Hey there everyone-

I'm currently a freelance video editor/designer but I'm starting my own business that creates personal history documentaries. I've done 3 or 4 for family and friends and the samples are on my site:

www.historicalimpulse.com

I'm thinking about my business plan and where I should start with getting the word out there. Everyone I speak to thinks it's a great idea but I can't seem to get those first few gigs to get it started. Some ideas I'm thinking about are partnering with reunion planners and event planners, ads in reunion mags, etc. The end product makes a great birthday or anniversary gift too (mostly for older folks). Any ideas on how to get the word out for that as well?

Thanks for any thoughts you might have!

Lisa

very cool!! i think it's a great idea too! You could also do some adds on like Facebook and MySpace and tell the new target group (over late 20's and 30's!) that it would be good for them to do one for their family/friend groups either for their parents generation or for future memories for their kids.

i think teaming up with local planners is a great idea too, that helps spread your word through trusted sources which may actually lead to more immediate results.

hmm maybe you could even offer a 'discount' (or free?) to a few of the really big bloggers and have them review it on their blog?

just some ideas from the top of my head

That definitely sounds like something my mother and her siblings would do for my grandfather.

Churches seem like a good place to find a crowd the age you're targeting. If you can, maybe you could donate some free packages to church or school silent auctions.

I think you should be able to use contacts from your current clients to help build your business. If you haven't sent them a formal letter announcing your new business, you might try that too. You might offer them a discount or a discount if they refer a friend. Have you ever been in a BNI group? If you haven't, you might consider visiting some local chapters to see if it looked like you would get referrals as a member. . .Might be a good way to meet some event planners too.

VFWs and American Legions are a good place to find old men who would love to tell their stories. Maybe they have newsletters you can advertise in?

Thanks for your responses. They are all great ideas.

Alison, I'm not sure what a BNI is, can you explain?

Thanks

Lisa

How about contacting one of the many personal history websites out there and offering to give away a video history to one of their members. They could hold a contest, and you'd do it free for the winner. It would be great publicity. Some that come to mind are:

ourstory.com
storyofmylife.com
dandelife.com
myfamily.com

I know this sounds like a reach, but I think it's worth trying.

I do think starting locally is a great idea and more economical - can you connect with videographers who say do weddings? They might have good contacts for you.

BNI is Business Networking International. It's a networking group for mostly small business owners or companies that provide services to small business owners. They meet once a week and trade referrals. Everyone gets a minute to promote their business and once every few months you are the featured speaker and get to give a longer promotional speech. There are typically ~30 people in the group.

My husband is in it as an electrician. It was the only marketing tool he used, and he's always busy. Much more economical than a yellow pages add too. I think dues are about $300-500/year, but I'm not sure. Seems like most groups have the typical accountant, lawyer, financial planner, etc., but our chapter also has had a videographer, dog groomer, pet concierge, Arbonne rep, and others. The catch is that you can't just take referrals, you have to network and provide referrals to other members too. This isn't as bad as it seems : )

You can probably google BNI to find a chapter in your area.

Great idea! I am sure everyone says that, getting the word out is a whole different thing. I know!

Usually, there is no one quick way to do it - it takes lots of grassroots efforts and lots of foot work. Here are some ideas:

-Look up all local professional photographers, contact them and see if they would like to offer your services at part of their package, or at least refer clients to you and their clients get a discounted rate.
-Contact local party supply stores and see if you can post a flyer in their windows or their bulletin.
-Advertise in local papers - their rates are pretty cheap and some locals really read it dutifully.
-Wedding planners, bridal stores, etc. Personal documentaries to show at the wedding of the bride and groom would be so COOL.
-Small businesses may want to use this to document their business and put it on their website or send out dvd instead of a brochures, etc.

Best of luck to you!

SK Joun

Thanks again for the great ideas everyone! Keep them coming!!!!!

-Lisa

Lisa,

Try capturing sporting events. Where I live, football is huge and when we won the state championship game, everyone in town bought anything and everything that had to do with that glorious win. It would have been nice to have a memorable movie about that night and/or the season. And lots would pay for it!! Good luck

Kelly

Think about who most wants to have this history, your target market. I would think that Senior Cititzens would be a great market and it would be a great gift for a family. Check out your local Seniors groups of all forms and offer to speak at their meetings (they just love speakers!). Also find sources of advertising with geneology sites online as those who are seeking out family history may want to video document it also! Partner with them. Offer them an affiliate program!