In-House vs. Outsourced Video Production: Making the Right Choice

In the world of video production, businesses face a crucial decision: should they develop in-house capabilities or outsource to specialised external providers? This decision is strategic and influenced by factors like budget, project complexity, resource availability, and overall organisational goals.

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In-House Video Production

Creating an in-house video production team gives businesses greater control and consistency. It allows seamless integration of brand elements and fosters close collaboration among team members, ensuring the final product aligns with the company's values and messaging. However, this requires a significant investment in resources, equipment, and ongoing team development to maintain high standards. For this to be worthwhile, businesses must commit to producing video content regularly and for the long term. 

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Outsourced Video Production

Outsourcing video production provides businesses with access to a wealth of expertise and creative input without the need for a long-term investment. This approach allows companies to leverage the skills of seasoned professionals who bring fresh perspectives and specialised knowledge. However, outsourcing can come with challenges, such as managing relationships with your chosen content agency and ensuring the content aligns with the brand's vision and objectives. At Strawberry Productions, we pride ourselves on our collaborative approach. From discovery sessions to in-depth conversations with your team, we strive to understand your business or personal brand thoroughly, setting the tone and style for the content we create.

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Advantages of In-House Video Production

1. Greater Control: Having an in-house team allows for immediate oversight and swift decision-making, ensuring the production process remains fluid and adaptable.
2. Deep Brand Understanding: An in-house team lives and breathes the brand's ethos daily, creating content that authentically reflects the business's identity and messaging.
3. Unified Collaboration: Shared organisational goals nurture a collaborative environment where creativity can thrive, leading to more consistent and innovative content.
4. Budget Management: Operating internally often allows for more predictable costs, enabling better financial planning and resource allocation.

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Disadvantages of In-House Video Production

1. Resource Constraints: Maintaining high-quality production requires significant investment in specialised equipment, which can be challenging for an in-house team if you haven’t employed a video professional. If this is the case, I wouldn’t expect to achieve professional level video production.
2. Scalability Issues: In-house teams may struggle with scaling operations to handle larger or more complex projects, leading to potential overextension and compromised quality.
3. Finances: It's no secret that video production equipment comes with a hefty price tag. There are various tiers of video production, ranging from using your iPhone to employing a high-end RED camera. If you're aiming to establish an in-house video production team, ensuring you have the appropriate equipment is crucial. A basic setup could easily cost around £20,000 solely on equipment, guaranteeing that you attain a professional standard right from the start. And that's not even factoring in the cost of hiring the right individual to operate and maintain that equipment.

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Advantages of Outsourced Video Production

1. Access to Expertise: Outsourcing opens doors to professionals with diverse skills and experience, ensuring high-quality, market-relevant content.
2. High Production Values: External production houses come equipped with advanced tools and technologies, delivering polished, professional videos that enhance brand image.
3. Flexibility: External agencies can handle varying project sizes and complexities, allowing businesses to adapt to different needs without overextending internal resources.

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Disadvantages of Outsourcing Video Production

1. Reduced Oversight: Collaborating with an external agency may diminish the level of direct control and influence over creative choices. While we closely engage with individuals and businesses to grasp their vision, tone of voice, and brand identity, occasional deviations can occur. However, we've established processes to address this, including ongoing communication and unlimited content reviews, ensuring we remain aligned with the intended direction. But hey, that’s why you’ve chose to work with us, you trust us, our processes and our creative flare!
2. Time Management: When partnering with a business, we allocate a specific timeframe for the services agreed. However, at Strawberry, we are strict about ensuring everything is perfect for the shoot while staying within budget. Our transparent and straightforward approach eliminates any possibility of hidden fees that may occur later on

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Key Considerations

1. Understanding Your Objectives: Define what you aim to achieve with your videos. Ensure that your chosen approach aligns with your brand's identity and aspirations.
2. Evaluating Resources: Assess your budget, talent, and expertise within your business versus what external agencies offer. Determine who can deliver the best results.
3. Scalability and Flexibility: Consider the volume and diversity of videos you plan to produce. Ensure your chosen option can scale and adapt to changing needs and unexpected challenges.
4. Creative Needs: Evaluate the level of creativity and innovation required. Determine if your in-house team can meet these needs or if specialised external skills are necessary.

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In today’s world, video content stands as the most powerful form of communication, offering invaluable insights to customers and clients. It’s no surprise that video has significantly higher retention rates—viewers retain 95% of a message when it’s delivered in video form, compared to just 10% through text. This makes video a no-brainer when used correctly, with a proven track record of delivering impressive ROI. We’re currently helping million-pound companies build their in-house video capabilities, guiding them through the processes, focusing on key objectives, selecting the right equipment, and identifying the talent they need. With ongoing consultation, we ensure their video efforts consistently meet and exceed their goals, turning video into a cornerstone of their marketing strategy.

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Video Production with Strawberry Productions

If outsourcing seems like the best option for your next video production project, Strawberry Productions is here to help. We combine creativity with strategy, craftsmanship with technology, and vision with execution to create videos that resonate with impact, elegance, and excellence. Our team of dedicated professionals are passionate about translating your stories into powerful visual narratives.

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Reach out to one of the team today, we’re here to help people create.

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