Stop Calling Yourself a Videographer

One of the biggest reasons filmmakers and videographers get stuck with low rates and low-quality clients is the way they present themselves.

A lot of the video creators I talk to refer to themselves as a videographer and that single word really holds back their earning potential.

Let me explain exactly why that is and what to do instead.

When potential clients reach out looking for a video, there is a good chance they may search for videographers on Google or look for videographers on job sites.

In almost every case when they do that, they are looking for a one-man band. In this situation, you become a commodity and they will be price shopping. To this type of client, a videographer is one person and it would be very difficult to stand apart from the competition.

Even in the world of wedding videos, I would avoid the term videographer and I would refer to myself as a filmmaker. You are doing so much more than capturing video. If you were to just film a ceremony on a tripod, sure, you are a videographer.

But most wedding videos I’ve seen are full brown short films with so much more than just videography. You are producing, directing, the cinematographer, and the audio technician. That makes you a filmmaker and not just a videographer.

But what about outside of weddings? What about corporate and commercial work? This is where I’ve worked for about 15 years. The people that continue to call themselves videographers in the world are stuck at $500 a day or less. You will be competing with a thousand other people that call themselves videographers and undervalue themselves.

So what should you do instead? If you are willing to work directly with clients and create commercial and marketing videos, you should refer to yourself as a production company owner. Even if it’s just you, you can quickly build a team of one or more freelancers to help you once you land a project.

Now instead of doing a $500 project as a videographer, you can do a $5000 project as a company and hire other freelancers to help you.

This is the number 1 you can get out of the bottom of this market of videographers fighting for scraps and only winning projects based on price.

You will also attract higher-paying clients. These clients search for video production companies, not videographers. When I run Google ads, for example, I exclude the term videographer, because that attracts the wrong type of client.

Learn the exact blueprint I used to go from a struggling videographer, to running a profitable video production business, in this one-hour free training.

[TimBishopPhotographer]

I’m a Media Production Company Owner. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated!

[cameronvanhooft]

This is such a great tip. For the last few months I've been displaying myself as a Video Production Company instead of Videographer, and people have taken me way more seriously 👍

[BobbyJayOTA]

I’m an Ad Guy…. Period…. I’m not a filmmaker, I’m not a videographer, I’m not a photographer…. I produce advertising…. Period. Once I was able to get my clients to understand what I actually DID, dealing with my clients became an instant breeze. In fact, the fact that they now knew what I did, helped them tell me more about what their vision was, and helped me serve them better.

[joshtavernier]

This has been so helpful, thank you for the insight!

[IkennaVisuals]

I didn’t even know I was struggling with this until this video, thank you for sharing this! Really helpful! 🔥

[Chrisreedbeats]

(Watched to the end, subscribed) Very clean, quality video and good info. Thank you sir! I agree it makes sense. I wish I was making $500 a day! That sounds great 😌

[Chips-Lab]

This is unvaluable content. Thank you !

[tayetiwoni]

Excellent. I’ve been calling myself a cinematographer

[kybephotography]

This is very insightful.
Title going forward: Video production company owner.

[Chrisreedbeats]

(Starting video starting to listen title caught my attention) Interesting tell me more…

[GlimpseIntoTheirNatures]

If you see this what if you are solo. Do not normally work for others. Do not like working for clients who ask for a gazillion changes. What if you only want to make art with your heart. And yes it is posted on Social Media. And yes it involves video. What am I then? A videostory teller? I sure as heck can't call myself an influencer.

[AndresArosemena]

Good video. But what if I am a "one man band" right now. When I get a project, I some times come with the concept, other times I execute the client's idea but inputting my own ideas too, I sometimes do some mood boards and storyboards (when it is necessary), shoot the videos (with lights) record the audio, and then do the whole post production (edit, color grade, graphics, etc). And if the client has a digital marketing budget o can make a plan for their paid ads using the final video and other versions. I couldn't call myself a Product Company since not only I'm not a company (though I use a brand that is not my name) and don't normally hire freelancers (though I would like to if I get bigger jobs). Do you think I should call myself a Video Producer? An Audiovisual Producer?

[nfinimages]

Content Creator - It fits a wide variety of lanes in this business, but after listening to you, I may change it. It's a side thing for me as a creative outlet from the corporate world. I really appreciate your channel and your content. Have you experienced any ageism, clients who think that you can't produce "today's viral inspired style of spots"? If so how do you overcome that?

[myabolds]

Ok THANK U SM but I need advice on details. How would I go about writing contracts for freelancers i contract out?

[ChrisFlores]

Love the content as always! Even if I am a one man band, should I still go about this? And what is the title to roll with “Video production company owner?”

[marcograzianifilms]

Great content as always! I’m the owner of my business and I do videos from scratch to the end. I can call myself FILMMAKER even if I am a sole trade?