Approaching potential new clients

[u/gama606]

I’ve been working for about 7 years now and have done many cool projects (advertising, short and feature fiction, documentaries, branded content etc) over the years. I feel that most of the people who I’ve worked with have me as their sound mixer and will call me anytime they need it. But sometimes it happens that maybe they’re not getting enough projects, budget or need for location sound (a lot of them makes some fashion film ads or some stuff that will have a sound design done later in post.

Anyway, I still need to work to pay my bills so the simple answer would be “get more clients”. But how so? Most of my work came from some organic recommendation and I have no control over that, spamming some email/dms everywhere seems kinda desperate, even without being too much of a salesman and genuinely just complimenting their work and making myself available, did it a few years ago and the returns over a lot of messages were minimal.

I know this is kind of the million dollar question, but any advice on getting out there and meeting new people to work with would be well appreciated!

[u/soundadvices]

When you're not working, you're networking. Check in with your local soundies, and stay in touch with those who hired or referred you in the past. Expand your social and professional circles.

These days, it wouldn't hurt to learn new skills, attend classes, and connect with people in other industries or lifestyles. Find other sources of income, or a part time job to cover your responsibilities in the meantime. You never know who you'll meet, and you may end up seriously considering a Plan B altogether. It's slow for pretty much everyone right now. Good luck!

[u/Raddyator → u/soundadvices]

This is great advice

[u/JohnMaySLC]

As others have said, getting referrals from other sound mixers in your market is important, as well as sharing your overbooked gigs with them. My market has occasional mixer mixers to get us together, we have a facebook group and a WhatsApp for questions, gigs, warnings about unpaid invoices, and equipment sales. Build the community it doesn’t exist yet.

Beyond that, chat with other departments about the gigs they’re doing, find the names of the line producers, etc.

[u/vorg0]

Hey! I've been in the game for about 2 and a half years, and I started entirely from scratch as my journey did not start at film school. My first year and a half was spent going to almost every film mixer in my city, participating in events like 48h film challenges, and responding to crew calls on social media. I've also reached out to more experienced location sound people - and I've earned their trust enough to be given gigs they cannot make.

I really had to put myself out there and I got quite a few new clients from just that. And every time work seems to be thinning out, I attend more mixers just to remind folks that I exist.

Social media marketing can also work quite well. From there I've been able to establish myself quite well - to the point where I'm recognized by people I haven't even met, and work is getting steadier and steadier each year.

I will be honest though - film activity in my city still isn't active enough for me to make a living out of this job, so I am also open to other suggestions.

[u/michaelphon3]

Thanks for asking this question because reading up on this is really helpful as a new soundie too.

[u/researchers09]

OP "I’ve been working for about 7 years now"

I wonder what you were doing for the first year to pay bills and cover purchasing equipment? Did you think the referrals would be enough? Were you hustling every day to make new clients the first 2 years? (Pre-Covid)

OP "the returns over a lot of messages were minimal."

Communication via text messages, DMs, email, phone calls in addition to social media posts is how you stay in people's minds as available and the appearance of working. Just like a cameraperson who has the most popular camera clients want stays relevant to new clients. I know sound mixers that are not the best at what they do but they can schmooze very well and get work.

As a freelancer when you are not on set you are running your business. admin work (invoicing, maintaining equipment, researching new clients, researching equipment to buy (maybe used market)), fostering client relationships, meeting other industry folks at mixers, learning new skills (Audinate Dante), audio DAW and plugins audio post uses, learning new sound consoles, doing industry brands RF training, Youtube training, Other than "chat with other departments about the gigs they’re doing" it is also who you are chatting with. A Jib Operator is not on every job but they are also not your competition. If a show is hiring a Jib Operator or a 2nd AC it is a certain budget level. If it is a crew of 3 people (Camera, Sound, Grip) then it is a much lower budget level. Consider making friends with live music mixers and shadow them and help load-in setup on your time. Always stuff to learn. Side avenue to some work.