How to Start Your Own Video Business

Would you like to start your own video business? We aren’t talking about a video rental store. Inventory video taping businesses tape household and business valuables for insurance purposes. This is a rewarding home-based business that is always in demand. This article will show you how to get started in your own video business.

Gather Your Equipment

The successful inventory specialist needs very few tools. You will want a decent video camera and an engraving tool (for engraving the valuables with the client’s information). You will also need a digital camera and a computer to take pictures of smaller items. You can find all of these things on eBay! or Craig’s List for very reasonable prices.

Build Trust

You are going to be going into other people’s homes and places of business. You will know what valuables they keep there. This means you will want them to trust that you will not abuse this information. Contact your local law enforcement agency (like the Sheriff’s office, NOT 9-1-1) and find out what regulations you may have to fulfill. Give your local Small Business Association (SBA) a call and ask them what you need to do to operate a legal business in your state.

You also need to get licensed, bonded, and insured. The folks at the SBA office can point you in the right direction. Once you do this, prominently display this in all of your business materials. When a client sees that you are licensed, bonded, and insured, they know that you are not just some fly by night business. You care enough about their property to replace it if you or your employees break (or take) anything.

Find Clients

In this business, it’s best if other people recommend your services. Here is how to get them to do that: Order a stack of business cards. Make sure it lists that you are licensed, bonded, and insured. You can get 250 good business cards for around $10 from Vistaprint check out vistaprint 50% OFF Premium "Custom" Business Cards at Vista Print. Leave your card with law enforcement agencies in your area, local insurance agencies, private investigators (they are listed in the phone book), and neighborhood watch groups.

Either write or hire someone to write articles for you that give tips on how homeowners can safeguard their home and valuables. Pack the articles with lots of actual information and limit the sales pitch to a short bio at the very end. It should read something like this: Tom Jones of ABC video tape services can be reached at…

Put a sign on your car. This is a moving advertisement. Give short seminars about ways a homeowner or business owner can safeguard their valuables at your local Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood watch meetings, and community classes. Again, limit the sales pitch to describing (at the end of your talk) what it is you do. You will get far more referrals that way.

How to Charge for your Service

Don’t guess about this. Go to your telephone directory and look for other inventory video taping services. Call them up and ask how much they charge per hour. If you can’t find anything in the telephone book look online. Get at least 4 quotes. Throw out the high and low quotes and then price your service near the top of the range.

Starting your own video service is very quick and easy to do. Use these tips, mix them with a patience and persistence, and you will have a successful business in no time.