One Thing You Wish You Knew When You Started21652
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 Owner,Managing Editor and Publisher of WGAN Forum and WGAN-TV Podcast Fairfield, California |
TomSparks private msg quote post Address this user | |
 One Thing You Wish You Knew When You Started Every one of us started somewhere. A first paid shoot, a first camera we didn't fully understand, a first client who taught us something the hard way. Looking back, most of us can point to one lesson that would have saved us months of frustration, a chunk of money, or a lot of second-guessing. So here's the question for the community: what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started in 3D capture, virtual tours, or real estate media? It can be anything. A gear decision you'd make differently. A pricing mistake you only figured out after undercharging for a year. A workflow habit that changed everything once you adopted it. A client red flag you now spot a mile away. A piece of software you wish you'd committed to sooner, or one you wish you'd skipped. I'll go first: when I started, my rates were really low. I looked at 5 companies in my area and kept my pricing at the bottom of that list. As I raised my rates new customers didn't care/mind, but my regulars asked questions. If I was starting today i'd start my rates at market rate. Your turn. New members: this thread is a goldmine, so read through the replies. Veterans: your one lesson might be exactly what someone joining this week needs to hear. Drop your one thing in the comments below. Bonus points if you share what it cost you to learn it. |
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trueview360s private msg quote post Address this user | |
| If there was one thing, I wish I’d known when I first got started was to stay away from residential real estate photography. There are tons of other options available that are not nearly as competitive and low paid. I shoot a lot of Google virtual tours for businesses and medical clinics. I also have a large company specializing in self storage in which I am there national resource. | ||
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MeshImages private msg quote post Address this user | |
| My “one thing I wish I knew when I started”: Start with the customer and work back to the technology. The most important thing is the customer benefit, not the tech itself. Steve Jobs says it crystal clear in this 1997 Apple Keynote: |
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 WGANStandard Member Bon Secour, Alabama |
Chemistrydoc private msg quote post Address this user | |
| My "one thing" would have been to better screen those whom I chose to give sub work. I live in an area with a huge number of "fake it till you make it" folks, and many have very poor ethics / values. As an example, a shooter to whom I gave several jobs when I went into the hospital for a routine operation went to numerous of my clients telling them that I was dying, but they would be pleased to assist me in the future! And that wasn't even the worst example. Those from my area who lurk on this forum (but aren't members or contributors) will surely know of whom i speak. Trust but verify! And, have a good lawyer to immediately respond to this kind of garbage. KF |
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Owner, Managing Editor and Publisher of WGAN Forum and WGAN-TV Podcast Fairfield, California |
TomSparks private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Chemistrydoc I think this is an example of where having NDAs, Independent Contractor Agreements, no compete clauses come into play. It's hard to screen for someones values, better to protect yourself upfront. | ||
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WGAN Standard Member Bon Secour, Alabama |
Chemistrydoc private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Had NDA / Noncompete - from same lawyer who wrote the cease and decist letters. What my point really was (probably didn't express it well) is that I needed to vett more carefully and systematically. Could have prevented that situation (and others!). Live and learn. KF |
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