Guarantee video production success: The only key strategy for the most successful outcome.
Why Clients Need to Disclose Their Budget From The Start
When embarking on your video production journey and engaging with production companies, there’s one fundamental request that, if heeded, will streamline the entire process and lead to a more successful outcome. Are you ready for it? It’s simple, yet often overlooked: Disclose your damn budget!
All too frequently, when I pose this crucial question of a client’s budget, the response is often, “Can you tell us what it costs?” This seemingly innocuous question creates an immediate roadblock.
For example, imagine walking into a car showroom and asking, “I need a car. What does it cost?” The salesperson wouldn’t simply quote a random figure. Their immediate and logical follow-up would be to ascertain your needs and your budget. They need to see if you need a Ford Kuga or a Land Rover Defender.
Why? Because there’s a significant difference. One vehicle, the Ford Kuga, is perfectly suited for everyday errands, supermarket runs, and comfortable urban driving, likely costing around £25,000. The other, a Land Rover Defender, is designed for a completely different purpose, and a snip at just £150,000.00. Both are vehicles, both cost money, but their price tags and capabilities are vastly different.
The same principle applies directly to your video project. Do we need a three-person crew with a mirrorless camera? Or do we need a crew of ten, specialist lenses and specific set designs? Both scenarios result in a video. Both will “tell your story.”
What truly exacerbates this issue for production companies is the oft-heard declaration: “Oh, we don’t have a budget, we just want to see what it costs to make this video, so please just send us a cost.” Let’s be frank: this is, in most cases, bullshit.
As a company, you operate within a financial framework. You have quarterly reports, meticulously detailed profit and loss statements, and a dedicated accounting department whose primary function is to say “no.”. You know exactly how much money you can allocate to a project. The reluctance to disclose this figure often stems from a desire to gauge the market and identify the cheapest option. While understandable in a climate of tightening purse strings, this approach ultimately hinders the collaborative process. If you’re genuinely committed to choosing the right video production company, empowering them with your budget allows them to tailor a proposal that not only meets your financial parameters but also effectively achieves your strategic goals.
Consider another analogy. You go to an estate agent and ask, “Please show me a three-bedroom property.” The agent, without further information, would be at a loss. Their immediate and sensible question would be, “Okay, a small flat in the centre of town? Or a sprawling farmhouse in the suburbs with a wrap-around garden?” and “What is your BUDGET!”.
Do you see how illogical the initial request is without a budget? The amount of money you have to spend dictates everything: the geographical location of the property, the square footage, the number of bathrooms, and whether you get an indoor pool. Consider producers the estate agents of the video production world.
Please, let us end this charade. Be upfront and transparent about your budget. Do you have five thousand pounds? Ten? A hundred? Knowing that precise figure enables us to provide you with a realistic and relevant proposal.
It means we can show you the stunning small flat in the centre of town and not waste our time trying to sell you a farmhouse with a wrap-around garden. Or vice versa. Now we can have an honest and open conversation about your video that genuinely aligns with your financials, but also effectively achieves your objectives. This approach bypasses the pointless dance of guessing games, leading directly to a more efficient and satisfying outcome for everyone involved.
Discussing finances isn’t a secret to be guarded; it’s a fundamental aspect of doing business. Come on, people, let’s embrace transparency and talk numbers. It’s the most direct path to creating a great working relationship and us making the video that you needed.
