Written by Chris Jolley
Introduction
The decision to rent video equipment or hire a videographer is a decision that has plagued small business owners for a long time, and honestly, there is no correct answer. It comes down to what you want to get out of the experience and what matters most to you.
In this article, we will explore a few of the key pros and cons of both sides of this question so that by the end, you will better understand which avenue works best for you and your business strategy.
Cost vs. Quality
Video production is expensive. With typical day rates being around £500, video marketing is not cheap. Most businesses understand the power of video marketing, with 86% of businesses using it, according to Here Now, but for SMEs, that day rate can easily be too expensive.
Renting equipment can significantly reduce the cost of video marketing. Good video equipment is available for less than £100, making this a considerably cheaper alternative that makes video marketing far more accessible. You only need a camera (even a smartphone can do it), decent lighting, and editing equipment.
The drawback to doing it yourself is that you sacrifice a significant amount of quality. Bad videos often stand out for the wrong reasons, and in business, how you present yourself is often how you are perceived.
Hiring a videographer ensures top-class video quality, which will naturally reflect well on your business.
Additionally, when you hire a videographer, you’re not just paying for equipment—you’re investing in their expertise, experience, and time, which can be invaluable for your brand and campaign success.
Time vs. Money
What is more important for your business: your time or your money?
If you run a service business in which time spent away from your desk or working on other projects affects your income, hiring a videographer may be more cost-effective.
Video planning, shooting, and editing are incredibly time-consuming. If you want to produce multiple videos, you have to spend weeks on them.
On the other hand, if you have the time to spare, renting can help you save money while teaching you a valuable skill that will undoubtedly come in handy many times.
Furthermore, if you have in-house staff with some minor video production experience, hiring equipment for them could also be a viable option. Their previous experience should ensure decent quality and help them develop their skills.
Ultimately, the answer will depend entirely on your business and financial situation.
Target Audience and Platform
The final consideration is the audience you’re targeting and the platform you’re targeting them on.
If you’re B2B, hiring a videographer is likely a better choice. The quality of the video will positively impact your brand identity and will be suitable for use on your website.
If you are B2C and you’re targeting kids and young adults on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, then filming the content yourself is likely a better choice.
In fact, for a company like this, user-generated content will often outperform any content you or a professional videographer can make.
Therefore, funnelling the money you save on video production into affiliates and user-generated content can significantly improve your chances of success.
Conclusion
Hiring equipment vs. hiring a videographer is a tricky question, and the answer is entirely subjective; however, by asking yourself the three important questions above, you will be in a far better position to do well.
It’s the subtle technical details that make for a premium-quality video, and these come from years of ‘know-how’ and a drive for continual improvement. Whether that is the right thing for your brand is up to you.
For people who have read this and decided that hiring a videographer is the right move, get in touch using the contact form below, or check out our guide on choosing the right video production company for your corporate videos.
Are you also unsure who should do your voiceovers? Well, lucky for you, we have a guide for that.
