How to Pitch & Win Videography Jobs in London: From Initial Email to Signed Contract
London’s creative scene is buzzing — from startups wanting slick promo videos to established brands refreshing their social content. There’s no shortage of opportunity, but with so many talented videographers around London, standing out and actually winning the job takes more than a nice showreel.
After 17 years filming across London — from corporate shoots in glass towers to gritty street pieces in Shoreditch — I’ve picked up a few lessons on how to pitch (and win) videography jobs here in London. Here’s my full process, from that first email to a signed contract.
1. Do your homework before you pitch
Before I even think about replying to an enquiry, I take a minute to research the client.
Who are they? What do they do? What kind of visual style fits their brand?
A quick look at their website, socials, and past content gives me context — and it helps me tailor my response. A pitch that shows you understand their tone and goals instantly sets you apart from the generic “here’s my showreel” reply.
🔍 Example: If it’s a fintech startup, I might highlight sleek motion graphics and a modern corporate style. If it’s a local artist, I’ll mention handheld storytelling and natural light aesthetics.
2. Lead with value, not your CV
Most clients don’t want your life story — they want to know what you can do for them.
When replying to a brief or sending an initial email, I focus on their goals:
What message they’re trying to get across
Who their audience is
What problem my video can solve
Then I back it up with one or two examples of similar work and a short, confident paragraph outlining how I’d approach their project. This makes it feel less like a cold pitch and more like a creative collaboration.
3. Follow up fast and professionally
In London’s fast-moving market, speed matters. If you take three days to reply, someone else has probably already booked the job.
I aim to reply within 24 hours — even if it’s just a quick “Thanks for reaching out, I’m reviewing your brief and will send over a proposal shortly.” That simple email shows professionalism and keeps you in the client’s mind.
4. Crafting the perfect proposal
Once I’ve got enough details, I put together a clear, concise proposal. Mine usually includes:
A short project summary in my own words (to show understanding)
A creative outline (mood, tone, pacing, format and what video production kit is included)
Deliverables (what they’ll get — e.g., a 90-second promo + social cutdowns)
Timeline (pre-production, shoot, edit, delivery)
Budget (broken down simply: pre-production, shoot, post)
A call to action — something like “Let’s jump on a quick call to finalise details.”
Keep it visually clean — no walls of text — and make sure the numbers are easy to digest. You don’t need to over-design it, but presentation counts.
5. Talk about the process, not just the price
London clients can be price-sensitive, but what they really want is confidence. I’ve found that walking them through how I work (from prep calls to delivery) builds trust.
“Here’s how I typically run a one-day shoot: we’ll confirm the shot list in advance, arrive on site by 8am, wrap around 5pm, and deliver first edits within three working days.”
Suddenly, you’re not just a videographer — you’re a safe pair of hands.
6. Negotiate respectfully and stand firm
Negotiation is part of the job. Some clients will push your budget — especially small businesses. My rule: be flexible, but don’t undersell yourself.
If a client’s budget is low, I might suggest reducing deliverables (“We can focus on one strong hero video instead of three edits”) rather than slashing rates. It keeps the value intact and maintains professionalism.
7. Always use a contract
Once the client agrees, I send a simple, clear contract that covers:
Scope of work
Deliverables
Payment terms (including deposit)
Usage rights
Revisions
It protects both sides and keeps things clean. I usually request 50% upfront — not just to cover costs, but to confirm commitment.
8. Keep the excitement alive
After the paperwork’s done, I send a short confirmation email outlining next steps and what I’ll need from them (brief, brand assets, shoot logistics, etc).
London clients are busy — keeping them updated helps the whole process run smoothly and sets a professional tone from the start.
Final Thoughts
Winning videography jobs in London isn’t about being the cheapest or even having the flashiest kit. It’s about clarity, confidence, and communication.
If you show clients you understand their goals, reply quickly, present ideas clearly, and back it all up with professional follow-through — you’ll not only land more gigs, you’ll build lasting relationships that keep the work flowing.