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Local Video Associations – how to Maximize the Experience
MIVA February 4, 2009 from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Connecticut, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Kansas, Los Angeles/Orange County, Long Island, Louisiana, Minneapolis, New York City, North Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington, D.C., Wisconsin
Many videographers need a change of attitude when it comes to their participation in a local video association. We often think, “Our local association stinks… I’m not going to waste my time with a bunch of people who don’t know more than me.. I have better things to do like organize my mini dv drawer…I don’t want to give away all my secrets!”
However, your local video association can become one of your greatest resources. It can help increase your bookings, it can help if you ever get in a jam and need a trusted first or second shooter, and it can save you time and money by learning more about equipment, style, and techniques.
Here are some simple things you can do that will help improve your experience with other local video peeps:
1. Pass on a quality referral. When you give, you shall receive. It just works. When you have a date booked, rather than let the client go searching again, refer them to someone in your network. Not only will the client appreciate you saving them the time, but the fellow videographer will then be willing to send a referral back to you.
2. Join a committee. If committees don’t exist in your association, create one. It will give you a reason to get out of the office, meet with a couple other like-minded people, and expand your network and creativity.
3. Share your work. Let others see what you are doing and ask for constructive criticism.
4. “Be the change you want to see.” If you don’t like aspects of how our industry operates or is perceived internationally, go Ghandi on it. Changing the grassroots culture in our local associations is the beginning of seeing that happen.
5. Recruit! For those of us who are involved with our associations, part of our continued responsibility is to always be inviting to those who can benefit from
When deciding how to spend your professional hours, don’t always think of your bottom line. If you think of the common good, the greater good, your time spent with your local association will benefit not only those who can use your expertise, but you will benefit as well.
Please link to your video associations in the comments section, and we’ll get them all listed here in this post.
That’s all I got for now. Koral here – signing off.
