The Creative Salesman

Extending from my last post about my visit from the BVE, there was one talk that really stood out for me.

The talk was by Geoff Boyle, a cinematographer who was reviewing about kit.  One piece of advise that said was to: "Learn to be a salesman".

So what does being salesman have to be with being a cinematographer?  Geoff Boyle explained, as the cinematographer, you must sell the idea of the right camera to your producer.

There will be reasons the producer will come up, like 'the camera doesn't produce great visuals' or it does not fit in the budget'.  As the cinematographer, they must persuade the producer, that with their camera skill, he can get those visuals he wants from the camera.

This can relate to the idea as a film maker, you can sell on why video productions is right for your business.  The client, like the producer, might be reluctant on the idea of video.  As the "creative salesman", you must tell them the benefits of video and how it is a useful tool for their business.

There are plenty of ways to sell on video, but that will be another post for another time.

In my experience, selling really scares me.  I worked in retail, and I wasn't very good at it.  However I had to learn how to get sales.  I got my sales by approaching the customer, listen to their needs, then direct them to their desired product.

In video production, it's really the same.  I listen to my client's needs for video production, then give them a solution with my expertise.  If a client wants a ten minute promotional video.  I will advise them, the best solution is to have 90 second video.  Therefore, you wouldn't let your audience loose tract on your message, yet keep the relevant information in the video.

Selling is hard.  As a creative, I bound to get nervous with the idea.  To avoid nervousness, I look at my clients/customers as human beings.  The more we communicate, the more you will get sales.

To leave out on this post.  Here's a clip from Mad Men, to get the Don Draper out of you and start selling.

Are you a creative, who gets stuck with selling?  Is my selling approach the right method?  How do you sell your services to your clients?  Let me know, comment below, tweet me @eugeneeyo or send an email

Freelancing Websites.

Since starting out as a creative freelancer/entrepreneur, jobs are sometimes to get by.  After finishing with one project, you will have to find the next.  It is hard to get a steady income, especially when you are first starting out.

When I first started out, I looked towards websites like Freelancer.com, PeoplPerHour and eLance (which is now part of UpWork) to find jobs.

What these websites do, is they play the middleman between us the freelancer and the potential client.  The client sends these website a brief or outline of what they want.  It can be from a thirty second demonstration video to designing a logo for their website.  We as freelancers have to bid or send a proposal to the client through the website.  Then hope for the best, for the client to select us for their project.

In all honesty, I haven't got much success with these websites.  Some of these websites would make you pay to bid.  As I was starting out, I draw the line of having to pay to apply for a job.  There are times when you can apply for jobs for free, but they were limiting.

Another point I want to point out, is the bidding process.  When you look at the briefs/jobs on these websites, the client might set you a budget.  And if the price is right (if you are the cheapest), you are more guaranteed of getting the job.  This is where I also draw the line, and it's the most important one.  I don't like to compete on a job for the lower price.

Why should I charge the lower price, while I can make triple as much with doing the same jobs?  

I get it.  If you are starting out, this would great to get your career off the ground.  For the students, it's a great way to gain experience and to make money on the side.  I wished I knew about these websites, whilst I was in university.  However, for someone who is dependent on making a living, these freelancing websites cannot be beneficial to my situation. 

By all means, if you think using these websites are helpful and if you found success in it, more power to you.  As for myself, I can't find using these websites to benefit me as an entrepreneur.  Maybe some time in the future, I will be using them and have a different view.  At this point I can't see it working for me. 

What do you think about freelancing websites?  Have you found success using these websites?  How has it helped you as a freelancer or business?  Please let me know.  You can tweet me @eugeneeyo or send and email.