Week 32

So I split my business into two main categories: freelance and online. This is just the way my mind works. My freelance activities include things like: wedding videos, corporate videos, mini documentaries, sports highlights, photo sessions, web design, etc. My online activities include things like: YouTube, Instagram, this newsletter, my More Than a Filmmaker community, my finance tracker, sponsorships, etc.

I have quite a few years of experience in both categories of my business. If you want a little insight into how I feel about these things in my business - here’s my reality. My freelance work (as of right now) is definitely much more profitable. Word of mouth is really strong and I find it fairly easy to get consistent, well-paid work if I want to. I also find it to be a lot easier mentally. I am confident that I can show up for my client and get good work done for them. However, I would say that my online business is much more personally fulfilling - though I do candidly struggle mentally in this space sometimes. When I serve other creators online (like in my online community) the joy is deep. I leave the weekly chats feeling so blessed that I get to connect with other creatives around the world. However, I get in my own head all the time about wanting people to know about it but not wanting to come across as “just another person on the internet trying to make money”. I know that’s never my heart… but I’m just being completely honest with you that I do struggle at times with how my efforts will be perceived online.

I worked SO hard. Probably way too hard on that finance tracker I built. BUT I loved every second of it. (Well mostly… writing instructions for it got pretty tedious haha). However, because I’m not perfect at running a business… I haven’t marketed it well. I’m sure you can guess why (note the reasons I listed above). It’s a struggle I come up against often.

Why am I sharing all of this? I just want you to see how human I really am behind this newsletter. I absolutely LOVE this business. So many aspects of videography and connecting with other creatives online is a dream come true. But even in that, there are realities that aren’t as pretty behind the scenes. I spend a lot of time on these newsletters and it’s hard to know if people are really enjoying them - but that’s okay. I’m thankful for those of you who do read these words.

It will always be my goal to encourage creatives like you in your desire and passion to pursue this craft. I don’t say any of this to discourage you at all. But I also don’t want to paint any false realities that are so easy to get fooled by in the online world. If you pursue the exact same business as I do… you also wouldn’t have my same story. Maybe the online side of your business would be easier for you simply because you’re better at not getting in your head about sales. That’s great! Nobody has your exact story and skillset. That’s valuable. So don’t be afraid to pursue passions of yours. It’s okay to recognize that you will be great at some parts of it and struggle in other areas. That’s normal. It’s both fulfilling and requires a lot of hard work. This is good.

I hope somehow this inspires you this week to give it a shot. Whatever it is for you. It’s okay to pursue something without be great at it. It’s still worth it. 🤗

This week’s creative challenge:

AN EXTRA FOR THOSE WHO MAKE IT TO THE BOTTOM OF MY EMAILS :)

Of course a “gif” lowers the quality of this image but here’s a cool spontaneous drone shot I got this past weekend. I couldn’t see this mountain well from the ground but it was a lovely view through my drone. I’ll definitely find a way to use this shot in a video someday.

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Have a great day!

Best, Jordyn

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