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Home: Video University Forums: Marketing & Business:
New Client - Need billing advice

Oscar
Enthusiast

May 15, 2006, 11:38 AM

Post #1 of 6 (1173 views)
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New Client - Need billing advice	Can't Post

Hi All,

A large well known corporation called for a one day shoot. The shoot, with edit (sounds pretty straight forward) is gonna run them about $2k. This will be my first time to serve this large corp (or any large corp for that matter).

Questions:
1. How do you guys approach billing a large corporation? All up front? Retainer payment? Or do you bill them later?
2. It's a large corporation (funds are there). Would you show up and shoot without any money, if it came to that?
3. Contract... same as weddings as far as signing ahead of time? Any info here would be appreciated.

I really want to do this one right. Could turn into nice repeat business.
Any info, words of encouragement, chicken sacrifices, etc. would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Oscar

videobear
Veteran

May 15, 2006, 2:21 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1168 views)
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Re: [Oscar] New Client - Need billing advice [In reply to]	Can't Post

Most corporations pay after the fact...sometimes as much as 90 days. So DO have a contract, and DO submit invoices.

Corporate video projects are often billed in stages: 1/4 on script approval, 1/4 at the conclusion of production, 1/4 at the approval of the final edit, and 1/4 on delivery of the final product, for example. Your situation might break down into a 50/50 split, at the completion of shooting and the delivery of the edited video.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

Oscar
Enthusiast

May 15, 2006, 5:41 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1160 views)
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Re: [videobear] New Client - Need billing advice [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Doug,

Another question... how on earth do you pull together a contract covering payment schedules that meets with the client's approval (the first time)? If they decline it, do you ammend and bend to meet their pay schedule?
Thanks,
Oscar

videobear
Veteran

May 15, 2006, 5:56 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1159 views)
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Re: [Oscar] New Client - Need billing advice [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey, propose what YOU want. After that, you negotiate. Wink

Some companies will already have standard terms and conditions that they'll want you to follow. If they propose theirs, read 'em carefully, and agree to them if they're acceptable. Otherwise, it's negotiation time again.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

Oscar
Enthusiast

May 15, 2006, 6:49 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1156 views)
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Re: [videobear] New Client - Need billing advice [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's what I needed. A plain English, non-wedding, corporate smack of logic upside my head.

Thanks Doug!!! Wink

Thanks,
Oscar

hlanden
The Dean / Moderator

May 16, 2006, 12:50 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1147 views)
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Re: [Oscar] New Client - Need billing advice [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oscar,

You might find my contracts helpful. They are for corporate video. See

http://videouniversity.com/contofer.htm

Whether you buy them or not, feel free to call me with questions. For many years I made my living producing corporate videos. I learned what you have to do to make that business work.

Hal
401 253 2800
Produce Profitable Special Interest Videos