Spotting a Red Flag Client as a Videographer

Spotting red flags during business meetings and/or in the planning phase of a project is very important.
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[@UrbaneVisions]

A-List Celebrities doesnt always equate to A-List Opportunities. And it's SO important to understand that you have to establish a standard for how you conduct business. Contracts, deposits, deadlines, everything. Having standards as a professional creative is CRITICAL. People will only respect your business when YOU respect your business.

[@Semesem_]

This is 100% accurate. A name alone can only do so much for us

[@MyMarketingGuy101]

Great advice! You made the right decision ✅..I’ve become really good at spotting red flags myself. I live in NYC and there’s a lot of people that want “back door” services so they can have the option to avoid taxes, control the flow of things, cancel on you, reschedule as they please, and even create false statements in order to pay you less than the agreed amount. I’ve experienced this when I first started my business and had to quickly adjust my policies and contracts to make things airtight.

[@Semesem_]

I’d love to hear some things you’ve gone through . Could be good insight

[@MyMarketingGuy101]

@ I got many stories but I’ll share a few. 1) I remember a client that claimed that I was supposed to provide his deliverables on USB when that was NEVER STATED on his invoice or contract. All my deliverables are either downloadable or transferred during follow up meetings. However, I would’ve had no problem putting his deliverables onto a USB for an extra cost if he truly needed that option. We got into a major disagreement about this even though I showed him proof that the USB option was never mentioned in his paperwork. It got so bad that I ended up just buying a USB and putting his marketing assets on it to make him happy. I would have easily offered that option if he was being humble but this guy was very disrespectful, insulting my intelligence, and making me out to be liar. Needless to say, I never dealt with him again and his business never took off. 2) Years ago when I was doing weddings. I had one bride that claimed that we didn’t deliver any shots with her parents and immediate family. That was only partially true, we did have deliver shots of her and her family but not in abundance. Why?…Because she spent close to 2 hours fixing a problem with her wedding dress that ended up significantly cutting into the time my photographers had to take those family pictures. All her guests and my staff were waiting for her in the hot sun until she finally came out for her ceremony, but by that time EVERYTHING had to be expedited so we can stick to the itinerary. It’s was even written on my contract that we are not liable for missing content if something or someone outside of our control impedes our ability to deliver our product and services. I even went to her suite several times to tell her that we were losing precious time. Although it wasn’t my companies fault, she still wanted to place blame on us and tried to back out of making her final payment. When I threatened to keep all of her photos and sue, she finally conceded and made her payment. She had zero accountability for her extreme tardiness that directly led to her missing photos. BTW: I really like your content and I subscribed. There’s not too many brothers in the KZbin community so it was refreshing to see your content and advice. I’m just starting out in the KZbin space myself but it’s hard balancing work and KZbin. Check out my channel and give me a sub so we can stay in touch!!!

[@morrisondv]

This can happen at all levels of clients. Red flags are key to pick up on. Don’t buy gear specifically for a client job without a contract. Learned that the hard way many years ago. Name dropping celebs is the biggest red flag though. Most legit jobs don’t want to tell you you’re dealing with a celeb till after everything is finalized and they can trust you.

[@MarcusRFilms]

Been here as well. This is a great conversation to share with people to help them avoid so much stress or even not getting paid.

[@Semesem_]

I wish I could’ve had more information on this particular situation , but like I mentioned the client wasn’t mine

[@KongThaoSound]

Great info. It's pretty crazy how these red flags are literally in all levels of businesses.

[@Semesem_]

@@KongThaoSound they really are

[@FitManStyle]

Very admirable of you to do that. Most would just stuck it through just to get the bag or “exposure”

[@Semesem_]

I agree, it’s important to stand up for yourself as a creative

[@rikkiekhrist6823]

fantastic advice, you usually find these types when working in entertainment unfortunately because most people would be willing to let a lot of stuff slide to have the opportunity to film their favorite artist

[@Semesem_]

That’s true, the entertainment industry is unfortunately full of that

[@Gerald_G]

Man, are you spying on me? 🙃 What you said at 9:00 to 9:20 literally is what I'm battling with on a lead for a potential new commercial real estate client. There's a particular piece of equipment that I immediately started to upgrade, but ended up deleting it from my shopping cart for the same reasons you gave...I have no guarantees, no paperwork at this point to justify spending that money for something that may not happen yet. Your videos are crazy insightful and useful. Many thanks! 🤟🏼

[@Semesem_]

It’s just something I’ve done and ended up having gear just sit on the shelf for a year or more

[@officialbrandoncoleman]

All opportunities isn't good opportunities !! 👌🏾👌🏾

[@Semesem_]

True words spoken

[@nativestrong7253]

"We'll provide the SD card" "Chance to build your portfolio"

[@sneediewonderproductions]

All facts. So important to read between the lines when an opportunity is introduced.

[@Semesem_]

@@sneediewonderproductions yes. Setting some good boundaries take some good business sense

[@HwayVision]

Starting in the sports industry the name dropping is almost Everytime. I learned the hard way when I did free work for a hooper with a million followers it doesn’t equate to anything at the end of it. Following proper procedures and getting paid fairly is more important. This would’ve been a great opportunity for the portfolio but I totally understand why you canceled. Some poor guy probably took this job blinded by the lights. Thank you for sharing

[@Semesem_]

Well I didn’t actually cancel, since my brother was running point I just understand why he canceled

[@fearlesslionmedia4232]

I've gotten caught up in the lure of an exciting opportunity and miss out on the subtle flags that say it's probably too good to be true. I've also stopped sharing most opportunities with my friends and family until a contract is signed. If it falls through, now I gotta tell everyone "nevermind, it didn't work out." That's exhausting.

[@Semesem_]

It’s always a bummer when things don’t work out.

[@bwashmedia]

Haha I’ve bro been there! Filming for Floyd is a boxing match in its own right. His security don’t play! Lol

[@Semesem_]

Man …. heavy on the DONT PLAY part

[@tebnuhotep217]

Thanks For This Video. It Was Helpful 💯✅💪🏿

[@ericjkim]

Sorry you had to go through these experiences man, tysm for sharing :)

[@Semesem_]

@@ericjkim I’m not sorry at all. I wasn’t really real to me until some type of paperwork is signed

[@denaco]

you're sorry? why? weird thing to say when you didn't cause it.

[@Semesem_]

@@denaco I didn’t say I was sorry , what are you talking about

[@MichaelNewmanFilm]

Totally agree. Celebrities don't really impress me much. No disrespect to them. If they have any talent then they are considered professionals...and so are we. -- And thats that

[@Semesem_]

Same here . I’ve never been one to bend over backwards just to shoot someone with a name

[@Graystaff]

Al Pacino told me to never name drop.

[@Semesem_]

😂😂

[@burry218]

Any idea on what that last clip was about? 👀

[@Semesem_]

Just something I forgot to cut. I fixed it

[@TradeshowThomas]

other flags: scope creep after contract agreed upon, multiple zoom calls without a contract in place, large marketing team who all have “creative” ideas that cancel each other out, anytime a lead mentions anything in terms of time “the whole thing should take 3.5 hours”🤣

[@Semesem_]

Not the multiple zoom calls lol

[@Balnaldybad]

Yeah I spent all my effort to build good reputation. Thanks for video :)

[@Semesem_]

Keep it up

[@ideaplusagency]

Namedrop has definitely been a thing for a LONG time. I'm 50, and I've done a lot of "celebrity" work. What people don't understand is that (Black) celebrities usually don't want to spend money. Unless I'm getting my percentage up front I normally steer away from these "name drop" people.

[@Semesem_]

That’s interesting, I’ve noticed the same thing too

[@hashtagdopephotography]

💯🎥💪🏾

[@RemiVisionpro]

Imagine the Ray Ban content you would’ve got. Sheeeesh!!! It’s all good tho

[@Semesem_]

Man that’s all I could think about man

[@JonackFilm]

Huge Red Flag client: Beverly Boy productions. They almost scammed me for about 1600€ they payed me the Frist 50% ( 1600€) in like two days. For the rest I almost had to sue them.... From Germany to California. Then I got my money within 12h with a little mail I wrote. Beverly Boy Productions is a huge red flag.

[@Semesem_]

I’ve never heard of them but good thing you resolved the issue

[@JonackFilm]

@Semesem_ I tried to warn as many people as I could ^^ when you Google beverly boy productions / reddit you find tons of stuff

[@Ironmaneditor77]

Last minute people want to micromanage and allow no room for new ideas. It’s dictated. Not designed or crafted.

[@Semesem_]

True, it’s not normally a good idea to take those

[@Ironmaneditor77]

@ for sure 👍

[@burry218]

10:40 "If I'm tryna operate my business in the proper way, I'm not gonna avoid"... (Should I say Taxes?) "Proper paperwork"

[@Semesem_]

Taxes is a huge one for sure. I’m not playing those games. My CPA is amazing

[@PhotographyByBillyWareJrInc]

who was trying to hire you the NFL or kendrick team? it seems like you telling half the information from your side

[@Semesem_]

@@PhotographyByBillyWareJrInc well first , it wasn’t my direct client so I’m only telling the part I was told. I didn’t have direct correspondence with anyone

[@Semesem_]

@@PhotographyByBillyWareJrInc I mentioned that a couple times in this video.

[@1985Photos]

@@PhotographyByBillyWareJrInc he mentioned it.

[@PhotographyByBillyWareJrInc]

@Semesem_ i would of did the job and seen where it went sometimes you got to take a chance plus you can probably network to get bigger jobs if its a fail 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@pchuck1439]

Bragging writes don't pay the bills. I would have dropped out too with the lack of details.