Video marketing has made its way to the top of any marketing plan. The efficiency of video marketing is unmatched to any other form of content on the internet today. But the one question on everyone's mind is how to create a video and not blow your whole marking budget on it. Today's video making is fast, easy, and feasible thanks to the many online tools and editing platforms. For example, Instagram provided features like reel, boomerang, and more that let you make videos instantly. If you are working on a shoestring budget, but do not want to miss out on video marketing's benefits, here are a few tips. We can broadly classify these into three stages of video creation, writing, scripting, and editing. Cutting costs at an easy step of the way will add up a large saving per video. These tips might not apply to your brand directly, but will definitely help you derive some inspiration.
Plan Videos Based on Resources
Plan your videos with the budget in mind and shape them to keep in mind your disposal resources. For example, if you do not have a green-screen studio, do not write videos that will need you to spend on them. This process also includes props and actors; the best way to be cut costs is to plan in reverse. For instance, if you do not have a sound recorder to capture dialogue, write a script to use voice-over or just music.
Write in a Series
An excellent way to save costs is to write in series, which is the same logic that helps manufacturers cut the cost of production by producing in bulk. Similarly, if you plan a series of videos around the same theme, you can derive the most from one small setup. This practice will also reduce your cost of location and equipment. For example, if you were to shoot a video-blog against the same background for many days, it would be further cost-effective than setting up a new location from scratch each time. Another advantage of writing in a series is that an audience follows your work for a longer duration. As one video leads to another, it keeps viewers more involved in your brand and your content.
Use Nature to Your Advantage
Nature provided you more than just fruits. It's a perfect backdrop for making cost-friendly videos. The reason for this is two-found. The first reason is the use of natural light. When you shoot your videos in the day, it's cheaper since you can use sunlight and not invest in artificial lights. Secondly, if you plan to shoot more elaborate videos indoors, you might need to rent a space. Avoiding this cost is easy by shooting in free-to-use public spaces. These give you a more nuanced setup and look stunning if you used to your advantage.
Your Phone is Everything
Your phone can do a lot more than satisfy your appetite for social media. The camera and the audio recorder on your phone are more than adequate to produce quality videos. Most modern-day phones come with a top-end camera that can deliver high-quality videos. You can also invest in secondary accessories like tripods and mic, which attach to your phone to better shoot experience. Other built-in features like time-lapse and slow-motion cameras make it easy to shoot interesting concepts with minimal effort Additional applications on the phone, like video editors, GIF makers, and effects on social media platforms, can also be intelligently incorporated to make quality content.
Live Recording
Live videos and live streaming have become a prevalent phenomenon in recent times. Social media platforms provide tools that let you live stream interesting events like gaming or product launches. These are tools such as Instagram Live or Facebook Live. These videos have the leeway to be slow and stretched out to cover more details. At the end of the live stream, you can upload it as a video to gain a few more views. Another alternative is dedicated platforms like Twitch, designed for long-term streaming. You can also use a cloud server for streaming videos from anywhere on any device using a cloud desktop.
Online Editing Tools
One of the best ways to cut costs is to edit videos online using the abundance of free tools. These tools do not just let you chop and arrange videos, but also come with preset templates that allow you to make videos on the fly. They are easy to use and take very little time to master. Digital tools are also conducive for online content creation since they allow you to download the videos in the exact format and size needed for each social media platform. Each platform, like Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook has its own rules and guidelines for video content.
Free Music
Give you videos the punch they need, without spending a penny. Free online music can be easily found on resources like the YouTube Audio Library. Additionally, you can also use an online audio file converter to download royalty-free music. If you do not have the budget for an audio recorder, use your phone. But if that does not do the trick, apply free music to complement the video's tone.
These are videos or other posts for social media created by the followers and not the brand. These are contest videos, shout-out videos, or influencer videos. Using a simple outro maker, you can rebrand them as your own and generate video content for no cost. Now that you are aware of a few ways to cut costs, it's time to get to work. The most straightforward tool for video marketing success is consistent posting. Set a roadmap and then generate content that adds value to your user-base. Lastly, if you are using cost-cutting devices, ensure that it does not compromise the video's quality. Do not tarnish the reputation of your brand to save a few bucks. After creating the videos, run them by some reliable friends and co-workers to reconfirm video quality. With these simple tips and tricks, you are ready to take off on your video making journey.
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