Video creation can be a costly endeavour. However, with 93% of brands currently gaining new customers because of video, it’s an essential tool to add to your marketing strategy.
Check out our 6 top tips below on how to create an effective marketing video on a low budget.
Tip One - Create Your Own Marketing Strategy
The pre-production phase of video creation is timely and, therefore, often costly. To reap the benefits of video marketing, you must carefully plan your process to subsequently measure your success against your KPI's. If you're a new business with a small or even non-existent marketing team, it can be tricky to find the time to formulate a succinct video marketing strategy.
However, no one knows your brand better than you do. And with extra time and effort, you can formulate a video marketing strategy for your business that aligns with your target audience and company values.
Check out our blogs below for help with creating a DIY marketing plan.
Tip Two - Use Animation
Animation cuts the cost of paying actors and hiring cameras or a film crew. Now, thanks to an improvement in online animation software, you can create a professional-looking animated brand video from the comfort of your own home.
Although using animation is a more cost-effective solution, it can be tricky to get right. Make sure to experiment and practise before diving in on your first marketing video.
Visme's blog - 10 Best Animation Software for Beginners can help you find an animation software to suit your needs.
PS - It can be easy to get swept up in animation; make sure you stick to your strategy and keep everything branded!
Tip Three - Use Student Actors or Employees
If you're keen to stay with live-action, there are many ways to reduce the cost.
One way is to use student actors. Professional actors can be expensive to hire, and student actors will be looking for valuable industry experience. Of course, you should cover travel costs and expenses and perhaps a small fee, but overall this will be a cheaper option.
You can also use your employees! It's lovely to see brands incorporating their own staff. It allows your customers to get to know your team and creates an approachable, friendly feel to your company.
Check out Bon Apetit and how they achieve this.
Tip Four - Rent Video Equipment
Video equipment is expensive! If you're new to video marketing and you're not ready to invest in your own equipment, then why not hire?
Hiring will reduce the cost and allow you to find the camera and sound tools that work for you. Hireacamera.com has some great options, and you can contact the team for advice.
Tip Five- Find a Cheaper Video Editing Tool
Post-production can make or break your marketing video. It's impressive what a little editing can do!
It's no secret that high-end editing software can be expensive. However, luckily many professional editing tools come with a free trial, which you can test out before you buy. More straightforward, free editing tools (such as iMovie) don't have the same perks as high-end software but are a great place to start.
Check out our blog - The Best Editing Software For Your Marketing Video: DIY Filming Tips for recommendations.
Tip Six - Speak to a Video Production Company
Although the upfront cost may be more expensive, hiring a professional video production company could be more cost-effective in the long run.
A video production company will be equipped with experience, expertise and creative ideas which you may not have. The more successful your video, the higher the return on investment. Hiring a video production company is also more time effective it frees up your schedule, giving you the space to concentrate on business as usual.
Check out our blogs - 10 Questions To Ask a Video Production Company Before Hiring Them and 6 Reasons to Hire a Professional Video Production Company for more advice on seeking outside help for your video marketing.
If you're interested in a cost-effective solution to video marketing, get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.