We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amber Deas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amber, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
Working in this industry, you always have to “prove” yourself. When I first started I had nothing to show to potential clients, so I had to figure out how to lock in with new paying clients. I got my first client by doing free or discounted work just to build my portfolio, so I had work to advertise. People are visual and they prefer when you have something to show. When I started out, I was nervous to even post my work! But I remembered that the only way to move forward is to get uncomfortable. By doing free or discounted work, I gave myself the necessary experience I needed to move forward and work for more. To gain more. I wanted more! So when I finally got comfortable, there was a thought it my head that I needed to raise my pricing, my work is worth it! The excitement I felt after raising my prices to what I feel is worth my time, I knew I was ready to grow my business and really get out there. My first client taught me how to get comfortable with my craft, how to conduct myself as a business owner, and how to move forward with building a bigger brand.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My name is Amber I’m and entrepreneurs and the owner of A1 Lenz Productions, a film & photography company that services the Tampa Bay Area. I got started at a young age by taking photos in school, and later on moving to videography work right out of high school and taught myself the business.
I provide a range of services with film production and wedding videography being my main focus. I’m also an event host and curator, author and editor, just to name a few.
My brand has been steadily growing over the past 7 years, we have grown our network and continue to do so.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
The story of how I built my audience on social media is just by being myself, and giving my audience the motivation they need to become better versions of themselves.
I usually post motivational, inspiring or informative info along with some funny added in, and mix it in with promotional content for my brand and business.
The advice I would give to anyone first starting out, is to just make the posts! Whether you think people are going to like or share or not, just make the posts you never know who is watching and who is looking up to you to stay consistent.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes, initially my business was a side hustle. But I knew eventually that I would want it to become my main source of work. I used to work two to three jobs sometimes and I just knew that I didn’t want to do that forever, when I first started working for myself, I knew I had to create a portfolio before I could advertise my services. So I started out by doing cheap or free work, just to get my name out there and grow my network. Once I did that for so long, word of mouth traveled quickly, before I knew it I had a stable amount of clients, and just this past year I got the courage to quit my full time job and go full time with my business, it has been great so far and definitely a lot of work, but I wouldn’t be where I am had I not did what I did in the beginning. By building a solid clientele list and brand, I became a reputable business.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.a1lenzproductions.com
- Instagram: A1lenproductions
- Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/a1lenzproductions
- Twitter: A1lenzprod
- Youtube: YouTube.com/a1lenzproductions
Image Credits
@stylishent @forbesvisuals @fireflyphotography