Marketing
Starting your business is easy, it just costs money. Getting ‘business’ is the hard part and there is no right way to go about this. If you have taken the leap and decided this is the business you want to be in, then odds on you already have one or two (or even more) potential clients. They may be why you made the decision to go into business. They will also probably be in a particular segment of the business community, which may lead to contacts with similar organisations or businesses.
Whilst these first few clients will get your started, you need to have a strategy so you can continue to attract more clients in the same or related businesses.
So how do you market your business? Here are some suggestions:
- Who do you want to market your business to? Is it local businesses in your community who may be looking for video production services?
- Or is it a particular business segment, such as education, health or manufacturing?
- Where are these potential clients located? If they’re local, then you will use a different marketing strategy than if they are state or country wide.
Prospective Clients need to see your work
The traditional way of showing potential clients your work is with a web site. Although social media is being used more and more (see below), a well designed web site that enables prospective clients to see your previous work and find out what services you offer is a good place to start.
Testimonials from previous clients are also worth collecting and adding to your site.
I host all my videos on my Youtube channel and then embed them in my web site. You can also embed them in your Facebook page and link to them in other social media channels.
Check out what other similar business do online. Don’t copy them, but this can be a good way of making sure you have the same information about your business on your web site.
Social Media marketing
This is a huge growth industry and running a Facebook ad campaign that specifically targets your market is well worth trying out. There are lots of resources online to help you do this and Facebook also offers support and advice.
Social Media is also a good way of engaging with potential clients.
Business Networks
There are many business networking groups. Generally each covers a specific area such as a suburb or geographic region. Most meet weekly and they are another way of other local businesses hearing about you and vice versa.
Local newspaper, leaflets
Whilst social media has taken the place of some traditional classified advertising, it is still worth considering – especially if you’re starting out. Key thing is to work out who you want to market to and how best to reach that market.
Your first job will be the hardest to get, but with good marketing it will help you get your second, third and so on. Good luck!
Here are other posts in this series:
- Scary outcome when shooting with multiple cameras
- Five values that shape what I do
- What most people don’t see when they watch *video
- What do you do when the shoot goes wrong …
- 5 Habits Every Videographer should develop
