“It’s going to be too expensive to make videos!” and “How would we be able to afford it if we have to have our own video productions?” These are phrases we hear a lot when it comes to pitching the idea of interactive video. And we get it, you like the idea of interactive videos, but you can’t find the right video for what you want to do. The best solution would be to make your own, but making a video is such an expensive ordeal!
Right?
Well, it’s not anymore!
Our founder, Anton, often spends a bit of his time at fairs. There he tends to meet many people who have the same concerns. That’s why Anton often demonstrates how easy it is, right there and then, at the fair. He records a short video, uploads it to YouTube, uploads it to hihaho, and starts making it interactive right away.
You can almost hear that penny drop in the minds of the people watching.
But you might still have that same idea in mind, that making a video is going to cost a lot of money. And until I had to make video productions on a budget, I would’ve said the same thing. And ten years ago, it would’ve been true! But nowadays, you too can produce interactive videos for much less money than you think. Of course, I can just tell you how easy it is, but you still wouldn’t know where to start. So today, I’ll get you started.
Determine your budget
What you need to do first is to establish what your budget is for creating these interactive videos. Having that as a fact will help you determine where you can cut expenses.
You don’t have to roll out the red carpet, bring in food trucks for catering, and hire expensive actors for being in your video.
Boil the production down to the essentials
Even if there’s no budget at all, you can come a long way.
A video production can be as low-budget as you want it to be, if you boil it down to just the essentials. Writing a script for your video and shooting and editing the video are not things you have to outsource per se.
Write your own scripts, you’re an expert
How, you may ask.
Well, consider this: the people that work at your company or school are experts in what you’re selling or what you want to achieve with these interactive videos. Write the scripts yourselves!
But then, there you are staring at the blank page. How do you even write a script? We’ve written an article that could help you.
Smartphones are a good alternative
Filming is also something that is often outsourced. But with an OK camera, you can produce proper videos. Even phones have excellent cameras these days, so evaluate the future use of your videos and see whether you have to invest in camera equipment.
When you decide to use your own camera, it’s best to buy a tripod, so you can stabilize your shots. Depending on the location, it might be necessary to also buy some lights. It’s also wise to choose a location without background noise.
Tech-savvy employees are all around
Not outsourcing editing can be tough if no one is experienced with these things in your company. But you have a creative and tech-savvy employee walking around somewhere. They might be able to pick up the editing faster than you think.
If you want to edit the video, edit in programs that often come free or at a low fee with your computer, like Windows Movie Maker and Apple iMovie. These are fine if you can’t afford buying other editing tools. Do what you can do within the boundaries of your budget.
Many are natural actors
The acting can also be an inside job. A lot of people have some experience in front of a camera or on the stage. And some are really just naturals. I wouldn’t advise you to put employees in the spotlight who don’t want to. Nor would I advise you to work with employees that might end up looking like a deer in headlights.
But work with what you’ve got.
Outsourcing without it ending in bankruptcy
So far, I’ve basically only been telling you how to avoid outsourcing. But, obviously, if you want to outsource or you just don’t have the capacity to do all this work yourself, outsource it.
Freelancers are the way to go. There are many people who work as video producers, camera operators, writers, and actors as a side hustle.
For example, you could outsource the filming (and often even the editing) by hiring a cameraman or a camerawoman.
They often have better film equipment and a good eye for how you can elevate the look of your production. Besides, they will bring the right equipment for the job, so you don’t have to worry about that yourself.
It’s a small step from your phone to hihaho
We always say it’s easy, but it actually is! As soon as you have your video ready, upload it directly to hihaho to get started. You’ll have to spend some time editing if you’re working with larger videos, but even then, once you’re finished, you can upload it and get going.
Match effort and budget with your end goal
While you’re processing all this information, do realize the core message of this article. If you want to make a brief interactive video that you’re only going to use in your classroom or office, there’s no need for a Hollywood production.
The reality of the situation is that if you don’t have the money, you shouldn’t spend it. If you can’t get the funding, don’t spend it.
Get started
Video productions aren’t what they used to be in this day and age. So now that the worries about your finances are out of the way, get started! There is no excuse to postpone any longer.
