Ford Transit Connect- The perfect WayUP! Vehicle?

[campindave]

Yep, I am still here... been super busy with the military, but still doing photo jobs regularly.

Have you guys seen the new Ford Transit Connect commerical "minivan".

http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

I think this would be THE perfect vehicle for Mast photography! I envision (no pun intended troy a workstation in the back of one of these with a chair, widescreen computer monitor, and maybe even a printer- they are plenty dark enough inside to see what you are doing.

Also, the spiderbeam could be mounted behind the left rear door, and the vehicle could be wrapped with ground based aerial imagery as a "rolling billboard".

Now I know the price is up there- $22,000. But when compared to a dodge sprinter or ford E-150 van, which are well over $30,000, it's a much less expensive vehicle, not to mention the gas savings (they are rated 22 city/25 hwy) of using the connect instead of a full size van, and for what we do, the connect would be plenty big enough.

Also, as the connect is new for 2010, it really attracts onlookers attention!

I am shooting a sports event for the university of louisville on 11 october, and I sure wish I had one of these parked courtside as advertising for me!

So what do you guys drive as your "company vehicles"?

I've been using my ford F-150 or My chevy Aveo and setting the spiderbeam on it's quadpod next to the vehicle.

[tonystott]

Dave, I am not really convinced that AP benefits from highly visual marketing, By that I mean that it would be very unlikely that you would gain any business from a sign-written vehicle in the car park.

I chose instead to just put some fairly discrete signage on my car so that passers-by would be more likely to understand what I was doing (although yesterday at 2pm, a woman asked me if I was there to photograph the eclipse of the moon! Mid afternoon, cloudy day.. I don't think so!). In the year since I had the signage added, nobody has ever called me as a result of seeing it...

I am now getting most of my jobs from my website, and a modest outlay with Google Adwords is resulting in a couple of clicks on the ads per day. I am waiting for my web guy to optimise my site for search engines ("SEO" is the term) to improve the "sign-up" rate.

Here is a pic of my car. I carry the mast in the front passenger seat (or on the roof rack if I have more than 1 passenger), while the trunk has 2 tripods, 1 director's chair, 3 aluminium cases for TX, downlink LCD, Eyetop glasses & camera mount, cameras, 2 kites etc etc. Even though the engine puts out over 250hp, I can cruise at 28mpg, and even use the car for motorsport

I guess what I am suggesting is that spending a lot on a vehicle aimed specifically at meeting AP needs is not necessarily a great destination for funds...

Hope this is not too negative

[Envision]

There are some advantages in my area. Although I really don't get much work from the vehicle it does help to be recognized. Everyone knows who I am when they see the van.



Previously, with no advertising, if I'd setup the mast and start taking photos people would become nervous, carefully approach to ask what I was doing, Other times people have been completely rude, they would all stare. Since I've added the advertising to my vehicle, I can pull up anywhere, set out some cones, wear a safety vest and setup the mast with absolutely no one paying any attention. Most of the time I'm left alone, but on occasion people are interested in seeing the photos.

The Transit vehicle listed above would be perfect for me. Relatively flat sides will allow vehicle wraps. The Mast, a couple planes, heli's, kites and all the gear would fit. I could even design a matching trailer if more room is needed. Like my old Astro Van (pictured below, advertising on back door only) A rear removable seat could be added so we as a family could haul our bicycles to the races, then I wouldn't miss the high top full size van so much (or the 11-18 mpg). The transport gets better fuel economy than even my minivan.
The flat roof would allow use of removable platforms. Tie some supports to the frame and through the roof making different attachments like mast support, small deck to stand on, etc. easy and quick to change or remove. I see a lot of possibilities.



Troy

[Chad Douglas]

Agree with Tony...., clients come from a very targeted effort. I've thought to use a car magnet as a way to justify parking in a no parking zone.. even that was flawed. So I come in stealth and leave the same... there's simply no real benefit to a "company" vehicle for me.., except to write off at year's end.

Some old fashion marketing is all you need..., laser in on real estate offices, developers, etc. Make your website do the job and work hard to retain repeat customers..., simple word of mouth does wonders here.

In fairness, I operate with a platform where I'd rather not advertise where and when I'm shooting.., so perhaps I'm not the best example...

One last thing.., I worry that it's just advertising which vehicle has expensive stuff in it.... a city thing. lol



Edit: Personal explanation..

Something I held on to from my time at recording studios..., nice recording studios(here in Seattle) are barely if at all visible.., for a reason. Like photography studios., it's advertising one thing for sure.. that there's a huge dollar amount of gear. A couple here in town are actually disguised as simple store fronts..., so I took that with me on this topic and use to protect my camera stuff.


Chad

[Envision]

There is a small amount of crime here, but nothing like the cities. I can leave my vehicle running with the doors unlocked and it will still be there when I return, it's the same for an hour radius of where I live. We do lock our home, but really don't need to. When my van has equipment in it, I'm either using or transporting. I will not step away from the vehicle unless nothing is left inside. (shopping, restaurant, etc.) Get the job done and return home.

The only real advertising anyone needs to worry about around here is car audio. Put their logos on your vehicle, your car audio and you will soon be parted. Bicycles disappear too, but you can always find them painted black laying in the river in a few days... Kids...

Troy

[jdphotoguy]

I'm with Chad about wanting as desecrate a vehicle as possible. No need advertising that very expensive equipment can be found inside.

If you like the idea of advertising while on an actual shoot, maybe think about magnetic signage you can slap on the side of the van and then remove once you are done with the shoot.

[Envision]

In Michigan commercial vehicles are required to have signage. Anything over 10,000 lbs alone or combined with a trailer must also have US DOT numbers. Even personal vehicles as an example of hauling a horse trailer for pleasure and receiving compensation such as a trophy if over the weight limit. (DOT Only)

Troy

[RVV]

You can apply the standard rules of business with respect to how much do you spend on your business.

Fact is you only get back what you invest.
The risk is the amount you bet on yourself and your business.
The outcome is the same regardless, succeed or fail are the two options.

If you invest more you have more to loose if it doesnt work, but if it does work you gain more from your investment.
If you invest a small amount and it fails you do not loose much, if it works out well then you will get small returns.
You get the same two results in each case, succeed or fail.

Increasing the amount you invest may not increase your chances of success, but it will increases your returns if you do succeed.
Investing a small amount may not decrease your chances of failure but assure that if you fail you do not loose much, but conversely if you do succeed you will not gain much.

If you are confident of failure, spend very little and you will loose very little when you do fail.
If you are confident of success invest more and get more back when you do succeed.
If you are confident of success and you only invest a small amount you will only ever get small gains from it.
There is no free lunch, it is the same as a day at the horse races.
Bet 50 cents or $50

[Flying Tivo]

I have to agree with RVV, the more professional you look, the more you can charge per job and the more confident your clients will be. But also you have to start somewhere, buying a new utility vehicle just for this job as a startup is a little ridiculos, but do try to get it as soon as the cash starts coming inn. Trying to load and unload your AP rig from your personal SUV (or similiar) is going to get on your back and you will be visiting your chiropractor verys soon!!!

Felipe

[dklassen]

I like it a lot, it's a pretty cool looking MV. Perfect for photogs and alike.

[tonystott]

Felipe, while generally it makes sense to use the most appropriate equipment for the task, there are a few related factors which can't really be overlooked.

!. The amount you can charge has only a limited range, and I do not think that the client is likely to pay much more just because your wheels or rig are more professional (usually the price is agreed on before the client even sees your equipment).

2. Return on investment (ROI) is a fundamental building block of a business. Generally working assets should be depreciated over 3-4 years, so the cost (initial less sale price) of the equipment needs to be apportioned to jobs done during that period. If you cannot substantially increase the average price of your jobs, you need to limit the size of your investment.

Obviously, if you are not trying to earn a living from AP, you might be prepared to operate unprofitably, using losses to offset tax commitments in other areas.

Originally Posted by Flying Tivo

I have to agree with RVV, the more professional you look, the more you can charge per job and the more confident your clients will be. But also you have to start somewhere, buying a new utility vehicle just for this job as a startup is a little ridiculos, but do try to get it as soon as the cash starts coming inn. Trying to load and unload your AP rig from your personal SUV (or similiar) is going to get on your back and you will be visiting your chiropractor verys soon!!!

Felipe

[Flying Tivo]

Tony:

I agree that it can help in tax deductions. But you dont want a non profit buissiness?
I rather spend most of my investment in the equipment for the actual work. I allways say that competition is good, since most competitors are using bearly flyable camara rigs. When your clients see´s your equipment then they feel more comfortable in what they are spending, at this time they will know it was not that expensive to start with. I also favor that you car/truck/suv is the best way to advertise whatever you do. Here in Mexico, the Buses are painted with banners and is one of the most profitable buissness models in Adverstisment. I also know that you become a target for Thiefs, and more likely here in Mexico.

Felipe

[RVV]

Return on investment rules apply
Invest small and you will get small returns at best, or worst nothing.
The only difference is your means and expectations or returns.
If you expect to ever have larger retruns you will have to invest more to get more back.

If you cannot substantially increase the average price of your jobs, you need to limit the size of your investment.

You increase the amount of work you get.
Which is the aim of marketing.
You dont need to market yourself to charge the same clients more.
Marketing is to get more clients.
If you dont want anymore work than you have there is little use advertising.
But if you do want more clients then you will have to advertise.