In today’s world, video is crucial for telling stories, and everyone knows it. The dramatic effect of video content whether in the form of a documentary or a 15-second clip on TikTok can inspire, inform, and entertain people incredibly like nothing else. However, there’s one thing that might surprise you; it wasn’t too long ago that producing high-quality video content was the sole possession of famous international brands and well-funded media conglomerates. The world is changing now, and startups are proving that you don’t need a blockbuster budget to create impactful video content.
Startups, with a shift in the creative thought process and technological advancements, are showing the world that you can deliver high-quality content at the lowest possible cost.let’s talk about how these agile newcomers are holding their own against media giants.
The Democratization of Video Production
Ten years ago you couldn’t make a professional-grade video unless you spent a small fortune on equipment and had a team of over a dozen people to help you out. Startups struggled with the expensive entry barriers. Everything is different now, however. The more accessible tools, user-friendly software, and a hundred online resources mean that video production is now accessible to almost everyone.
These are some of the reasons why video production has become more accessible to the average user:
- Affordable Equipment: You can now buy high-grade cameras like the Sony Alpha series. Even the Pro models from iPhones can record cinema quality videos.
- Stock Resources: Cutting down production costs has become easier than you think. Platforms such as Artgrid, Storyblocks, and Pexels provide access to free footage, templates, and music.
- Editing Software: Even editing has become more affordable! You can use DaVinci Resolve for free, and Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro come at a decent price.
- Cloud Collaboration: Collaborating remotely is much easier now thanks to cloud-based tools such as Frame.io. Collaboration can take place anywhere at any time, eliminating any need for a physical location.
Creative Agility: The Startup Advantage
In the case of startups, flexibility and thinking outside the box gives them greater advantages compared to established global corporations with needless bureaucracy and a long approval process. With agility in the pedal and unmatched innovation in the engine, video production becomes a piece of cake for them.
As most of them are just starting out, instead of heavily investing into polished commercials, they can whip out genders of raw social media videos. Polished advertisements don’t strike chords with audiences but these unfiltered ads do. Such relatable videos not only engage the audiences but also save a considerable amount of resources.
The Rise of User-Generated Content (UGC)
Encouraging user-generated content from customers has proved to be valuable for new business startups. Having users create videos helps in marketing without spending money and also strengthens customer relationships. Advertisements are one way to get your name out there, but real word-of-mouth marketing brings in more customers. Having a loyal customer take a candid video of themselves using your product or posting a shout-out review of your product tends to catch the eye of belt buyers and inspires trust in them, unlike professionally produced ads that have no essence.
Glossier and Gymshark are two of the many startups that have burst onto the scene with their unique marketing approaches of integrating user generated content into social media. They unlock customer niches by producing and marketing items that help shape brand narratives.
Leveraging AI and Automation
Just a short time ago, the advances of AI was nothing short of a miracle, and now it is absolutely transforming video editing at its core. Businesses can now save a significant amount of money AND time because AI systems are able to create scripts, and even edit videos.
- AI-Power Editing: Descript and Runway are able to do video editing for the user, which means the creator is able to spend all his time on developing the story which is the main goal.
- Personalization: AI can custom tailor videos for specific audiences, boosting the relevance and the clickthrough rate.
- Script Writing: ChatGPT and similar services can come up with great ideas for scripts which can greatly help an in the head start in pre-production planning.
Now businesses are able to generate startup-level results without the need of an entire creation team, making these tools greatly useful for everyone.
Distribution: Finding the Right Platforms
Distributing a video is just as impactful as creating it. Distributing it in the right way is just as important as identifying target audiences. Advertisements for TV and Youtube are what attracts global brands but niche online communities are what attracts upcoming businesses.
- Social Media: YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Tik Tok are beneficial in creating engaging snippets of content.
- Streaming Services: Vimeo and Wistia serve longer, more intricate videos.
- Partnerships: Brand and influencer partnerships are great for increasing exposure at no extra ad spend cost.
Authentic Storytelling: The Heart of Every Video
Out of everything, authenticity is one part of marketing that start- ups understand best. People love stories, especially in today’s world where they are fed ads 24/7. Unlike larger corporations who bank on celebrity endorsements and great marketing visuals, small businesses work with the real stories about their customers, teams, or brands.
A great example is Warby Parker. The eyewear startup often shows in their videos how they design their glasses and share their customer’s stories. This genuineness adds plenty of character to their brand while also ensuring it stays relevant.
Overcoming Challenges
Like any innovation, simplified video production also poses a set of challenges. Some of the most common challenges for startups are:
- Restricted Budgets: While overall expenses have reduced, producing good-quality content still requires investment.
- Skill Deficiencies: No in-house editing, animation, or sound design expertise available? Not for long. Startups may struggle with this hurdle, but they never stay down for long.
- Working Deadlines: Allocating time for other business operations alongside video production is pretty difficult.
You could look at these problems as hurdles to complete, and you’d be right. The good news is they can all fairly easily be solved. Online courses, freelancer websites, and planners can bridge the void for startups and help them nail these challenges.
The Future of Video Production for Startups
As new technologies emerge, the divide between global corporations and startups will close even faster. Here are a few trends to keep an eye out for:
- Virtual Production: Startups now have the capability to lease breathtaking locations with the use of LED walls, virtual environments, or simulation. Thus, physical visuals are no longer a necessity.
- 360-Degree Videos: Immersive experiences are becoming available to the general public which allows startups to stand out.
- Interactive Videos: Stories can be told in a different way through the possibility of real-time audience interaction with the video.
Final Thoughts
Startups and small to medium sized enterprises can now compete with the industry titans because of straightforward video production- the age of simplified video production is here. Startups can achieve captivating results because of authentic creativity and affordable tools that resonate with a target audience.
As a startup, if you are looking to capture a significant market share through powerful video content, Reset Media can provide you with the tools and expertise that you need. Forget about the basics of video storytelling as we guide you through every step to ensure success.
For those ready to take their videos to the next level – Reset Media is looking to partner with you and together, we’ll create something special.