You've got cable channels seeking content - travel, food, investing, shopping. The list is infinite. There's indie productions at Blockbusters, Netflix and other video outlets. Don't forget Blip.tv, CreateSpace, even Vimeo.

Independent producers are setting up websites and marketing their own videos using direct sales, even eBay. Enterprising producers seek sponsors and gain counter space at garden supply centers, hobby stores and do-it-yourself shops. If your production focuses on something of interest to their customer base you might have a niche market video sales opportunity on your hands. Unfortunately the competition is also huge. How can you get the word out, gain eyeballs and attract the consumer, agent or distributor how to get somebody to pay for your video or concept? Can you market your video, not only sell but make money from it? Absolutely!

Sales, success and profits only come if you're willing to work diligently and have patience. There's no guaranteed success method, however enough options and opportunities exist that if you actually try you'll get somewhere. It takes more than believing though, you'll have to dedicate yourself to making it happen. Producing and marketing video isn't a one-time effort. You learn as you go. Success will come to those who are in it for the long haul. Be confident but not foolish with your investment of time, money and effort. Know when to cut your losses or when to persevere and develop marketing strategies

The Easiest Quick Way?

Do it yourself is the easiest way to quickly start selling your video products. It has the potential for being the simplest solution with highest returns. You cut out the middleman, aiming straight for the consumer. You control the bottom line because you control the process. There's time enough to consider a distributor, mass production or expanded market when you've sold or produced a few. Your video could get "picked up" by one of the big operations. Simple, right? It can be but you're going to have to maintain confidence and determination in order to make it happen. You have to be more than a video producer. You have to develop some marketing savvy as well. That might not be so simple.

Your success is measured by your expectations. Are you seeking a million-seller or a hundred-seller; a consistent seller or a pinch-hitter; selective theatrical release or major distribution? You might not hit your first one out of the park but there's a good chance of making it to first base. Having a product to offer is first. Production first isn't for everybody but I suspect that most independent producers rarely test for marketability first, instead they want to cut to the chase, put a production together then worry about selling it to somebody later. That's the approach producer Bill Mecca, www.meccavideopro.com, takes.

"I produce these (videos) because the topics interest me and I'm a video guy."

Producer J. Michael Long, www.jmlmultimedia.com, takes a similar approach. Grinner Hester, www.grinnerhester.com, produces video he likes but knows his market and promotes his videos where he wants them to show, sell or share.

Be prepared to deliver on demand, burning, printing, packaging and mailing your video as orders come in. Establish a website dedicated to video sales. Utilize social sites - Facebook and Twitter, along with LinkedIn and a host of others. Make people aware of your video, where and how to find it.

Post a teaser on YouTube, write that blog, comment on other blogs, submit articles to on-line news feeds, start a podcast, participate on forums and e-mail your friends, ask them to share with others. Ask them to view your video, snippet or teaser and post or write a review. Over time your video will gain visibility and linkage. You will get some sales.

Who's the Client?

Pick your preference. Weddings? Events? How-to or special interest? Web video for small businesses? Marketing, sales and distribution of special interest videos, either doing it all for yourself or doing it for the other person?

How do you get work? How do you find the clients? Easy answer is you go where the people you want to reach go. A bit of research will disclose where hobbyists, brides-to-be, sports enthusiasts or others go to find out information about what interests them. You need a presence there. Visit the local handicrafts, hobby or bridal shops they visit. This might seem obvious and there's more, but this is where to start.

• Website and e-mail address
• Business address and phone number
• Business cards and demo reels
• Sample clips on your website

Participation in and on social networks, interaction with interest-specific forums and even postings on The Knot, Craigslist, etc. will get the word out, as do blogs and word-of-mouth referrals. A direct-mail campaign that identifies your video products or services, who you are, where you operate and your availability is good. Use testimonials from satisfied clients, ask for and seek referrals and recommendations.

Independent video services providers often must wear multiple hats in addition to being a shooter or editor. You have a virtual hat tree where you hang your graphics artist, marketing specialist, researcher, CPA, boss and administrator hats. Wear them all as well as you can but know when you need to outsource elements.

The single most important thing you can do to take your video products and services business to the top is to use every possible means for getting the word out. While advertising can be an important and expensive contributor to your business success, it's marketing that makes things happen.