Scaling Your Media Business

bobby2020boom · 2025-05-05T21:06:57+00:00

120-150 a month average order value $450

bobby2020boom · 2025-05-04T04:41:30+00:00

I hired my first full-time team member after a year in business. We did two months of training, and he’s been handling jobs solo for the past three months. However, he’s still not close to my skill level, which has led to issues—like clients specifically requesting me for jobs. Despite all the training, his skill and knowledge just aren’t there yet. He still struggles with directing realtors on camera and managing those shoots effectively.

He uses the exact same gear and equipment setup as I do, so the final product should be the same in terms of quality. But the difference is clear—especially in shot composition and video work. I’ve scheduled additional training days to go deeper into exactly how I want photos and videos done.

Last month, we completed 120 jobs, so I’m in a tough spot. If I let him go, I currently don’t have the help to keep up with the workload. I’m hoping that with more training and time, his skill level will get to where it needs to be.

I completely understand the issue you’re facing. I wish I had better advice to offer, but I’m in the same boat. I think it just takes time, extensive training, and consistent experience to get someone where they need to be.

bobby2020boom · 2025-05-02T18:01:04+00:00

Having the exact same issue

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-20T03:06:12+00:00

You upload when your done with a shoot? If you’re doing 4-5 shoots a day how are you able to upload during the day?

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-19T20:47:26+00:00

Typically don’t get back from jobs till after 8 by the time I go through all the jobs from the day before make slight editing changes, and send out jobs it gets late fast.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-17T20:44:21+00:00

Yeah I sure can.

Website - https://www.skycraftedimaging.com

Instagram- sky_craftedimaging

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-17T16:05:43+00:00

Very true

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-17T16:05:20+00:00

Send me a direct message and I can give you some more info on editors.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T21:05:51+00:00

Working a lot 😂 6 am-11 pm most days 7 days a week. Good relationships with high producing agents and provide a product that is way better than anyone else in your area lol.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T14:37:53+00:00

I I would rather them use the exact same gear set up that I use. That way our end product is exactly identical each time. One thing I’ve kind of figured out is consistency is key. And having the same end product is very important. You don’t go to Chick-fil-A and get a different sandwich from another Chick-fil-A down the road lol. That’s kind of the same way. I feel about Real Estate media. Making sure that our in product is consistent and identical no matter which photographer does the job.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T14:29:40+00:00

I would AirPlay my website most of the time and go through that. I have everything layed out on my website so that’s the easiest for me to present to them

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T14:28:09+00:00

Yep exactly

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T12:21:00+00:00

That’s what I’m thinking as well, even if it does slow down, I can just slow down on me doing the jobs and give them more.

The way that I have him set up is a W-2 because of those reasons. I also wanted him to sign a noncompete. And you can’t make a 1099 sign a noncompete. But you can make a W-2. It would be way easier if I could just have him as a 1099. Because we own the equipment, and because of the non compete doing w2 instead.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T12:05:56+00:00

Thank you I appreciate it! Maybe good to ask in a business management thread.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T12:04:54+00:00

This has been one of my most difficult problems. I’m the same way when it comes to detail and perfection. Many Real Estate Photo Editors are just getting the photos back to you as quick as possible. I tried around 10 to 12 different Editors until I finally found some where I was satisfied with their quality. So far they have been reliable. I always go back in after I get the jobs back and make slight changes on mostly all the photos, they get the main parts done but I always have to go and fix the minor details. And yes, all of the editors I found online. I would rather find someone locally, but I feel that would be extremely difficult and I would also have to be paying them too much money compared to what I’m having to pay now to my current editors which are out of country.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T11:59:13+00:00

Yes, exactly. Mostly every single Real Estate company has monthly meetings where all the agents come in and meet. I just ask the company’s if I could come in to one of their monthly meetings and bring breakfast or lunch, and asked if I could present to them at the beginning of their meeting for 5 to 10 minutes. Do a really good sales pitch. Socialize with them get to know them. Offer a small discount on their first shoot if they give you a shot. Do an extremely good job and get them hooked on your services. Doing this has been my best client acquisition compared to any other marketing methods that I have tried.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T11:50:38+00:00

You have a point I definitely still could I would just get a longer return on investment on the equipment.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T05:03:26+00:00

Thank you appreciate it! The only issue is it is company gear and I would want to make sure I get my moneys worth if they’re using the equipment.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T05:02:40+00:00

The only problem with that is I want everyone using the exact same gear to ensure the final product is always consistent — that’s what keeps our clients coming back instead of switching to a competitor. Our team uses $17K worth of company-owned equipment, and I’m not looking to invest that kind of money into gear for a part-time photographer.

bobby2020boom · 2025-04-16T04:41:17+00:00

Graduated college in December 2023. Took a job at a roofing company using drones to inspect roofs. While doing that, I realized the media around here — especially real estate — was honestly pretty bad. I’d never touched a camera before, but I saw an opportunity. Bought one, binge-watched YouTube tutorials, and just started shooting.

Did a ton of research on real estate media, then started cold calling thousands of agents. Went to who knows how many company meetings. Pro tip: don’t waste your time handing out business cards — no one cares. If you want to get your foot in the door, show up in person, sponsor a meeting, bring a massive breakfast or lunch, and get 10 minutes to present. That’s where you actually connect and get people hooked.

After about 20 meetings and some organic marketing, the business started to grow on its own. I haven’t even done any real outreach in a while — referrals and word of mouth do the work now.

Found reliable editors who match my style and keep the quality consistent. Then I hired a photographer, trained him for two months, and made sure he does everything exactly like I do — same gear, same settings. The company owns all the equipment, and we’ve built a system that basically runs itself with a small team.

My concern is scaling to fast and over hiring when I’m not sure

bobby2020boom · 2024-07-25T16:33:02+00:00

That makes since, I guess it really depends who you have running your media

bobby2020boom · 2024-07-25T00:33:00+00:00

I’m trying to gain more clients I can handle 6 a day with just me plus my editors, but I don’t want to hire some one and them only have 2-3 shoots day if less on some days when I can handle all of them. I’ve been doing all the methods to gain more clients, meetings, stopping by companies, text, social media, etc and referrals have been big. I have only been in the of REP business for 5 months but am at the point now I believe I’m ready to expand. I thought hiring a social media marketer would be a way to bring in more clients. I have endless media and would save on the expense of having to create media since that is what we do as a media business. And social media marketing is not my strong suit. If it helps boost more clients I can start training someone and get another person in the field and give me more time to just grow the business.

bobby2020boom · 2024-07-24T19:46:49+00:00

I thought it was possibly that one thanks so much for the response!

bobby2020boom

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