I enjoy interacting with my students who find me on Facebook after they have bought Travel Videos for Profit. And I’m usually more than happy to answer questions and even critique videos for people.
For today, here are the answers to some of the most common questions I receive from those thinking about breaking into travel videography…
1) How do I price my videos?
I once asked a business consultant in Melbourne, Australia, about this. He answered me with another question: What do you think your pricing really depends on?
I gave him a list of factors such as time and effort involved, the length of the video, whether there were interviews and testimonials included, how far I would have to go, what equipment is involved, my level of skills, and so on…
And then he just answered: “It only depends on how much you’re willing to ask and how much the client is willing to pay.”
So really, like most things, the questions is this: How confident are you about your skills, and how much is your client willing to invest? Naturally, you should start out with a lower price and then work your way up as you gain more experience.
2) How do I find music?
The fastest way is to use the YouTube audio free library. https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music (you need to be logged into Google to access it. You can create a Google account for free.)
3) What camera should I buy?
This question very much depends on your budget, your needs, and your skill set. Start with what you have before investing in more expensive equipment. I’m hearing many success stories of folks who are selling videos shot entirely on their smartphones.
If you know you want to upgrade your gear, here’s a look at what’s in my bag…
• I won’t leave home without my Canon 5D Mark III. I love that thing, and, if I had to keep only one camera, this is the one I would choose.
• I also have a DJI Osmo gimbal, which creates a smooth, steady shot while walking or while flying in a helicopter, for example, since it is great at absorbing movement, like vibration from a helicopter or the up and down of walking.
4) What advice do you have for improving my videos?
As with everything, just practice, practice, and practice some more. That’s how all of us got there.
And have fun!