Having strong video production skills is a tremendous asset for anyone looking to land a job in the creative fields. It’s also an advantage if you want to work as a freelancer, since it gives you the opportunity to specialize in videography and branch out on your own. Even if you don’t have previous experience as a freelance videographer, you can still build your portfolio and make connections that lead to new clients. You’ll also need business cards and an online presence so potential clients can find you easily. Here are some ideas of where and how you can advertise yourself as a freelance videographer.
Create a Strong Online Presence
A crucial part of marketing yourself as a freelancer is building a strong online presence. You can do this by creating an online portfolio and business website, as well as joining relevant social media groups. In addition to your website, a good portfolio can be a great way to show off your skills. It’s recommended you include a wide range of samples to reflect your abilities, including examples of previous work, promotional videos, and behind-the-scenes footage. If you’re not sure where to host your portfolio, try a site like Latium, which offers free hosting for you portfolio, and offers service listings where you can sell your pre-packaged videographer services. You should also promote on the right social networks. The obvious choices are LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Network and Collaborate
Building a reputation as a videographer requires more than just posting your samples online and hoping for the best. You should also make an effort to network and collaborate with colleagues in your industry. You can join local organizations like the American Marketing Association, or find relevant groups online through Facebook or LinkedIn. You can also create partnerships or do work for charities, nonprofits, or content creators that need help with their videos. This can be a great way to show off your skills, expand your network, and get your name out there.
Create an Informational Video Portfolio
If you’ve already built up a portfolio of videos, you’re off to a great start. But you may want to consider creating an informational video portfolio, especially if you’re looking to break into specific fields. For example, if you want to work with businesses and brands, you might create an informational video on how to create successful video marketing campaigns. If you want to work with nonprofits, you could create a video on how to create a successful fundraising campaign. You can also create a more general informational video portfolio, such as an overview of how to be a freelance videographer, or advice for new videographers on building their portfolios.
Help Create Videos For Brands
If you have videography and video production skills, you can also get started by offering to create videos for brands or nonprofit organizations. You could offer to create promotional videos for brands and businesses that need help with their marketing campaigns. Or you could help nonprofits create fundraising videos, informational videos, and other materials that they need. If you decide to pursue this option, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the work, as well as the payment terms. You should also consider joining a union or guild to protect yourself and ensure a fair working environment.
Produce Short-Form Video Ads
Another way to leverage your video production skills is to create and produce short-form video ads for businesses, brands, or yourself. You can create video ads for social media, or edit and produce video ads for TV or radio advertisements. You can also create video ads for your own business. You can use video ads to promote your services or products, or to create brand awareness. Short-form video ads are a great way to stand out and grab potential clients’ attention.
Produce 360 Degree Videos
360-degree videos are another effective use of video production skills. 360-degree videos are immersive videos that viewers can pan and explore as they watch. 360-degree videos can be used in a wide range of industries, such as real estate, tourism, travel, sports, and more. They could also be useful if you want to work with brands or create your own business videos. You can use special camera rigs to create 360-degree videos. You can also use software like Adobe Premier Pro to edit and produce 360-degree videos.
Conclusion
Freelance videography is a great way to break into the creative industry and earn some extra money on the side. To succeed, you’ll need to build a strong online presence, network with colleagues and clients, and create strong samples of your work. You’ll also need to be able to manage your workload, complete projects on time, and communicate effectively with clients. Whether you’re creating videos for brands, nonprofits, or your own business, it’s an exciting opportunity to grow your skills and build your portfolio.
