We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shawn Brooks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shawn, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I picked up my first professional camera (canon sl2) and it all started with YouTube. My actual first first camera was a galaxy note 8. I recorded all my Youtube content there and then started to go deeper in Youtube University and that really excelled my learning process. I wish I had more people in the film community that I could have shadowed and learned from because I know for a fact that would have greatly increased the speed in learning this craft.
I think the most essential skill that I learned in this business are actually tied. Which is storytelling, and learning how to scale my business. I know for a fact, my business has greatly benefited from those two skills there alone.
I think the obstacles that stood in my way the most was me. I didn’t believe in myself or the business when I first started. So therefore I didn’t think of ways to grow, or take leaps. Every move I made had to be calculated and if those moves weren’t I wouldn’t take them, then in which lowered my confidence, and my excitement to push forward in my craft.
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 Shawn Brooks and I am a cinematographer and owner of Brookssmedia LLC. Brookssmedia is a corporate video production company that focuses on storytelling through cinematic structure. We take pride in our ability to capture diverse stories – it’s part of what makes us exceptional! Combined with our resources, a talented team, state-of-the-art equipment, and years of experience, we’ve produced many projects for our clients!
I got into this business after working for corporate America for about 13 years, and one day I got laid off, right before 2018 Thanksgiving, and I never looked back. Working for these corporations over the years I learned a lot of things and applied them to how I do business. From negotiating contracts, to how to provide a great customer service experience. I honestly feel that my customer service is what keeps me busy and clients returning and recommending me. I learned that people want to work with people they like, not so much the skill. I provide more than just a high quality production. I tell my clients sorry, when they think they don’t have one. From my local business owners, to the bigger corporations that I’ve produced content for, I approach them all the same. Let’s tell your story and let’s have fun. People will remember the experience first, and the product second. That’s how I run my business and what sets me a part from everyone else. I firmly believe this is what has led me to be the #1 Chicago commercial business ranked on google search and landing jobs such as directing video content for The Obama Foundation.
Anyone can make a good video these days. Whether it’s from their phone, or to the most expensive camera. But if the story is telling your clients vision, if they didn’t feel happy while working with you, no matter how good you are, or how much you’ve spent on equipment, they won’t come back.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I remember when I first became a business owner and after my severance package and unemployment dried up I started driving for, Grubhub and Uber and Uber eats. I honestly hated those jobs. I wasn’t getting any video clients, and heck, people didn’t even want to work with me for free (NEVER WORK FOR FREE). I remember legit being in the car so angry and frustrated like I can be doing so much more with my life right now. I don’t want to drive for Uber! Well a couple of years later I went from driving for Uber to shooting a production for Uber. So remember that everything takes time, nothing is forever, and to keep pushing!!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I remember when I was really out here trying to find clients because anyone who seen my work would all say the same thing, “YOU ARE AMAZING” I was like that’s cool and all but I need more clients and higher paying clients. But at the time, when you first starting out, you think, the cheaper I am the faster I’ll get booked, which is the total opposite. I remember one client I was trying to work with, and he legit told me, I would love to work with you but you’re too cheap. I can’t take these numbers back to my higher ups because it’s going to look like you’re not that good or the production isn’t high quality. That really left me like….wow…I mean…just wow. So that day I raised my prices by like 300% and have been booking clients ever since. That price change or pivot in my business not only made me more money but got me the clients I wanted. I charge for the clients I want and not the clients I need. I hope that makes sense.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brookssmedida.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/brookssmedia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brookssmedia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookssmedia/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/brookssmedia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShawnBrookssmedia/featured
Image Credits
Mack Julion of M28 Photography Kieferro Shon Myles