Soccer Mom Productions
TeenBiz – Idea #7
Establishing credibility and idea #7, Soccer Mom Productions
First I want to respond to the comment asking about how to gain credibility in the eyes of your customers. That is tricky and I will just say a couple quick tips now, I may revisit this later.
1) Look Professional. As soon as you can, spend the money to get nice equipment that will make you look legit. Dress the part, don’t show up in basketball shorts and a tank top, look like someone that knows what’s up.
2) Act Professional. Know your stuff and act like it. Say things like “I believe” instead of “I think.” “I think” shows you are young and lack confidence; even though the two phrases mean the same thing they have very different effects. Look for other words and phrases that you can eliminate from you “teenager” vocab…like…dude.
Basically, to gain credibility, be credible. Be on time and professional.
Ok, today’s idea is called “Soccer Mom Productions.”
IDEA
The main idea is to video record little league sporting events like baseball, soccer, football, and basketball and then sell these videos to parents who are either to busy to come and wan to see their child play, want to record their games but would rather watch, or just want to have those memories preserved.
EQUIPMENT
Video camera is obviously the most expensive but most people have video cameras these days and if you don’t it is pretty easy to borrow one. I would say borrow or use your own camera if you want to do this idea and then when it takes off buy your own.
Tripod, $20 if you don’t have one.
Headset, dead serious, you really don’t need it but it makes you look 10x more professional. If your camera doesn’t have a headphone jack, duct tape the end to the camera somewhere so it looks like its attached. A local comedy group once bought a head set and saw how far one of their actors could get into a major college football game without credentials. He watched the whole thing from the sideline and spent halftime in the locker room…behold the power of a headset!
Another thing is a way to edit the video, if you have the stuff or access to it (many universities give students free access to sweet editing equipment). If you don’t have access, no worries, you can startup just fine without it. If you can though, add a menu to a DVD, graphics with the score, time, etc.
ADDITIONAL THINGS YOU CAN DO
If you know the team well like if your brother or friend is on the team and you have a voice for it, try doing a little announcing and commentary. Don’t forget to really talk up the players so the parents, your customers, like what they hear.
Websites are great for this idea because you can put up a sample movie to download, have a way for the parents to pick and choose which games they want to buy and it’s a great way for you to list all the games you have covered.
If you have the editing capabilities you can double the price you charge per game if you have individual player highlights on the DVD main menu. This will be huge for busy parents that can’t come to the game and don’t have time to watch the whole thing.
Do interviews with the players. This will make them feel important and they will want to see themselves on TV so they will want to buy the video.
Watch a pro version of the sport you will cover, see what the main camera angle is and try to match that to give a professional effect.
Have a “please take one” tube with flyers on your tripod for people to read over when they see you filming.
Wear a T shirt with your company info on it.
Stick your logo and contact info somewhere visible on your setup.
Get there early so you can assure yourself a clear view of the game.
Try to cover 3-4 teams as once from different levels and leagues so their schedules don’t overlap.
At halftime stick flyers on all the cars in the parking lot.
Make sure you have nice, professional, color flyers.
This idea is full of potential. If you have any experience with video and editing you have a huge advantage. If you don’t then just start with the basics and go from there and slowly work your way up! Good luck!
Establishing credibility and idea #7, Soccer Mom Productions
First I want to respond to the comment asking about how to gain credibility in the eyes of your customers. That is tricky and I will just say a couple quick tips now, I may revisit this later.
1) Look Professional. As soon as you can, spend the money to get nice equipment that will make you look legit. Dress the part, don’t show up in basketball shorts and a tank top, look like someone that knows what’s up.
2) Act Professional. Know your stuff and act like it. Say things like “I believe” instead of “I think.” “I think” shows you are young and lack confidence; even though the two phrases mean the same thing they have very different effects. Look for other words and phrases that you can eliminate from you “teenager” vocab…like…dude.
Basically, to gain credibility, be credible. Be on time and professional.
Ok, today’s idea is called “Soccer Mom Productions.”
IDEA
The main idea is to video record little league sporting events like baseball, soccer, football, and basketball and then sell these videos to parents who are either to busy to come and wan to see their child play, want to record their games but would rather watch, or just want to have those memories preserved.
EQUIPMENT
Video camera is obviously the most expensive but most people have video cameras these days and if you don’t it is pretty easy to borrow one. I would say borrow or use your own camera if you want to do this idea and then when it takes off buy your own.
Tripod, $20 if you don’t have one.
Headset, dead serious, you really don’t need it but it makes you look 10x more professional. If your camera doesn’t have a headphone jack, duct tape the end to the camera somewhere so it looks like its attached. A local comedy group once bought a head set and saw how far one of their actors could get into a major college football game without credentials. He watched the whole thing from the sideline and spent halftime in the locker room…behold the power of a headset!
Another thing is a way to edit the video, if you have the stuff or access to it (many universities give students free access to sweet editing equipment). If you don’t have access, no worries, you can startup just fine without it. If you can though, add a menu to a DVD, graphics with the score, time, etc.
ADDITIONAL THINGS YOU CAN DO
If you know the team well like if your brother or friend is on the team and you have a voice for it, try doing a little announcing and commentary. Don’t forget to really talk up the players so the parents, your customers, like what they hear.
Websites are great for this idea because you can put up a sample movie to download, have a way for the parents to pick and choose which games they want to buy and it’s a great way for you to list all the games you have covered.
If you have the editing capabilities you can double the price you charge per game if you have individual player highlights on the DVD main menu. This will be huge for busy parents that can’t come to the game and don’t have time to watch the whole thing.
Do interviews with the players. This will make them feel important and they will want to see themselves on TV so they will want to buy the video.
Watch a pro version of the sport you will cover, see what the main camera angle is and try to match that to give a professional effect.
Have a “please take one” tube with flyers on your tripod for people to read over when they see you filming.
Wear a T shirt with your company info on it.
Stick your logo and contact info somewhere visible on your setup.
Get there early so you can assure yourself a clear view of the game.
Try to cover 3-4 teams as once from different levels and leagues so their schedules don’t overlap.
At halftime stick flyers on all the cars in the parking lot.
Make sure you have nice, professional, color flyers.
This idea is full of potential. If you have any experience with video and editing you have a huge advantage. If you don’t then just start with the basics and go from there and slowly work your way up! Good luck!
3 Comments:
when you put this idea to work, how much did you sell the videos for? also, how did people buy them? did you edit them and have them for sale the next game? was it via the site? did u bring a laptop and edit on the spot?
my other question was, for each game, how many buyers on average did you manage to obtain? did these buyers become repeat buyers or were most a one time customer? sorry for all the questions, and keep up the great work on this podcast I think alot of ppl really enjoy it.
Josh,
Good questions! Here are the answers...
-I sold the videos for $15 per game and they sold quickly.
-I didn't have commentary or editing I just sold the videos as is after I put them on a DVD.
-I had order forms with me that they could order with and once I delivered them they could just pay with checks. Bringing a few copies to sell at the next game is a great idea.
-I did it for three weeks at the end of the season but most of my sales were the same parents each week.
-For each game I usually had 3-5 buyers.
When I do it again I will take video and interviews at the game. Edit at home and then deliver them to customers' homes during the week. I think I will sell each video for $20 next time and do most of the payments online but also have an option for them to buy a "season pass" so they can get all the games for $15 a piece. I will also go to the teams first practice and talk to the coach and let him know what I will be doing so he can tell the parents so they can know beforehand.
I hope that answers your questions Josh, glad that you enjoy the podcast!
I had the same questions. One thing. I don't have a camra.
I was thinking of buying a MacBook anyway, but do u think the iSight is good quality?
I want a camra anyway so that I can make vidiose.
One more thing...
I have a podcast.
I reveiw other podcasts.
Can I review your podcast?
Thanks,
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