Video Production Services: Advice for Startups (page 2)

Don't spread yourself too thin; concentrate your efforts on what you do best.

Let's say your field of expertise is estate taping. Very straight-forward, aim-and-shoot type of stuff. No elaborate titling, editing or planning. Suddenly, one of your pleased clients asks if you do weddings. Sure, you say. Why not? Well, seeing that you have no experience with moving subjects, sound, lighting problems and major editing, a wedding production may turn difficult. If you deliver low-caliber work, it could ruin your reputation for further jobs in any facet of videomaking.

Before taking on any new venture, research and practice first. If you find yourself in the predicament above, you might want to do a couple of "freebie" weddings before actually charging a client. In this way, you'll get a feel for the proceedings, and a chance to develop the skill level necessary to pull off the real thing.

Quality control is probably the most important reason not to take on every job that comes down the pike. These first formative months of establishing yourself as a professional are crucial to the future of your business. Developing a reputation as a low-cost hack will only keep your equipment collecting dust. A popular saying sums up the caution here: "Jack (or Jill) of all trades, master of none."

Just as you should research any equipment decisions, your video production services business's location should be given the same type of scrutiny. Determine what you actually need in a space to get the job down. Again, during this preliminary period, it's important to keep any overhead costs to a minimum. A great hangout is a lot of fun to call home, but is it contributing to the ultimate success of your video production services business?

My first location was very primitive. I found an abandoned office with a large storage garage attached. I struck a deal with the landlord to waive rent for the first six months if I renovated the space with my own funds. It was a ton of work, but keeping overhead costs down during this initial business period helped me minimize my losses. The "elbow grease" was a lot cheaper than coughing up the $400 a month the space eventually ended up costing. And the owner was so pleased with the remodeling job, he discounted the second six months' rent by 50%.

Not everyone will be lucky enough to find such a deal, but at least look around for one. What may initially seem like an inhospitable place could very well become the video production services studio of your dreams with a little hard work.

If you must rent straight out, consider the following before signing any lease:

• The access to your office. Are there too many flights of stairs, narrow hallways or poor parking conditions? These items become very important as you begin to do location work.
• The physical location in relation to your market area. It's nice to be centrally located. If you plan on doing business in a wide area, you don't want to spend two hours driving to every location shoot.
• The physical amenities of the building. Do all the utilities work? Is there a restroom within your space or nearby? Is noise a concern with neighbors? Is electrical up to standards? How is security of the space? Are there separate areas for storage and production? Don't jump on a location for its looks alone.
• Cost. Can you afford the monthly rate? How long will the minimal lease run? Are there any "hidden" costs? What's the security deposit?

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