Starting a video production agency can seem daunting, especially if you’re a freelancer. However, with the right strategy and approach, building a successful agency is well within reach.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how Osama, the founder of MotionCue, successfully transitioned from a freelance motion designer to the CEO of a thriving video production agency.
In case you prefer watching a video rather than reading a blog post, check this out instead:
1. Finding your first hire
According to Osama, the key to building a successful video production agency is finding your first hire. When you’re starting, it’s important to find someone who is better at creating the work that you do, even if your margins are low.
This way, you’ll have more time to oversee the projects and less time to micromanage. Additionally, the quality of work this person produces can help attract new clients and build your business.
Osama suggests looking for potential hires on platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Behance, as well as online portfolio websites like Behance and LinkedIn.
He notes that there are many talented individuals who are looking for their first opportunity, and you can tap into this market by being proactive in your search.
You might be wondering how to choose between a platform. Here are some pros and cons of Upwork and Fiverr to help you decide.
Related: 5 Tips for Running a Top-Ranked Upwork Video Agency
Upwork
Pros
Large, diverse talent pool: Upwork has a large number of freelancers from various countries and backgrounds, allowing you to find a talented professional with the specific skills you need.
Detailed profiles: Freelancers on Upwork have detailed profiles that include their work history, reviews from previous clients, and ratings, making it easier for you to assess their abilities and determine if they are the right fit for your business.
Affordable option: Compared to traditional hiring methods, Upwork can be a more cost-effective solution, as it eliminates the need for a recruitment agency and advertising costs.
Cons
High competition: With so many businesses and individuals using Upwork, competition for the best talent can be intense, which can lead to higher prices and difficulties in finding the right person.
Varying quality of work: With such a large pool of freelancers, the quality of work can vary greatly, and it can be difficult to find a professional who can meet your specific needs and standards.
Lack of personal interaction: As the hiring process is mainly done online, it can be challenging to build a personal relationship with your first hire and ensure they understand your business goals and expectations.
Fiverr
Pros
Affordable prices: Fiverr is known for being an affordable platform, which makes it a good option if you have a tight budget.
Wide range of skills: Fiverr offers a wide range of services and skills, so you have a better chance of finding the right person for your specific needs.
User-friendly interface: It has a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and find the right freelancer for your needs.
Cons
Quality can be inconsistent: As Fiverr is an affordable platform, the quality of work may not be as high as that of more experienced professionals. You may need to take the time to find a freelancer with good ratings and reviews to ensure the quality of work you receive.
Competition for talent: Fiverr is a popular platform, and competition for the best talent can be intense, making it difficult to find the right person for your needs.
Limited interaction: As the hiring process is done online, it can be challenging to build a personal relationship with your first hire, which can make it difficult to ensure they understand your business goals and expectations.
Now let’s talk about online portfolio websites. Dribbble and Behance are two such websites that can be used to find your first hire for your video production agency.
These platforms are specifically designed for creatives, such as graphic designers, animators, and video production professionals, making them a great place to find talented individuals who are passionate about their work.
Let’s see the pros and cons of both of them.
Dribbble
Pros
High-quality talent: Dribbble is a platform that showcases the work of talented designers and creatives, making it a great place to find high-quality candidates for your video production agency.
Ability to see the designer’s process: It allows you to see the designer’s entire process, from sketches to final designs, giving you a better idea of their abilities and creative process.
Networking opportunities: Dribbble is a great platform for networking and connecting with other creatives in your industry, which can help you find new clients and grow your business.
Cons
Limited pool of talent: Dribbble is a more niche platform, so the pool of talent may be smaller compared to other platforms, making it more challenging to find the right person for your needs.
High competition for talent: As Dribbble showcases the work of talented designers and creatives, competition for the best talent can be intense, making it difficult to find the right person for your needs.
Behance
Pros
Large talent pool: Behance is a popular platform with a large number of creatives, making it easier to find the right person for your needs.
Ability to see the designer’s portfolio: Behance allows you to see the designer’s entire portfolio, giving you a better idea of their abilities and style.
Ability to connect with the designer: It lets you connect with the designer directly, which can help you build a personal relationship and ensure they understand your business goals and expectations.
Cons
Varying quality of work: With such a large pool of creatives, the quality of work can vary greatly, and it can be difficult to find a professional who can meet your specific needs and standards.
Time-consuming process: Sifting through the portfolios of many different creatives can be a time-consuming process, and it can be challenging to find the right person for your needs.
In conclusion, all of these can be useful platforms for finding your first hire for your video production agency, but it’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons of each platform to determine which is the best option for your needs.
2. Building your brand
Once you’ve found your first hire, it’s time to focus on building your brand. According to Osama, you should split your time into three categories: 20% on creative, 30% on sales, and 50% on branding and marketing.
To effectively build your brand, you should focus on creating or updating your website and adding your latest work samples to websites like Dribbble and Behance.
Additionally, updating your social media profiles and creating content for social media can help increase your visibility and attract new clients.
Read more: Startup Branding: 8 Tips You Need to Know
Benefits of building your brand
Building a strong brand is crucial for the success and growth of your business. Here are some of the major benefits you get from building your brand.
- Increased recognition
- Consumer trust
- Stronger reputation
- Increased value
- Employee engagement
- Improved market positioning
Whether you’re starting a new business or looking to take your existing one to the next level, taking the time to develop a strong brand can help you achieve your goals and succeed in today’s competitive market.
3. Hiring a marketer
As your brand grows, it’s important to delegate some of the marketing efforts to a professional. This will free up more time for you to focus on sales and expanding your agency.
A professional marketer can create content for your website’s blog, as well as help create social media content that will attract more visitors to your website.
Related: Marketers and Founders Share How Video Has Impacted Their Business
Why should you hire a marketer for your company?
Here are some of the reasons why should you hire a marketer for your company
To establish brand identity: A marketer can help create and establish a consistent brand image and identity that accurately represents your company.
To reach target audience: Marketers have the skills and expertise to target the right audience with your message and create a marketing strategy that resonates with them.
To increase sales and revenue: Developing and executing campaigns that drive traffic, generate leads, and increase sales are the specialty of marketers. These ultimately result in higher revenues.
To stay ahead of competitors: A marketer can help you stay ahead of the competition by staying up-to-date on industry trends and using the latest marketing techniques to reach your target audience.
To improve customer engagement: You can improve customer engagement through personalized content and communication with the help of a marketer, ultimately leading to stronger customer relationships and loyalty.
To create a strong online presence: A marketer can help create and maintain a strong online presence through social media, website optimization, and other digital marketing strategies.
To save time and resources: Hiring a marketer frees up time and resources for business owners and executives to focus on other areas of the business, knowing that the marketing efforts are being handled by a professional.
To leverage expertise and knowledge: A marketer brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the table, which can be leveraged to create effective marketing strategies and campaigns.
4. Becoming your agency’s sales executive
In the next six months, according to Osama, your focus should be on sales and bringing in new clients. You should split your time as follows: 10% on overseeing projects, 20% on marketing and branding, and 70% on sales.
To increase your sales efforts, you should look for new avenues to bring in business and start developing leadership and people development skills. As your agency grows, you’ll need to expand your creative team to handle the increase in projects.
That’s all
Starting a video production agency is a challenging but rewarding journey. By following Osama’s framework, you can go from being a solo freelancer to building a team of five to ten people.
By finding your first hire, building your brand, hiring a marketer, and becoming your agency’s sales executive, you’ll be well on your way to success.
With dedication and hard work, you can turn your passion for video production into a thriving business.
Ready to take your video production to the next level? Get in touch with us today and let us help you bring your ideas to life through animated explainers.
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