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11 Must-Know Ways to Cut Video Expense.

How can your organization tighten its belt without strangling all that you’ve built before? Get more from your investments, including your next video project. Here are some important guidelines in any economy. More >

 

It has been a pleasure to have Gerry as a partner on (a wide variety of) initiatives. His personal dedication and enthusiasm, his professional delivery and creativity made the almost undoable possible, a success and a pleasure.

 


Kathleen Z. Proctor

Sr. Market Administrator

BGE

 

The Works:

11 Must-Know Ways to Cut Video Expense

How can your organization tighten its belt without strangling all that you’ve built before? Get more from your investment, in your next video project. Here are some important guidelines in any economy.

 

11. When everyone else is zigging – zag.
Studies consistently show that organizations that continue to market in bad times end up with higher market share than those that pull back. Take a cue from Warren Buffett. Invest now and chances are you'll be better off in the long run. 

 

10. Budget neither too high nor too low. Budget smart.
It's amazing how production companies can meet your needs when you're clear upfront about budget limitations. And your video partner can show you how with clever scripting and “workarounds.” All you need to start with is your budget commitment, much the same as you’d need to know your overall budget before you decide on what kind of house you’d want to buy. As a rule of thumb, typical costs for a professional video production range from $1500 to $2000 per finished minute.

 

9. Envision your result as a video marketing tool.
Your video has a power far beyond its ability to simply be seen. The inherent drama and potential of video to engage audiences can help bring any selling proposition to life. Marketers on television have known this for decades. Now it's affordable for organizations of all sizes.

 

8. Get buy-in at the highest levels.
You know how it can be. Nothing happens unless the big cheeses want it to, but lots of people can kill a project. Keep everyone in the loop who can potentially veer your video off course. This approach makes for a more complicated beginning, sure—but a far smoother finish.

 

7. Choose your video production partner wisely.
Are they just shooters or scriptwriters too? Are they marketing oriented? Can they help you sell the video up the chain of command? Do you like their work? Most importantly, do you like and trust them?

 

6. Accomplish more with less.
The customer is king, more than ever. While you may not get to visit the exotic location you were planning to, your video can still convey that impression. Video production companies have more tools at their disposal than ever to do just that—but you have to know to ask for them. And now you know!

 

5. Eliminate (or at least manage) scope-creep. Time is the most expensive element in your video production. Insist on an agreement in advance that your project will not exceed a certain price without your consent. And if you depend on a committee for approval, know when to say "no" to them as well, to maintain budget discipline and focus.

 

4. Remember that same-old same-old is just that.
It may feel safe to just hold your head down and keep hoping that the old solutions will work. But your organization’s brand is a dynamic living thing, or at least it should be. Simply putting more pressure on the sales staff or equipping them with the same old brochure can only go so far. Emotion and drama are what really sells. Big marketers know the power of video to do that compellingly.  

 

3. Stay loose.
Successful videos are largely dependent on tight planning. Brilliant videos result from a combination of planning and a touch of genius. Leave room for last minute inspirations. They can make all the difference.

 

2. Leverage your video investment.
You've invested a lot of time and money developing your video. Make sure it's on your website and readily available for download. Or re-purpose it with some slick editing as a great new sales tool.

 

1. Begin with one small step.
While video production can appear daunting, a good production partner can keep everyone on track. As a first step, start the conversation with a prospective partner or two early on so you can feel more confident about how it will all get done. 

 

There are plenty of other "to-do's" in making successful videos that we'd be happy to share with you. Get in touch when you're ready to do more.