How to Find Clients for Your Production Company (3 Proven Strategies)

Every filmmaker and creative agency faces the same challenge: finding clients. The truth is, no matter how talented you are, clients don’t magically appear. You have to put yourself out there, build trust, and show the world what you can do.

It was scary when I made the jump creating Parthenon Pictures, but I had the confidence that I had the knowledge and the tenacity to grow the business to what it is today.

We’ve grown from a small production company into a full creative agency by sticking to a simple three-point system. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, these steps can help you build lasting client relationships.

1. Network: Start With Who You Know

Your first clients will almost always come from your network. For me, it was people I’d already worked with, friends, colleagues, and industry connections who trusted me.

Networking isn’t just about handing out business cards. It’s about building real relationships and showing up for people, so when they need a video or campaign, you’re the first person they think of.

I also want to be real with you: When I say networking, I really mean building relationships. Nobody wants to be sold anything, especially from someone they don’t even know. Don’t come in fast and hot trying to pitch why you should be producing their first project. It’s about the journey you take with the relationship you have with potential clients. If someone wants to work with you, it’s because of the trust, reputation, and referrals you provide. As someone who has hired other agencies and contractors, I much rather work with someone I get along with and like than someone who may have better work, but I don’t get along with.

There are a lot of egos out there, but I promise being a good and fun person who is engaging, interested in other people, friendly, and has created a reputation that is unbreakable; well that is how you get new clients.

Pro tip: Stay in touch with past clients. Often, repeat business and referrals are the fastest way to grow.

Clients relationships can turn into real friendships that open opportunities.

2. Create Good Work, Then Pitch It

Once you’ve created strong work, leverage it. If you make a great commercial for one brand, use it as proof when pitching to similar businesses. Show how you understand their industry and audience.

Our niche has been aftermarket automotive until we started branching out to tech, gaming and beyond. But in the infancy of Parthenon, we continued to pitch our work in the space we were born into.

This is how we’ve grown at Parthenon Pictures: by building a portfolio that speaks for itself. One great project opens the door to five more, if you’re proactive about sharing it.

Pro tip: Don’t wait for clients to find you. Send your work directly to brands who could benefit from it. Show them what’s possible.

3. Market Yourself the Right Way

BE AUTHENTIC!

BE YOURSELF!

Marketing goes beyond having an Instagram page. You need to present yourself in the light you want to be recognized by. That means a professional website, a polished portfolio, and even running ads when the time is right. Everything you present has to be unique to you. We want to hear YOUR voice, because that is interesting. AI generated copy, or corporate buzzwords do not break through the noise.

At Parthenon Pictures, we treat our own brand the same way we treat our clients’, with intention. From our website to our case studies, everything is designed to reflect the quality of work we deliver. What you see in our marketing, is what you experience with us on a film set. It’s uniquely us: Professional, industry standard, and fun. Because if you are not having fun in the fun business you are doing something wrong.

Also…One of my biggest pet peeves, is when I see someone pitching that they make great websites, and then I go to a broken website. This goes for film production, marketing, and beyond. Make sure you are presenting the best version of yourself.

Pro tip: Think like your ideal client. If they Google “creative agency in Temecula Valley,” will they find you? And if they do, will what they see convince them to hire you?

Simple consistent branding goes a long way.

Building Clients is Building Trust

Finding clients isn’t about tricks or hacks. It’s about trust. You build it through relationships, you prove it through your work, and you reinforce it through your marketing.

At Parthenon Pictures, we help brands do the same with their audiences: earn trust through authentic storytelling and strategic execution. If you’re looking for a production company that knows how to connect with people and deliver results, we’d love to collaborate.