Key Considerations When Hiring a Videographer for Your Business with Chardeney Mason
In this insightful episode of the Master Delegator podcast, host Kristy Yoder sits down with Chardeney Mason, a talented videographer and creative entrepreneur based in the Bay Area.
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Chardeney shares her experiences, strategies, and valuable advice for those looking to build confidence in front of the camera, grow their creative businesses, and leverage video marketing effectively. Here are the key takeaways from their engaging conversation:
Building Confidence in Front of the Camera
One of the major themes of Chardeneys interview is building confidence in front of the camera. Here are some actionable tips she provides:
Take One Task at a Time: Chardeney encourages beginners to start small and build their confidence gradually. By focusing on one task at a time, individuals can slowly get comfortable in front of the camera without feeling overwhelmed.
Consider Faceless Videos: For those not ready to show their faces on camera, creating faceless videos can be a great alternative. You can record your natural setting or daily activities while providing voiceovers or adding text to convey your message. This approach allows you to share your content without the pressure of being on screen.
Use Technology: Leveraging tools like camera-equipped glasses or strategic phone setups can make recording easier without needing to directly face the camera. These technologies can help ease the transition to making more personal, on-camera appearances as you build your confidence.
Gradual Exposure: Chardeney recommends gradually increasing your comfort level with public exposure. Start with faceless videos, move on to voiceovers, and slowly transition to appearing in front of the camera as you feel more at ease.
Overcome Self-Doubt: A key piece of advice from Chardeney is to constantly remind yourself that your unique perspective matters. Overcoming self-doubt is crucial, and allowing your light to shine can inspire others while attracting a like-minded audience.
Effective Video Marketing Strategies
Chardonnay also delves into the importance of video marketing and how to effectively utilize it to grow your brand:
Consistency and Confidence: Kristy Yoder emphasizes the importance of being consistent and confident, regardless of whether you choose to show your face or not. Consistency in content creation helps build a loyal audience over time.
Highlighting Faceless Channels: Faceless channels, particularly on Instagram, have been successful for many creators. Sharing content in any form involves exposing a part of yourself, which can resonate with your audience and create a genuine connection.
Visual Content for Brand Promotion: Chardeney highlights the significance of visual content for brand promotion. Visibility across platforms like YouTube, Instagram reels, and TikTok is crucial for letting people see and get to know your brand.
Collaborating with Clients and Marketing Teams
Client Communication: Understanding client needs through effective communication is essential. Chardeney discusses the importance of initial conversations to determine the purpose of the video, whether for a website, email newsletter, or grant application.
Creative Chat: She advises having a “creative chat” to understand the client’s business and requirements better. This discovery process usually involves an initial call ranging from 30 minutes to an hour to plan logistics and identify project feasibility.
Collaboration on Scripting: Scripting is a collaborative effort where clients outline main points, and Chardeney provides coaching for better delivery. Using tools like teleprompters and ChatGPT can streamline this process.
Overcoming Challenges in Growing a Creative Business
Feeling Overwhelmed: Labrador of all things feeling overwhelmed and spread thin due to the belief that everything was a priority. This often led to stress and burnout until she realized the importance of getting extra hands to help achieve her goals.
Let People Know About Your Services: It's crucial to let people know what services you offer and how they can contact you. Chardeneyunderscores the importance of marketing and client outreach to grow your business.
Planning and Prioritization: Efficient planning and prioritization are vital. Chardeney allocates time for working within the business (day-to-day tasks like editing and filming) and on the business (marketing and client outreach). Being intentional about prioritizing important tasks helps avoid stress and overwhelm.
Practical Advice for Creators and Businesses
Chardeney offers practical advice for creators and businesses looking to leverage video content:
Understanding Your Audience: Many businesses fail because they don't clearly understand their audience. Effective communication involves targeting your message directly to a specific group to avoid losing core messaging.
Focusing on Personal Experience: Avoid making assumptions and instead focus on the real experiences of the people you are trying to reach. Directly engaging with the community for feedback can provide valuable insights.
Comfortable Medium for Introverts: For introverts, starting with the medium that feels most comfortable, like faceless podcasts or videos, can help gradually build confidence. Over time, you can increase visibility by moving to voice-over videos and, eventually, appearing in front of the camera.
Choosing and Working with Videographers
Differentiating Roles: Understanding industry terms like videographer versus cinematographer is crucial. While cinematographers often provide a stylized, movie-like approach, videographers focus on authentic captures. Knowing these differences can help you hire the right professional for your needs.
Professional Videographer Etiquette: Clearly defining your stylistic and technical preferences is essential when seeking a professional videographer. Ensure that your chosen videographer aligns with your vision and can deliver the content style you need.
Hiring Professionals: Chardeney advises hiring professionals when feeling overwhelmed by video creation. Professionals can offer coaching and assistance, whether you prefer DIY setups or need full-service videography solutions.
Portfolio Evaluation: Before hiring, examine the potential hires' portfolios to determine if their work resonates with you. Request specific examples related to your project type to ensure they are the right fit for your needs.
Personal and Professional Background
The podcast episode also touches on Chardeney's personal and professional background, providing context to her journey:
Journey to the Bay Area: Chardeney moved from Chicago to the Bay Area, where she eventually shifted from various remote and temp jobs to a full-time videography role at Blue Bottle Coffee. Her experiences have shaped her understanding of the videography business and the importance of video marketing.
Entrepreneurial Leap: After working at Blue Bottle Coffee for two years, Chardeney took the leap to become a full-time entrepreneur. She now primarily helps local clients in the Bay Area but also travels for projects, especially back to Chicago.
