Extra income? at DVinfo.net

Brandon Wood · May 20th, 2005, 07:44 PM

Just curious while I'm trying to start up my wedding videography business (and also hold down a full time day job), does anyone do other things to make spare income with their cameras?

I know once I get going with weddings, I probably won't have much other time, but I've seen interest lately, for instance, in people wanting inventory video's of their home for insurance purposes. Just wondered if anyone's time was supplemented with things other than weddings, and if so, what?

PS. I am really trying to make money back on all the equipment I have purchased in the last 2 months so I can purchase other things I need.

Dan Shallenberger · May 20th, 2005, 11:43 PM

Great question! I'm interested too.

I've read about real-estate walkthroughs. I haven't done any, but I'm good friends with a real-estate agent and I've been meaning to ask him about how useful these are and if there's any demand for them.

But I'm definitely interested in what others have to say here.

Dan

Peter Jefferson · May 21st, 2005, 02:25 AM

real estate walkthroughs.. well. a glidecam comes in handy... but if u know ur camera and how its stabiliser works and its nuances, u dont need this.
Ive done quite afew.
I also have 7 Corporate retainers, and my wedding clients know that my Corps get priority over weddings, as these keep the wedding costs down, so if im running late with something, its usually coz i put a corp job before a wedding. My clients are advised this at booking so they dont compain about delays.
I tell them that if i didnt do this, theyd prolly end up paying 500 to 700 dollars more within their package.

Bob Costa · May 21st, 2005, 08:37 AM

Brandon, there are a million things to do with your camera. Biggest thing is to let people know you are there. Read the newspaper every day and think about what you could do for that business, that person, etc. Give them a call and let them know. A couple of calls a day, and you are rolling. Company grand openings, 80th birthday parties, golf tournaments, fancy homes for sale, famous speaker coming to town,

James Summers · May 21st, 2005, 08:45 AM

it takes a while to actually MAKE MONEY in weddings. You will end up spending more money to make money..just a thought to consider.

Brandon Wood · May 21st, 2005, 03:20 PM

I have no doubt about that James, and I knew it would take awhile when I started. Just was curious about the 'million' other things people do, like Bob said, to get some good ideas about what is really working for videographers out there.

...and thanks!

Matthew Ebenezer · May 21st, 2005, 08:14 PM

Hi Brandon,

I'm in the same position as you (full-time job/video on the side) and I'm finding new opportunities that I'd never even thought of. A couple of examples:

- next week I'm filming a piece for a speaker at a conference to play before his talk
- a local wedding store may be playing a sample of my work on loop in their store (both to advertise my business but to also add to the 'vibe' in the store)
- the local meatworks wants me to film samples of their beef to show off the quality of it (not sure if I'll do this one yet).
- tv commercials for local businesses
- Promo work for bands, festivals and concerts
- local churches are starting to use video in their services to promote upcoming church events

There's so many different options that keep popping up. Getting your work out there is important. I've even had people see one of my wedding DVDs and get me to film something completely unrelated. They see the quality of what you do and see that it can be transferred to different 'genres'.

I'm starting to see that there's so much more out there than just weddings and have actually started turning them down in favour of the other stuff - like you said, weddings are time-consuming.

I've also just dropped back to 4 days a week at my job to give extra time to the video work. Something to consider if your business starts to go well. My 1 day off is already booked solid!

All the best mate.

Matthew.

Ben Lynn · May 22nd, 2005, 08:29 PM

There are any number of possibilities, but I think that they all hang on a couple of things: who do you know, and how good is your work. I think that if you provide a solid product and a number of people become aware of it, then the rest will take care of itself and people will provide you with the work.

Ben Lynn

Brandon Wood · May 23rd, 2005, 07:55 AM

sounds like some interesting possibilities - thanks again!

May 20th, 2005, 07:44 PM	#1
Brandon Wood Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mauriceville, TX Posts: 146	Extra income? Just curious while I'm trying to start up my wedding videography business (and also hold down a full time day job), does anyone do other things to make spare income with their cameras? I know once I get going with weddings, I probably won't have much other time, but I've seen interest lately, for instance, in people wanting inventory video's of their home for insurance purposes. Just wondered if anyone's time was supplemented with things other than weddings, and if so, what? PS. I am really trying to make money back on all the equipment I have purchased in the last 2 months so I can purchase other things I need.

May 21st, 2005, 08:37 AM	#4
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	Brandon, there are a million things to do with your camera. Biggest thing is to let people know you are there. Read the newspaper every day and think about what you could do for that business, that person, etc. Give them a call and let them know. A couple of calls a day, and you are rolling. Company grand openings, 80th birthday parties, golf tournaments, fancy homes for sale, famous speaker coming to town, __________________ You are either growing or dying.

May 20th, 2005, 11:43 PM	#2
Dan Shallenberger Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 253	Great question! I'm interested too. I've read about real-estate walkthroughs. I haven't done any, but I'm good friends with a real-estate agent and I've been meaning to ask him about how useful these are and if there's any demand for them. But I'm definitely interested in what others have to say here. Dan

May 21st, 2005, 02:25 AM	#3
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	real estate walkthroughs.. well. a glidecam comes in handy... but if u know ur camera and how its stabiliser works and its nuances, u dont need this. Ive done quite afew. I also have 7 Corporate retainers, and my wedding clients know that my Corps get priority over weddings, as these keep the wedding costs down, so if im running late with something, its usually coz i put a corp job before a wedding. My clients are advised this at booking so they dont compain about delays. I tell them that if i didnt do this, theyd prolly end up paying 500 to 700 dollars more within their package.

May 21st, 2005, 08:45 AM	#5
James Summers Tourist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1	it takes a while to actually MAKE MONEY in weddings. You will end up spending more money to make money..just a thought to consider.

May 21st, 2005, 03:20 PM	#6
Brandon Wood Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mauriceville, TX Posts: 146	I have no doubt about that James, and I knew it would take awhile when I started. Just was curious about the 'million' other things people do, like Bob said, to get some good ideas about what is really working for videographers out there. ...and thanks!

May 21st, 2005, 08:14 PM	#7
Matthew Ebenezer Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Posts: 370	Hi Brandon, I'm in the same position as you (full-time job/video on the side) and I'm finding new opportunities that I'd never even thought of. A couple of examples: - next week I'm filming a piece for a speaker at a conference to play before his talk - a local wedding store may be playing a sample of my work on loop in their store (both to advertise my business but to also add to the 'vibe' in the store) - the local meatworks wants me to film samples of their beef to show off the quality of it (not sure if I'll do this one yet). - tv commercials for local businesses - Promo work for bands, festivals and concerts - local churches are starting to use video in their services to promote upcoming church events There's so many different options that keep popping up. Getting your work out there is important. I've even had people see one of my wedding DVDs and get me to film something completely unrelated. They see the quality of what you do and see that it can be transferred to different 'genres'. I'm starting to see that there's so much more out there than just weddings and have actually started turning them down in favour of the other stuff - like you said, weddings are time-consuming. I've also just dropped back to 4 days a week at my job to give extra time to the video work. Something to consider if your business starts to go well. My 1 day off is already booked solid! All the best mate. Matthew.

May 22nd, 2005, 08:29 PM	#8
Ben Lynn Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 636	There are any number of possibilities, but I think that they all hang on a couple of things: who do you know, and how good is your work. I think that if you provide a solid product and a number of people become aware of it, then the rest will take care of itself and people will provide you with the work. Ben Lynn

May 23rd, 2005, 07:55 AM	#9
Brandon Wood Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mauriceville, TX Posts: 146	sounds like some interesting possibilities - thanks again!