SHS057: How To Make A Full Time Living As A Drone Pilot Freelancer With James Travis!
Intro
What if your freelance income…
👉 Didn’t have to be unpredictable?
👉 Could actually feel stable like a job—but pay more?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with James Travis to break down how to turn a skill into consistent income through contracts, positioning, and smart negotiation.
This is a must-listen for anyone trying to go full-time with a trade skill.
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Intro to James Travis
James Travis is a full-time entrepreneur specializing in drone services, photography, and videography.
He focuses on:
Drone piloting for companies
Capturing high-quality aerial footage
Documenting construction and work sites
Creating visual content for businesses
His journey into entrepreneurship came after leaving a corporate sales role and betting on himself full-time.
👉 Check out James’s website here
👉 Check out his YouTube channel here
Episode Overview
In this episode, we cover:
How to price your freelance services
The difference between short-term vs long-term clients
Why contracts create stability
How to transition from a job into self-employment
Using niche skills (like drones) to stand out
Negotiation strategies that increase your income
Listen to the Episode
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Side Hustler’s Society Resources
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
Imovie Video Editing Course
The $200/Hour “Mistake” That Changed Everything
One of the standout moments in this episode:
👉 James accidentally priced himself at $200/hour
What Happened
He intended to say $200/day
Instead said $200/hour
Stayed quiet after saying it
The Result
👉 The client agreed
Key Lesson
👉 Silence is powerful in negotiations
👉 The first person to talk often loses leverage
Takeaway
👉 Price higher than you think—and let the market respond
Freelancing Doesn’t Have to Be Unstable
There’s a big misconception:
👉 Self-employment = inconsistent income
Reality
👉 It depends on how you structure it
Two Ways to Earn
1. Short-Term Work
One-off projects
Quick cash
Less predictable
2. Long-Term Contracts
6–12 month agreements
Consistent income
More stability
Key Insight
👉 Contracts turn freelancing into predictable income
How James Became a Full-Time Entrepreneur
His Background
Worked in sales for 8 years
Chose sales intentionally to build a valuable skill
Saved aggressively (around 30% of income early on)
The Breaking Point
Put on repeated performance plans
Environment became unsustainable
Decided to walk away
The Decision
👉 Bet on himself full-time
Key Takeaway
👉 Preparation (saving + skills) creates options
Why Sales Skills Matter More Than You Think
James’s sales background played a huge role in his success.
What Sales Taught Him
Negotiation
Pricing confidence
Communication
Positioning value
Real-World Application
👉 Setting higher rates
👉 Structuring deals
👉 Closing contracts
Key Insight
👉 If you can sell, you can survive in business
The Power of a Niche Skill (Drone Services)
Instead of being “just” a photographer or videographer…
👉 James positioned himself as a drone pilot first
Why That Matters
Less competition
Higher perceived value
Specialized skillset
What He Offers
Aerial photography
Drone videography
Worksite documentation
Content creation
Key Takeaway
👉 Niches command premium pricing
Freelancer vs Contractor Mindset
This was a key mindset shift discussed in the episode.
Most People Think
👉 “I need a job for stability”
But There’s Another Option
👉 Become a contractor
How That Works
Work with companies
Set your own terms
Negotiate higher pay
Maintain independence
Key Insight
👉 You can have stability without giving up control
Financial Discipline Made This Possible
Before going full-time:
👉 James built a financial cushion
What He Did
Saved consistently
Invested (401k + Roth IRA)
Managed expenses
Why It Matters
👉 It gave him the confidence to leave
Key Takeaway
👉 Freedom is built before you need it
Final Thoughts
This episode shows a clear path:
Step 1
👉 Learn a skill
Step 2
👉 Get paid for it
Step 3
👉 Increase your rates
Step 4
👉 Secure contracts
Step 5
👉 Go full-time
At the end of the day
👉 Freelancing can feel unstable…
…but when structured correctly:
👉 It becomes predictable, scalable income