Open Mic-How do you get clients?

Posted by Martin:

Since this is essentially a business blog, I want to enourage people, other video, photography, and media business owners to share how they get clients, and maybe we can learn from each other.

I started MCT Images in late 2002 to help churches with video production needs, I have since branched into weddings and other event videos.  A lot of my business at first came because I offered free services, which then lead to other jobs with the same group or allowed me to use those projects as demos in getting other jobs.

Posting an ad with Google as helped a little, but is certainly not the biggest draw to my business currently.

Also working with other videographers and photographers has helped probably the most.  What happens is those of us that have worked together that like each other's work will also pass off projects to each other when our slates are too full.

Anyway, I would love to have people post comments on how they have built their business in getting clients, maybe we can help each other out.