“Every budget tells a story. If you want a good ending, you have to plan and make smart choices along the way.” – Some wise person
According to a recent report by HubSpot, 54% of consumers claim they want to see more video content from their favorite brands, which is no surprise with video marketing being at an all-time high. A whopping 91% of businesses use video as a primary marketing tool. What’s more, 92% of video marketers say that their video has given them a positive return on their investment. In other words— online video consumption isn’t just #trending, it’s profitable!
Yet many businesses may not have the kind of video marketing budget it takes to make a show-stopping blockbuster.
In this blog, we’ll go over how to produce high-quality and engaging video content without going broke. Here are some insider tips on how to create compelling videos that will yield results— regardless of your budget.
Plan Meticulously
There’s a lot that goes into a successful shoot, so working with like, say… Slow Clap means having a professional guiding hand to lay all this out with you. Yet big budget or not, planning is your best friend when it comes to video production— because every minute costs money.
It helps to plan out as much as possible of what it is that you hope to achieve with your video in advance. Start with a project brief for the video where you identify your target audience, key marketing messages, goals, and a call to action. From there, you could either pass the brief over to a few video agencies and compare prices, or, if that’s not quite in budget, you can handle the creative in-house.
From a detailed script to a storyboard of your scenes, having the groundwork laid out minimizes your overall video shooting time and ensures maximum efficiency of your resources.
Embrace Stock Footage and Archival Media
Stock footage is a great way to increase your overall production value and fill gaps in your narrative.
As an alternative to stock footage, consider using your company’s archival images and videos that could be repurposed for your video. Does your company already have an archival library of past video projects or photos? If so, repurpose it!
Another option is personal photos and videos. While this depends on the story that you’re telling, it can be a budget-friendly option to get your story across.
Take this video, which relied almost entirely on personal images, archival footage, and stock footage. It’s an example of how it’s possible to make an elegant, engaging, and effective video without lots of additional filming days for b-roll.
https://slowclap.com/work/ucsf-diabetes-academy-joanne-kagle/
It’s important to note that while we managed to tell a story, the con is that the quality of the images don’t match across the entire video. Ideally, if you have the time and budget, shooting b-roll promises consistent high-quality video.
Limit Filming Locations
When mapping out the idea for your story, try to create a storyline that doesn’t require filming in various locations, especially if you only have one day of production budgeted. Filming in multiple locations means more time lost to travel and equipment setup.
The right video production agency can help you choose a versatile location that can be made to look like various places. By using different angles and backdrops, a smart video producer can create the illusion that your video was filmed in various locations without the hassle of it, ultimately saving time and money.
| Pro-Tip:
To save on location fees like renting a studio, consider shooting at your own office. If you’re creating a corporate video or a video specifically about your company, using your own office space means no need to rent furniture or props, you’ve got a ready-made set! Alternatively, you could even consider shooting in someone’s home if it’s appropriate for your video. |
Here’s a great example of how Slow Clap was able to turn their client’s office into a studio with a backdrop. This reduces the hassle and cost of renting a studio space and the film team comes to you!
https://slowclap.com/work/imbue-brand-story/
Emphasize Content Over Aesthetics
While a highly curated, scripted, and glossy approach can look great, it’s the content that truly draws viewers in. In other words, an engaging story that’s well presented can overshadow any holes in your budget. By creating a captivating narrative that connects with your audience, your viewers won’t even notice less polished visuals and production values.
Focus on presenting a story that resonates with your viewers and encourages them to watch until the end— not just because it has special effects or snazzy visuals, but because it facilitates meaningful engagement and stirs emotions. Viewers are more likely to remember, share, and act on videos that make them feel something, and evoking feeling is totally possible on any budget.
That’s where Slow Clap shines; we specialize in authentic storytelling that strikes an emotional chord with viewers.
Here’s a compelling example of authentic storytelling in a video by Slow Clap and Blue Shield of California with a simple, one-day shoot.
https://slowclap.com/work/joses-story/
Never Underestimate the Power of Post-Production
What if we were to tell you that you could create a video without needing to film at all? You can create a perfectly engaging video with stock footage, motion graphic text, animation and a voice over. Here are some examples of videos that didn’t require any shoot days, yet still tell a good story.
https://slowclap.com/work/lattice-the-era-of-people-success/
https://slowclap.com/work/workato-the-new-era-of-automation/
https://slowclap.com/work/oaaa-awards-kick-off/
Turn Budget Constraints Into Creative Triumphs
Obviously, a higher budget yields higher production value. To give you a better idea, in Slow Clap’s case, we filmed a virtual event over three days using intricate props, an LED video wall, and Unreal Engine, creating realistic virtual backgrounds for Mindful, a cloud-based contact center.
Kind by Design: A Special Mindful Event
Take a look at the behind the scenes of this production below.
Needless to say, this video was not created with a modest budget. However, that’s not to say that a low budget means you have to skimp on quality. It’s all about getting creative with your storytelling and optimizing your resources.
A great example of this principle is the film Searching (2018), a thriller that had a small budget of only $880,000, but managed to gross over $75 million worldwide. The entire movie was shot from the perspective of computer and smartphone screens, which was a fresh and unique approach to storytelling. It’s a testament to the power of creativity and proving that a modest budget doesn’t have to mean modest results.
And while your tech company or corporate marketing strategy may not necessarily be looking to make a low-budget thriller film, you get the idea.
Here at Slow Clap, we’re committed to creating authentic stores that captivate. We’re deeply rooted in the belief that genuine storytelling is the backbone of every outstanding video—not necessarily production value.
In a world where audiences have no shortage of brands to choose from, let us help make your brand the obvious choice. From explainer videos, to testimonials, to motion graphics, we’re here to tell your brand’s story.
Are you ready to see how Slow Clap can help you create high quality and engaging video content regardless of your budget? Get in touch today.
Further reading:
Why Your Company Needs Branded Content
Video Trends Proven to Work for Your 2023 Marketing Strategy