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Need help on researching this idea.

by 512 Designs
14 replies
During two networking group meetings, I had a few business owners come up to me and ask if I could create short videos for their websites. But they didn't want to do it in their home offices or they didn't know how to do it, or they only had cheap digital cameras. They wanted their videos to look more professional (they'd be on-camera). At this time, all of the videos I've done for businesses are at their location.

But this got me thinking.

Provide a video studio location where a small business owner could come in and I'd shoot the video and edit it and upload it to youtube or their website for an affordable price.

My idea is to shoot, edit, and be done in 2-3 hours. After that, I'd charge by the hour.

The videos would mainly be a headshot with a nice background, proper lighting, sound, music, and titles. Or they could be like those old Mac vs. PC commercials in front of the white background.

I can see creating an ad that says something like....

"Get a professional video shot in our studio, editited, and uploaded to your site for just $349.00."

Most of the video companies that cater to businesses in our area do high end productions and TV commercials. And most seem to charge in the thousands for videos.

My business model would be like the fast food of video. Quick in and out.

Now on a side note, there's a woman I know who asked me what I'd pay to use a space above her building (in a great location). She's been trying to lease it for 3 years with no offers. I told her about this idea and she loves it (she owns a music school and studio below what I'd be leasing).

So I'd have a location and I have the idea....but before I'd jump in, I'd want to make sure the idea would work...or at least have a chance.

What is the best way to research whether businesses would want this service before I put money into building the studio? I was thinking of asking other businesses, but don't want them to take the idea to other video people they may know and have them steal it.

Do you think offering small business owners a place to create short professional videos for their websites (or whatever) is a good idea?

Thanks.

Mike
#idea #researching
  • Profile picture of the author bryson
    You could always interview business owners in another city where it wouldn't matter.

    I think you may be on to something. As more and more business get into video some will want to up their game and a quality video would do that.

    Your price seems too low for a studio quality video. Just sayin
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    • Profile picture of the author juice
      I think it's a good idea... but I don't think they'll break down your doors for it either.

      This idea needs a strong sales force to keeping driving NEW Video biz through the doors.
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      • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
        Hi Mike,

        Get a list of the companies already using video production and postcard mail them.

        It will be a campaign, not a one shot mailing.

        Do it every week and change the image slightly after the 3rd week
        to add a fresh factor, but keep the overall message the same.

        Go to proven buyers and offer an alternative.

        Best,
        Ewen
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        • Profile picture of the author 512 Designs
          I did some more digging in our area and found one company that charges $350 for a 30 second video with the person standing in front of a white or black background, editing with logo at the beginning, and upload it to youtube.

          For $550 they'll do a 30 second video (as above) but include a couple of photos and music.

          Not sure how busy they are but at least it's being done....which could be a good sign.

          Ewen - I like the post card idea. I'll give that a try if I follow through with this.

          Mike
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          • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
            Originally Posted by 512 Designs View Post

            Ewen - I like the post card idea. I'll give that a try if I follow through with this.

            Mike
            Mike,

            Have a poke around Postcardmania for examples of postcards
            and then ask them for examples used by videographers.

            To further make it work, you need to keep sending them out,
            it's not a 1 post out wonder.

            Best,
            Ewen
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            • Profile picture of the author 512 Designs
              Originally Posted by localvseo View Post

              If your model is solely video production, you might want to check out this company called turnhere.com (no affiliation). I don't know a lot about them, but read an article about their model. They seem to do the marketing targeting the small businesses you are talking about. It sounds like they have a large group of independent videographers that they contract out when they sign up a client (or something like that, I wasn't too interested in the details, so you should call them up and find out how it works). You may save the time and expense of marketing yourself if you are solely offering video production and no additional web related services.
              I have seen their site but couldn't remember what it was. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out again.

              I will be providing other services such as website design, SEO, mobile websites, SMS Marketing, QR Code strategies, and graphic design. So hopefully if I get a small business in for the video, they'd be interested in these other services as well.

              Originally Posted by kaniganj View Post

              Brendon Burchard shares how his studio is set up in this video.

              Does your local market have a need for this service? Ask them. Spend three days calling different businesses owners in your town and ask.

              Once you get a couple of clients, leverage the heck out of those.

              Get those pro videos in front of other business owners and make them jealous.
              Thanks for the video link. I watched it and it was very helpful. In fact I have a couple of lights he had. Our cameras are higher end but shoot on digital tapes. I'd love to get cameras that shoot on SD cards for easier editing.

              I think if I become the "5 Minute Promo Video" expert and market the crap out of that, it could work.

              Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

              Mike,

              Have a poke around Postcardmania for examples of postcards
              and then ask them for examples used by videographers.

              To further make it work, you need to keep sending them out,
              it's not a 1 post out wonder.

              Best,
              Ewen
              I'll check them out Ewen. Thanks.

              Mike
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              • Profile picture of the author 512 Designs
                Posted a message in the wrong thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Brendon Burchard shares how his studio is set up in this video.

    Does your local market have a need for this service? Ask them. Spend three days calling different businesses owners in your town and ask.

    Once you get a couple of clients, leverage the heck out of those.

    Get those pro videos in front of other business owners and make them jealous.
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  • Profile picture of the author localvseo
    If your model is solely video production, you might want to check out this company called turnhere.com (no affiliation). I don't know a lot about them, but read an article about their model. They seem to do the marketing targeting the small businesses you are talking about. It sounds like they have a large group of independent videographers that they contract out when they sign up a client (or something like that, I wasn't too interested in the details, so you should call them up and find out how it works). You may save the time and expense of marketing yourself if you are solely offering video production and no additional web related services.
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  • Profile picture of the author Old Dog New Tricks
    Originally Posted by 512 Designs View Post

    During two networking group meetings, I had a few business owners come up to me and ask if I could create short videos for their websites. But they didn't want to do it in their home offices or they didn't know how to do it, or they only had cheap digital cameras. They wanted their videos to look more professional (they'd be on-camera). At this time, all of the videos I've done for businesses are at their location.

    But this got me thinking.

    Provide a video studio location where a small business owner could come in and I'd shoot the video and edit it and upload it to youtube or their website for an affordable price....................

    Do you think offering small business owners a place to create short professional videos for their websites (or whatever) is a good idea?

    Thanks.

    Mike
    Couple thoughts Mike:

    * How big is your market area and how densely populated?
    * What kind of businesses didn't want you to shoot on location?
    * Why not? (this would be a bullet point in approaching similar prospects) and are there many other similar businesses in your area?
    * Are you going to promote their business for them or just provide a video for them to use as they want?

    If you are going to offer to promote their business for them, then "in studio" could be a different package offer.

    Unless your business is video production primarily, I agree that getting enough businesses to make a "vanity" video might be tough. If your business is video production then "in studio" would be a natural option for a client.

    As much as I like the idea in general, A lot of thought would have to go into how you would promote yourself and get clients. I don't think just posting a classified of some sort would make your door swing.

    I would try something like going to trade shows and fairs as a vendor and setting up your studio on site and making sample videos for them on the spot and uploading to you tube while they are there would be a good prospecting tool.

    I did some audio work years ago and if you do any work I found that sending out an advanced questionnaire and doing scripting work with the client before live production really speed-ed things up.

    I like the idea, but before I would invest any time and money I'd certainly consider the market you would approach and how you would promote yourself to it.

    As usual, all for what it's worth...
    Old Dog
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  • Profile picture of the author localvseo
    As a follow-up, you may want to consider offering video marketing rather than production since you are going to be offering a range of services. That way you can pitch video seo, branding etc. You may find it's a better way to get in the door as you are casting a wider net for people considering video services, whether they be production, seo, branding etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author 512 Designs
      Originally Posted by localvseo View Post

      As a follow-up, you may want to consider offering video marketing rather than production since you are going to be offering a range of services. That way you can pitch video seo, branding etc. You may find it's a better way to get in the door as you are casting a wider net for people considering video services, whether they be production, seo, branding etc.
      I like that idea. Sell it as a package rather than just a video.

      Thanks.

      Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    What type businesses would you target for in studio video?

    I'd think most brick/mortar businesses would want onsite video. Creates more interest seeing the operation etc...

    Other businesses such as accountants, insurance agents may go for more of a studio shot since they are service providers w/out a need for brick/mortar stuff. With these guys, I'd want to shoot their video at one of their customers operations. That would tie in a testimonial. A testimonial shoot could be a nice upgrade offering too.

    Many communities have public access TV studios/video/audio/editing equipment available to use for free or low fee as well for residents.
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  • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
    Try contracting it to local wedding videographers. These guys work cheap, and have a lot of time on their hands. Plus, they are experienced with the lighting, shoot, etc. and most will travel to the prospect's office and shoot there -- which I've found tends to make the prospect more comfortable.

    Mark up the pricing a bit, since you're managing the whole gig, and you have a winner.
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