You may hear the word “videography” and think of complex recording studios, but this doesn’t have to be the case! Videography is typically a form of documentation of live events, such as weddings, live interviews, sporting events, and more. When it comes to the demand of videography services, there is never a shortage.
Videographers can charge by day or per hour. The amount that is charged will depend on the experience of the videographer and the quality of the equipment being used. If you just started out with some basic equipment, you should be charging much less than someone who has been in the field for 10 years with top-of-the-line equipment! The range of pay for a videographer is usually $75-$350 per hour.
While this side hustle can be profitable, it can also be difficult. If you aren’t a photographer, it may be even more difficult for you to master this skill. With that being said, it is not impossible, and you can learn this skill through online resources, workshops, or college courses.
Step one: Buy the supplies. Before you can do anything, you need to purchase all the basic supplies you need to be a videographer. Here are some of the most important pieces of equipment you will need:
- Video camera
- Tripod
- Camera lighting
- Microphone
- Audio cables
- Headphones
- Lenses
- Batteries
- Memory cards
- Hard Drive
- Camera bag
- Mount rig
- Live streaming monitors
- Video editing software
Step two: Practice. Before you can start offering your services, you need to get good at it! You can offer up your expertise to friends and family. Not only will this give you samples for potential clients, but you can use them as testimonials as well!
Step three: Seek a mentor. Once you’ve done a little practice on your own, finding a mentor is the next best step. Your mentor will show you proper event etiquette, tips and tricks of the trade, and help build your confidence so you can eventually navigate on your own. They are an important support system that can help you when you first start out as they will work with you to learn how to problem solve and think on your feet.
Step four: Set your rates. Now that you’ve bought the equipment and spent plenty of time practicing and honing your skills, it’s time to determine how much to charge. The best thing to do is to research what the average rate is in your area. You want to charge enough to cover your time and efforts without overcharging as you are still new to the skill. Let’s say that the average in your area is $100 per hour. You choose to go lower at $80 per hour. If in one weekend you book two clients for three hours, you will easily make $480. And this is without any additional services!
Step five: Market yourself. You have the skills and your prices set, so marketing yourself is the next best choice. Many videographers and photographers choose to not only make their own website, but to market on facebook, instagram, and TikTok. Having profiles across multiple social platforms will increase your exposure and increase the likelihood of you bringing in more clients. If you find yourself struggling to find your first few clients, offer a special or discounted rate to start building your portfolio!
Tips
Although videography in itself can be profitable already, there are some things you can do to increase your income. Some videographers charge for editing separately so that all of their time spent on a project is paid. They also add extra services such as a social media teaser video and custom wedding books.
If you get really good at videography, you can also go the passive income route. You can create courses online that people buy. This will bring in additional revenue to you without having to do any work after you create the course!