Smart Start To Getting Video Production Costs

moneyThe decision has been made… let’s do a video! Everyone’s excited, it’s a great marketing tool, it sounds like a lot of fun… then it happens. Someone asks, “How much do you think it’s going to cost?” Blank stares… because video production costs aren’t something many people are familiar with.

I mean, why should they be? Start surfing around to production company websites and you’ll have a tough time getting any sort of a rough idea (present company excluded).

I get it. It’s hard to gauge. When someone calls us for a quote, there’s a bunch of factors…

  • how many shoots will be needed?
  • how many cameras?
  • how many interviews?
  • how time is needed to create a script?
  • how many days to edit?

These are all questions we’re asking ourselves as we listen to what the client needs. Once we have all the answers, then we can give an accurate quote.

You know what though… we’re happy to give ballpark estimates. As a matter of fact, clients who have been with us a while call for them all the time, and here’s why that’s a good thing.

Video production costs and an accurate budget

The problem a lot of people run into while producing a video is they usually fail to create a realistic budget. That budget gets set, then they scramble to find someone to create the video they want for that budgeted amount. This means a lot of times they have to settle for a producer they might not like, but it’s the one they can afford based on the budget.

What many of our clients do is call us before the budget is set so they have a better idea of what to ask for from the beginning. We give them a ballpark estimate, then they take that to the decision maker.

It creates a situation where there aren’t any surprises. It’s one thing for the manager or CEO to know in advance the project will cost about $5,000. It’s another thing when the budget is set for $2,000 and the team comes back later and says, oops, it’s actually going to cost $3,000 more.

Getting a ballpark quote is a great way to start a video project before it even gets rolling.

–Tony Gnau

 Tony Gnau is a three-time Emmy-winning journalist. He is also the founder and chief storytelling officer at T60 Productions. T60 has won 11 Telly Awards for its work over the last eight years.