During the first contact with many clients I'm often asked, "How much does it cost to produce a video?" Often the person inquiring has been pretty vague sharing something such as "We want a 20-minute training video" or "We're looking for a 30 second commercial — how much will that cost?" There are so many variables involved that I often liken it to being asked - "How much will it cost for me to build a house?" Well, you could build a mansion on the ocean, you can build a shack in the woods, or something in between. There are many elements that affect your final price, and it's important for you to be aware of them so that you can make educated choices (and avoid shell shock). I will share several of the most important here, along with my thoughts on what you really need, and perhaps what you shouldn't waste your money on. One of my peers in the video industry wrote the following satirical note: "Dear sir, I can create your video from start to finish with a total length not to exceed 15 minutes for $1,000. Other determining factors such as content, scripting, video capture and creative design will add to this base rate exponentially and could go as high as $13 million depending on the overall product and the speed at which it is to be accomplished. For a more accurate quote, we can arrange a meeting to discuss the specifics that determine the overall cost and I can give you a highly detailed estimate." I still chuckle every time I read it. It's so profoundly true! The cost of a video can widely fluctuate! Most folks don't realize what goes into creating a video. So what's involved with determining a reasonable price? The following are some of the elements I consider most important, with some tips on what to consider when choosing.

Production Company's Prices Vary - Who Should I Pick? First pay close attention to the experience, reputation and talent of the producer, director, editor and crew. These days everybody and their brother feels that they can produce a video. After all they produced that "great epic" called "My Disney Vacation"! Video cameras are relatively inexpensive and easy to come by. There are even home editing systems. There are many weekend warriors and even full time video producers making a career in wedding videos, who are attempting to break into the corporate market. Consider the fact that owning a gourmet oven doesn't make you are a gourmet cook. On the other hand, I'm sure there are some folks out there who can whip up a gourmet meal using nothing more than a pan and a hotplate! My point is that having good video equipment doesn't necessarily translate into a good video production.

My niece just created her own video recap for her college graduation party! Although it was cute to the rest of the family, would I show this level of quality at a conference, use it as a marketing tool, video news release or training video? Ahhhhh no! (please don't tell her I said this!). As I discuss in the article "The Secret To A Successful Video: Why quality is key and how to get it!" (see that at www.ballmediainnovations.com), having at least a minimum level of quality in a video can make or break the success of the video. When a viewer sees a low quality video, they will generally be so distracted and turned off, they won't be able to receive the intended message. A quality video has a look and feel that enables the viewer to pay attention and get the message. It will also create an image that will influence the viewer.

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