Show Me the Money—A Look at Where Service Providers Are Maki…

In this text we’re going to have a look at a few of the information collected in the new report from Skylogic Research on the drone business—information we expect is necessary to you and solutions the query: “Where are drone-based service providers making money?”

The report defines Service Providers as these people or corporations that provide drone-based imaging or sensing providers for outdoor rent (versus Business Owners, who “use or purchase drone-based imaging or sensing services”).

Let’s dive in.

Primary Service Areas for Service Providers

Skylogic’s report discovered that the prime three main service areas for business drone work are: Aerial Photography / Videography; Surveying / Mapping / GIS; and Real Estate.

However, as indicated in the pie chart beneath, the first space (i.e., Aerial Photography / Videography) takes up the lion’s share not simply of these three, however of the whole providers scene, with 41% of the whole chart, whereas the following class (Surveying / Mapping / GIS) solely receives 13%.

A word on the information: Respondents had been requested to point the main and secondary business product or providers they provide. They may choose one main and as much as three secondary providers. Skylogic deliberately had them select a main as a result of earlier analysis revealed that many service suppliers boast about their skill to service a number of industries, however don’t have any area experience in these industries.

But simply because the majority of business drone operators are working in aerial cinematography doesn’t imply they’re truly making a living in that sector.

The report goes on to rank the prime 10 drone providers making over $100Ok/12 months. Surprisingly, it’s Surveying / Mapping / GIS that ranks first in that checklist. Aerial Photography and/or Video is #2. (Of course, simply since you’re not making over $100Ok/12 months doesn’t imply you’re not making any cash.)

After these first two, the third space listed the place persons are making over $100Ok/12 months is Utilities Infrastructure Inspection or Monitoring—although that is the seventh merchandise listed in the pie chart above, with solely three% of respondents indicating that they work in that area.

So Where Is the Money?

It appears one conclusion we will draw from these information factors is that these business drone pilots who discover a business area of interest (a spot the place there aren’t many individuals working, however there’s a demand for the work) are more likely to make the most cash.

Taking a simplistic view, a business operator may probably look at these areas of minimal saturation on the pie chart—the ones decrease down the checklist—after which look at these areas the place persons are making over $100Ok/12 months, and see what may be required to get into that sector.

Of course, transitioning into business mapping or inspections isn’t as straightforward as simply realizing the best way to fly a drone. But we will foresee a future the place solopreneurs staff up with different professionals with particular ability units—for instance, a licensed surveyor—to supply excessive finish providers to giant industrial operations.

Services Most Likely to Be Outsourced

Another chart we need to share from Skylogic’s report reveals the business areas the place enterprise house owners are outsourcing providers.

If you’re a solopreneur trying to discover a ability set that can provide help to discover work, this graphic could possibly be an incredible leaping off place for locating ability units you may need to develop.

The backside line is that there’s cash to be made as a service supplier in the drone business, however the hottest area (i.e., aerial cinematography) isn’t the most profitable, and the areas the place you’re most probably to discover a stable monetary foothold would require extra ability units past realizing the best way to fly and the best way to function a digicam.

It will probably be attention-grabbing to see the information in one other 12 months or two. Things are growing so quickly that the panorama could quickly shift radically, and we’ll see mapping, surveying, and different business functions rise to the prime of the providers areas for drone service suppliers.

Don’t have a replica of Skylogic’s report? Purchase a full copy of the report right here.

Note: If you participated in the preliminary survey you may get a replica of the report free of charge—simply e-mail data[at]droneanalyst[dot]com.