2007Legal / Business Practices forum
Business development strategies for establishing an independent equipment operation in a competitive market
19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Starting with operators already working in the area and offering to handle overflow work can lead to referrals to producers and directors who will take you seriously.
- Contacting producers directly for work opportunities is acceptable even if they have previously hired other operators, as long as you are not undercutting existing agreements.
- Regular contact with potential clients through varied methods like postcards, phone calls, and in-person meetings helps maintain visibility without becoming intrusive.
- Identifying venue types where relevant professionals gather, such as production facilities, rental houses, and lighting stores, enables more focused networking than mass outreach.
- Geographic proximity to multiple production hubs provides opportunity to develop relationships across a wider service area.
Depends on
- The discussion reflects 2007 market conditions and practices which may have evolved.
- The geographic advantage described depends on the specific regional market dynamics at that time.
- Advice about contacting producers represents differing viewpoints on competitive ethics rather than established best practice.