#VidHuddle: Starting a Video Company
Video is an unstoppable force that is not going to fade. Instead it's expanding across every industry. How do you get your first client? Or your first ten clients? Today we explored all the prep work needed to start a video company.
Q1: How much money do you need to start? #VidHuddle pic.twitter.com/7JFI0eJvFp
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
A1: I would say at least $5-10k for starting a business if it's just you for subscriptions, hardware, software, etc. #VidHuddle
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
A1. Depends on how elaborate of a company you want, and what kind of services you want to offer. #VidHuddle https://t.co/Wyr5yF6ofA
— Mike Rana βοΈπ±πΊπΈ (@michaelranaii) August 28, 2017
Q2: What are resources for creating a budget? #VidHuddle pic.twitter.com/oDpOwBOm6D
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
A2. I use a spreadsheet and out everything on paper. A business should be a bit more elaborate. #VidHuddle https://t.co/DBdl9Y1Z8y
— Mike Rana βοΈπ±πΊπΈ (@michaelranaii) August 28, 2017
A2: I confer with other production companies and see what project management tools they use. Basecamp is helpful #VidHuddle
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
I use project management tools. I find Basecamp to be very open ended. I like task management tools with tickets better. #vidhuddle
— Josh McCormack (@joshmccormack) August 28, 2017
Q3: When should you get insurance for your equipment? #VidHuddle pic.twitter.com/tdlQvl7NWc
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
A3: Always. Don't want your business to go under because you cant afford new gear at the moment. #VidHuddle https://t.co/2M8qCnnfP0
— #MehTID (@RobbMeh) August 28, 2017
A3. When shipping for a shoot, when renting equipment, and possibly if the equipment was costly. #VidHuddle https://t.co/IWKfOIPjK2
— Mike Rana βοΈπ±πΊπΈ (@michaelranaii) August 28, 2017
A3: For smaller productions, you can get away with not having insurance. Once you own equipment though, its a good idea to get it #VidHuddle
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
Q4: How much gear should you have at first?
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
Or should you rent? #VidHuddle pic.twitter.com/czPLoI4Vp5
A4: maybe buy DSLR, medium range zoom lens, audio recorder and simple mic, one decent soft box, tripod, laptop and @AdobePremiere #Vidhuddle
— Daniel Risk (@danielrisk) August 30, 2017
A4. Probably rent at first, but have cameras, mics, tripods, a laptop, some portable hard drives, and some studio headphones. #VidHuddle https://t.co/rDYCtBM0ZP
— Mike Rana βοΈπ±πΊπΈ (@michaelranaii) August 28, 2017
A4: @premiere_gal and @pond5 put together great starter packs >> https://t.co/2e6duJXpHb#VidHuddle
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
Q5: How do you know what to charge? #VidHuddle pic.twitter.com/ddDxMefuGP
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
A5. Consider the cost of equipment, the experience of the people using them, and the size of the shoot. #vidhuddle https://t.co/6IcgY8DCsE
— Mike Rana βοΈπ±πΊπΈ (@michaelranaii) August 28, 2017
A5: know your worth and do your research. Rates vary by project and market. I usually start at project rates. #VidHuddle pic.twitter.com/NIVT1P4d0p
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
Q6: How do you get the first client? #VidHuddle pic.twitter.com/Y552GgGVi2
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017
A6. Probably start with word of mouth and through #social. #vidhuddle https://t.co/gGljlMY2g1
— Mike Rana βοΈπ±πΊπΈ (@michaelranaii) August 28, 2017
A6: I find that social helps getting your first client, but networking and relationships trump that. #Vidhuddle
— Andrea Abbott (@AndreaPAbbott) August 28, 2017