Thanks Dylan! It's encouraging to hear that building your drone business takes time. It's easy to get discouraged in this industry, but with persistence and things like this in mind, I believe you can be successful.
I think the biggest issue for most 'would be' commercial drone pilots is that we like flying and capturing great images, some even like editing, but most have no desire to be real business people. That is where the real work is.
That's my problem. I'm transitioning from a blue collar life and I underestimated the amount of marketing and self-selling I would need to do. I'm smart, and I can work like a mule, but I suck at selling myself. Usually its the people I have done work for that do the selling, but it's hard to get word of mouth like that when you can't get any clients. I'm finding it tough to break in. I may have to cut some services and specialize like Dylan suggested.
I just passed my part 107. With 20 years in oil & gas and 5 in photography i am torn on what industry i am looking for. Currently i am interested in photogrammetry and looking to see how to get into the field. As for me this isnt my only spurce of income as i am retired. Any ideas help and this channel has been my favorite resource.
@@DylanGorman I am just interested as to where to get in the door. I am also willing to work for another company that may have contracts. Even open to working very cheaply just to get out there.
Great video as always. I've only been in business for a year and a half now and I can say I've made many of these mistakes and more. As always, you live and you learn. Starting to see some nice growth to where I can start making a decent living but it took a lot of work to get there. Keep pushing, learn from your mistakes, get a mentor if you can, and be willing to learn. Thanks for all your work Dylan!
These are tips that are applicable in numerous businesses. I have been a professional photographer for most of my life doing portrait and commercial photography and graphic design. I am a new drone pilot working toward earning my 107 certification. I am also new in my state and have not had the opportunity to establish local relationships so my business is starting over. This is a good business reminder of the need for “belly to belly” relationships and the importance of people skills and connections. Wonderful video! Thanks!
great video as always! I'm currently in the build relationship and get exposure stage of building my drone business and it is rough. One thing that has helped me tons was investing into my skill set of being able to fly and produce high quality content. There are some great courses out there that help with refining your flying skillset to post production of your videos and pictures. It has helped me tremendously to catch peoples attention and make me stand out from the local competition. Also, invest into refining your workflow to be as seamless, smooth, and efficient as possible for you and your clients. Keep up the great work and thank you for all of your advice! it's spot on.
In a nutshell, building a business requires knowledge of business. Merely being able to fly a drone won't take anyone beyond a few bucks as a side gig unless they put the work in to acquire the knowledge & create the network that is needed to sustain it as a real business. Dylan is one of the few people being honest about how this all works.
Dylan, I want to tell you that in your last video, where you announced your upcoming fall tour and talked about drone service providers. I signed up and started making money with my drone within 9 days of signing up online with certain service providers. I was able to earn 1,700 in less than two weeks and logged 16+ hours of flight time. Amazing the opportunities that are out there and I knew nothing about this service provider until I learned it from you. Then I just did what you said and the cash started flowing. Now I’m listening to what you have for me to do next and my business is growing. I’ll be seeing you in October as I’m signed up for one of your seminars in Colorado! Thanks man🙏🙌😁
Your comment is the reason why I do what I do. It inspiring to hear that you already have opportunities coming your way and are making money with your business. I look forward to your attendance in October!
Need to really take a look at the markets in your area and how willing you are to travel. In Rural areas such as mine, there are smaller markets which likely will require more travel and more diverse service offerings. 1st and foremost don't be the cheapest price as there is no where to go but down. Compete somewhere in the mid to high-end as long as you can provide quality service.
Thanks for this very insightful video. Please is it possible to see a video on creating digital twins of assets with drone lidar? That's an area I am interested in. I hope am not asking for too much?
Ok so all that I want to do is have some friends pay me some money to take pictures of their property but I don’t want to have to go through the process of getting a license. So what should I do or do I even have to get a license?
Hey there, I am very interested in drone photogrammetry and mapping in general. Since I plan to use the drone for inspection and such wich would also include solar and rooftop inspections I'll need a thermal camera. I saw that both the Mavic 3T and the Matrice 30T allow me to do both. I love the dual RTK antennas on the Matrice but most importantly its the IP certification that I need for the drone wich is a hard drawback of the Mavic... However I havent seen anything really regarding the Matrice 30T's photogrammetry potential.. Is it comparable to the Mavic and could you review the drone? Greetings from Germany!
I think you misunderstood... 2) "Don't Diversify" meaning don't claim to do EVERYTHING under the sun for being a drone service provider 4) "Diversify" meaning add 2-3 services in a specific niche or industry and become an expert in it over time so that you aren't relying on a single source of income. 1) Don't expect to make six figures just starting out, I am in year 6 of this professionally. I started doing well in this industry 2 years in. Hope that clarifies it a bit more.
Hey Dylan, thanks for a great video and for sure many others. I have a DJI mini 2SE, and currently my thought is which drone to buy if I’m targeting to start work with it, as you said for months or years, so should I buy air 3? Maybe Mavic 3 Pro? Because all the others will improve themselves meanwhile Please assist with this question. Thank you
I’m considering getting a DJI Mavic 3 enterprise for mapping. Is there a downside to using that drone for mapping? I realize there are twice as much that are better, but I’m hoping this one will do.
It’s specifically made for mapping, only downside is if you want to photos and videos for fun then you don’t get the same quality as you would with a regular Mavic 3 series drone
Hey Dylan, I noticed that you use a lot of DJI drones in your work, what do you think about the new proposed legislation to ban DJI for federal projects and any agencies that have received federal funding?
But I don’t sell software so I still don’t get what you are talking about. There are other companies who have free photogrammetry software and some that are one time fee and other who are SaaS
my WEAKEST link is DEF. marketing in general. i have NO experience in presentation etc. I need help. is that a thing? or is this something i will need to improvise on?
Thanks Dylan! It's encouraging to hear that building your drone business takes time. It's easy to get discouraged in this industry, but with persistence and things like this in mind, I believe you can be successful.
I think the biggest issue for most 'would be' commercial drone pilots is that we like flying and capturing great images, some even like editing, but most have no desire to be real business people. That is where the real work is.
That’s true
That's my problem. I'm transitioning from a blue collar life and I underestimated the amount of marketing and self-selling I would need to do. I'm smart, and I can work like a mule, but I suck at selling myself. Usually its the people I have done work for that do the selling, but it's hard to get word of mouth like that when you can't get any clients. I'm finding it tough to break in. I may have to cut some services and specialize like Dylan suggested.
I just passed my part 107. With 20 years in oil & gas and 5 in photography i am torn on what industry i am looking for.
Currently i am interested in photogrammetry and looking to see how to get into the field. As for me this isnt my only spurce of income as i am retired.
Any ideas help and this channel has been my favorite resource.
It can be very daunting but with the experience that you have you do have a unique path that most would wish to have.
@@DylanGorman I am just interested as to where to get in the door. I am also willing to work for another company that may have contracts. Even open to working very cheaply just to get out there.
Amazing! Thank you Dylan. You and your videos are the reason I started my drone business and I'm so Thankful.
I appreciate the kind words!
Just starting ! Where are you now ?
This is one of the best and most comprehensive videos I’ve seen so far on creating and sustaining a profitable drone business. Thank you, Dylan!
Will you have a booth at Commercial UAV Expo in Vegas?
I will! Only for 1 day though
Great video as always. I've only been in business for a year and a half now and I can say I've made many of these mistakes and more. As always, you live and you learn. Starting to see some nice growth to where I can start making a decent living but it took a lot of work to get there. Keep pushing, learn from your mistakes, get a mentor if you can, and be willing to learn. Thanks for all your work Dylan!
Thanks for sharing! And keep pushing!
Accurate as hell. 🙌
Thank you Dylan for sharing those advices!
Greetings from Greece 🇬🇷
These are tips that are applicable in numerous businesses. I have been a professional photographer for most of my life doing portrait and commercial photography and graphic design. I am a new drone pilot working toward earning my 107 certification. I am also new in my state and have not had the opportunity to establish local relationships so my business is starting over. This is a good business reminder of the need for “belly to belly” relationships and the importance of people skills and connections. Wonderful video! Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
great video as always! I'm currently in the build relationship and get exposure stage of building my drone business and it is rough. One thing that has helped me tons was investing into my skill set of being able to fly and produce high quality content. There are some great courses out there that help with refining your flying skillset to post production of your videos and pictures. It has helped me tremendously to catch peoples attention and make me stand out from the local competition. Also, invest into refining your workflow to be as seamless, smooth, and efficient as possible for you and your clients. Keep up the great work and thank you for all of your advice! it's spot on.
You are so spot on with the process you are going through. It definitely takes time but it pays off for sure
In a nutshell, building a business requires knowledge of business. Merely being able to fly a drone won't take anyone beyond a few bucks as a side gig unless they put the work in to acquire the knowledge & create the network that is needed to sustain it as a real business. Dylan is one of the few people being honest about how this all works.
Dylan, I want to tell you that in your last video, where you announced your upcoming fall tour and talked about drone service providers.
I signed up and started making money with my drone within 9 days of signing up online with certain service providers.
I was able to earn 1,700 in less than two weeks and logged 16+ hours of flight time.
Amazing the opportunities that are out there and I knew nothing about this service provider until I learned it from you. Then I just did what you said and the cash started flowing.
Now I’m listening to what you have for me to do next and my business is growing.
I’ll be seeing you in October as I’m signed up for one of your seminars in Colorado!
Thanks man🙏🙌😁
Your comment is the reason why I do what I do. It inspiring to hear that you already have opportunities coming your way and are making money with your business.
I look forward to your attendance in October!
Impressive! Glad to see you did well. Keep it up
Great content Dylan!
Greetings from Toronto! Solid info here. Thanks!
Very informative, picked a few good pointers there thanks.
Amazing!
Great insights! This video is a gem. Really nice video style too 👌💎
Always coming with some solid material. Much appreciated 🤙🏼
Thanks for all you do. Excellent content
solid advice keep it up
Appreciate it!
Another great video, Dylan. A lot of good info here.
All good points. I'm working on a niche, so far no income but there is interest from a significant party that could launch me.
That’s exciting! I hope it all works out!
Ive flown model aircraft for 14 years and got my part 107 and its been an absolute waste of time
A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.
Need to really take a look at the markets in your area and how willing you are to travel. In Rural areas such as mine, there are smaller markets which likely will require more travel and more diverse service offerings. 1st and foremost don't be the cheapest price as there is no where to go but down. Compete somewhere in the mid to high-end as long as you can provide quality service.
Solid advice!
Thanks for this very insightful video. Please is it possible to see a video on creating digital twins of assets with drone lidar? That's an area I am interested in. I hope am not asking for too much?
Ok so all that I want to do is have some friends pay me some money to take pictures of their property but I don’t want to have to go through the process of getting a license. So what should I do or do I even have to get a license?
Hey there, I am very interested in drone photogrammetry and mapping in general. Since I plan to use the drone for inspection and such wich would also include solar and rooftop inspections I'll need a thermal camera. I saw that both the Mavic 3T and the Matrice 30T allow me to do both. I love the dual RTK antennas on the Matrice but most importantly its the IP certification that I need for the drone wich is a hard drawback of the Mavic... However I havent seen anything really regarding the Matrice 30T's photogrammetry potential.. Is it comparable to the Mavic and could you review the drone?
Greetings from Germany!
2. Don’t diversify
4. Diversify
… right…
Oh and 1. Just don’t expect to make loads of money…
I think you misunderstood...
2) "Don't Diversify" meaning don't claim to do EVERYTHING under the sun for being a drone service provider
4) "Diversify" meaning add 2-3 services in a specific niche or industry and become an expert in it over time so that you aren't relying on a single source of income.
1) Don't expect to make six figures just starting out, I am in year 6 of this professionally. I started doing well in this industry 2 years in.
Hope that clarifies it a bit more.
Hey Dylan, thanks for a great video and for sure many others. I have a DJI mini 2SE, and currently my thought is which drone to buy if I’m targeting to start work with it, as you said for months or years, so should I buy air 3? Maybe Mavic 3 Pro? Because all the others will improve themselves meanwhile
Please assist with this question. Thank you
I’m considering getting a DJI Mavic 3 enterprise for mapping. Is there a downside to using that drone for mapping? I realize there are twice as much that are better, but I’m hoping this one will do.
It’s specifically made for mapping, only downside is if you want to photos and videos for fun then you don’t get the same quality as you would with a regular Mavic 3 series drone
Hey Dylan, I noticed that you use a lot of DJI drones in your work, what do you think about the new proposed legislation to ban DJI for federal projects and any agencies that have received federal funding?
As an inspiring drone pilot business, are there any new drone laws coming up that will slow the drone business?
Do you recommend getting AUVSI TOP certification? Also, how would you explain that certification to someone who has no idea what AUVSI is?
You're reading something like you're reading from chat gpt bro
Lmao bro is just reading off chat gpt
The good ole delusional optimist😂
Because we are not going to pay over the odds subscription fee to your photogrammetry software! maybe do a one off payment and people may buy it.
I don’t have a subscription service so I have no idea what you are talking about
@@DylanGorman was talking in general
But I don’t sell software so I still don’t get what you are talking about. There are other companies who have free photogrammetry software and some that are one time fee and other who are SaaS
@@DylanGorman not seen one decent free one not one
@DeansDrones webODM, Skybrowse, Maps Made Easy if you are just learning. The best software cost money, there’s no way around it
Are we there yet zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
my WEAKEST link is DEF. marketing in general. i have NO experience in presentation etc. I need help. is that a thing? or is this something i will need to improvise on?