I Believe You Can Fly: Everything You Need to Know About Drone Use in Marketing

Drones are pretty cool. And if you’re not using them to capture your business from a different perspective, you could be missing out on a really unique (and fun) opportunity to help sell more of what you do.

I got my first taste of flying drones when I worked for a real estate firm that needed to capture images of enormous commercial buildings. I grew into the role of the “in-house drone expert”, ultimately piloting countless drones over the course of many summers. I have to say, it was a lot of fun, and it really changed my perspective (yes, pun intended) on leveraging technology to capture photography and video in cool new ways.

Today, drone usage is taking off… literally. Good quality, easy-to-use drones are becoming more affordable, cameras are becoming more sophisticated, and as a result, people are clamoring to get their hands on them both “for fun,” and for commercial marketing uses.

When it comes to drone operation, it’s easier than you might think; like most hobbies, it just takes practice. However, ensuring that you’re set up for success (equipment-wise and legally) can be a bit more complicated. Here, I have compiled some helpful tips for first time fliers:

Choose your drone wisely.

In my opinion, stability-controlled drones are the way to go. They are the more expensive drones on the market, but worth the extra dime. Not only are they easier to control, but they have higher quality cameras.

Another consideration is battery life—most drone batteries on the market only last about 30 minutes in ideal conditions. Depending on how you plan to use your drone, you should probably consider purchasing several back-up batteries.

Know the rules.

There are different laws and regulations in each state for recreational and commercial use of a drone, more formally known as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). First, it’s important to be aware of what you are flying over and make sure you have permission to be flying over it, residential properties included.

You can learn more about specific regulations by visiting the Federal Aviation Administration’s website. Here are a few to be aware of as you get started:

• Your Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) must be registered by The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Cannot fly above 400 feet
• Cannot fly within 500 feet of an airport
• Cannot fly over cars, unprotected people and stadiums
• The Unmanned Aircraft must be visible to the operator at all times

When using drones for commercial uses, the regulations become even more stringent. You can check out the rules for using drones for business here.

You have been warned by the weatherman.

Check the weather forecast before taking your drone out for a spin. What might feel like a slight breeze could put your drone in a compromising situation. Avoid windy days completely — it’s not worth the risk. A shift in the weather can happen at any moment. If that occurs when you’re behind the joystick, the best thing to do is bring the drone straight down immediately if possible.

Beware of curious creatures.

Flying a drone in public stirs up a lot of curiosity. Often times, people will approach you to ask what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, etc. Their interest is all fine and well, however, when you need to keep your eye on the drone, it can be quite a distraction. Grab a buddy when you’re out flying to help keep the question-askers at bay and ensure that your attention can remain solely on the drone.

Eye spy.

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… Eek! Definitely a bird! Abort! Another reason bringing a spotter along is very helpful: they can help assure the drone remains in your line of sight while also looking out for approaching birds and possible hazards. It can be easy to get distracted watching the footage being captured on screen in front of you, but don’t give in!

So, now that you’re all excited about the possibility of seeing your business from a perspective you’d never be able to capture on the ground, it’s time to get flying! As you embark on your drone adventures, keep these tips in mind, and stay safe out there!

Moncur is a branding + digital agency. Leveraging our specialized expertise in strategic messaging, branding, advanced technology website development and integrated digital marketing, we help large B2B companies brand, market and sell what they do online. Learn more at www.thinkmoncur.com.