Create a video, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. But they didn’t leave you with a significant budgeting for the video, did they? And when more than 50% of the consumers want to see video content from brands, no matter what the restrictions (budgeting or otherwise), how can you say no?

But what if we told you that you can create the video you want and not overshoot your budgeting? Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

1. Shoot in one location

For most videos, you may require a private location since it gives you the luxury of being in control of almost all elements. But you have to pay for this luxury, and more often than not, the price is high. If you’re on a budget, a quick tip is to utilise one location for your entire shoot. You can segment that location to portray different places by using appropriate backdrops and sets.

2. Don’t hire unnecessary equipment

Let’s face it; fancy shooting equipment excites us all. Technology keeps getting better every day and who doesn’t love getting their hands on the newest gadgets? But this is something you need to choose carefully when you’re on a budget. Try completing your shoot with the equipment you already own. If that’s not an option, borrow from friends and colleagues. Hiring equipment should be your last option. If you do have to hire or buy, don’t go all out; only invest in what is necessary.

3. Get in touch with upcoming actors

Striking a deal with upcoming actors is a great idea because it is beneficial for both parties. They get the publicity they need, and you get an actor promoting and/or talking about your brand at a price much less than what more established actors charge.

4. Try finishing in a day

This is especially important when you have chosen a location that you are paying for. Before choosing a paid site, always strike off other free options. But if your video demands a private location, schedule your shoot in such a way that it gets done in a day to ensure proper budgeting. There will always be some shoots that you won’t be able to wrap up in just one day. If that’s the case, don’t block the site for the entire second day. Look at options that will let you pay by the hour or for half a day. This way you’ll only pay for the time you actually use the location.

5. Use free online software to edit

How should you choose video editing software? The finest software usually won’t be available for free. But do you really need the best one? There are hundreds of free video editing tools that offer more or less the same features as a paid tool. Of course, there will be some premium features offered by the latter, but you won’t always need to use them. Download a few trial versions and see which one fulfils your needs.

6. Use royalty-free music

When it comes to the cost of adding music to a video, it is one of those expenses that masks itself as a small cost but really isn’t. First of all, ask yourself if your video needs music. If the answer is yes, then which parts? Even if you need music for just the starting and ending credits of your video, we suggest you look for royalty-free music. This small decision will help you immensely in the long run. You may have to do a fair bit of research when it comes to finding royalty-free music – but trust us, it’ll be worth it in the end.

7. Try to shoot in natural light

This is one tip that can save you a lot of money. When it comes to a video shoot or even a photo shoot, a huge amount of money is spent on getting lighting equipment. And the job isn’t over yet; if you’re not a lighting expert, you will need professional help to set up and use this equipment. All of this can be avoided by simply choosing to shoot in the daytime – you will save a lot of money and also get a well-lit video.

8. Get a small crew that can multitask

You can’t be in all places at the same time; there’s no denying that a shoot requires a crew. But the number of people you actually require is something you need to assess. Do you need ten people in ten different roles or do you think you can manage with five people who can switch between roles when necessary? When you’re on a budget, getting people who can multitask is a great advantage. Apart from the financial benefit, a small crew is more easily manageable, and the entire team gets to learn a lot more.

The bottom line about video budgeting

Remember, creating videos on a low budget doesn’t always mean you have to compromise on quality. Instead, try using some of our tips and you will see how smartly you can make great quality videos.