Seeking Opinions on Starting a Business... (Not Pampered Chef, Lol)

[PampChefJoy]

I have made DVD slideshows for graduations at DD's preschool for the last couple of years, plus I make slideshows for events that we have at work... and everyone keeps telling me that I should start a business and charge for it. So I have been researching what's out there and seeing if there is a market for it.

Would you, as a consumer, be interested in having someone take your photos and music and putting together a completed DVD for you? Think graduations, weddings & anniversary parties, milestone birthdays, vacation memories, etc.

The pricing I have come across is a wide range so I am having trouble trying to figure out how much I would charge.... Since this would be a side-venture and I don't expect it to take the place of my full time job, there are only so many hours in the day left to do these projects. However, if there is a market for it, it would bring in a nice little chunk of play money.

So as I am mulling it over, I thought I would seek some other opinions... both pros and cons.... any thoughts?

Here is an example of one that I made for DS's 2nd grade class picnic: www.sacmommytalk.com/Nick2ndGrVideo.htm

 

[rebeccastt]

Very cute Joy! I would have LOVED you as a parent in my classroom when I was teaching.

I think you could do very well with that business, especially if you kept the price on the lower end of the spectrum.

Good luck!

 

[Chef Bobby]

My niece is trying to start the same kind of business. She is practicing with her friends photos and videos. Good luck.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

I've been doing the same thing. What software are you using? Once I get my desktop back from Best Buy (being repaired), I have an order for 18 preschool DVD's.

 

[PampChefJoy]

I use several different programs depending on the raw materials (photos only, vs. photo/video) and the end-effect I'm trying to achieve. Mainly Muvee and CodeJam are the two I use the most.

Preschools are great. I'm working on getting a contract with all the local Nobel's here in the area for next year's grad videos. I've volunteered my talent for the last 2 years but since my daughter has graduated and I'm no longer a parent volunteer, I want to make some money at it next year!

 

[crystalscookingnow]

I charged $10 per DVD this year. I'm working with just photos & I'm using Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD. Not the most user friendly, but I'm working on it.

 

[AJPratt]

If you are interested in starting your own business, I would refer you to the Small Business Development Center in your area. Its a wonderful resource. Also check out www.sba.gov and www.score.org. Great info!

 

[krzymomof4]

I bought one of my ds kindegarten grad. I paid $20 for it.

 

[genburk]

My son does this for some of our family holidays. He does a great job, similar to yours. I love them.

I thought about it for our pre-school graduation also. It would be something I would imagine our parents would like to buy. Our Boss' husband puts together a slide show (without music) but doesn't offer copies of them. I think he should, they would sell, the parents love them.

 

[Kitchen2u]

Nice...

I would put a title, captions, music and slow it down the slide a little. We've done some with rolling credits, etc.

You can not only tap into the school thing, but also graduations, wedding showers, funeral/memorials, etc.

How are you Joy ~ seems like ages since I've seen you and you only live around the corner!!! How the PC biz going?

Ginny

 

[chefkristin]

My husband is starting a side business like this as well. He is doing Websites though, not DVD's.

 

[PampChefJoy]

Nice...

I would put a title, captions, music and slow it down the slide a little. We've done some with rolling credits, etc.

You can not only tap into the school thing, but also graduations, wedding showers, funeral/memorials, etc.

How are you Joy ~ seems like ages since I've seen you and you only live around the corner!!! How the PC biz going?

Ginny

Hiya! I'm doing great -- was super busy with end-of-year stuff with the kids and am finally taking it easy in July and actually getting some entertaining done! PC is good -- it's where I want/need it to be right now, which is back-burner. I have extra catties if you or your team wants to buy them off of me....

The slideshow is way basic and sped up.... I only did that for examples' sake. The finished product has titles and the slide speed matches the music better. I am just not sure I want to get into another thing (plus the business fees from the city of EG are killer....).

 

[Trish1953]

I have a friend who does this. I'll see if I can't get pricing, etc. from her. I know we have a Small Business Administration in our area that handles strictly women-going-into-business issues, financing, etc. Also, at our local library, you can set up a free one-on-one session with a successful business person. Perhaps your area has similar resources. I guess the biggest questions you have to ask are: (1) Is there a market for my products/services? AND (2) Will the market bear what I have to charge in order to make a product? I know TastyBits is successful, so probably any venture you do will fly.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant

 

[Trish1953]

My friend says she prices her services at $50 to take their digital photos and edit them to music. Mainly because it takes up memory and a lot of time and that is underselling my services.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant

 

[erica177311]

Wow!I'm so glad I logged on and read this post. Over the weekend I was working on making a slideshow video to a few songs from my 2 year old son to my DH. I started to use a program (I think called VSO), but it kept skipping and did not work out in the end. What do you suggest would be the best to do this? My son's preschool sent one home with him the other day and it was so cute! He loves watching it and telling me who everyone is.