Digital media is a must-have in today’s business world, especially online. But it costs. Fortunately, you can make an inexpensive promo video with these handy tips. | Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer

Movie production clapper board – Image Courtesy of Pexels

Digital media is a must-have in today’s business world, especially online. But it costs. Fortunately, you can make an inexpensive promo video with these handy tips.

Hire Professional Cameras and Equipment

Cameras and equipment are very expensive. So if you’re on a budget, you won’t have the funds to buy what you need. Of course, if you plan on repeated use, it might be a wise investment. However, you can hire what you need instead. All the necessary equipment for things like a dolly camera setup, lighting rigs, and green screens are available on a per-day basis. Be aware, though, that a live-action sequence can look extremely amateur if you have no experience. So maybe hire someone with the skills to handle professional-grade videography equipment.

Use Existing Skills of You or Your Team

You can cut down the cost of video production by working with what you already have. Perhaps you have a Canon EOS with HD video capability and have used it for years of personal shooting. Then consider that over rentals. Or maybe one of your team members is an Adobe Premiere editor in their spare time. There’s a ton of money saved over purchasing software and hiring a professional editor. And don’t forget about voice overs. Voice actors are notoriously expensive. So why not record your own voice for your promo? Just clear your throat first.

Make an Inexpensive Promo Video with Online Tools

Editing software is expensive to purchase or license. Hollywood grade packages like Adobe Premiere are also challenging to learn and take time and practice. Fortunately, you can make quick and easy videos online such as Canva, Animoto, and Headliner. The benefits include:

• A massive ROI of up to 89%.
• Vastly increased product sales and engagement. 
• Boosted traffic to your website.

These are apps aimed at productivity in business, which is now a valued source of marketing and product ROI. In addition, almost all online marketers use videos as a core part of any strategy. A broad spectrum of consumers expect and find promotional videos helpful. 

Keep it Short, Sweet, and to the Point

Time is money when making a video. You might only have equipment for a limited time and could be fined for not returning it. Additionally, you need to work around schedules and work commitments. You will soon see that it requires some degree of logistics and planning. So it helps to plan everything in advance, get a script nailed down and begin the day early. That way, you stay on point with your promo video and wrap it in time to head down to post-production. Then you can have fun editing your audio, video, and visual effects for the final product.

Use Royalty-Free Assets

As you start to build a video plan, you will see the costs quickly add up. Equipment, software, professionals. It’s all cost. So you get to the point where you might begin to run out of funding. Fortunately, there are tons of sites you can use for royalty-free images, clips, and VFX. Some of the best include Pixabay, Pexels, and Udemy. Yet if you have a little more in your budget, Shutterstock offers superior quality. In addition, some sites let you use assets under the Creative Commons license, while others might require a small payment for each use.

Summary

With some planning, you can make an inexpensive promo video for your next product or service. Hire what you need, use online editing tools and keep your video short and on topic.