Whether you’re producing new social media ad creative or a new company how-to, the video production process can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive.
To make sure everything runs smoothly, it’s important to have a checklist of items you need to cover before production day arrives.
Here are 10 important things you should cross off your video production checklist:
1. Set a Budget
Budgeting is the most important element of pre-production, which is why it comes first. Not only do you need to determine how much you’re willing to spend overall, but you also need to break it down into line items for each aspect of production, including talent fees, music licenses, camera equipment rentals, and all other related costs.
Your budget will also help you determine the type of content you should make. If you’re looking for low-budget options, podcasts, explainer videos, and TikTok campaigns filmed on a smartphone are all excellent ways to connect with your audience. If your budget allows, you can hire a professional production company to create high-end content such as commercial spots or cinematic films.
2. Define Your Goals
Without clear goals, it’s easy to get carried away in the production process. It’s important to define your objectives upfront and be sure that everything you do works toward achieving those goals.
For marketing purposes, the goals might include increasing brand awareness, generating more leads, or promoting a new product. For educational purposes, it might be to teach people how to use a product or service.
Whatever your objectives are, they should always remain top-of-mind throughout the production process.
3. Identify Your Target Audience
To develop the right messaging for your video, you’ll first need to identify who your target audience is. Knowing who you’re trying to reach will help you craft the perfect video script, pick the right music, and adjust your tone accordingly.
Think about demographic information such as age range, gender, location, interests, etc., so you can tailor your content to match their needs and preferences. Even if you have multiple target audiences, try to focus on one core demographic so your message remains consistent throughout the video.
4. Create Your Messaging
Creating your video messaging can be tricky—not only do you need to come up with creative concepts, but you also need to consider your brand’s existing style and messaging.
Start by brainstorming ideas for the video narrative and writing a detailed script that outlines the key visuals and audio elements. Focus on keeping the message concise and making sure it resonates with your target audience.
Next, figure out how you’ll communicate your message through visuals and audio. This could mean finding the perfect soundtrack or selecting images to accompany the voiceover.
5. Establish a Clear Timeline
Sticking to your timeline is one of the best ways to ensure a successful production. From pre-production all the way through delivery, you should create specific deadlines for each phase. This will help you stay organized throughout the entire process, and you’ll be less likely to miss any important details when planning.
It’s also important to plan for contingencies and give yourself a buffer for any unexpected issues that may arise during the production process.
6. Plan Your Distribution Channels
Before you start storyboarding, shooting, or producing your video, you have to think about where the video will live and how people will access it. You’ll need to consider which platforms and channels are best for your target audience.
For advertising, this could mean using paid campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, or it could mean launching a promotional video on YouTube. For educational content, this could include uploading the video to a company website, sending it in an email newsletter, or creating a video series on YouTube.
No matter what channels you choose, make sure you have a plan to maximize the reach of your videos and promote them consistently.
7. Choose the Right Type of Video
There are a variety of video types that can be used for different purposes. For example, explainer videos work well for product launches and marketing campaigns, while educational videos are great for teaching people how to use a product or service.
8. Create an Effective Storyboard
A storyboard is essential for any video project, regardless of how simple or complex it might be. It’s essentially a comic-strip visual representation of the narrative, which is great for communicating your vision to everyone involved in the project.
Your storyboard should include key visuals such as locations, characters, props, and action shots—essentially anything that will help bring your script to life and give you a better idea of how it will look on-screen.
9. Find the Right Equipment
When it comes to video production, having the right equipment can make or break your project. Invest in quality cameras and lights, as well as reliable audio equipment like microphones and sound recording devices.
If you’re on a budget, you can rent the necessary equipment instead of buying it outright. Just make sure whatever you choose is compatible with your video editing software.
In addition to equipment, you’ll also want to find the right software for editing, adding effects and graphics, and distributing your videos.
10. Bring Your Vision to Life
Now that you’ve got all the tools you need, it’s time to bring your vision to life. With the help of a skilled crew, you can execute each phase of the project with precision and efficiency.
When making your video, pay attention to the details and get feedback from everyone involved in the project. This will help you make sure your videos are as impactful and effective as possible.
If you closely follow this checklist, the creation process should be a breeze. Just remember to stay organized and communicative, and you’ll be on your way to creating an amazing video in no time.
Final Thoughts
Video production is a complex process, but with proper planning and thoughtful execution, you can make sure your project goes off without a hitch.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll have everything you need to create a video that will engage and inspire your target audience.
