Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
In the beginning most work comes from people and organisations near you. That means neighbours and friends, colleagues at your workplace, local schools and clubs, and small businesses in your area. Word of mouth matters - a good short sample sent to someone you know can lead to referrals. You will also find requests online through social media groups, local forums, and search engines when people look for someone who can film an event or make a promotional video.
Beyond your immediate circle, targeted outreach to local businesses - cafes, restaurants, real estate agents, tradespeople - often produces work. Events organisers, small agencies, and community organisations regularly need short video work. The Websta marketplace is another channel where people nearby search by service and place and can post tasks for providers to make offers on.
- Neighbours, friends and family
- Colleagues and workplaces
- Schools, clubs and local events
- Local businesses and real estate
- Online search, social media and marketplaces
How to set a first price and talk about money
Setting a first price is often the hardest step. Start by estimating your actual costs for a job - travel, time for filming, time for editing, any assistants or rentals, and a margin for your skill. Decide whether you quote by hour, by day, or as a package for a finished video. For very small local jobs a simple package can be easier for clients to understand.
When you talk about money, be clear and professional. Explain what is included - how many minutes of final footage, number of revisions, delivery format, and expected turnaround time. If you add extras such as drone footage, rush delivery, or extra revisions, state them as optional add-ons. Offer to provide a simple written estimate so the client knows there are no surprises.
- Calculate real costs first - time, travel, editing
- Choose hourly, daily or package pricing
- List what is included and what is extra
- Provide a written estimate
What your first ten customers usually look like
Your first ten customers tend to be people with low friction to hire you - those who already know you or who are easy to reach. Typical early customers are family members or friends who need video for a celebration, a neighbour with a small business, a colleague who wants a short promotional clip, or a local club organising an event. You may also pick up one-off jobs from local businesses trying to make simple marketing videos.
These early customers often accept simple terms and give you flexibility to practice and build a portfolio. Treat those projects professionally, get permission to use the footage as samples, and ask for a short testimonial if they are satisfied.
- Friends and family events
- Local small businesses
- Colleagues and workplace projects
- Community groups and schools
- One-off event filming
What to sort out when taking money for work in Greece
Before you regularly take payments check your legal and tax position. For factual questions contact the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - and the social security body - EFKA. Ask AADE whether you need to register a business activity, how to issue proper invoices, and whether VAT applies to your services. Ask EFKA about mandatory social insurance contributions for self-employed people or whether your current employment affects your obligations.
If you plan to accept card payments online, note that Websta pays card payments to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. Confirm with your bank and with AADE how to record those receipts in your accounting. If unsure about permits for filming on public property, contact the relevant municipality to ask about local rules.
- Ask AADE about registration, invoices and VAT
- Ask EFKA about social insurance obligations
- Confirm bookkeeping for card payments to your bank
- Ask your municipality about filming permits
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common problems are underpricing, underestimating editing time, and unclear agreements with clients. Many beginners accept jobs without specifying deliverables or revision limits, then end up working extra unpaid hours. Equipment issues and poor backups can also cause major stress if footage is lost.
Another frequent issue is irregular cash flow and falling behind on paperwork. Keep simple records from day one - client contact, agreed price, a basic invoice or receipt, and copies of final files. Communicate timeline expectations clearly and set simple cancellation and rescheduling terms.
- Underpricing and underestimating editing time
- Unclear scope and no written agreement
- Equipment failures and missing backups
- Irregular paperwork and cash flow
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile gives you a page that looks like a small website with your services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. On the marketplace people nearby search by service and place and can post tasks for providers to make offers on. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe and you set the prices on your profile. Category: videographers, country: Greece, countryCode: GR, matrixPath: /marketplace/video.
Use the profile as a simple, shareable page to send to enquiries instead of piecing together messages. Keep your service descriptions concrete, use short sample clips that show your editing style, and list what each service includes. Online booking can reduce back-and-forth about availability, and the payment flow keeps card receipts going to your bank account.
- Profile shows services, prices, photos, contact form and booking
- Marketplace lets nearby people post tasks and find you
- Payments are paid out to your bank account through Stripe
- You set your own prices
Practical next steps
Start with one clear service that you can deliver well and cheaply document your standard workflow - what you film, how long editing takes, and what final files you deliver. Make a short portfolio of 3-6 clips you can share, set a simple price or package, and approach five local contacts who might need video. Check registration and invoicing requirements with AADE and ask EFKA about social insurance rules if you will work regularly.
Be patient and consistent. Building a steady flow of clients takes time and small steps - good work, clear communication, reliable delivery, and a simple online presence to send to people when they ask.
- Create a short portfolio and one clear service offering
- Set a simple price structure and document what is included
- Contact a few local potential clients and follow up
- Check AADE and EFKA for registration and tax advice
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register with Greek authorities to take paid videography work?
- You should check with AADE about whether your activity requires registration and how to issue invoices. Also ask EFKA about social insurance obligations if you will work regularly. These bodies can tell you what steps to follow for your specific situation.
- How should I price my first videography jobs?
- Estimate your real costs - travel, filming time, editing time and any extras - then choose an hourly, day or package price. Be explicit about what is included and list optional add-ons. Offer a written estimate so the client understands the scope.
- Can I take card payments through Websta?
- Websta accepts card payments and pays them out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. Confirm with your bank and keep records for accounting and tax reporting.
- What equipment do I need to start taking paid jobs?
- Start with reliable gear you already own and practise a simple workflow. Good organisation, backups and consistent editing are often more important than having the most expensive kit. Upgrade as your work and income allow.
- How do I find the first clients in different parts of Greece?
- Start locally with neighbours, friends, workplaces and nearby businesses, then use online search, social media and marketplaces to widen your reach. A clear portfolio and a shareable profile page make it easier for people across the country to hire you.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.