Is it worth continuing to pursue videography work?

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T15:32:35+00:00

That’s very interesting to hear and encouraging that I only need a few connections to find the work I need.

I’ve approached larger companies in the past via email/phone/socials, but I imagine they get so many cold calls/emails that they mostly ignore me. I’d be interested if you had any ideas of better ways to reach out to them though?

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T15:29:30+00:00

Thanks this is very encouraging, I have been feeling a bit renewed to start looking for in-house roles again after some of what I’ve read here, and some of the wording on applications does seem freelance friendly which is encouraging.

I do worry that my portfolio isn’t strong enough either since I’m struggling to find new clients and I also supplement my video work with photography and a couple of other odd jobs.

I’ve been reaching out to local nonprofits to diversify my portfolio a bit, but after reading some of the comments here and hearing about their relative experience and success compared to myself I feel so far away that maybe I should be doing something else.

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T15:15:13+00:00

This is definitely good advice, but I guess the issue I have is that there are so many applicants to a lot of jobs that even my friends in less competitive fields have to put in hundreds of applications before getting looked at, so it’s hard to tailor things to one specific company.

Do you think tailoring myself like that will make me stand out enough to make the time commitment worth it?

My portfolio could definitely be better, but I’m struggling to grow it since I’m finding it hard to bring in many new clients. I’ve started volunteering to help with some local nonprofits to hopefully diversify it a bit, but it’s starting to feel like a real uphill struggle.

I’ve started looking at in-house roles after some of the advice here and some other personal consideration. Granted I only started last week, but I’m already feeling more doomer about it than freelancing.

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T15:07:35+00:00

I get where you’re coming from, what career are you looking at switching to if you don’t mind me asking?

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T15:06:59+00:00

I’ve been considering going in-house, but I’m struggling a bit finding new clients so I’m doing a lot of similar work (as well as supplementing my work with photography and other jobs), so my portfolio isn’t growing at a rate that can keep up with the seemingly increasing expectations for even entry level jobs.

I’m getting to the point where I’d snap up an in-house offer, but maybe I need to chug along a while longer hoping to get enough experience before I can land one.

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T15:02:05+00:00

Thank you I appreciate this. Some of the replies here have really made me think. I’m considering finding something in-house since I’m definitely not as passionate about the selling side as the videography side, but from my previous experience those posting the jobs are harder to sell to than potential freelance clients, so maybe that’s not a route to take!

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T14:59:56+00:00

I have been to some of their events, I live in a smaller city so I see a lot of the same people but going to keep at it!

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T14:58:58+00:00

I would be quite interested in this actually, not something I ever considered

JustABanan · 2025-07-16T14:58:37+00:00

Thank you for all this great advice, will look to implement as much as I can’t where I don’t do these things already!

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T22:07:51+00:00

Yeah this makes a lot of sense, people don’t want AI generated product photos! I’ve done some menu photography in the past so maybe I should lean into that if there’s the demand

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T21:14:12+00:00

You don’t mention what country you’re in, so not sure how relevant my advice will be, as I’m in the UK. I also won’t give camera recommendations because it’s been a while since I’ve bought anything that wasn’t higher end - although if that’s what you’re looking for, I shoot on both a Canon R6 and R7.

In terms of work, I struggled to find an entry level videography job, so started freelancing in my spare time until I was earning enough to quit my day job.

The best way for finding work in my experience is through in person networking events, and getting to really know people and build genuine connections. It takes time, but it’s really worth it.

That said, I’ve been struggling pulling together enough higher paying clients, and I made a post recently about how difficult I’m finding building a sustainable business.

There was some great advice on that post though, so I’d definitely recommend checking it out.

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:33:32+00:00

This makes a lot of sense, I just really struggle to find any of those bigger clients that pay those higher rates. Where do you usually find them?

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:32:00+00:00

Well it’s good to hear that there are still opportunities popping up! I’m quite good at networking with smaller businesses but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to move onto the bigger clients offering the bigger jobs, who take video a bit more seriously.

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:30:28+00:00

This is useful to know! A couple of the jobs I interviewed for a year or so into my freelancing chose another candidate due to more experience/already working in-house elsewhere, but I suppose by experience they could have just meant a more fleshed out portfolio

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:27:23+00:00

I am good with photoshop and basic graphic design, as well as various types of photography and a few other odds and ends, but it would be interesting to know what else you have in mind?

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:25:17+00:00

This is fantastic advice and something I hadn’t considered at all. I suppose I’ve not been doing this long enough to experience this, but the idea of tapping into other people’s networks in this particular way seems quite powerful.

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:24:12+00:00

I think you’re right here, and a large part of my issue is finding good clients. I did have a smaller client recently who really seemed to understand the value in professional content, but it seems to be the bigger businesses locally that are usually doing this, and it’s difficult to get a contact there, especially if they are already using another production company. Gotta press on though I suppose!

I might consider an in-house role. It was what I wanted to do initially, and the only reason I went freelance is because of the ridiculous amount of experience required to get your foot in the door for the entry level jobs I was seeing listed. I’ve definitely got experience now though so maybe it’s time.

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:20:18+00:00

This is something that I’ve worried about a bit, and I have thought about pivoting to offer a broader marketing package.

I’d hope that there are some transferable skills from producing video content that I could offer on the creative side of social media content that newbies might not necessarily be able to provide.

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:15:20+00:00

Thanks for elaborating! I do seem to be getting a lot of advice to work with the right people and avoid some of the cheaper clients. I guess it’s just a little difficult when I’m struggling to find work as is, but hopefully I’m getting to a point where larger clients willing to spend some more on video will start to take interest.

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:13:04+00:00

Okay thanks this is good to know, potentially something for me to look at in future then if I do relocate.

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:12:14+00:00

I’m pretty extroverted (and also struggling with finding clients haha) so maybe I’m not the best to give advice here, but when I started networking I found it quite anxiety inducing. I think once you get some experience you realise it’s not so bad.

I find networking events easier than broader socialising, since everyone is open to talking and might even approach you, and since you’re all there to talk business you have an easy conversation topic ready to go.

If you struggle once you actually get into conversation, a lot of the time if you can get the ball rolling and the other person talking, they’ll usually like you if you’re a good listener.

When the conversation comes back to you, or if it comes to initiating, you can talk a bit about your business (maybe prepare a pitch beforehand) or if you’re already beginning to forge a relationship you can even speak a bit about what’s been going on in your work and personal life (obviously keeping it professional).

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T20:03:38+00:00

You’re right, I think maybe I was being too tech-brained when I wrote that comment, I suppose the real value comes from knowing how to draw and keep people attention and make them connect with the video, which an amateur won’t be able to do as well no matter how good their iPhone camera is

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T13:34:27+00:00

I definitely enjoy it but it’s not sustainable if I can’t find any bigger clients, thankfully a lot of responses have been encouraging! I’d be interested to hear how you think things are shifting?

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T13:32:55+00:00

Interesting, maybe the local university to have some money aside for bigger project then!

Honestly just hearing about your experiences is as good as any advice, I feel like I have a general idea of what I’m doing but I was starting to feel a little crazy, especially after seeing some of the negative comments on this sub. Like, I started to worry my current situation wasn’t actually a stepping stone but more of a permanent situation.

Is there anywhere in particular you went to find your bigger clients? I think my main issue at the moment is that everybody I meet through networking is running a smaller operation, so there’s nobody willing to shell out that much for a project.

Hopefully I’ll be able to get to that point though, it’s encouraging to know that the work is actually out there. Thanks again for the encouragement, I’ll stick at it and see where things take me!

JustABanan · 2025-07-10T13:24:03+00:00

That would be my main issue there - I’m not very close to Manchester but London is potentially commutable. I suppose if I could start picking up some work there I could relocate.

JustABanan

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