The best video production company near you for small business marketing is usually an independent producer or a small local team. You get strong work without paying for a big company's studio and staff.
I've produced video in Chicago for about 30 years, and I've worked with local businesses and national brands. Small business owners usually come to me worried about cost and unsure what they actually need.
Match the Company to Your Size
You can find a well-known, larger production company in Chicago that would do a great job for you. It would also cost far more, and you probably wouldn't use most of the services they offer. With a company like that, you pay for their space, overhead, and staff.
If your business is small to medium size, an independent video producer or a small team usually saves you money and fits your project better. For a closer look at numbers, I broke down how much a corporate video costs per minute.
Why an Independent Producer Works for Small Business
I'm an independent video producer, and I hire crew as needed. I don't carry the overhead of a studio or a full-time staff, so you aren't paying for it.
Years of experience also means I know what gear a project needs and what it doesn't. That keeps the crew small and nimble, and it lets us get more done in less time. I've worked on large crews with big budgets for clients like Sanford and Portillo's, so I know what a major production looks like and what a small project can skip.
Bigger spending has its place on some projects. I cover when that makes sense in when expensive videos are worth it.
You Are Part of the Process
Hiring a video team is nothing like hiring a plumber to install a sink. The relationship is a partnership, and you and the team work together to produce the final result.
The most common mistake I see is clients not allowing enough time and forgetting that they're part of the process. About 75 percent of the work happens upfront. That means the script, the message, the audience, and the locations all get sorted out before anyone turns on a camera.
What a Prepared Client Looks Like
One of my best projects was for a client in the medical field. They arrived with their content ideas, the goal of the video, the target audience, the call to action, and where and when the video would be posted.
We made a few minor adjustments together, and then I could focus on the creative and the production. The video was a massive success, and it started with how prepared the client was.
Every project I take on begins with a discovery call before any production starts. These are the questions I ask:
What is the goal of the video?
Who is the audience?
Where will the video be posted?
What do you want viewers to do after watching?
How does the video fit into your broader marketing campaign?
If you can answer those before you hire anyone, you're ahead of most clients. My post on how to make a video for marketing goes deeper on building that plan.
Ways to Save Time and Money on Shoot Day
Small decisions before the shoot make a big difference in cost. These are the ones I recommend most.
Have your project buttoned up with details before the shoot is scheduled.
Keep your locations to a single location.
Limit the number of people you want to interview.
Film indoors when you can. Indoor shoots are easier to schedule, while outdoor locations depend on the weather.
Finding the Right Fit Near You
Start by being honest about the size of your company and your budget. Then look for an independent producer or a small team that works with businesses your size and is willing to plan the project with you.
If you want more on the search itself, I wrote about how to find a local videographer for your business. And if you're in the Chicago area and planning a video, reach out to Pierson Studios. We'll start with a planning call.
Key Takeaways
- For small to medium businesses, an independent producer or small team usually costs less and fits better than a large production company.
- Larger companies charge for their space, overhead, and staff, and most small projects don't need those services.
- About 75 percent of a video project is upfront prep: the script, message, audience, and locations.
- Hiring a video team is a partnership, so leave enough time and stay involved.
- Know your goal, audience, posting location, call to action, and campaign fit before the first call.
- Use a single location, fewer interviews, and indoor filming to save time and money on shoot day.
