How To Start a Video Production Business in the US
Published September 22, 2022
Nowadays, people consume media on a scale never before seen. With the meteoric rise of technology and access to the internet, people are always glued to their screens. If you are anything like an entrepreneur, you’ve probably seen the opportunities of video production.
Video production involves everything from start to finish in making videos. This includes planning, scriptwriting, storyboarding, videotaping, and editing. But how do you begin?
Not to worry. Here is a quick guide in starting a small video production business in the U.S.
Prepare A Business Plan
Failing to plan is planning to fail. I’ve seen it too many times. People tend to dive headfirst into a venture, then realize they’re in way over their heads.
Relax and do not rush anything. Take a long sit down to think about how you want to run your business. Doing so will help you tremendously in the long run.
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Think About Core Competencies
What are you really good at? What gap is there in the market that you think you can bridge? You’ll want to sort out what kind of videos you’ll be doing.
Will you be doing wedding videos or will you be doing videos for advertisements? These are just some of the questions you’ll want to be answered before getting started.
Take a look here at the different kinds of video production services to determine what shall suit you the most. That way, rather than working, you’ll be doing something you love.
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Marketing, Marketing, Marketing
With literally thousands of different companies around, how will you differentiate yours from theirs? Who will be your target market?
You’ll need to develop a solid marketing plan to make sure your business grows in the way you want it to.
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Round Up The Team.
Video production is pretty different from freelancing video jobs. You’ll need a group of skilled individuals with whom you can work comfortably.
The following are the roles you may need to fill in a video production project:
- Director
- Producer
- Screenwriter
- Editor
- Cinematographer
- Production Designer
- Art Director
- Costume Designer
- Actors
You can read more about their roles here.
Get The Right Equipment.
“A king can only work with his best tools.”
– T. H. White
Take that quote with a grain of salt. You do not need to purchase the best equipment on the market by any stretch, but you do need quality gear.
The following are some of the stuff you’ll need for this business:
- Camera
- Lenses
- Stabilization
- Computers/Laptops and Storage
- Memory cards
- Sound
- Lighting
Fill Up That Portfolio
One of the main bases for clients selecting companies to work with is the company’s portfolio. Your portfolio will show possible clients what you’re capable of and what to expect from your company. You can prepare your portfolio on Vimeo, the platform most people use in video production.
If you’re not comfortable using Vimeo, start a free Youtube channel, or a Facebook page. There are many low-cost, even free options on the internet.
What If I’m A Beginner Without Experience?
Build up your portfolio. In some cases, you might even have to do gigs for free. Sad to say, this is all a part of the process.
For those who don’t know, a portfolio is the body of work you’ve put in, so you need to work hard to show your worth. You can’t get clients to pay more for your services if they cannot be assured of the results.
Get The Right Permits
Business laws differ from state to state. The most basic business types are sole proprietorships and limited liability corporations (LLC).
Since you’ll likely have business partners for this venture, I’d recommend the latter. Registering your business as an LLC protects your assets if someone files a lawsuit against it.
Get To Work
As soon as you’ve set up the basics, get to work. Get your name out there in as many possible ways as there are. Promote your business on social media, email potential clients, bug your friends a little bit, even. At the start, any exposure is good exposure.
One tip I can give is to come up with contracts you’ll have your clients sign before working with them. This serves as protection for your company in case they renege or abruptly have a change of plans.
Last of all, you’ll also want to set up payment accounts and channels for when you get a job done. After all, you shall need to be compensated following a job well done.
[Related: Men’s Business Casual Attire Ideas: A Quick Guide]
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About The Author
Christian Cruz is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for it. Over the years, Chris has written about topic in all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.
