my business changed completely. A single video doesn’t have the same effect as a series of videos.

[@DirectorNathanJ]

Video strategies...I like that. Create a series of content for them to build value ?

[@camjimenez8365]

@@DirectorNathanJ yes, sell content packages for Social Media or a series of videos like a Brand Message Video, Promotional videos and Testimonial Videos for your clients.

[@HasanWarrior]

I want to thank you for this reminder. I refuse to nickel and dime. Besides, the low level clients give you the most trouble. Believe in yourselves my fellow videographers and filmmakers. If you don’t believe you’re worth it, the client sure won’t. Live the way you deserve to live! If at the end of your day you can only afford a cup of coffee, you failed yourself and your family. Raise your standards and raise your fees!

[@repletesolutions3100]

Just what I needed... I am about to lose my car, and home and can't barely survive with the fees I charge... Too much work to do on a laptop I can't even pay for... I have even started applying for jobs because I feel that I have failed 😞 I quit my well-paying IT job exactly a year ago and invested my money in all the necessary gear, editing, and marketing skills. I have not found the right client for the types of jobs I need to survive. I have not been targeting the right clients...

[@my2cents198]

Good to see someone talking the business side...well done.

[@ThePlaceForThings]

have been stuck in a $500 black hole budget range for ten years. felt like you were describing my exact circumstances. grateful to have stumbled upon your channel. this was really helpful

[@garylawsonmedia305]

Thank you thanks you thank you i was about to give up as its just too hard at the scraps level . Your video make so much sense I'm going to double down and go for totally different clients set once again Thanks

[@TheMusicRecordingNetwork]

We should team up.... what area do you live in???.... me I am in Washington DC area.

[@nathpower1]

Man you may don't realize this but you just told me the right thing, at the right time. Thank you so much man.

[@treyvollmerDP]

Great breakdown of the numbers!

[@Hindsight101]

I can't wait for your course thanks for all the knowledge

[@indieshortfilm]

Man, you’re so cool! Thank you!!

[@koleparrott8820]

Well enjoying the content your uploading atm, keep up the good work 👍🏼

[@RaphaelIgrisianu]

You changed my world !

[@firstsipstudios]

Love all of your videos my man!

[@eventrightllc]

You are such a breath of fresh air. Thanks for the advice.

[@AreyasureCrew]

These videos are great mate! Could you run over how to charge for editing specifically, and please if you could go into video packages such as social media package or rolling contracts etc that'd be really handy. Thanks for your work

[@TheMusicRecordingNetwork]

Very very good points .... I sub to learn more

[@arikares]

needed this, thank you!

[@frankfeng2701]

Great video. Finance is the least taught and tested subject in our education, period.

[@sitebstudios]

Thanks for the videos you make. It helps immensely.

[@michelemomo2978]

it would be interesting also to understand how to price video editing services

[@sambrandner]

It’s great to think of your videos as art. But to others, who are using your work to advertise their businesses, your work has to bring them back some kind of return. No good business should value paying as little as $500 if they’re expecting a GOOD return on their video. It wasn’t until I started getting involved in the marketing department at my job until it made sense. Videos are advertising. If you’re creating work that is not going to be used as a video post and not an ad, you’re going to keep getting $500 clients. Businesses who run your work as ads will understand the value that they offer. VIDEOS combined with advertising provide GREAT ROI.

[@RodneyKimbangu]

Thank you!

[@futuristeesti4787]

Check also books on value based pricing

[@crystalfilmqueen]

Your videos are amazing

[@pacific_images]

Hey mate ! Thanks for this video, it was very enriching ! I just don’t know how to transition from 500 to 5000. What do you do in the meantime ? How to you find those 5K clients ? Tell us more ! Thanks again !

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yep will make videos about this soon

[@SirSeabass]

Man! I'm not charging enough. Average cost of a video right now is $2500. Basically a day rate, gear rental(my gear) and final edit. Shoot i need to charge more.

[@NabilTouchie]

I'm a Magician, and the same thing happens in my business, it's like two different realities

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Oh interesting. I bet it’s the same for lot of creative industries

[@bobandren]

Thanks for making these videos. If I was to get a client that would pay $5000-$10,000 for a video, I could hire a cinematographer while I produce and direct. My concern is when the client sees the cinematographer on set and that he/she knows more about lighting and lenses than I do, they may ask them for a business card and hire just the cinematographer the next time for a video. How do you deal with this situation?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

I always hire people I trust that wouldn’t do that to me and the higher level you get, the less this happens.

[@bobandren]

@@Filmmakingmentor Thanks.

[@sonycemedia]

Saj is #TheTruth 100%

[@christianwmeyer]

Well explained, you will never win the game with low rate projects. Im sure you already have more to offer than you ever imagined. Step up your video business and show what you can offer.

[@dannyarrondo]

Based on your business model at your production company, do you now only focus on producing projects for your clients, meaning hiring contractors and vendors needed for each project? What happens to your DP and Director career, do you pay any attention to that simultaneously, or is that a separate entity and business model? In other words, when speaking of sales/marketing how much are you marketing your DP/Cam op service vs. marketing your video production company?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea when we land a client, we produce the entire project and hire contractors as needed to fill different roles. And I hire myself into the project as director/DP. The DP career as a freelancer is entirely different and separate, but I’ve focused away from that. I find it easier to choose a path that best suits your personally. Really hard to pursue a life long career as a DP and running a production company, but plenty do both. They just treat them as two separate entities and market each separately

[@marteung]

Do you think your online course will be up anytime soon?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea it will be released first couple of weeks of April

[@vladislavvolkoff]

I agree with the comments below about looking for a $5000 client. I DO WANT to shoot $5000 video and I KNOW HOW to do it, what gear to use, how to do it in terms of video production, but where can I find them? I texted a lot of people offering them my service and I didn't get a response from them... Thank you

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Ok. I will make several videos to talk more about getting higher paying clients

[@vladislavvolkoff]

@@Filmmakingmentor thank you!

[@busiestytnerd5175]

Okay but i specifically want to make music videos... tips on getting higher paying clients there?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Working directly with artists for music videos is a very crowded market and I’ve only seen very low prices relative to the work. The only way I’ve seen higher prices points there is when you partner a brand and an artist and create a branded music video. But I don’t have personal experience with making music videos for artists are a higher price point directly

[@busiestytnerd5175]

@@Filmmakingmentor thank you, thats still useful

[@Yusakuo]

Would you say the KZbin video editor field in general is a wrong field to play if you would want to get paid a good amount relative to other fields?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea I would. I have youtube editors including the one that edited this video. It’s a good starting point but every crowded and youtube videos don’t make enough money to justify paying an editor a lot of money

[@ConvergenceMedia]

There is no catch all approach. There too many factors. When first starting out no one is going to pay you $500 per job. You have to work up to that and beyond.

[@montehalthon7831]

Companies don’t trust me as a filmmaker, sometimes not even to do for free. How do I change this ?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

It’s a process but usually starts by creating examples that will impress them, even free ones. Next, you’ll have to pitch yourself as a company and not just a solo filmmaker. Companies want to work with other companies and not a freelancer. Most of my videos are all about that and will show that process

[@montehalthon7831]

@@Filmmakingmentor Thanks Boss 🙏🏿

[@maiers24]

🙏🙏🙏

[@TheAgustinCruz]

Do you do any consulting work?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

No I don’t. But I’m working on a course coming out in April

[@TheAgustinCruz]

@@Filmmakingmentor ok awesome!

[@cos105media3]

great video