Freelancing is hard. Especially when it comes to booking new video gigs. Finding consistent work as a freelancer can be challenging, but by following a few of the tips below you’ll be booking your next gig in no-time.

Increasingly video professionals are being forced to script, shoot, edit, and design videos all on their own. This can certainly be a good thing, especially if you have project ADD like myself, but the term ‘master of none’ can begin to define a video professional. Your favorite filmmakers and editors have a consistent ‘style’, so should you.  

Honing your style will take time, but once you begin to nail down a consistent look and feel you’ll find that clients are more willing to pay you more money for your work. As your style becomes popular video projects will start rolling your way. 

Just about every marketing article out there will tell you the importance of having a strong social presence, but when it comes to finding gigs the necessity of social media can’t be overstated. Social media is where clients will share your work. 

As people like and share your content it will only increase traffic to your page and website. You don’t have to post every day, but at least 1 awesome post a week will help reinforce your identity as a video professional.  

If you’re an introvert than networking can seem like the scariest thing in the world, but in reality most people at networking events are just as nervous as you. Check Facebook for local filmmaking and art meet-ups. As you begin to grow your professional circle you’ll find that those same people will use you on video projects.  

Don’t limit yourself to only video meet-ups. There’s a lot to be said about being the only videographer in a circle of professionals. I’ve personally booked a lot of video gigs by networking with people outside of the filmmaking world.  

Word of mouth will always be the easiest way to book a video gig, period. That being said there are a lot of useful resources online that can help you when looking for your next project. Sites like 

Thumbtack, Craigslist, and Wedding Wire allow for videographers to bid for jobs online. 

While you certainly have to sift through the mud to find a good project, you’d be surprised at how many gigs you can book by just creating a profile. 

While you may have dreams of creating ad campaigns for big companies like Nike or Apple, chances are most of your video gigs come from small businesses and individuals from around the community in which you live. 

All of these people have one thing in common, they live near you! So make it a point to shoot video at local events that happen around where you live. After you get done shooting the event run home and edit a reel together that day. Once you upload the video you’ll have the opportunity to get your work shared with thousands of potential clients.  

6. Have an Amazing Website

You’re a videographer, not a website designer. Unfortunately, many clients have trouble taking a videographer seriously if their website or demo reel don’t look professional. Luckily the days of having to code a website by hand are over. 

Popular services like Squarespace and Wix make it incredibly easy to put together an awesome website in only a matter of minutes. Most modern website building tools allow you to drag-and-drop your video and image assets, so no coding is necessary. Plus, modern templates make webs design easy. 

There’s nothing exciting about sending an email, but email still remains one of the best ways to contact future customers. After you have a great website you can direct potential clients to your site. Look for small businesses in your community with websites but no video content. A simple email will do nicely. Here’s a quick example:

Hello ______, 

I have been an admirer of your business for years, yet I was surprised to find that your business doesn’t have an overview video. As you know video content is one of the best ways to attract new customers. As a local videographer I’d be happy to sit down and discuss the potential opportunity to create a beautiful marketing video for your business. Please feel free to view some of my other work from around the community. I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have about video or motion graphics. 

Thank You,
__________ 

While most people will probably either ignore or immediately trash your email, if you send enough of them you’re likely going to get work.

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