So… How Much Will This Video Cost?

So… How Much Will This Video Cost?

Welcome to Good Fruit Video, where we’ve had the honor of collaborating with countless clients over the past decade and a half!  From products to services, we’ve worked with all sorts of fantastic folks, like you! One question we get asked time and again is, “How much will my video cost?”  Fear not, my friend, as we’re here to shed some light on the variables that determine the price of your video project. Let’s dive in and demystify the magic of video production costs.

Variable 1: The Planning

Planning is the secret sauce for an outstanding video. Answering key questions about your purpose, target audience, message, timeline, and delivery will set the stage for success. Then choose a style, from documentary to scripted (or a mixture of both), each approach has its pros and cons, depending on your project’s goals.

Variable 2: The Crew

The size and expertise of your crew can impact the price tag. Seasoned pros bring a different punch than raw talent, and both have their place! You can also consider tapping a member of your team, but remember, it might stretch their daily tasks. Choose your crew wisely and let them shine on set!

Variable 3: The Equipment

Lighting and sound are the dynamic duo of awesome videos! Understanding the need for extra equipment, like stabilization tools, will ensure your video’s quality shines brightly. Set the stage for success with top-notch gear. But a friendly reminder… high-quality equipment isn’t as important as a talented person or crew behind the camera!

Variable 4: The Travel

Lights, camera, action, but not before we get there!  If your video person or crew hits the road to capture footage, expect travel costs. Distance, crew size, and time on the road (or in the sky) will need to factor into your video budget. Multi-day shoots may also involve room and board charges. So, get ready if travel is involved.

Variable 5: The Shoot Time

Depending on the company, you might be charged per hour, half-day, or full-day. Plus, remember, setup and teardown take time too, so plan accordingly and make every minute count!

Variable 6: Post-Production

The magic doesn’t stop once the cameras do their dance. Post-production is where the story comes together. From creating narratives to adding captivating visuals, the editing process is a work of art! Color grading and sound tweaks add the finishing touches for video perfection!

Variable 7: Turnaround Time

Speedy delivery or relaxed timeline? Your desired turnaround time impacts the level of hustle required by the team, which will influence the cost. Don’t rush the masterpiece unless it’s needed!

Variable 8: Opportunity Cost

Some shoots are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities!  When time is of the essence, the stakes are high, and you’ll spare no effort to make it a blockbuster! Booking a videographer’s time is invaluable, as cloning tech is still in the works!

And the Non-Variable?

Video length doesn’t (or shouldn’t) hold too much power of price persuasion!  A short video might require extensive work through the whole process, while a longer piece could be basic and simple. What matters is the video’s impact on your goals!

So, what’s the cost of a video? It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer! It depends on the magic mix of variables tailored to your unique project. But hey, remember, what truly matters is the value your video brings to you!

Got more questions? Reach out anytime! We’re here to help you make your video dreams come true!  Thanks for joining us on this video voyage!

How Long Should My Video Be?

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This article might get a little uncomfortable. I’m about to share a secret with you that you may not want to hear. Ready?

No matter how much someone is interested in your product or company, no matter how much they love it or love you, you still only have a very very short amount of their time. In today’s society, it’s best to make a quick impression, they will respect you more for that. So, how long is that impression? Ten minutes? Five minutes? Three minutes? Try two minutes.

Yes, two minutes is the magic number. For now at least, until there are even more demands on people’s time, and then it’ll drop again. Here are a few questions or comments I’ve received when relaying this information.

We play our video at an event where everyone is there for us. Surely, our video can be longer then, right?

Maybe. No matter where you are, you’ll start to lose viewer’s attention exponentially after 2 minutes. Remember, just because a person is with you at an event, doesn’t mean they’re fully there. They still have a smartphone that is full of their e-mails, social media accounts, news articles, and videos, all vying for their time. They obviously care enough to be there in the room, but that doesn’t mean you have their undivided attention.

But we have so much information to share. We can’t share it all in two minutes.

This is true for nearly every organization, program, or event. Two minutes is rarely enough time for everything. Consider making one, 10,000-foot view video, that gives an overview and maybe touches on a few key messages. Then create multiple, bite-sized videos that share specific information about specific things. That way a viewer can pick and choose the information that’s most interesting or important to them. If you force viewers to sit through information they don’t care about, you will lose them.

Is there ever a time when videos can be longer and still be effective?

Training videos are the exception to the rule. However, breaking up training modules into smaller, bite-sized nuggets of information will still be more effective and help with overall information retention.

I hope this blog has been helpful for you. If you’d like more information about this, we’d recommend you check out this article by wistia. If we can help you any further, please give us a shout! Thanks!

Seven Things You Can Do to Save Time, Money and Headache in the Video Production Process

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When it comes to creating top-notch , professional video content, hiring a video team is the key to success!  You might be wondering, “Is it worth the investment?” Oh, absolutely! With the expertise, experience, and top-quality equipment a professional brings, your return on investment can be astounding!  And we’ve got the tips to streamline your production and save time and money in the process! Let’s dive in!

1. Be Realistic

Investing in a pro team means setting a realistic budget.  If you’re tight on funds, consider student talents studying video production, but remember, a true pro (or team) delivers unmatched results! DIY is an option, but it can distract you from your core skills and make your organization seem unprofessional.

2. Be Specific

Get crystal clear about your vision!  The more details you provide about your project’s purpose, target audience, tone, key messages, and timeline, the closer the final piece will align with your dreams!  Nail down these specifics to get the best results!

3. Be Prepared

Preparation is the key to smooth sailing. Gather all your assets, like pictures and logos, in the right size and resolution. Go big with at least 1000 pixels in width and height. Vector files are ace if you have ’em, as they can resize without losing quality.

4. Don’t Wait

Procrastination won’t serve you well. Act promptly and decide if video is part of your upcoming plans (and it should be). Waiting till the last moment can be a headache and hurt your pocketbook.  Plan ahead and seize the opportunity!

5. If You Think You May Want It, Get It

Capture the magic moments.  Even if you’re unsure how you’ll use the footage right away, trust us, it’s better to have it than to regret not having it later!

6. Be Decisive and Thorough

To ensure a swift and successful project, review the full video thoroughly before providing edit notes. Get everyone responsible for the video to do the same. Being decisive and thorough keeps things on track.

7. Share Your Wares 

You’ve invested in a top-quality masterpiece!  Now, it’s time to showcase it to the world. Embed it on your website, share it on social media, and use it at presentations. The more you share, the greater the impact. Let your video shine!

We hope these tips make your video journey a breeze.  Remember, we’re always here to help you on your path to video greatness! Feel free to reach out anytime.  Thanks for tuning in, and here’s to your fruitful and fabulous video adventure!