Learn how this entrepreneur uses YouTube to market his business and find inspiration.
In 2013, Shawn Lisi found himself unemployed and uninspired. Some would have wallowed in their situation or frantically tried to find a job—any job—just to make ends meet. But Lisi decided to take a different path and do something that made him jump out of bed with a smile on his face: make videos. He explains, “I was out of work and had a passion for videos. God told me if I can’t find a job, make one! So, I started it!”
“It” is the aptly named Revelation Video Productions. Since that courageous decision in 2013, Lisi has worked tirelessly to build up his client list, a task he admits isn’t the easiest for him, saying, “Getting clients—it’s very hard—sales is not my big thing.”
He dabbled with different marketing ideas from 2013 to 2015, but it wasn’t until he bit the bullet and created a YouTube channel that his company started to take off. As of publication, his videos boast a combined view count of over 50,000. Which explains why he lists YouTube as his favorite business tool.
Although it makes perfect sense for a videographer to have a channel on YouTube, Lisi’s strategic use of the platform has made all the difference in the success of his company, allowing him to adjust the direction of his business without missing a beat.
Revelation Video Productions started by focusing on creating promotional content and training videos for other businesses. As Lisi dove deeper into his new career he adjusted his focus, moving from business videos to real estate tours and promotional content for local stores. Then, he found a niche he was truly excited about: wedding videos.
Despite the shift in focus, YouTube has proven invaluable for this entrepreneur, allowing him to create an online portfolio that shows off his artistic versatility. But as Lisi streamlined his online presence, he found that the platform was a lot more than just a portfolio. It was a hosting site that allowed him to maximize the potential of his second and third favorite tools: Wedding Wire and his Wix website.
With just a few clicks, he embeds his YouTube videos on his Wedding Wire profile and Revelation Video Productions’ website. This simple tactic lets prospects see his quality of work without clicking over to another site (a common reason people lose interest and bounce from a page).
And like many entrepreneurs and business owners, Lisi also turns to YouTube for inspiration. “I draw inspiration from seeing what others in my field are doing and using. There’re a lot of amazing videographers who do great work, and I learn a lot by watching.”
YouTube has certainly proven beneficial for Lisi, but his journey as a business owner hasn’t been without bumps and setbacks. Over the course of owning his own business, he has been through ups and downs, experienced the dreaded nonpaying client and had to adjust his focus—from training videos to weddings—to find success.
Although he’s in the trenches, he understands that to follow your passion you have to keep moving forward. For other entrepreneurs out there, his advice is to be patient: “Don’t expect to start off and ‘boom!’ you are making tons of money.”
Interested in seeing some of Lisi’s work? Check out his YouTube channel, head on over to his website or follow him on Twitter.
