Free videography work - worth it?

Hey — Ben here!

Welcome to the VideoBizGuy!

In today’s email:

• When to work for free (and when not to)

• Advice on free work — What to do differently from paid work

• The best videographer job ever

• And much more…

The big misconception with free work

I know, free work is a very controversial topic for videographers and all other people who do creative work.

And to be honest, I’m one of these guys that support the Idea of free work. But only as a strategy to get paid later.

It’s my way to set a foot in the door.

There are some big misconceptions, that’s why I want to make a few things clear:

• You shouldn’t do free work at any age and experience level

• Free work is only a tool to acquire new clients easier

• The free work isn’t over after the free work

• Don’t work for free like you work for being paid

Now, you’re probably more confused than before. What is this guy talking about?

Well, well, well…

Let’s begin with the first point:

✅ When you should work for free

You should work for free when:

You are young and don’t have much experience

It’s a good way to get experienced filming in an industry you never or barely worked with.

But don’t do this at any age. The younger, the better. I wouldn’t do this after the age of 30-35. Just to get any client, this will seem a bit desperate.

But there are other reasons it still could make sense (more on that in a sec).

It’s also a good way to avoid the portfolio question.

Everyone wants to see videos you made before they pay you.

So, before they even can ask for your portfolio, offer some free content.

You want to make an important connection

With a company or a person. Both can make sense. Even if you're older than 35.

If you want to make a good living as a videographer, connections are more important that your skill (unfortunately for many).

If see a company within your reach that has the best roots to the industry, go for it.

E.g. a car dealership which is well connected to many other dealerships or someone with a strong online presence who also a good connections and reach.

You need the company name in your portfolio

If the company is a big player within the industry your filming, you can risk to shoot free content even if you have the feeling they won’t pay you later.

Social Proof is one of the most important things in today’s business world.

Take it when you can have it.

E.g. when you create content for the most famous and successful hotel in your local town, other hotels are more likely to have interest in working with you because you worked for a bigger name.

When you work with a big name, show your work everywhere.

Always showcase it on your website and socials too. Don’t be scared share your work.

You want to help out a friend

Work in connection to someone you have a close relationship to can become complicated.

The best advice I can give you on this is probably that you should listen to your gut.

In many cases you don’t even think about charging a friend, and that’s good.

As long as your friend helps you out too.

Friendship is based on reciprocity.

Still, if you have the feeling you should be payed, address it.

❌ You shouldn't work for free when:

• you already are well established and have a nice portfolio

• you’re +35 years old and you don’t necessarily need this specific client

• you don’t expect a bigger compensation

• you have a broad choice of potential clients

• your life doesn’t depend on it

How to correctly work for free

You work for free now to make money later. (Almost) no exceptions.

It’s just another tool to land new deals.

It works best in combination with the walk-in.

1. Go up to a local business which has bad social media content

2. Ask to shoot some nice (free) content (no one will say no)

3. ask if they have something specific in mind — if not, be specific yourself and know what to shoot

4. Take 5-15 mins to film

5. Talk to the owner/manager

6. repeat

This is the front-end.

Don’t be a perfectionist. Ignore most little details and just focus on giving them a raw but nice piece of content.

Your goal is to beat their current content.

If you take anything with you from this issue, just save this sentence in your mind. You don’t need to exceed your best work or whatever.

Just give them something better than they already have.

On the back-end you:

1. edit content fast — if you are a detail person, make the content shorter

2. send it to the owner

3. follow up

It’s mostly not enough just to send out the content.

You will have to follow up. Either you go up to their location again, you phone the owner or you text.

Whatever fits the situation.

Don’t be to pushy with a deal.

At the same time, don’t be to shy never to ask about a deal.

Ask again if they have something specific in their mind, mostly they will come up with something.

If it fits the situation, just to some singular content at the beginning like a tour of their place.

Most business owners won’t put you on a monthly retainer from the beginning.

What I write may seem theoretic, but when you’re in the situation I write about, you will understand.

Many things will fall into place. The communication will be easier than thought.

And not to forget:

Doing free work doesn’t mean that you’re a cheap videographer!

Don’t undercharge! Don’t loose your respect.

That’s a wrap.

Let me know how you liked the past 8 minutes.

Thanks for reading, until next week!

— Ben

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