Booking Season? at DVinfo.net

Michael Clark · October 15th, 2009, 06:02 AM

What month of the year is busiest for you in regards to new leads/contacts? It seems like this time of year is "engagement season" around here, but it's been my experience that the B&G don't initiate contact with videographers until everything else is in place. I've thought about getting a paid membership with wedj or decidio (or a similar service), but wanted to try it out during a busy month first, as my marketing funds are very limited.

Don Bloom · October 15th, 2009, 08:48 AM

years ago I had a paid ad on Wedj and frankly got nothing out of it but maybe it was me.

First, videography in most cases is the last thing to get hired and the first to get cut due to budget constraints.
As for the best booking months well from my experience I've found that December thru April are probably the biggest for me. Lots of engagements around the holidays, Thanksgiving, Xmas, New Years, Valentines day...Of course last year sucked big time compared to previous years but that wasn't the time time I've seen that due to the economy. I've booked in May thru October, some a year in advance some a couple of weeks in advance (they found some extra money) but again, in my experience December thru April are the biggest months but that's around my area, hard to say exactly in your area, it could be different.

Anthony J. Howe · October 15th, 2009, 08:55 AM

In my experience and for my area, it's usually starts around February-May for videography services for weddings. These are the months where I get most enquires, though I have enquires and bookings at any time of year.

Chris Harding · October 15th, 2009, 04:59 PM

Hi Michael

All my enquiries seem to be around 12 months ahead so at present I'm booking for September/October 2010. Here the busiest months vary a lot. Last season I shot only 3 in December (remember that's Summer here!!) and this season I'm totally booked out for December (in fact I have turned down 6 couples already for Saturday 12th!!!) Some dates are more popular than others!!!

In 2008 I was quiet over our two Winter months (June/July) and used the time to upgrade gear. However this year I was extra busy even though it's cold and wet!!! My first 2 week break this year was actually August!!

I think bookings and enquiries seem to vary from season to season!!!

Chris

Philip Howells · October 15th, 2009, 10:45 PM

Based on relatively short wedding exclusive experience the booking season depends on the price bracket in which you're working, the higher the price, the earlier the booking. Late bookings tend to be for the lower priced products on the same basis that Don Bloom reported, that the couple have found sufficient budget left over to be able to afford a video.

Ironically (and very annoyingly) the photographer still gets booked early.

Jeff Kellam · October 16th, 2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Bloom

years ago I had a paid ad on Wedj and frankly got nothing out of it but maybe it was me.

Same here. Hundreds of hits, but no bites from Wedj. My business is mostly referral anyway, it was just an experiment. And I have a total crap website (on-purpose).

I would reccomend using Wedj (Gold level) for a month to get your Google ranking higher, depending on how you are currently paying Google.

October 15th, 2009, 06:02 AM	#1
Michael Clark Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 244	Booking Season? What month of the year is busiest for you in regards to new leads/contacts? It seems like this time of year is "engagement season" around here, but it's been my experience that the B&G don't initiate contact with videographers until everything else is in place. I've thought about getting a paid membership with wedj or decidio (or a similar service), but wanted to try it out during a busy month first, as my marketing funds are very limited.

October 15th, 2009, 08:48 AM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	years ago I had a paid ad on Wedj and frankly got nothing out of it but maybe it was me. First, videography in most cases is the last thing to get hired and the first to get cut due to budget constraints. As for the best booking months well from my experience I've found that December thru April are probably the biggest for me. Lots of engagements around the holidays, Thanksgiving, Xmas, New Years, Valentines day...Of course last year sucked big time compared to previous years but that wasn't the time time I've seen that due to the economy. I've booked in May thru October, some a year in advance some a couple of weeks in advance (they found some extra money) but again, in my experience December thru April are the biggest months but that's around my area, hard to say exactly in your area, it could be different. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

October 15th, 2009, 08:55 AM	#3
Anthony J. Howe Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 55	In my experience and for my area, it's usually starts around February-May for videography services for weddings. These are the months where I get most enquires, though I have enquires and bookings at any time of year.

October 15th, 2009, 04:59 PM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Michael All my enquiries seem to be around 12 months ahead so at present I'm booking for September/October 2010. Here the busiest months vary a lot. Last season I shot only 3 in December (remember that's Summer here!!) and this season I'm totally booked out for December (in fact I have turned down 6 couples already for Saturday 12th!!!) Some dates are more popular than others!!! In 2008 I was quiet over our two Winter months (June/July) and used the time to upgrade gear. However this year I was extra busy even though it's cold and wet!!! My first 2 week break this year was actually August!! I think bookings and enquiries seem to vary from season to season!!! Chris

October 15th, 2009, 10:45 PM	#5
Philip Howells Trustee Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1,212	Based on relatively short wedding exclusive experience the booking season depends on the price bracket in which you're working, the higher the price, the earlier the booking. Late bookings tend to be for the lower priced products on the same basis that Don Bloom reported, that the couple have found sufficient budget left over to be able to afford a video. Ironically (and very annoyingly) the photographer still gets booked early.