5 ways to keep costs down when creating a professional video for business

We are living in challenging times. Which means it’s all the more important to keep a check on business running costs.

We also know the importance of staying competitive in business and that film/video is an important part of staying visible.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to help keep video costs down, without compromising the end result.

1. Plan carefully

Good planning is key to the success of any good film. So, make sure you know the purpose of the film, its goals, audience and the key message(s).

Think about the visual style of the film. Should it be live-action or animation? Think about the film length, a realistic timeline for production, a plan for distribution and of course, a budget. The clearer the brief, the better it will be for all involved. Trying to make adjustments later on could cost you money.

2. Seek alternative quotations

You may have an idea what you want, but are unsure of the cost. So, get a few competitive quotes from 2-3 companies whose work you admire and how have clear experience of creating a professional video for business.

Asking for alternative quotes can also be a good way to get your preferred video team to lower their costs slightly. Just keep in mind that sacrificing costs can sometimes mean a reduction in quality.

3. Select a good video production company

The company you choose to produce your film is responsible for the production of a high-quality end result. As well, there should be good communication throughout the production, with an emphasis on teamwork. If you’re constantly in the dark, waiting for information, or seeing disorganisation in their approach, you are wasting your time and therefore your money and you may need to go elsewhere. Alternatively, a good team will be efficient and will come up with creative ways to negotiate a small budget – helping you cut corners without cutting back on quality.

In terms of the content, the video production team will be able to write a script on your behalf, on the basis of the information & brief you supply. This is an important element of any film production and a useful point of reference, especially when evaluating the content of the finished film.

4. Think about the location

A big cost-saver is to provide a location for the production. Studios and certain locations can be expensive to hire, so can you shoot your video in your own space? Perhaps a meeting room or a quiet place outdoors?

A creative video production team can usually help you with ways to make on-site shooting possible. But don’t just go for what’s easy. Make sure it will look good and be logistically feasible, as your location can have a huge impact on the overall look of your film.

When searching for a location, consider whether the size of the interior room is large enough to fit a cast, film crew and all the equipment. Will the production company need to bring lighting, or will natural light be enough? Are all interior elements within the room right for your film? And is there any background noise to contend with, such as a busy main road outside?

5. Keep it short

Generally speaking, the longer the film or video, the more you can expect to pay. In many ways, a short film is better. Consider how much video is seen these days and how often people skip watching. You only have a few seconds to capture and hold someone’s attention, so if a shot or sound bite in your script doesn’t add anything, it’s not helping you. Your creative director or production team will usually give good advice on what to keep in a film and what to leave out at the editing stage.

All in all, a good production company will have ideas and suggestions on what techniques can be used to deliver a great film or video. Without breaking your budget and creating a professional video for business.

Unless you are skilled in video production (briefing, storyboarding, shooting, editing, sound, animation, etc) then you shouldn’t think that a DIY smartphone video is acceptable – it isn’t! Professional businesses will seek out professional video production companies to work with.

Blunt thinking on using video in your marketing mix – Yorkshire Powerhouse

Have you any questions?

Here at Yorkshire Powerhouse, we’re happy to help as much as possible – is there anything else we can do to help you, do you have any further questions or can we help introduce you to an expert – please let us know: