2009 is here, but is it “Happy New Year”, or “Bah-Humbug”? I've used the hour-glass analogy to describe how most small businesses were affected in previous recessions. The high-end and low ends didn’t feel the effects as much as the middle. But this time, things are different and at first glance, the low end looks like the prized position – but wait..

ALL SEGMENTS WILL BE SQUEEZED

With so many people out of work, many will see wedding videography as a great way to have some income and work evenings and weekends while they look for jobs during the work week. The low end will get even more crowded than it already is, driving prices even lower.

IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY

I have a solution. But before I go there, I want to say that things didn’t have to be this way. Wedding videography could (and should) be recognized as one of those things so important that you just don’t cut corners there. 

It isn’t seen that way of course. Why not? Blame your organizations. The “Simpsons Movie” did more in one scene to promote wedding videography than the two major, self-serving organizations have done in a decade. Why aren’t they spending money to promote wedding videography to the public? Why aren’t they educating brides about what a really good wedding video is?

Perhaps they’re more interested in squeezing money from their members and selling “awards”? Last night I was checking out wedding videographer websites and came across one claiming to have won over a dozen WEVA awards. The main photo on their home page was terribly underexposed and had apparently been there for years. Now what does that say to you about WEVA awards when a recipient desperately needs a course in “Photography 101” and doesn’t even know it?

DO AN END RUN

There are ways other than re-positioning your wedding business model, to out-smart the recession. Finding new revenue sources is the best way. Think about it. Many other small businesses, in different fields, are feeling the same pinch that you are. They are looking for new and better ways to reach their prospects and get a leg up on their competitors.

You hold the key for them. By proposing a video presentation to put on their website, you’re helping them deliver their message in a more powerful medium than they’re currently using.

If you’re concerned about providing web services for these videos, don’t be. All NLE’s today, offer Flash output and all major browsers have built-in Flash support. No special server is needed, but if your client doesn’t yet have a website or hosting server, and if you’re not strong in that area, contact me . As you may already know, I’m a strong supporter of Joomla – a powerful and free content management system.

Visit your local bookstore and get a couple of books about marketing. Not only can you use the information to market your services, but you’ll need all the marketing know-how you can muster to make great videos for your clients. They’ll likely need help from the very beginning – outline, shot list, casting, scripting, etc.

We even invested in a teleprompter which is almost a necessity for scripted shoots. The possibilities are endless. Several years ago, we talked a mariachi costume company into a video shoot. We had models show off costumes in front of a large greenscreen. Then, we went around town (San Antonio) and shot background scenes – the Riverwalk, Alamo and other missions, etc. They used those videos on their website for years. Their competitors still haven’t caught up.

Take a look around your community and make a list of the businesses you see. Check out their websites, making notes as you go. Then call on these businesses and present your ideas on how video can help them prosper through the recession. 

Unlike your bridal clients, each business client represents potential repeat business as you update his video from time to time. 

Another great thing about business shoots? You can yell, “Cut!”