Whether you're a budding start-up, a thriving SMB, or a large corporation, one thing's for certain: video content is an essential part of your marketing mix. However, a key question that often pops up is, "Should we create explainer videos in-house, or is it better to outsource?"
Let's dive right into the nitty-gritty of this dilemma and weigh the pros and cons of each approach, in a conversational, friendly, and supportive manner. We're here to help you navigate your way to creating compelling, effective video content with explainer video production, so let's get started!
The In-house Route: Keeping it Close to Home
Creating your explainer videos internally gives you a higher degree of control over your content. You're at the helm, calling the shots from inception to final edit.
Pros of In-House Video Production
Complete Control: From conceptualizing ideas to executing them, you have the final say. Your team intimately understands your brand, mission, and audience, which can help maintain brand consistency across all videos.
Flexibility and Quick Changes: Need a last-minute change? No problem. In-house teams can often accommodate rapid shifts more seamlessly than an external partner could.
Cost-effectiveness (sometimes): If you already have capable resources and necessary equipment, producing videos in-house can be cost-effective over time.
Cons of In-House Video Production
Limited Expertise and Resources: Your team may excel in some areas, but lack expertise in others. If your crew isn't familiar with the intricacies of video creation, the learning curve can be steep and time-consuming.
Potential for Bias: Your internal team might be too close to the brand, which can lead to less objective critiques of the content. A fresh, external perspective is often invaluable.
High Initial Investment: If you're starting from scratch, setting up an in-house production department can be a costly affair, requiring investment in equipment, software, and training.
The Outsourced Route: Trusting the Specialists
Outsourcing your explainer video production means partnering with a specialized agency or freelancer who brings expertise and an outsider’s perspective to your project.
Pros of Outsourced Video Production
Expert Knowledge and Creativity: Agencies eat, sleep, and breathe video content. They possess a wide array of experiences and can infuse fresh creative ideas into your project.
High-Quality Production: Given their mastery of the craft, outsourcing often results in top-notch, professional-quality videos.
Scalability: Need one video or a hundred? Agencies typically have the capacity to scale up or down based on your requirements.
Cons of Outsourced Video Production
Potential Higher Costs: While outsourcing may provide you with higher quality, it often comes at a higher price, especially when engaging top-tier agencies.
Less Control: When you outsource, you surrender some level of control. It can sometimes be difficult to communicate your brand’s voice and unique aspects to an outside party.
Timeline Constraints: Agencies have other clients and may not be able to accommodate last-minute changes or rush projects as quickly as an in-house team.
Striking the Right Balance: The Hybrid Approach
If you’re torn between in-house and outsourced, consider a hybrid approach. Use your in-house team for smaller, ongoing projects while outsourcing larger, more complex videos to an agency. This way, you'll be able to capitalize on the strengths of both models, while minimizing the downsides.
Delving Deeper: Factors to Consider
When deciding between in-house and outsourced production, several additional factors come into play:
Team Size and Skill Set: Do you have the necessary personnel to handle video production? Are they skilled in conceptualization, scriptwriting, filming, editing, and post-production work? These are essential skills for in-house production.
Budget Constraints: The financial aspect cannot be ignored. Compare the cost of in-house production, including the initial investment for equipment and training, versus the cost of outsourcing.
Time and Resources: Creating an explainer video isn't a one-and-done deal. It requires time, patience, and ongoing commitment. Do you have these resources available?
Frequency of Videos: How often do you plan to release new videos? If you aim for frequent releases, an in-house team might be more efficient.
The In-House Experience: Gaining Internal Momentum
In-house video production can lead to the development of a unique, brand-centric style over time. Consistently generating content that resonates with your brand can help build familiarity and trust among your audience.
Further, having your staff involved in the production process can foster a sense of ownership and pride in the end product. It can also lead to a deeper understanding of your brand, products, or services, which can be beneficial in their other roles within the organization.
The Outsourced Experience: Riding the Wave of Expertise
Outsourcing to a specialized agency brings a wealth of experience from a broad spectrum of industries and niches. This can bring about innovative approaches and creative concepts that your internal team might not have considered.
An outsourced team can also provide constructive criticism and valuable insights, offering an unbiased perspective on your content. They can highlight potential improvements that might have been overlooked by an internal team too closely attached to the project.
Understanding the Power of Collaboration
Remember, working with an external agency doesn't mean losing control over your content. It's about collaboration. An effective agency will listen to your ideas, understand your brand, and work with you to produce an effective video that aligns with your vision.
In this partnership, communication is key. Regularly check in on the project's progress, provide feedback, and don't hesitate to voice any concerns or ideas you may have.
Conclusion: Crafting Your Video Production Strategy
As we conclude, it's crucial to remember that the choice between in-house and outsourced video production should align with your business goals, budget, and resources. Perhaps the hybrid approach of leveraging both models is your golden ticket, or maybe one method is clearly superior for your unique circumstances.
In any case, this journey you're embarking on to create compelling explainer videos is an exciting one. It's all about effective communication, creative storytelling, and brand amplification.
So take a step back, evaluate your options, and craft a strategy that best suits your needs. There's a world waiting to hear your story through the engaging medium of video content.
