Best tip on here: Looking professional and looking the part. I have filmed neighborhoods for pre-construction documentation and wearing a hi-vis vest, long pants, and work boots prevented a lot of nosey neighbors and ridiculous questions like, "what are you doing?" Much different than being on the beach, looking like everyone else and 20 people want to ask you questions about drones, what you're filming, and can they see what it looks like. I LOVE the idea of the "stand back" and "do not disturb" message on the shirts - I am often highly annoyed when I have 23 minutes of battery and a sun setting and someone wants to pick my brain while this bird's in the air. I've found an "official / I am working" look deters people tremendously. So glad this was included in the tips!!
thats what I did from the getgo, Got my license, studied like crazy, have already 20 years as a Photographer, started off with the Phantom 4 Pro + and all the right clothing, Perception is the Key, already had experience in manned A/C so its been slightly easier to learn all the technical stuff.
This is awesome. Honest, but encouraging! Love the advice of “hey you dont need every piece of equipment at the most expensive price..2nd hand is fine!”
Thank you Aaron for great advice. I'm just starting off also, although at a later age. I've flown before as a private pilot, and in the military as an observer, sometimes in the co-pilot seat, but never as the lead. I am finally able to return, and drones are it for me. I'm subscribed and will definitely follow your postings.
As someone whom runs a successful aerial business here in the US I agree with most of these tips. Great stuff. The only exception was part of the last one, just because your offering free services to build you portfolio don’t expect any emails or phone call returns back, especially of your trying to reach any major brands or businesses. Keep grinding and you may get some lucky breaks to get you going. Stay hungry and focus on quality not price which many folks seem to be doing these days
I agree. I called 50 realtors last weekend and got one willing to get aerial pictures. It can be demoralizing but it's a mental game. Off to reach out to 100 more before bed.
Fantastic info Aaron, I especially like the fact that you mention it's more important to focus on your customer than your gadgets. This is true for any business, without customers you have no need for the gadgets.
Collaborate !!!!🤔 .... tried that, just got a group of blokes with huge ego’s telling each other how expensive their setup is. Then after they all dropped their prices trying to under cut one another. Bit of a cut throat fight when you are in a small rural city.... doesn’t matter how good your portfolio looks as long as you do it for practically nothing then businesses will hire you. Thanks for the great tips, always good to hear honesty, instead of telling people what they want to hear. 👌👌
Great tips especially when you mention to BE A MASTER OF ONE!!! I love to fly my MA2 and Mini I want to do everything like you mentioned. But I think since you mentioned network, I have a couple of friends who have their real estate license and business I will go that route. Thank you very much for opening my eyes!!! Good luck in your business!!
He tells it like it is. I’m following his advice. I have Air2S so I have to be a great videographer . I working toward a great mapping drone . Okc Oklahoma USA
Hey, i'm starting the drone busines in Cape Verde and i loved the video because it made me be sure of the first propositions and type of aproches. The market in here is on growing and the thing i've had the most problems with is the drone importation mostly because of the pandemic statsin the world. So i'm looking forward to this and i'm glad to have good intel in how to build it, the thing i miss now is a partnership with foreing companies and equipment seller's. Thank you for the video instruction.
Lots of really useful advice here Aaron. I've invested in a couple of drones and some camera gear, intending to make a start in drone photography as a side hustle - hopefully turning full time in the future. I spend every minute I can spare, flying, taking pictures and studying the various skills required. I'm really glad I found this vid. Thanks again for the info.
You got my thumbs up 1 minute in. Many thanks bud for sharing. I'm in Melbourne too, just got off the phone, I booked my RePL for early Jan. Thanking you in advance cos from the start of the video it's obvious that you've been a pioneer and have already done a fair bit of what we are dreaming of doing atm. So good on you!!! both for doing the gigs and sharing your valuable experiences ;) P.S. Tips are great too
I have done photography as a hobby in the past, done a few photo booths and anniversary parties. Now, I'm getting into drones for a hobby, and I might add drone photography to my skills. I have a couple realtor friends that I can probably do some real estate photos for on my weekends. Maybe not a business, but a nice side hustle for now.
Impressive. Thanx for the great tips, sir. I just started my lil “sky eye” drone business for watersport activities here in #Langkawi. I found myself almost following your tips. It’s great to “tap-to-confirm” from your side 😇
Mate, your spot on! I like to ruck about... play Rugby for you'll. Flown airplanes, photography and getting into drones. I like your advice about networking... it will help you not hurt your business. Don't specialize in the small things. Great advice and is hard to do with so many moving parts (drones/cameras etc.). Great job explaining how your doing it big 'Down Under'. Great Job Mate!!!
Fantastic! Thats where we all start. All the best mate. Our new course has just launched which is designed to fast track your learning! Go check it out dronemasterclassacademy.com
I just finished my bachelors in AS and minor in UAS and opened an LLC but have been feeling sorta discouraged because the start of a business seems to be the most difficult season. This video is mad helpful! Thank you for the awesome tips...One suggestion, lower the db's on the background music by a bit.
Excellent tips! For starting up in the industry. the best I’ve heard so far on most of the start up videos out there. and is along the lines of my own process so far. especially about building your portfolio by working initially for free and also “looking the part” with your own branding so important if you want the respect you deserve. well done look forward to more content take care.
Great video. I am adding drone photography and videos to my existing services and starting small before leveling up. Great tips. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this! Excellent advice. I appreciate the concise delivery. Brand new my self and looking forward to a future full of learning and growing.
Great video and awesome tips! Really needed this to get a boost going to get my part 107 very soon! I had very similar ideas on how to get the ball rolling. Thanks!
Saw your comment and I just got my Part 107 cert 3 days ago. I know accountability helps get you going sooo.... Did you get your certification yet?...😊 Its not easy but just study and you can do it!
Currently work for a steel company outside of Pittsburgh but realized that flying drones around this area is not or it does not seem to be really popular
I really enjoyed the video! I’m thinking about starting my own business and needed a couple guidelines, luckily this video cleared those up for me and wanted to say thank you! Best of luck to you😁
Great listening to what you had to say, some very valuable advice which I will take note of. At over 65 years old, I am looking at a diversion in retirement and have developed a keen interest in drone technology, thanks for the advice!
Hello and thanks for the GREAT advice, I'm thinking of retiring soon and would love to start a small drone business. I understand that will be very difficult getting started but this is my passion. I'll be checking out all of your videos. Thanks from the US .... SUBSCRIBED 👍
Hi, I'm new to the Drone industry and I'm really excited to be apart of it. I have a question about the sub 2kg for business (CASA). I fall under this category as I would like to use my drone for construction. I know I have to adhere to the standard drone rules we have in place but how supposed to capture construction data in a residential area where there are homes and cars less than 30m away? The same goes for real estate agents. I'm wondering if I'm allowed to fly in these conditions. I'm targeting drone work for new residential homes, house extensions and remedial work for the company I'm currently working for. PS. You guys have been a great help. Videos are very informative and Australian :) Cheers
With all the Drone videos I've watched...? Without question, from the music, to the presentation.... Excellent style... Thank you, I definitely subscribed. I am just starting out, and feel a little overwhelmed on the exact road to take first. I lost my job because of pandemic. I own a mavic mini, and pro. Both are exceptional Drones, and they would probably work, if the client is getting video for free, maybe with the pro? I've been looking at the Phantom 4 Pro. You're advice...?
Sorry to hear about your loss of work Bryan. The Phantom 4 Pro is great for video. Check out our other video on 'what drone is best for real estate' - I break the difference down in detail
Useful video, though the idea of collaborating with other drone pilots only works in countries with larger populations. Competition for work is much higher in small countries or island nations.
I'm interested in Starting Drone business in Kenya and I was looking at getting DJI Inspire 2. I know this is stretched budget for a start-up but considering people have the Phantoms and Mavics the output quality might be good for me. Also, drone licensing in Kenya is very expensive and you might spend $2,000 on a drone and pay the government $1,500 for licensing which is very weird. So I would rather spend that much on registering a high-end drone. Thanks for the comments. Really insightful.
Mambo! Inspire 2 is an amazing drone for both photo & video. But as you said really expensive but worth it!. Ill have to give you a shout when we are in Kenya next time ;)
I am retired military photojournalist, just looking for freelance part time work. Jobs come mostly through DroneBase and Droners.io. I got a couple jobs through Yelp, but got burned by predatory marketing offering promotional no-cost advertising and then later charged several hundred dollars. Also charged by Thumbtack for referrals but no jobs. Advertised in a boating newspaper and got two jobs making less than the cost of advertising. I don't exactly see the industry as booming.
