michael Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hi I have my own lighting company hiring out and operating lighting for shows but just wondered what I can do to be more proffesional such as light labels, website ect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljoshua Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 The biggest thing you need to look professional, is good SPaG. Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lee Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Apart from the above, make sure your kit is in good, safe and working condition. You deliver what you say you'll deliver. Then, look at companies like Essential Lighting as prime examples of good prepping and delivery of kit. (Presuming they are upholding their values after the successive takeovers.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 What are you doing now that can be improved. Obviously SPaG is a starting point. How about making sure you use the same style and format for all the quotes, invoices, emails and letters you create. A website that backs this up. As David Lee also says delivering on your promises will go a long way to making you appear a professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron-Hill07 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 A better idea of what you already supply would be good. Also all of the services you offer.. The one thing that always leads to professionalism is an extremely high level of communication and being very confident in everything you do. Make sure everything you put out on hire is clean, fully working and supply things such as spare lamps etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDP Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Apart from the above, make sure your kit is in good, safe and working condition. You deliver what you say you'll deliver. Then, look at companies like Essential Lighting as prime examples of good prepping and delivery of kit. I agree. Essential have a very high quality of prep. However, its very expensive, to be fair. They still charge over £100 for a week hire of a Mac 600 and over £25 for a Source 4 Zoom, which is a bit too much really. Their staff are know the kit inside out, and have a positive way of working. Neg Earth have a a company who define the word professionalism. Neg's kit is well toured, but it is prepped highly, but more to the point, the procedures and design that goes into the equipment make it very easy to put together. Their E-Data Racks and general Data Racks are a particular highlight of mine. Neg Earth are also spot on in their approach to the way they treat their clients - really taking them under their wing and looking after them... Several of Negs freelances are like myself - the most anally retentive, get it right first time, anal, must be spot on people your ever meet... But thats good, and I have NEVER heard of a gig going wrong with Neg... I think that if you want to be more professional, take a look at Neg's approach and Essentials quality of kit, and your not go wrong. It may seem heavily anal, and heavily unnecessary - and going to other companies and deal with their sub-standards is difficult, and I am frequently made fun of by other freelancers from other companies (and indeed people here on this website) who think I am way to particular about things. But, being the way I am about things has kept me busy for 20 years - and all the people who dislike how particular I am about things are sat at home asking for work, whilst I and the other particular team are as busy as ever. (Presuming they are upholding their values after the successive takeovers.) Hmmmm . Are you aware that Essential has been taken over by PRG? Enough said :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieR Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 As has been said above. Also consider: Business Cards - professionally printed, not some cheap ones out of those horrible machines in shopping centres. Printed letterhead too if you can afford it. A proper domain registered email address. Hotmail addresses and the like just don't look good. A land-line telephone number. Mobile is good as well but a land-line number gives a sense of a proper business. You can always put an answerphone on this or set up call divert to your mobile. Answer all emails, telephone messages promptly. Be prepared to say a polite 'no' to things you cannot do. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightsource Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Work out who or what is around you, and see if you can compete, or even compliment what they do. Working with another company is an option to consider. Edit....Typo's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lee Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Hmmmm . Are you aware that Essential has been taken over by PRG? Enough said Yes, hence caveat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_towers Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Keeping the papers up do date. Should be doing it anyway, but making sure your accounts, tax, insurance and all that are in order and available for inspection 24/7. Knowledge (and experience) is power, being confident only works if you can back it up! Never be late for jobs/meetings and the like. I've done it twice, and I'm still kicking (well, gently nudging) myself over them. StevieR's point at the end is very important. Being able to say "no" is vital, however you should be able to follow that up with "I can direct you somewhere that can say yes". Comes down to customer service and doing your job to the best of your ability. Labels for lights and the like can come later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChazHS Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 First impressions matter a great deal if you wish to look professional, if you have a number of people working for you I'd reccomend getting some embroidered polo shirts/fleeces made. Always looks better than just a load of guys in t-shirts! Also, kit is a lot, invest in flightcases if you dont have them, cardboard boxes just don't look pro! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_kyuss Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 one small point I have noticed is when people have web site that were last updated in 1997 or there news section hasn't got any news on it from the last 6 months. I just don't thinks it looks good to possible new clients. the usual spelling and grammar mistakes never look good either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsound Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Be well spoken, polite and knowledgeable. Appearances and how you deal with people are very important - moreso than having a warehouse full of kit on a lot of occasions. We found that the best investment, as others have said, was in corporate clothing, nice signs for our unit, decent vans, an 0845 number that is always answered and all those other little things that we all see as being a pain in the backside. They might appear to be money wasted that would be better spent on buying gear but there's no point having the gear if you have no work for it. I know a couple of lads who manage to make a good living largely by sub-hiring other people's kit and they do it by being pleasant and accommodating people who know the business inside out. You would gladly hand over your thousands of pounds to them since they do the job and have a reputation for doing it well. Alternatively marry a rich girl (or boy depending on your persuasion of course). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDP Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 0845 number Sorry, but how does an 0845 number make someone look more professional? Its charged at a higher rate, and gives no clue to where the company is based. OK, David, your website has an address on it - but plenty of others don't. More than once I have phoned 0845 companies with no address displayed, and been put through to companies in the far North, when I have wanted to hire items in the south... JDP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipstream Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 an 0845 number that is always answered a I hate 0845 numbers - business to business is ok, but from a mobile they cost real money and from most home phones they cost real money. I publish a freephone and landline / mobile option - you can call me in whatever way costs you least - I want your business. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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