Video marketing is probably a big part of your marketing strategy. And if it isn’t yet, it soon will be. As demand for video goes up, it begs the question: should your company invest in an in-house team to produce your videos?
Hiring dedicated team members to produce videos regularly sounds like a dream, but how do you do it? In this blog we’ll discuss how to bring video production in-house, and why it could be a great move for your company.
Why Bring it In-House
1. Better Workflow
Having dedicated video team members means that they will be part of the process from the beginning. The video team is part of your company, and that means they’ll have a much greater understanding of your business from the get-go because no one knows your company and content plan better than those who help to shape it. Internal teams that work together on a daily basis generally are much more efficient then outside contractors.
2. Quicker Turnarounds
An in-house video team also eliminates that back and forth you have to go through with external teams. Meetings to go over minute details and wait times to receive footage or updates all can be a thing of the past with an in-house video production team. Moreover, controlling all the video production and editing allows you to create content whenever you need it. If there’s a new social trend or inspiration strikes, your team can produce a great video in no time.
3. More Videos
Quicker turnarounds mean you’ll be able to produce more videos. The same team working together on a unified marketing plan has the ability to design a system that works. The more efficient the system they create, the more videos you can expect them to produce. Having all the people, tools, and ideas in one place will cut downtime each step of the way. For information on creating videos from start to finish, check out our blog, “Planning Your Video In Just One Day”.
4. Cost Per Video
Purchasing equipment and hiring employees will, without a doubt, be expensive. However, frequently hiring freelancers or agencies adds up very quickly and can become even more costly over time. The more videos you produce in-house, the less each video will cost. Those potentially higher initial costs will turn into great investments that will pay off for years to come. If you plan your budget accordingly, you’ll be able to see the money your business will save by hiring a single person or a whole team for your in-house video production.
When Not to Bring Video Production In-House
While we think bringing your production in-house will benefit many businesses, there are scenarios where it might not be the right move.
1. Significant Investment
While hiring a team member or full team on board might save money in the long run, it will cost a lot up front. Take a look at this video equipment example:
- Camera: iphone, DSLR, or camcorder and lenses $800-$20,000
- Tripod: $50-$3,000
- Lighting: $500-$10,000
- Microphone and audio equipment: $140-$6,000
- Studio equipment (stands, backdrop, etc): $300-$1,000
- Editing Software (Final Cut Pro $300)
- TOTAL COST: $1,300 ~$40,300
While this would be a relatively modest setup, depending on what you hope to accomplish, your in-house video production setup could cost as much as six figures. Gauging what you absolutely need is most important when considering purchasing equipment. If you can’t afford to invest, it might be better to hold off on bringing your video production in-house.
2. Not Creating Many Videos
The benefits of a team or single hire only apply if you plan on making an abundance of videos. If your video needs are modest, that initial capital outlay won’t average out over enough productions to make it worthwhile. One way to determine the most cost-effective option is to sit down at the beginning of the year and plan your video budget. This will give you a great idea of how many videos you plan on making during the year and, thus, if hiring staff is worth it. For a blueprint to get you started, check out our blog on creating a realistic video budget.
3. High-Quality One-offs
Big one-off videos such as product videos or high-quality advertising films should be evergreen and last a long time. If you’re only making one or two of these a year, it might be better to outsource the project. While an in-house hire will be able to produce most videos you need, these videos are typically better left to a dedicated video production company or ad agency. If you can afford to hire someone and still save room in your budget for these big-budget films, that will be the best of both worlds.
Who You’ll Need
The team you assemble will depend greatly on the type of videos you need, how often you’ll need them, and what you can afford.
If you have the budget for one employee or are planning on scaling over time, we’d suggest starting with a video producer/”jack-of-all-trades” type. This person will be able to write, plan, direct, shoot, and edit. They’ll be knowledgeable enough in the field to accomplish most tasks on their own and, when needed, can enlist help from other staff.
The experience of this person will vary depending on what you plan to accomplish. If you are planning on doing a lot of simple videos and perhaps not expanding your production needs, someone newer to the field might be a great choice. A recent film school grad or more junior self-taught videographer, for instance, should be able to handle most functions of smaller in-house video production. However if you plan on scaling your team, your first hire should be someone with more experience. This way, they will be an added resource for your company as a one-person department, and they will also be able to manage a growing crew as you expand over time.
Another safe bet is to hire someone with a mix of marketing and video knowledge. This way you’ll be able to grow your video production process and they’ll be able to contribute to your marketing efforts as your video efforts ramp up.
What You’ll Need
As mentioned above, equipment varies depending on what projects you intend to do and what you can afford. Some companies may only need a camera and not much else, whereas other companies may need multiple cameras, lights and studio equipment, and an audio setup. It’s best to consult with your hire on what they feel most comfortable using, since every video professional will have their preferences. For some expert advice on choosing the right camera, check out our blog, “What’s Your Go-To Camera?”
The last consideration is space. When you are committing to hiring staff for in-house video production, it’s a good idea to consider where these videos will be created. Having a dedicated space where you can store your gear, and set up lighting and sound equipment will greatly enhance the videos you produce. While using the corner of your office might work at first, having a dedicated space that won’t disturb other employees will be a better solution in the long run.
Here at SproutVideo
We took many of these same considerations into account when we built our team here at SproutVideo. Our main video series is run by our Creative Director, Nick LaClair. Nick is a director and cinematographer specializing in short-form commercial and branded content. He has 13 years in the industry and extensive experience with just about every area of video production – from writing, producing, directing, and post-production. As an added bonus, Nick contributes to greater marketing goals by writing a ton of content and concepting creative ideas inside and outside of our video production. We knew he would be exactly what we needed to get our video marketing efforts up and running.
Do you have an in-house video production team? If so, we’d love to hear how you got started and the effect it has had on your business. Let us know in the comments below.
