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

Last Week At... BVE 2016

 If you are following on Twitter (@eugeneeyo), I have been tweeting about my trip to the BVE last week.

The BVE is an Expo catered to the media industry, where we get to see the new gear, network and keep to date within the industry. 

What I took away from this year, was nothing new really.   I like attending to these events, just to refresh my knowledge and find inspiration for running my video production company.


One of the main talks was about 4K and how it can future proof your workflow.  I couldn't agree more how 4K is very important in video making these days.  In future BVEs we might get a sense that 8K will be around the corner, then 10K will be the next big thing. 

Another key feature on technology, was the use of drones and how camera rigs will be the thing of the past.  Already I can see that happening.  I attended a Philip Bloom seminar and there were some shots where he used a drone for tracking shots in his documentary.

Before I start fanboy-ing off about the BVE, this event is sure a great resource for us media professionals.  And if you are serious, in video making, this event is worthy for a visit.

Until next time.  I will probably see you at BVE 2017.

Great 3 days of #BVE16. Good to learn and refresh your knowledge of the media industry. pic.twitter.com/1Tw4kSN75a

— Eugene Eyo (@eugeneeyo) February 25, 2016

Did you attend BVE 2016?  What did you think about it?  You can tell me by tweeting 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.

Why I Charge This Much For A Video?

I don't want to lie to you, but video production is expensive.  It can take up to thousands of pounds/euros/dollars.

On the spot, a relative of mine asked how much would I charge for a wedding video.  I say around 3000 to 5000.  He was left gobsmacked.

In all honesty wedding videos are not my forte, so he was asking the wrong person.  The quote I had given was a rough estimation and he did ask me on the spot.

If I had found out more information about the wedding, such as dates, locations, stuff in wants in the video.  I probably would even quote him the minimum of 3000 or even less.

As I mentioned in my previous post, every customers/client is different.  I like to get the details about you, your company and what you want to achieve with your video.  With this information, I can pitch an idea of your video.  If you are happy with it, I will then give you an estimated quote.

In the case of the wedding video, my relative just thought that I only do videos.  I actually do more than that.  I have to plan the shoot.  That means visiting the location, do health and safety checks, look into what equipment to use, just so the shoot on the wedding runs smoothly.  Thus by doing this I can produce a superior video product for you to use for your business or to cherish the memories from your wedding.

When it comes to producing your video, I dedicate myself to ensure the product meets up to your needs.  And from this blog post, I hope you see it from my insight in why I charge that much for producing your video.

If you want more from this blog, you can sign up to my newsletter to access more information about my services and how video can benefit your business/corporate needs.

What do you think of this post?  Is wrong of me to charge that much for a video?  What do you like to see in a video production company?  You can tweet me @eugeneeyo or email me.

On Video Production Price Packages

Image via Freepik.com

Recently I had a conversation about business with a family member.  We got to talking about my business and how to get clients for my video business.  He suggested why not do video production packages, so that I can attract clients to what I am charging.

I thought about it, packages do sound like a good idea, but I don't think that will do good on how I run my video business.

For me, putting out my pricing and putting them on a package basis, limits myself on providing a great service to my clients.  Every client/customer is different, it all depends on what they want for their video.  I generate estimates on what I can do as a video business and try to give great value for them, instead of cutting the price to suit them.  At the end of the day, I am running a business.

Price packages do look great value for money.  Don't get me wrong, those companies do good work for what they're offering.  It surely works for wedding video services, but doesn't necessarily work when I am doing corporate work. (Please prove me if I'm wrong).

The way I see as it, I look towards myself as great value for money.  I know it sounds very big headed, but I if I do an awesome job on producing your video, (and I have the confidence to do so).  Then the great value of money is through my work and not through the wallet. 

What do you think about this blog post?  Am I wrong to not offer packages?  Do you offer price packages and does it work for you?  Tell me your thoughts.  You can tweet me @eugeneeyo or send me a message on my contact page.

I Am No Longer An Artist!.... I'm A Creative Businessman.

I am not saying I will not forever be an artist, just in the time being.  The notion of being a "struggling artist" has taken its toll and I think it's time to make a change towards this attitude.  

For a start, I want to kill off the term "struggling artist".  In my view, it gives so much negative impact into what you do.  You may think, "the man" is evil and by working for "the man" you will deemed as soulless and your life will suffer.

Forget that.  Be creative, work with "the man" and "the man" will work for you.

This may give the impression, that I am selling out.  To be honest, I don't care if you think I am selling out.  It's a tough world out there and I am doing my means in order to survive. 

You may be in university, thinking liberal, "the man"/institution is putting me down because I'm different.  I used to think like that, but I am doing something about it.

That is why I am dedicating myself (for the time being) on becoming a businessman in the video industry.  I want to help businesses or individuals create videos for their branding needs.  From promo videos to their own YouTube campaigns.

In the future, I will be looking into creating my own films to put into film festivals, but I am not looking to that right now.

So for you artists out there, become a businessperson,  get creative and start showing business your artistic passion.


What do you think for artist becoming business people?  Is it selling out?  Will your work suffer by working with "the man"?  Tell me you thoughts.  Tweet me @eugeneeyo or if you're old fashioned like me, drop an e-mail.

A Look Into The "How Commercials Work" Indeed Advert

Have you seen or remember this advert?


 This advert doesn't just show Indeed's service as a jobs website, but it shows the hard labour of creating its advert.

It's human instincts, when we see an video,  we quickly process the information from what we see in front us.  What we don't tend to think, is the behind the scenes of making that video.

It takes a whole team to create something we at times, take for granted.  To produce a high quality video for your business, is a collaboration from producers, directors, writers and director of photography.

 The aim of this advert, was to make us think, without these jobs, this advert would never be made.  Thus the execution of the campaign worked towards their services.

So if you are thinking about a video for your company or corporate branding, remember the process the Indeed ad.  And tell me what would you with video for your campaign?

Tell me what you think of post?  Does the Indeed advert justifies the hard labour of work that goes into a video?  Tell me your thoughts through my contact page.

*August 23rd 2016 Update, the British version of the Indeed.com has been made private and managed to find the American one.  The video is to emphasise with the post and hopefully it makes sense for you guys.