We've
seen a lot of new hi-tech developments come into our lives
during
the past several years: The home computer, word processor,
electronic
typewriter...and how in the world did we ever get along
without
the ever popular VCR? One of the major products on the
scene,
of course, is the video camera, also known as the camcorder.
The
camcorder is to video what the tape recorder was to audio when
it
was popularized back in the early 50's. The major difference
between
the two, aside from the obvious functions, is the price.
The
audio tape recorder, first introduced at a price of just a
couple
of hundred dollars (now as low as $19.95 for some smaller
cassette
recorders) can't compare to the high price of the
camcorder
which goes for $1,400 to $4,000.
At
these prices, the camcorder is certainly not a toy or novelty
that
the average person wants to own. It's an expensive, complex
instrument
that only comparatively few people want
to buy because,
let's
face it, it's use is some what limited to occasional
happenings
or special events. It's not something a
person would
use
every day.
This
combination, however, is what makes the camcorder a fabulous
potential
money making marvel: Limited use and high cost!
Yes,
you can start a business with a camcorder and enjoy a hefty
income
of hundreds of dollars daily...many thousands of dollars
annually.
And... you can operate right from your own home, at least
using
your home as a base of operations, the actual business being
conducted
"in the field."
How
can you become a Videographer, and in what areas?
Here
are a few ideas that are making big money for other
Videographers:
* Weddings * Tournaments
* Birthday parties * Conference speakers
* Anniversary parties * Local bands & musicians
* Bar mitzvah * Special dances
* Graduations * Sporting events
* Ceremonies * Newborn babies
* Christmas parties * New Years parties
These
are just some of the opportunities in Videographing. The
possibilities
are limited only by your imagination, the area in
which
you live, the events and happenings going on around you.
Why
is this such a lucrative business? For one thing, because it
gives
your potential customer a permanent video record of something
that's
happening in their lives...which they can see over and over
again
on their own TV by playing the tape through their VCR. What
couple
wouldn't love to have a recording of their wedding to show
their
children in 10 to 15 years? What aspiring singer or rock band
wouldn't
want a video tape of their performance for their families
and
friends...and as a VIDEO RESUME to help them get additional
engagements?
Consider
things that will never happen again: A graduation- sports
tournament-
newborn baby- an important speech -a bar mitzvah. These
are
one-shots that can never be repeated...but they can be captured
on
video tape to be re-lived again and again!
CAPITAL
INVESTMENT
Yes,
there is an investment involved in getting started, but it's
a
cost that can repay itself many times over. The primary
investment
will be for the camcorder. There are relatively cheap
models
on the market priced from around $800
but these are not
recommended.
Since this is not for pleasure, but for business, you
should
consider getting one of the best that money can buy, and
that
means an investment of at least $2,000.
Some
models are priced higher, depending on the features you want.
You
will also need accessories such as a light kit, tripod, and
extra
batteries.
LEARN
BEFORE YOU EARN
Maybe
you know all about camcorders. Maybe you already own one, or
at
least have had the opportunity of using one. But we'll assume
neither
of these is true. We'll assume you don't know the first
thing
about them, what they can and cannot do, or how to turn the
darn
thing on. If so, visit your local public library and ask for
books
on the subject. Spend a few nights reading up on the subject.
Next,
check your local colleges and high schools. They usually
offer
night classes on videotaping that are quite reasonable in
cost
and you can learn everything necessary in just a few classes.
Only
the basics are necessary to learn. Most of your education will
come
from practical use of the video marvel on the job or in your
own
practice sessions. Video taping is not unreasonably
complicated,
so the learning process need not concern you at all.
Remember
how complicated driving a car seemed to be before you
learned
how? Today it's like second nature to you. The same will be
true
of using the camcorder.
TEST
BEFORE YOU INVEST
This
will probably be music to your ears: You don't have to invest
thousands
of dollars in your new equipment UNTIL you are sure you
will
be able to make the business work for you. For your first few
jobs
you can RENT the equipment from a video store. The rental fee
is
about $50 for a 24 hour period, a little more or less, depending
on
your area. With a rental camera, you can go out on your first
job
(or first couple of jobs) and test the waters, see if you like
doing
it. See if you can do a good job that will satisfy your
clients.
The
best way to begin, in fact, is to do a job for a friend or
relative.
You can either give them a nice discount or even do the
entire
job for free, just to get the experience. It should be worth
the
rental fee and your time to get some needed experience in the
field
where the action is.
You
can learn from any mistakes you make and not feel too guilty or
obligated,
especially if they are paying less or nothing at all.
You
will find that your best advertising will come from
word-of-mouth;
one person recommending you to a friend...and that
friend
giving your name to another, and so on. You don't even have
to
pay for this kind of advertising, and it can really multiply
your
assignments. When word gets around that you have good video
equipment,
really know your stuff, do a great job and your prices
are
reasonable...your phone will probably start ringing off the
wall
PERFECT
HOME BASED BUSINESS
With
this type of business you don't need a fancy show room, store
or
outside office. You can set up an office right in your own home.
Naturally
you will need a telephone and an answering machine would
be
a good addition. You don't want to miss incoming calls.
You
might want to invest a few extra dollars in business cards,
letterheads
and envelopes, also statements for billing clients. All
printed
matter should cost no more than $100.
PRICING
YOUR SERVICE
One
of the main obstacles in beginning a new business, especially
a
service such as Videographing, is how to charge clients. Priced
too
high and you'll get no business; priced too low and you'll make
no
money. Here's the best way to arrive at a fair and profitable
price:
1.
Check around to see if anyone else is offering a video taping
service
in your area. If so, find out their prices and keep this
(or
these) figures in mind when tabulating your own.
2.
Determine how much time will be needed to do each job. Figure
that
your time should be worth $50 to $75 an hour. Don't let those
figures
throw you; remember you are not a salaried employees, but
an
independent business person with no paid vacations, no health
insurance
or other extras. You get paid for your work and for the
time
it takes to do the job, excluding travel expenses.
3.
Now figure in the travel time and transportation necessary to
arrive
at the job. Add at least 25 cents a mile within a 25 mile
radius.
50 cents a mile for distant jobs.
4.
Figure the cost of renting or purchasing equipment on a
percentage
basis.
5.
Add the cost of any help or assistance required for each job.
6.
Now include the cost of any tape editing that may be requested,
also
copies of each tape that maybe requested for family and
friends
of your client. Determine editing on a time basis; copies
on
a time plus cost of each tape.
Since
this is your business, you want to be flexible and provide a
few
of these extras free or at greatly reduced prices. For
instances,
if you're well treated and you really like the people
you're
working for, you might want to give them an extra copy of
a
finished tape free. This is a good will gesture that can only
work
in your favor in the long run. Of course, occasionally you
might
run across someone who is impossible to please, finding fault
with
everything you try to do for them. In this case, all prices
will
apply.
PRODUCING
INCOME
Once
you get rolling in this business, you can set up appointments
on
a daily schedule. If you arrange 3 jobs per day, each averaging
$75
per hour (plus extras as indicated) and each job averages two
hours...this
should give you $600 per day. That's a
$3,000 income
from
an average five day work week. If you want to take additional
jobs
Saturdays and Sundays, you might want to adjust your prices
upward
for this weekend work. On the other hand, if you seem to
have
slow days during the week (mondays for instance) you
can
offer
a discount to fill the gap and get additional business for
this
off-day.
ADDITIONAL
INCOME IDEAS
This
could be just the tip of the Videographing iceberg, because
there
are many other ways to cash in on this type of business. One
man
developed a "Welcome Channel" idea and sold it to local hotels
and
motels. On an unused TV channel he showed a video on closed
circuit
of various stores, shops and activities and events in and
around
his area. He went to local merchants and offered to make
commercials
on video tape which would be then shown on his "Welcome
Channel.
"What are others doing in Videographing?
Here
are a few ideas to get you thinking: Produce a series of
how-to
tapes on hiring professionals in a specific field and tape
him/her
doing the job. This could be a mechanic showing how to tune
a
car's engine; a cook or baker; an electrician showing how to wire
a
home; a plumber; a carpenter, etc., each doing what he or she
does
best, showing the layman how to do a specific job. This has
great
possibilities for those who don't like to read books or just
don't
have the time. Much more can be learned in far less time by
seeing
it being done by a professional then if it had to be read,
analyzed
and digested from a book.
Think
about it. The opportunities are just beginning in the field
of
Videographing, and the income potential can be astounding.
Remember:
Whatever ideas you can come up with for producing on
video
tape can be offered to video rental stores and other stores
on
a commission basis. This can mean a nice additional income above
and
beyond your Videographing business.
Other
profitable ideas to consider are: Looking through your
newspaper
and making a note of the women announcing wedding dates.
Open
your telephone directory and call these women and ask them if
they
would care to have the wedding video taped.
You
might want to listen in on the police radio frequency, and make
a
video of any auto accidents, particularly those involving
injuries.
Your video could become very valuable for you when
deciding
a court case.
UNLIMITED
OPPORTUNITIES
Whatever
you decide, there are a few "sure success" points to keep
in
mind as you begin to sell your services; Offer quality work and
reasonable
prices, Dress professionally when meeting with potential
customers,
and always be prompt and reliable.
If
you see to it that you met these success points you will be sure
to
get many referrals. Also, remember, there already are some four
million
videocassette recorders (VCR's) in American homes, with an
estimated
100,000 being sold to new customers every month. Further
estimates
indicate that by 1994, at least one half of all U.S.
households
will own either a videocassette recorder.
What
this means to you is that your market is growing and is
expected
to continue to grow and success is yours for the taking
all
that is required besides the equipment is marketing
imagination,
organization, and attention to detail.
Think
about it. The opportunities are just beginning to open up for
you
in the field of Videographing, and the income potential can be
astounding.
Remember:
Whatever ideas you can come up with for producing on
video
tape can be offered to video rental stores and other stores
on
a commission basis. This can mean a nice additional income above
and
beyond your Videographing business.
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