How to Save Money on Video Production

We don’t have to tell you just how effective and valuable video production is for marketing. If you aren’t among the 95% of business executives that have acknowledged the value of this form of content, you’re living in the dark ages. Your business will suffer the consequences of not adding this effective tool to your arsenal.

If you’ve already incorporated, or are thinking of using video production services for your marketing strategy, you may be wondering how you can save money and still ensure that the content you share with your target audience is effective and brings return on investment (ROI).

Bringing the costs of video production

Some production companies say that the average cost of professionally produced content is approx. $1000 per minute. If you want a three-minute piece, you’d have to part with at least $3000. This is a generalization because there’s a lot of variables of what is included in a one-minute piece of content i.e. creative concept, how many days of filming, is animation needed, voiceover etc. You could spend as much as $20,000 on creating a piece for advertising.

While it may be tempting to do it on your own, amateur video production isn’t the answer. A professional video production company will ensure that you have quality results that convey credibility to your target audience. You can be sure of getting returns on your investment of time and money with the assistance of a professional. Effective videos are a result of strategy, quality and creating a concise message that speaks to your target audience.

Many small businesses would like to hire professionals for video production but are put off by the costs. If you’re in this situation, consider the following tips to cut costs.

1. Set your budget

The easiest way to keep costs under control is by setting a budget. This will help guide you in making decisions, for example in the selection of a video production company. A good video production company will offer solutions to getting your project done within your budget.

2. Be clear about your objectives from the beginning

What do you want to accomplish with the production? Who are you trying to target? What type of response are you hoping to get? Do you want to create something exciting and fun or instructional? What kind of message do you want to deliver? Decide on the direction you want to take from the beginning. This should be in line with your organization’s objectives. This will help to ensure that you remain focused throughout the project and avoid extra expenses.

3. Have a plan

This is one of the first rules of video production. Ensure that you have a plan with a clear timeline. This will ensure that enough time is dedicated to the project and you won’t have to pay for overtime in case of a last minute rush. You will also avoid any additional costs by understanding exactly what is required throughout the project.

4. Make use of resources you already have

Use your staff to support the production team. This could be as actors or as crew. They can take up administrative tasks, find locations or play other supporting roles to help cut down costs.

Consider other resources you already have and whether they can be used to help offset the budget. Do you have access to a location that can be used for the filming? Do you have materials that can be used as props?

5. Keep it short and focused

Most people prefer shorter content. Therefore it is better to have a short video that gets straight to the point. This will not only help in marketing but may also help reduce the amount of money you will have to spend.

You don’t have to be a large company with a limitless budget to have high quality productions. You can control and cut down the cost of your project with the tips above without compromising on quality. It’s all about strategy, planning and knowing what your budget is.