How YOU Can Land a $4,200 Videography Gig from Just ONE Networking Event!
Today, I’m excited to share how I landed a $4,200 project by attending just one networking meeting, and more importantly, how you can do the same to grow your videography business.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name's Grant Burks. I run a video production business called Optiko Productions full time, I've scaled my business to $40,000+ per month in revenue (just from my video production business, no course sales or online marketing) and I’ve also written a book called Film to Freedom, which details how you can turn your passion for videography into a six-figure business. Today, I’m going to walk you through the power of networking groups and show you the three key strategies I’ve used to consistently book tens of thousands of dollars of videography projects from Networking Groups.
If you prefer listening to today's episode on your favorite podcast platform you can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or on YouTube.
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Welcome to the videography university blog. Every Tuesday, I share with you the latest tips and strategies that you can use to grow your videography business to a 6-figure income and full time career, and all within 5 minutes. I have a mission of helping 1,000 aspiring videographers to go full time with this incredible career and build it to a 6-figure income. If you want to join my weekly newsletter where I share free tips and strategies to grow your videography business, you can get the free weekly email here.
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How I Landed a $4,200 Project from One Meeting
It all started when I was looking for more focused networking opportunities than what I was getting through my local Chamber of Commerce. Don’t get me wrong—the Chamber is great, but I wanted something specifically designed for small businesses to help each other grow. That’s when a friend invited me to check out a group called AmSpirit, which is all about connecting small business owners and generating referrals for each other. Basically, if one of my friends or family members says "Grant, my car broke down and I need a mechanic!" I can tell them, "I've got just the guy for you!" and I can refer them to the mechanic in my networking group. In turn, if a friend of someone in my networking group tells them, "Jeff, I need a video to help market my roofing business." Jeff can tell them, "I know this videographer Grant who does fantastic work! I'll connect you."
After joining AmSpirit, I learned about other groups like BNI (Business Network International), which is one of the most popular networking organizations in the U.S. A former client of mine, a mortgage lender, invited me to one of his BNI chapter meetings, and I figured, why not go? It was early in the morning, but it was an opportunity to meet other business owners. Maybe something will come of it!
At the meeting, there were about 30 people from different industries, and I made it my goal to network with as many of them as possible. In the middle of the meeting I met a lawyer, had a brief chat, and didn’t think much of it afterward. But a couple of days later, I got an email from him. Turns out, he was interested in a brand video (something I had shared with the group during our meeting)! After a couple of coffee shop meetings to discuss his ideas and present my options, I closed on a $4,200 project.
This whole experience opened my eyes to just how powerful networking groups can be. By simply showing up, talking to people, and sharing what I do, I booked a $4,200 project.
Why Networking Groups Are So Powerful
As a business owner (and you are a business owner as a videographer), networking groups like BNI, AmSpirit, or even local groups can be goldmines. They connect you with other business owners, salespeople, and marketers who are often in need of your services or can refer you to someone who is. I’ve landed countless projects through Networking Groups: an $8,000 project for a chamber of commerce, a $7,400 project for an HVAC company, a $4,000 project for an Insurance Agent and many more (message me on Instagram @grantburks_vu if you want to hear about how I booked these other projects in a future blog)! That’s the power of networking groups.
Three Key Strategies for Networking Success
Now, you might be thinking, “I’ve tried networking, but I never land any business from it.” I hear that a lot, and in my experience, it’s usually because people aren’t doing these three things that turn a meeting into real business:
1. Network with as Many People as Possible
When you go to a networking event, don’t just stick to the people who you think fit your target market. Talk to everyone! You never know who could need your services or refer you to someone who does. At one meeting, I ended up booking a $7,000 project from a client in an industry I’d never worked with before. I would’ve missed that opportunity if I hadn’t made the effort to talk to them.
Even if someone isn’t a direct fit for your services, they can be a referral source. Every person you meet could potentially pass your name along to someone who needs what you offer.
2. Have a Clear Elevator Pitch
This is crucial. If you can’t clearly explain what you do and how you can help, people aren’t going to remember you or know how to refer you. You have to make it obvious. I’ve been to plenty of meetings where people give vague explanations of their business, and I walk away without a clue about how I could work with them. Don’t let that be you!
Your elevator pitch should be short, sweet, and to the point. When someone leaves that meeting, they should immediately think of you when they hear someone mention video production. Whether it’s a 30-second pitch or a quick conversation, make sure you’re clear about the services you offer and the value you bring.
3. Make It Easy for People to Contact You
You can have the best conversations in the world, but if people don’t know how to get in touch with you, it’s all for nothing. Always make sure you’re handing out your contact information. Traditional business cards are still effective, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve booked a project from someone who reached out months later because they had my card handy.
There are also digital options, like apps that allow you to share your contact info with a quick tap, but whether it’s a physical or digital card, the key is to make it as easy as possible for people to reach out when they need you.
Final Thoughts and an Invitation
By following these three strategies—networking widely, having a clear pitch, and making it easy for people to contact you—you’ll start seeing more success from your networking efforts. I’ve personally grown my business this way, and I know it can work for you too.
If you want more tips on how to turn your videography passion into a full-time, six-figure business, check out the Videography University podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or on our YouTube Channel where I break down more strategies and tactics for growing your videography business and where I chat with other successful videographers to learn what's working for them!
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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!