How much does a corporate video cost?

Ever wondered how much a corporate video costs and why corporate video prices are highly variable between companies? You’re in the right place.

How much should I expect to pay for a corporate video?

The shortest answer is, it depends. Think about a video like building a home. The size of the home, quality of the fixtures, and timeline of the project will all have an impact on the final cost. And, like a home, different people have different needs. There is no “right” way to make a video.

At Tribe, our prices generally start in the low five-figures for a professionally shot and lit video that can be filmed in one-day, but we also frequently create custom multi-video packages that enter the six-figure range. The average cost of a single Tribe video project is $38,000 – $55,000. More on why those numbers add up in our article, What are the major factors the determine the price of a corporate video?.

What if my budget is tight?

To be frank, many organizations don’t need a $100,000 video. These videos might be appropriate for very visible, highly scrutinized companies that have strong brand identities that they need to protect. For a small business looking to create some social media content or an internal training video, the filming approach that dictates that price tag would be overkill.

To determine the best path forward, think about the scope of project, the goal of your communication, and the desired ROI of your video.

Why do some companies have cheaper flat rates?

When production companies charge “inexpensive” flat rates ($5000 – $10,000), you’re often getting an off-the-shelf product. That tends to mean one shoot day with an interview or two and some quick b-roll to supplement. The crew size will be small and will be dictated by the package, so you’re probably locked into a more “traditional” corporate video look.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this model, and for organizations simply looking to get some content out on their site or LinkedIn page, these packages may be the best path forward.

A word of caution, some companies that list flat-rates on their sites lean heavily on the phrase “starting at,” so in your vetting call, you should be upfront about what you are hoping to achieve and the level of quality that you are expecting. With this information in mind, a company can get you an accurate quote for your project.

How does a custom video differ?

Production companies like Tribe build a custom price for each project. Typically, when production companies work this way, they’ll determine the needs of your project through a comprehensive call or series of calls. These conversations help them understand the communication challenge that your video is trying to solve and what approach will best resonate with your audience and help you achieve your goals.

In Tribe’s video process, your desired outcome guides the video concept, which guides the approach to filming, which guides the cost.

I have a set budget, can a production company work within that?

Maybe. At Tribe, sometimes we know that what we can do within your budget simply won’t achieve all of your objectives. In those situations, we’re going be upfront. Of course, we’ll always think deeply about your organization’s needs and will work to propose an alternate plan that could achieve some of your objectives within your budget.

However, in many cases, we will be able to use your budget as a starting point and propose concepts that will both achieve your objectives in your fixed range.

A trustworthy production company should be honest with you about what they can and can’t do within a fixed budget before any contracts are signed.

The Upshot

There’s no one answer to the question “How much does a corporate video cost?” Some production companies offer flat rates which offer a less customized video concept. Some companies, like Tribe, offer completely custom video solutions that very based on a company’s goals.

Most importantly, there is no “right” solution. Each company (and each individual project) will have different needs. A trusted production company can help guide you, based on your need.

Need some advice? Want to discuss a project? Get in touch!