Every company wants to create a great video that will help boost their image and allow them to reach a larger audience. Unfortunately, some companies don’t even make the attempt to create a video marketing piece because they don’t think they have the budget for such a high-quality and time consuming tactic.
But creating a great video for your business does not have to break your budget. The great thing about video is its ability to captivate an audience without needing all the equipment and tools that most people think it needs. If you want to create a great marketing video for your business, but you don’t have the budget for Martin Scorsese, don’t worry—you still have plenty of options.
1. Get real.
One of the biggest expenses that companies incur when they shoot videos is the price of the actors they hire. Instead of paying someone to speak on behalf of your products and services, you need to look at the people you already employ who do that on a daily basis. Find an employee who is knowledgeable on your business and isn’t camera shy and put them to work. Now you’re getting real information from a real person, and you’re getting it for much less money.
2. Get simple.
Some people want over-the-top videos that contain a great deal of effects, and this is how the price of a video explodes. Instead, stick with a simple theme, simple settings and simple features. When your video is simple, you can focus more on the message and less on the bells and whistles, and you can save a great deal of money.
3. Hire a video production company.
Some companies think that doing the video themselves will save money, and it can. But sometimes hiring a company to do it for you can be much cheaper. You don’t have to buy any equipment or software, and you don’t have to spend your own valuable time doing it. Just make sure that you express your needs and your budget to the company before hiring them. This way, there’s no surprises.
4. Do it yourself.
I know, I know. I just said to hire a company, but I also said that there are times when hiring a company will be more expensive. For this reason, it’s always best to price out different production companies as well as price out the amount of money you’d spend on software as well as time you’d invest if you did it yourself. You could end up finding that going the DIY route is less expensive.
5. Take on students.
If you have a local college in your area that focuses on video production, put an ad up at the school asking for help creating a video. You will be able to hire a student for much less than a real company, and they probably have access to everything you would need. You may even be able to get the student to do the work for free if you give him internship credits.
6. Use text software.
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to make a great video is to create a video that doesn’t involve people and only uses screen shots. This way, you can easily edit your screen to show what you want to highlight and you don’t have to worry about the multiple takes you’d have if you used a person. Software such as CamStudio is cost effective and easy to use.
Videos make a great marketing tool, but you don’t have to spend a fortune on them. Instead, use these tips to help you make a cost effective yet high quality video, and you’ll soon be competing with the companies who spent a fortune on theirs.
Marcy Smith can point you in the right direction when you are trying to find Chicago inexpensive video productions.
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