How a 5-Minute Conversation Landed Me a $1,200 Videography Project!
How a 5-Minute Conversation Landed Me a $1,200 Videography Project—and How You Can Do It Too!
Today I’m going to share with you how a five-minute chat landed me a $1,200 videography project. It wasn’t luck—it was being in the right place, at the right time, and knowing how to make connections. Let me break down how this happened, and share three actionable strategies you can use to book more projects in your own videography journey.
Setting the Scene
A few years ago, I was shooting testimonials at a conference for an education organization. This event gathered counselors from various universities, and my task was to capture attendee testimonials to boost future attendance. As the event began, I mingled with the crowd while filming, taking advantage of every opportunity to strike up a conversation. You never know who might need your services!
As I was wrapping up the day, one of the keynote speakers came up to me. He had never had one of his keynotes filmed before, but he understood the value of having a recorded presentation for future marketing. After a quick conversation, he asked how much it would cost for me to film his keynote the next day.
At that moment, I wasn’t ready to give a quote, but I took a few minutes to assess the situation. I asked him if I could take a look at my calendar and come back to him (I knew I was free but I needed a few minutes to figure out what to quote it) I wasn’t desperate for more work at that time, but it would only take me about 2 hours of my time, so I decided to quote $1,000 for the project. If he went for it, it would be an incredibly easy $1,000, and if he didn’t, no harm no foul.
He agreed on the spot, and just like that, I had added another $1,000 (I had a small edit to it that took it to $1,200) to my income with minimal effort.
Why This Matters
The key takeaway from this experience is simple: always be open to opportunities. That quick conversation turned into a $1,200 project, just because I was friendly, engaged, and available. This isn’t an isolated event. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to find clients—even when you least expect it.
3 Strategies to Book More Projects
Here are three strategies I’ve used throughout my career to secure videography projects, just like this one:
1. Be Friendly
It sounds obvious, but being friendly and approachable goes a long way in building rapport with potential clients. People like to do business with those they know, like, and trust. Even if you’re tired after a long shoot or juggling multiple projects, always make an effort to be personable. Your positive attitude could lead to your next big gig.
2. Network Constantly
I’m a big believer in networking. Whether you’re at an event, working with clients, or simply out and about, always be open to meeting new people. You never know when a casual introduction could lead to a nice payday. I’ve lost count of how many times someone I didn’t expect ended up referring me to a paying client.
3. Always Have Business Cards
This might seem old-fashioned, but having business cards or a digital version on hand is essential. After that keynote conversation, I booked the project on the spot, but had it been for a future event, I would have handed over my card. That small gesture makes it easier for clients to reach out when they’re ready to hire you.
Final Thoughts
That $1,200 project was just one example of how being friendly, networking, and staying prepared can lead to new opportunities. Whether you’re shooting a big event or working a smaller gig, always be on the lookout for ways to connect with potential clients.
If you want to learn more about how to turn your passion for videography into a full-time, six-figure business, grab a free copy of my book, Film to Freedom. It’s packed with insights and strategies for growing your videography business.
Keep hustling, stay friendly, and remember—your next project could be just one conversation away!
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- Grant Burks
Grant is the owner and operator of Optiko Productions, a video production company based out of Columbus, OH. Grant took his company from a hobby he did on the side while working a corporate job, to a flourishing business that now does over $300,000 in annual revenue. Grant is additionally the author of Film to Freedom: Turn Your Passion for Videography Into a 6-Figure Income. A book designed to give videographers all of the strategies and tactics they need to grow their videography business. He used his industry knowledge and passion for mentoring to build Videography University, an online coaching program designed to help videographers scale their business to a 6-figure income and full time career.
Want a free 30 minute consultation call with Grant where he will talk through your business and provide you with a strategy to increase your sales? Schedule your free call HERE!