In addition to guest posting on the UpCity blog, Sparkhouse is featured as one of the Top Video Production Companies in the United States. Check out their profile!
With video marketing and video production growing in popularity with brands every day it often comes up in discussion whether or not a brand should outsource their video production needs or if they should build out an in-house video production team.
There are a lot of factors to consider but in this article, we are going to go over the various pros and cons throughout different scenarios and needs that companies or brands might be reviewing.
Types of videos
First, we will review different types of videos and how that might affect your decision on whether or not to outsource your video production needs .
One-off videos
Videos you only need one of such as a product release, launch video, or event video is often easier to outsource. These are such short events that the time to hire employees, purchase equipment, and set up the processes are often much longer than desired. For these lean on a professional team only when your team needs them on a per-project basis.
Recurring videos
Videos that happen or are needed on a regular basis such as blog/ thought leadership videos, product demos, and instructional videos might be worth looking into the possibility of producing them in-house. Just make sure these videos are simple and don’t have complex or specialized needs such as animations, 3D, or visual effects as these are oftentimes too expensive to build out in-house.
Complex or specialized videos
Videos that require specialized talent or crew such as animations, 3D animations, visual effects, specialty camera equipment videos, etc are almost always more cost-effective to outsource. These professionals have invested in large teams and technology to better execute these complex videos.
Schedule of the project
Each project might have a unique timeline or schedule that can dramatically affect the pros and cons of outsourcing
Need something really fast?
Most video production companies are going to have some sort of lead time or process in place to plan, execute, and deliver videos. With an outsourced team, you are sometimes going to have to get in line behind other clients to get your videos completed. With an in-house team, you have someone completely dedicated to working on and finishing your videos quickly.
Something that is filmed over a long period of time
Do you have a project that is going to require multiple shooting days (we are talking 15+ days of shooting) because of things like employee availability, schedule of events, etc? With ongoing long term projects like these, it is normally more cost-effective to train someone in-house to handle at least the production portion of the project, and then you can always outsource the editing and effects.
Pros of building an in-house team
Here are some pros to building out an in-house team
Building consistency and brand
With a full-time in-house team who only focuses on creating videos for your brand they will eventually build a very strong understanding and approach to their content creation. There will be very little back and forth with outside creative and the time to onboard people with your latest info or approach should be minimized.
Supplemental revenue
Depending on your industry, having an in-house video team can add a different source of revenue for your business or can be used as a marketing tool that you can offer to your customers or partners.
More Content
In the end if you have a full-time video production team in-house you will be able to put out more content and at a cheaper price point. So if your end goal is to have as much content as possible an in-house team might be a good route.
Pros of outsourcing your video production
Top Talent
When bringing on in-house talent there will be lots of freelancers and applicants to review and interview and without testing them out or long term experience it is hard to find great ones. When you go with a proven video production team you are going to get veteran experts and creatives working on your projects from day 1.
Keep up with trends
When working with an outsourced video team you are working with people who eat, sleep, and dream of video. This is all they do so they are going to be most educated and up to date on the latest trends, styles, and technology to help create the most successful videos for your brand.
Equipment costs
Video production equipment, especially high-end video equipment is very expensive. It is in constant need of servicing and it is almost always evolving and older equipment is becoming obsolete. By outsourcing your video production you are putting these costs and risks on the vendor and away from your bottom line.
Scale quickly and safely
Just like any other part of your business scaling is always going to be an issue and a risk. When you outsource your video work you are able to very quickly hire more resources or teams to help with your growing needs, and if for whatever reason the need reduces, you aren’t on the hook for the equipment, salaries, etc.
Determine What’s Best for Your Company
In the end, each company’s video marketing needs are going to be different, but before you dive into building out a full in-house team or investing in hiring a professional outsourced video team, think about your company’s specific needs and future goals.
Best of luck, either way, you are on the right track getting into video marketing.