Should You Outsource Your Video Production or Hire In-House?

Your business needs a new video. You think, “I got this!” and quickly start filming with your phone. Then, you take a look at your work and realize, “Uh-oh. Maybe I’m not so great at this.”

Does this sound familiar? 

While filming a video in-house might seem easy, many business owners need help figuring out where to begin when creating video content for their brands. Fortunately, video production companies can help with this problem. 

Keep reading. In this article, you will learn the pros and cons of hiring an in-house video production company and why going with the pros is always better.

Table of Contents

Should I Hire Video Production In-House?

It’s not a simple yes or no answer — it depends. 

We’ll cover the pros and cons in the sections below, but there are several reasons why in-house is usually not the best idea. The main reason is that quality video producers typically own reputable video production companies and don't work in-house.  

Let’s look at other reasons why you may (or may not) want to hire a video production company.

Video Production Company vs. In-House Production

Using in-house video production means your company has the …

  • Equipment
  • Systems; and 
  • Knowledge

… to create videos. 

Using an external video production company is a way of working with a trusted specialist to create videos on your behalf.

Which is best for you? Here are a few pros and cons to help you decide.

Video Production Company Pros

Industry Experience

Look for a video production company with a good bit of experience. 

Industry experience is huge in video production. A company’s experience goes a long way in creating high-quality video content. 

With an experienced production company, you will get someone with: 

  • Solid technical skills
  • Video strategy experience; and
  • The ability to keep things moving

Access To the Best Equipment

It is easy to tell how a video was shot by its quality. 

The images should be …

  • Crisp
  • Clean; and 
  • Stable

… and the audio should be clear. 

The equipment used to shoot the video determines those components.

A professional piece of equipment will produce a better result than a cheaper, more basic piece. 

Although renting a high-quality camera now is easy, some professional equipment isn't as accessible. However, an agency that produces videos has access to a wide range of professional equipment and is well-versed in utilizing it to its full potential for creating stunning visuals. 

The production team will bring everything needed to create the best video, including: 

  • Cameras
  • Lighting; and 
  • Audio equipment

Brand Messaging and Storytelling

The packaging is the first thing you notice in the supermarket when buying snacks. Likewise, video content can act as “packaging” for your brand, attracting consumers.

The right video content aligns with your brand's voice and story, making customers aware of your brand's existence and encouraging them to learn more. 

In addition, stunning visuals alone are only helpful when combined with an engaging story. 

A compelling story: 

  • Evokes the audience's emotions
  • Touches the heart; and 
  • Inspires the customer to take action toward your company

Video production agencies are excellent storytellers.

Efficient Post-Production Process

When creating video content for your brand, it is crucial to consider the post-production process. Unfortunately, this last step of video production often takes the longest.

Several working hours are dedicated to this process, including: 

  • Matching audio to visuals
  • Stitching clips together; and
  • Adding subtitles

Hiring a professional video production agency to create your videos saves you so much post-production time.

Due to their …

  • Years of experience
  • Skill set; and 
  • Knowledge of utilizing software and applications

… they can quickly complete the post-production process.

Increased Conversion

Professional videos get the most views, which leads to the most conversions.

Almost everyone who makes a professional video is trying to sell a …

  • Brand
  • Product
  • Service; or
  • Opportunity 

A low-quality video can turn potential customers and prospects off. You need to consider hiring a professional if you lack these qualities.

Ridgeline Media Marketing creates videos that deliver results thanks to the expertise and experience of its team.

Discover our team and our process here, then let us create your next video to boost traffic and sales.

should i hire video production in house

Video Production Company Cons

Scheduling Conflicts

In an organization made up of humans, scheduling conflicts are inevitable, though they can be highly frustrating.

If you hire a reputable and highly recommended production company, you may have to wait for them to find time to work on your project.

Cost

When looking at the price list of a professional video production company, you might consider it to be too expensive.

However, even though you might not want to part with the quoted amount, you must consider the unexpected costs that inevitably occur during in-house video production (more on this below).

In-House Video Production Pros

Cost Savings

It’s true. Going in-house with video production will save you some initial costs. 

For example, your nephew may be interested in this stuff and has agreed to help, or you may hire a newly out-of-college video producer. In such situations, people often have good intentions, but good intentions do not always translate to good results. 

Going in-house may save you money upfront, or often you can even space out your payments via salary, but will the video give you your best ROI?

Control Over the Process

From set, lights, and communication, an in-house production can be done on your schedule and to your exact specification, But will the quality suffer? Most likely. 

Control isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be, but working with a professional production company that partners with you to create a video that matches your vision will almost always be better in the long run.

In-House Video Production Cons

Poor Quality Video, Lighting, and Audio

More often than not, you can't get the …

  • Shots you want
  • Sound you need; and
  • Quality that will attract viewers and keep them on your page

… if you do not have professional equipment. 

Quality depends on finding someone in your team who has basic video-making skills or is willing to up-skill, and the final result tends to be low-fi and no-frills.

Tedious Post-Production Process

After filming is complete, the post-production process begins. 

It is a common misconception that editing is the only step in post-production, but it's one step among many. When it comes to video production, post-production is the longest phase.

In post-production, everything you filmed earlier is put together into one coherent piece before being revised and refined until your idealized end product emerges.  

Post-production is very tedious and best handled by a professional.

Unexpected Costs

When working with a professional video production company, you can rest knowing that they know exactly what to expect and have contingencies built to ensure nothing unexpected puts a dent in the initial budget. 

An amateur (aka someone with good intentions) might not account for the following: 

  • Delays
  • Broken or malfunctioning equipment
  • Power outages
  • Software updates
  • And much more

Ridgeline Media: Impactful Video Production — Every Time

Ridgeline Media Marketing knows video production.

By combining our experience and expertise, we can deliver a product with the desired results. 

We focus on: 

  • Streamlining processes and increasing traffic with videos 
  • Building better relationships and growing sales 
  • Making sure your content is seen by your target audience

Are you looking for someone who understands the entire process? That’s us.  

There’s nothing we cannot do, including: 

  • Marketing strategy
  • Scripting
  • Production; and
  • Distribution 

Among the video production companies to choose from, Ridgeline Media Marketing should be at the top of your list, if not the only one on the list.

should i hire a video production in house