How to Maximize Your Video Marketing Budget
Given the proliferation of video content into just about every facet of our everyday lives, marketers recognize that incorporating this medium into their strategies is no longer just an option, but a necessity. That being said, not every business has an unlimited budget to plan, produce and distribute their video content. Fortunately, there are several ways to still include high quality video in your marketing strategy without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips to consider.
Plan Ahead
The quickest way to find yourself over budget is to start spending money on your video production project without having a solid plan in place first. In our experience, the most cost-effective way to develop a video marketing strategy is to start by determining your desired outcomes, and then work backwards from there. What is that you want your videos to help you accomplish? Once you know that, you can map out the details of where and how to best invest your spend.
Use What You Have
When it comes to video marketing, there’s no need to start everything from scratch. To the contrary, you can save a significant amount of time and money by using what you already have. For instance, if you’ve got some great existing content that is currently in another format, like a blog or infographic, you could repurpose that into a video. Likewise, rather than hiring a professional actor or voiceover talent, tap some of your employees to star in or narrate your video. As a bonus, this will give your video content a much more authentic feel.
Tap an Expert
It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that paying a professional to produce your video content would be a budget-friendly option, but if you consider the time and effort it will take for you to produce similar results without the same level of expertise, you’ll quickly realize that the investment is well worth it in the end. The right producer can help you concept, produce and distribute a video far faster and with a much more compelling finished product. Plus, they’ll have their own professional equipment.
Focus on the Long Game
Another great way to get the biggest bang for your video marketing buck is to plan your videos so that they are evergreen in nature. That is, invest primarily in video content that will stand the test of time. Rather than focus on specifics, like names, dates or events, be more ambiguous. For instance, instead of saying “In 2021, we did xyz,” say something like, “Last year, we did xyz.” That subtle change can increase the shelf-life of your videos so you can use them longer before having to refresh or replace them.
Prioritize Quality over Quantity
It may be tempting to try and stretch your marketing budget by producing more videos and spending less on each. But consider for a moment the image your video content conveys about your business. If you’ve sacrificed quality to produce more, the end result will reflect poorly on your brand. Conversely, one or two well-produced, high-quality videos can result in more positive brand awareness, greater engagement and a higher conversion rate.
The good news is, the size of your video marketing budget does not necessarily determine the quality of the content you produce. With the right plan and partner, you can turn simple ideas and existing resources into high-quality, value-driving videos that your audience will enjoy.
Have a specific budget or project idea in mind? We’d love to discuss how the Corporate Film Guys could help you bring it to life for less.