Why your best work isn't paying the bills (and what nobody's telling you)

Here's the harsh truth I've discovered after talking to hundreds of photographers and videographers in my DMs:

90% of you got into business & freelancing this because you love the craft.

You’re genuinely good at what you do and because of that you thought that if you just focused on making great videos, your business would grow.

But here you are, pulling $5-8k months (revenue, not profit), taking whatever comes through the door like weddings on Saturday, real estate on Tuesday, corporate events whenever they'll pay.

And deep down, you know this isn't sustainable.

You're not struggling because you lack talent. You're struggling because you're trying to build a business on craft alone.

I see this shit all the time and it pains me!

"I make beautiful work" "My clients love what I deliver" "But I can't seem to break past $7k/month" "So I just take whatever pays"

Wedding? Sure. Family shoot? Why not. Real estate? I guess. Random event? Money is money.

You've become a creative mercenary instead of a business owner.

And with cost of living where it is? You're not building a career, you're barely surviving while working yourself into the ground.

The worst part? You KNOW you're worth more. You see other creatives posting their wins while you're stuck in the same cycle, wondering what they know that you don't.

Here’s the 2 problems that’s kills your business…..

After analyzing hundreds of struggling video businesses, it always comes down to the same two things:

Problem #1: You don't have a clear offer

You don't even have a clear way to price your services. You just... take what you can get. Quote whatever feels right. Hope they say yes.

That's not a business. That's a hobby that occasionally pays.

Problem #2: You're trying to serve everyone

When you serve everyone, you serve no one. When you do everything, you're known for nothing. Your just the video guy who has a camera.

You cannot - I repeat - CANNOT build a sustainable career being a "whatever you need" creative.

Here's what you need to understand if you’re struggling. The quicker you understand this the BETTER - You're not a videographer. You're a marketer.

Read that again.

Video just happens to be the most powerful marketing tool available right now. But if you don't understand marketing, you're just another person with a camera.

The creatives making $30k+ months? They stopped selling "videos" and started selling business growth.

And before you say "but I don't know marketing"...

That excuse died the day AI became accessible.

Right now, AI can handle the complex marketing strategy. You handle the creative execution.

It's like having a $10k/month marketing consultant in your pocket.

While everyone else is paralyzed debating whether AI will "replace" them, smart operators are using it to 10x their value.

So become a marketer and target local businesses!!!!!

Local businesses NEED video marketing. They WANT to pay for it. But they won't pay for "just video."

They'll pay for results. For growth. For someone who understands their business.

And with AI, you can be that person. Tomorrow. Without spending years learning marketing.

Six months from now, you'll be in one of two places:

Option 1: Still taking whatever pays. Still at $5-8k months. Still watching others win while you wonder why working harder isn't working.

Option 2: Positioned as a video marketing strategist. Working with select local businesses. Commanding premium rates because you're directly tied to their growth.

The market has already decided video is essential. The only question is whether you'll capture that value or watch others do it.

I broke down the exact system in a video.

• How to pick your ONE thing (your positioning)

• The local business framework that commands premium rates

• The AI prompts that turn you into a marketing strategist overnight

• Why this opportunity is the BEST ONE for videographers & creatives

This isn't about working more. It's about positioning yourself correctly ONCE.

→ [Watch the full breakdown here]

Stop being a creative mercenary. Start being a business owner.

The craft alone was never going to be enough. But craft + strategy? That's the key.

See you at the top,
- Julian