Working with a video production company is typically thought of as grand, expensive, and out of reach for the small or medium sized business. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Adding great video content to your marketing mix can be hugely beneficial to your business, extending your reach and underlining the quality of your brand.
You may feel comfortable producing some video content in-house, but when it comes to the high-production value content, finding a quality video agency that can work to your budget is key.
But to achieve this, surely you must spend heavily to see a return on investment?
Not necessarily. There are ways of hiring an agency capable of top-notch video production without breaking the bank. We’ve put together a handy checklist to ensure you can balance your content budget.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOUR VIDEO CONTENT NEEDS
When you start looking for a video production service, it’s important to list your content needs. If you’re an SME, chances are you won’t have the budget to employ an agency that has John Lewis or Coca Cola on the client list.
Fear not, there are plenty of excellent production agencies that specialise in video content for SME’s and won’t break the bank.
They are still more than capable of delivering stunning work to add pizzazz to your marketing mix but will likely have a smaller team working with less kit than some of the bigger players in the market.
This can actually be an advantage. With a smaller agency, chances are the customer care will be exemplary. You’ll also likely be account managed throughout the process by the same person/people building a rapport that will help you achieve your content goals.
SPEND TIME ON THE PRE-PRODUCTION
Pre-production covers a number of areas and doing it thoroughly can save time and money. Your video agency can shoot and edit far more efficiently if they have a pre-agreed plan to work to that is signed off with you and your team.
Sure, it’s important to be nimble and let creativity flow when it comes to shooting your content, but pre-production work on elements like scripts, a shot list and animated titles can make for a far smoother process.
Say for example you decide after the shoot session that, actually you’re not quite happy with your script and you’d like one of your actors or participants to say a few more lines. Suddenly you are looking at re-shoot time and the associated cost. The same applies to pre-agreed animated titles. If your budget only allows for limited shoo time, your agency may shoot specifically to match the titles that you have agreed. Anything added after shoot day will hit you in the pocket.
CHECK FOR HIDDEN COSTS
Hidden costs and unexpected expenses can quickly see a budget spiral.
A good video production agency should be transparent about what their quote includes. If you are unsure, then ask – and document queries.
Your agency of choice may have a rough video pricing guide, but elements like a professional voiceover, animated logos, titles or drone footage may all come at extra cost. If you require the above for your content, ensure it is included in the quote. Your video production company should always sign off extra costs with you, but don’t be afraid to seek clarification if it feels as though your project is becoming bigger than initially intended.
CONSIDER A RETAINER OPTION
If you are looking to build a bank of high-quality content, a retainer option may well prove more cost effective in the long run.
For smaller businesses, cash flow is key, a regular stream of work over a longer period of time, guaranteeing regular income is a godsend – so production agencies often offer discounted rates for retained clients. There are other benefits, too.
Working with a video production company long term means you can build a strong working relationship and gives them time to really understand your business.
CONCLUSION
You may have guessed, then that it is possible to bring in a video agency to produce amazing content without breaking your bank.
Engaging video content can add real fireworks to your marketing mix, so even if you think your budget feels limited, shop around for an agency that is the right fit – and plan, plan plan!
PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
Your video production company should work collaboratively with you throughout the process, but internal planning is also key to keeping your project on budget.
If the content involves staff, clients or external companies, ensure you are ultra organised. Extra shoot days cost time and money, so pick a day when everyone is available. While a high-quality video production agency should be nimble wherever possible, last-minute cancellations could still cost, so ensure any participants are on board with the project and know when and where they are needed.
Consider factors such as health and safety – are you shooting something/somewhere that requires certain safety measures or PPE? The last thing you want is for your perfect shot to be ruined because one of your participants has forgotten to put on their safety gloves or goggles. This kind of hiccup can lead to a reshoot or re-edit and extra cost as a result.
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