We recently connected with Boris Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Boris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
Securing my first independent client was a significant milestone for my career. It happened through a blend of networking and word-of-mouth recommendations at an international education conference.
At this conference, the room was energetic, filled with educators, executives, and industry innovators. I knew this was my chance to move beyond my usual circle of friends, family, and acquaintances who had previously supported my business. I had prepared extensively, bringing business cards, a well refined elevator pitch, and a demo reel showcasing my work.
After a panel discussion, I met an education executive from The Bahamas. Our conversation started casually, discussing the panel’s topics and gradually shifted towards the marketing challenges they faced in their role. They mentioned a need for high-quality video content to better engage students and stakeholders in the Covid Pandemic.
I noticed the opportunity to explain how my production services could meet their needs, highlighting previous projects that demonstrated my capabilities and my insights of being a student. I provided him with my demo reel and business card, knowing my work would speak for itself.
A few days later, I received a text message expressing interest in working together. After a series of discussions to understand their requirements better, we finalized a project plan. It was a relatively small project but an essential one, marking the first dollar I ever earned earned from a client outside my immediate network.
Boris, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Boris Williams, a content specialist with a passion for photography, videography, and graphic design. My journey into this industry began with my involvement at my local church, where I started by helping with live streams, creating graphic designs, and editing recap videos. This hands-on experience ignited my interest and allowed me to develop my skills using professional-grade equipment to produce high-quality visuals.
I provide a wide range of services, including portrait/event photography, corporate interview and event coverage videography, and graphic design, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. My primary focus is curating specialized content to fill marketing calendars, ensuring that my clients always have engaging and relevant material to share with their audience. From capturing stunning photographs and producing compelling videos to designing eye-catching graphics, I aim to deliver content that not only meets but exceeds expectations.
What sets me apart from others in the industry is my rapid progress and dedication to mastering my craft in a short amount of time. I have honed my skills to create visually stunning content that effectively communicates my clients’ messages.
One of my proudest achievements is the progress I’ve made in such a short period, gaining recognition and trust within the industry. I want potential clients to know that I am a professional dedicated to delivering exceptional results. My work is characterized by a keen eye for detail, a commitment to quality, and a passion for storytelling through visuals.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of networking, showcasing my work and leveraging client’s networks.
Attending industry conferences, workshops, and local events has been instrumental. These settings offer the perfect opportunity to meet potential clients face-to-face, establish connections, and discuss how my services can meet their needs. Maintaining a professional and visually appealing online portfolio has been crucial. It allows potential clients to easily view my work and understand the quality and scope of my services. Regularly updating my portfolio with recent projects ensures it reflects my current capabilities and keeps visitors engaged. It is also important to create a stylized portfolio for each specific client type. Positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied clients have played a significant role in building credibility and trust. Word-of-mouth referrals often lead to new business opportunities. I encourage clients to share their experiences with friends, families and within their networks.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Building my reputation within the market has been a multifaceted process, involving a combination of high-quality work, consistent professionalism, continuous learning, and effective communication.
Delivering consistently high-quality content has been paramount. Whether it’s photography, videography, or graphic design, ensuring that every project meets or exceeds client expectations has helped build a reputation for excellence. My attention to detail and commitment to using professional-grade equipment have been key factors in producing stunning visuals. It also helps to under sell and over deliver.
Maintaining a high level of professionalism in all interactions is also helpful. Meeting deadlines, being responsive to client communications, and providing clear and detailed proposals and contracts are crucial. Clients appreciate reliability and dependability, which helps foster long-term relationships and positive referrals.
Staying updated with the latest industry trends, techniques, and technologies has been essential. Always be a learner of your craft. By continually enhancing my skills and knowledge, I am able to offer innovative solutions and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Building strong relationships with clients through excellent customer service has been fundamental. Understanding their needs, being flexible, and going the extra mile to ensure their satisfaction has led to repeat business and valuable word-of-mouth referrals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lionxmedia.com
- Instagram: @_Lionxmedia