Since Christmas is almost here and you’re probably thinking about 2009 and beyond, I thought I would give you some tips on how to get more business.  My biggest mistake when I started in the video production field was to expect people to ask for my services without networking and getting my name out there.

Here are 3 ways you can get more business in 2009

1)  Make networking work for you:  Don’t just go to a chamber of commerce meeting.  Talk to everyone there and listen.  Ask what they do find out what service they provide.  Most companies still need to market themselves and video is a great way to do this.  When they ask you what you do, make sure to craft your speech around what they just said.  Example: if they are a training center that hold both customer service training and also conducts training on site, tell them you create videos of training sessions that can consistently have the exact same message to each viewer.  No longer will each training session be a crap shoot as to the content but you can create a video with a consistent message to everyone watching.  When they go on site to train, they can bring a video that shows the viewer what words alone cannot convey.

See how easy that was.  You just have to listen to the person talk and tell them how video could benefit their line of work. If you are only in the wedding video business, then ask them if they know anyone getting married or in the wedding industry that could pass your name and services along.  The more people you know, the more they can pass work to you.

2)  Get involved in blogs, podcasts, twitter, websites and other industry leaders in the video production field.  I have gotten several jobs by helping other people get what they want.  Zig Ziglar said, “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want”.  Post thoughts on this site and get involved in the discussion.  Offer your services on Twitter or other sites.  Do a Google search on topics you want to get more work (corporate, weddings, travel, etc) and get involved with the content.

3)  Partnerships.  Find other people in parallel fields and get to know them.  Contact photographers, web designers, graphic designers, printers, rental houses, marketing firms, CPA’s, lawyers, chamber of commences, and even other videographers.  The more you can partner with these key industries, the more they may pass work on to you, hire you or work with you projects.  Many people don’t think of CPA’s and lawyers, but they have a broad client base and might be able to pass your info to them (approach this vary carefully as most CPA’s and lawyers are very guarded with their clients).

The key for all these ideas is to get your name out their.  If you are shy and don’t like to socialize, then find a way to get clients online or have people pass work on to you.  This may be a bit challenging, but if you work hard enough, then you can find a lot of work coming your way.

Best of luck and tell me what you think.  And Merry Christmas