In-house or Outsourced Video Production?

In terms of content production, technology has made it more accessible than ever before. An entire video can be filmed and edited with a handful of devices the collective size of an old camera. In fact entire full-length movies have been filmed using only an iPhone. This of course begs the question, should you as a business be taking your video content into your own hands? Let us begin this discussion by listing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach:

In-house Video Production Advantages

There is no need to go through the procurement process every time a new video is required, which saves production time
Video content can be updated and repurposed without delaying production
Content can be template driven to simplify production further
In-house talent can be leveraged to save on production costs

In-house Disadvantages

Creative execution may be limited due to a lack of experience and limited equipment
Considerable training and consultation is required to set up
You will need a dedicated team for content production which can be costly
Your dedicated team will need to be managed by someone with a different set of skills than the rest of your organisation
Video Production has a ton of nuance that only comes with experience, which means costly mistakes and missed opportunities are bound to happen
Your video content may not be optimised properly which may lead to a drop in content performance
There will be technical challenges from time to time that may delay production

In-house video production can be a daunting challenge, one that many organisations simply do not have the resources nor desire for, however there are cases where it may be justified to adopt this approach. For example: If your organisation requires a ton of short video content in a simplified format, an in-house approach would be ideal. There would be no additional outsourcing fees, and little delays to production. The trick is to develop a template, with pre-determined frames for filming that requires basic filming equipment. Sprinkle in some quality video training and a consultant in case things go awry and you have a cape in-house production team.

Outsourced Video Production Advantages

Specialised knowledge and expertise allows for more creative freedom in production and planning
Having access to advanced equipment means there are no limits to production value and filming
A dedicated video production agency will streamline your production while maintaining a higher production value
Video projects can be tailored which may be essential for certain topics which demand a different creative approach
A professional agency will streamline your acquisition of professional talent, they will also know how to make the most out of their services
A dedicated video agency can enhance your video content with motion graphics, design and animation
A dedicated video production agency will know how to optimise the performance of your content
Less hassle as all production is handled by the outsourced team, which also means your organisation can focus on what you do best
An experienced video production agency will know how to maximise your available resources, which may be essential depending on the nature of the project and availability of key project members and filming opportunities

Outsourced Disadvantages

An outsourced content agency is going to require a bigger budget, particularly in larger production values or multiple video projects
There may be initial delays in procurement considering an agency needs to be sourced first
Feedback and content changes may take a little longer, the same applies to general project communication
When acquiring a production agency you may find all your initial content ideas changing to better suit the project at hand, which may be better for the content in the long run but may not be so great for your current deadlines

When it comes to video production, a dedicated agency is usually the preferred choice. Your business and teams are subject matter experts, whereas the agencies are content production experts. The difference in dedicated expertise is often reason enough to outsource. Ultimately the viability of your content production approach should be factored in a comprehensive content strategy. This will provide you with a clear scope of the content going forward and the potential costs involved. Use this as a yardstick for the viability of your content production approach.

In an ideal situation, you want to find a dedicated video production agency that you can work with throughout your content strategy. Having a dedicated long-term agency will save you valuable time on planning, production, communication and content delivery. There is a huge advantage to having your content, production assets and footage in a centralised location. At the end of the day, money is saved and resources are maximised when working with a dedicated agency.

As with any content campaign, always make sure you have tools in place to measure the performance of your content. Use this as a reference to gauge the value of your content and the associated production process. Measuring your return on investment in digital and content marketing is one of the biggest advantages of this field and should be considered through every step.

Hybrid Approach to Video Production

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, a one-size-fits-all approach to video content may not serve every organisation’s unique needs. Recognising this, many businesses are turning to a hybrid model, which integrates the strengths of both in-house and outsourced video production. This blend aims to capture the agility of in-house teams and the specialised expertise of external agencies.

Advantages of the Hybrid Approach

Flexibility: This approach grants companies the agility to handle simpler, more frequent videos internally, while more intricate, high-stakes projects can be entrusted to outside professionals. This ensures that the content remains timely and relevant, and there’s always room for more polished, impactful narratives when needed.

Cost-effectiveness: A hybrid model can be more economical in the long run. Basic content production in-house can reduce routine expenses. Concurrently, setting aside a budget for external experts ensures that high-end projects achieve the desired quality and impact without compromising due to financial constraints.

Faster Turnaround: Immediate needs or rapid content updates can be addressed by the in-house team, eliminating wait times associated with external agency schedules. This immediacy can be crucial when responding to trending topics or time-sensitive matters.

Brand Consistency: Playing a role in the production process enables companies to keep a tighter grip on their brand narrative. This ensures that even when collaborating with external entities, the brand’s voice, message, and essence remain undiluted.

Skill Development: Working alongside seasoned professionals from outsourced agencies can be a learning experience for in-house teams. This collaboration can foster skill enhancement, with the in-house team gleaning insights from the expertise of agency professionals.

Disadvantages of the Hybrid Approach

Resource Management Challenges: The duality of this model can sometimes lead to complexities, especially concerning resource allocation. Determining when to use internal teams versus when to outsource can become a tricky balancing act.

Potential for Miscommunication: With two teams possibly working in tandem, there’s always a risk of inconsistent messaging if clear communication channels aren’t established. This can lead to a disjointed brand narrative.

Measurement Complexity: Differing production avenues mean that performance metrics might diverge. Ensuring that both in-house and external content adhere to a unified measurement standard can add an extra layer to the tracking process.

To encapsulate, the hybrid approach to video production can offer organisations a nuanced strategy, harmonising the immediacy and control of in-house production with the depth and expertise of external agencies. However, like all strategies, its success is contingent on its alignment with an organisation’s overarching objectives, budgetary considerations, and infrastructural capabilities. Properly implemented, it can serve as a potent tool in the content arsenal of modern businesses.

For larger projects, we collaborate with Oliver Karstel Agency, combining our resources for quicker project turnaround.

Looking to produce a video from a company with over three decades of experience? Get in touch with our team today!

We are a full-service Web development and Content Production Agency in Gauteng specialising in Video Production, Animation, eLearning Content Development, Learning Management Systems, and Content Production. Contact us for a quote. | Info@soundidea.co.za | www.soundidea.co.za | +27 82 491 5824 |