Spokane, Washington, is the second-largest city in the state and serves as the economic and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest. The local videography market has grown steadily over the past decade, driven by a mix of events, corporate growth, and a thriving wedding industry. Spokane hosts major annual events such as Bloomsday, Spokane Hoopfest, and Pig Out in the Park, all of which create demand for event videography and highlight reels. The city also has a strong small-business community, with many restaurants, breweries, real estate agencies, and tech startups needing promotional videos, social media content, and commercial spots.
Weddings remain the largest single segment for videographers in Spokane, with many couples seeking cinematic highlight films. Additionally, the local film scene is supported by organizations like Spokane Film Project and the Spokane International Film Festival, which can lead to networking opportunities. Real estate videography is also on the rise, especially for luxury properties in neighborhoods like Browne’s Addition, South Hill, and the Kendall Yards development. The market is moderately competitive: there are several established studios, but many businesses still rely on amateur videography, creating a gap for professional, SEO-optimized services. Starting a videography business here can be profitable if you focus on a niche, leverage local SEO, and build relationships within Spokane’s tight-knit business community.
In Washington State, you must first choose a business structure. Most solo videographers start as a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company (LLC). An LLC offers personal liability protection and is recommended if you plan to hire contractors. To register, file with the Washington Secretary of State online. You will need a unique business name that complies with Washington naming rules (e.g., cannot imply a different business type). The filing fee for an LLC is $200, plus a $10 annual renewal report fee. For a sole proprietorship, you can simply register your trade name with the county clerk in Spokane County (Spokane County Auditor’s Office).
Spokane city requires a general business license if you operate within city limits. Apply through the City of Spokane Business and Development Services department. The fee depends on your business type and estimated gross revenue; for videography, expect around $50–$100 annually. Additionally, Washington State requires a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number from the Department of Revenue, which is free when you register your business. If you plan to hire employees, you must also register for workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Videography services are subject to Washington sales tax. The current state rate is 6.5%, plus local rates. Spokane has a local sales tax of 2.2% (comprising city and county portions), making the total rate 8.7% within city limits. You must collect this from clients and remit it to the Washington Department of Revenue. You will need a Reseller Permit if you purchase equipment tax-free for resale, but videography services are not resold; you will likely need a Seller’s Permit instead. Also, Spokane imposes a Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts. For videography, the rate is 0.0020 (0.2%) for the city. You must file quarterly or annually depending on your revenue.
Strong contracts are essential. Washington law does not require specific language for videography, but you should include clauses for payment terms, cancellation policies, usage rights, and liability waivers (especially for weddings where things can go wrong). General liability insurance is highly recommended to cover equipment damage, venue claims, or injuries during shoots. Many venues in Spokane will require you to show proof of insurance with at least $1 million in coverage. Consider also professional equipment insurance through a provider like Hiscox or The Hartford.
Go to google.com/business and sign in with a Google account. Enter your business name and address. For videographers, you may choose to serve clients at their locations rather than operate from a storefront. Google allows a “service area business” option—select that and set your service area to Spokane and surrounding towns (e.g., Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Cheney). Do not list a residential address publicly if you do not have a physical office; you can hide your address. Verification is usually done by postcard mailed to your business address, though phone or email verification may be available. Expect the postcard in 5–10 business days.
Fill in your business category. Choose “Videographer” as the primary category. You can add secondary categories like “Wedding Videographer,” “Video Production Service,” or “Commercial Video Production.” Add your phone number (a local Spokane area code 509 is best), website URL, and business hours. Include a brief description (up to 750 characters) that mentions Spokane, your specialties (e.g., “wedding films, drone videography, social media ads”), and keywords like “Spokane videographer” or “Inland Northwest video production.”
Visuals are critical. Upload high-quality photos of your work—wedding highlights, corporate interviews, real estate walkthroughs, and behind-the-scenes shots. Add a cover video or a montage. Update photos frequently to show recent projects. Also, add a Google Post (the update feature) each week, such as a newly finished video project, a client testimonial, or a seasonal offer. Use local landmarks like Riverfront Park or the Spokane Falls in your images to signal locality.
Ask every happy client to leave a Google review. Respond to all reviews professionally, thanking positive ones and addressing any negative feedback calmly. Reviews with mentions of Spokane (e.g., “the best wedding videographer in Spokane”) help your local SEO. Aim for at least 10–20 reviews within your first six months.
Identify phrases that potential clients search for in Spokane. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find terms such as “Spokane wedding videographer,” “video production Spokane,” “corporate videography Spokane,” “drone videography Spokane,” and “event videographer Spokane Valley.” Include these keywords naturally in your website’s title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and body content. Create dedicated service pages for each niche (e.g., /wedding-videography-spokane/). Ensure your website loads fast and is mobile-friendly—Spokane clients often search on phones.
Consistency is key. List your business on major directories like Yelp, Bing Places, MapQuest, and Yellow Pages. For Spokane-specific presence, get listed on the Spokane Chamber of Commerce directory, Spokane.org (the visitors bureau), and local wedding vendor directories (e.g., Spokane Wedding Directory, The Knot, WeddingWire). Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is identical across all listings. Also, claim a Thumbtack profile and set your service area to Spokane—many videographers get first bookings there.
Get backlinks from Spokane websites. Partner with local wedding planners, photographers, and event venues (e.g., The Davenport Grand, The Historic Martin Castle, Pavillion at Mirabeau) to exchange links on vendor pages. Sponsor a local event or a charity run and ask for a link. Write guest posts for Spokane lifestyle blogs like “Spokane Living” or “Out There Outdoors” if relevant. Links from .gov and .edu domains (e.g., Spokane Community College) are powerful; offer to film their events in exchange for a credit link.
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