Switching from in-house video content to taking the leap and hiring a video production company isn’t always an easy decision. But if you’ve landed here, chances are you’re already thinking about whether it could work for you. And that’s ok! It’s good to be curious.
Many businesses start by creating content themselves – using a phone, a small internal team or even a dedicated videographer – before questioning whether it’s time to move to more polished, strategically produced content.
In this article, we’ll walk through the key signs that indicate you’re ready to upgrade, the cost differences between in-house and outsourced options and how to strike the perfect balance for your brand.
When Should You Switch to a Video Production Company?
Many businesses see great early results using informal, in-house video content. We won’t lie to you, they really do.
Recording on a phone or relying on a marketing team to create short-form videos is a great entry point into video marketing.
But the best time to hire a video production company is when you want to maximise the impact, professionalism and strategic value of your video marketing. If you’re ready for consistent, high-quality, results-driven content, outsourcing to a professional team can significantly elevate your brand.
Warning Signs You’ve Outgrown In-House Video Content
If you’re unsure whether you’re ready to move on from DIY or in-house video creation, look for these common indicators:
• Quality inconsistency: When the pressure to produce more content leads to rushed filming, weak editing or a drop in overall visual quality, it’s a sign your brand is starting to look inconsistent. We know modern customers are a picky bunch, and they’ll quickly notice when quality varies from video to video.
• Limited capacity: Most internal marketing teams juggle multiple responsibilities – events, social media, content writing, design and wider strategy. When video becomes just another task, the quality and creativity often suffer.
• Lack of long-term scalability: Ask yourself whether your current setup allows your video content to grow in quality. If your in-house resources are stretched or struggling to come up with something new, you may be hitting a ceiling. You want to power through and break through the ceiling.
• Poor return on investment: You might be posting regularly, but without strategy, testing, optimisation and high-quality production, it’s difficult to see meaningful ROI from your videos. Most in-house videographers or marketers aren’t trained to deliver end-to-end production. And that’s ok! They don’t need to be.
They may be great with planning or shooting but lack advanced editing, sound design, lighting, directing, or storytelling techniques.
A production company, however, brings a full team of specialists – from cinematographers to editors to strategists.
Is Hiring a Video Production Company More Cost-Effective?
Look, we know this might cause some eyes to roll, a video production company talking about whether hiring one is more cost effective than an in-house team, but we’ll be honest from the off. Cost is one of the biggest considerations when choosing between an in-house creator and an external production team.
The costs of an in-house videographer include (but aren’t limited to):
- Salary, NI contributions, holidays and sick pay (all legal requirements of course)
- Cameras, lenses, lighting, sound equipment
- Editing software and a high-performing laptop
- Ongoing training and upskilling
- Management time to ensure they stay aligned with your brand
This can be a heavy upfront and ongoing investment. The benefit, however, is that an in-house creator can be reactive, consistent and deeply embedded in your brand’s day-to-day operations.
The benefits of hiring a video production company include:
- Absolutely 0 equipment or software costs. Nada. Nothing
- Access to multiple specialists with advanced skills
- Higher production value and quicker turnaround times
- Strategic direction, industry knowledge and creative support
- Ability to scale the size of your production team depending on the shoot
A single staff member cannot replicate the expertise of an entire production team. With an agency, you’re paying for quality, efficiency and a more effective final product.
The Signs Poor Video Content Is Damaging Your Brand
If video is only a small, non-essential part of your marketing, low-quality content may not cause much harm. But if your goals include brand growth (and in this economy, why wouldn’t they be?) audience trust or industry authority, then quality matters. Essentially, low-quality video content can:
- Make your business appear less trustworthy and less professional
- Diminish your brand’s perceived value
- Reduce engagement due to poor lighting, unclear audio or shaky footage (it’s not the Blair Witch Project anymore)
- Undermine the credibility of your message
A strong video strategy blends both styles: high-quality, professionally produced videos for your website, campaigns and case studies, mixed with informal, personable iPhone clips that feel natural and human on social platforms. This combination helps you appear both credible and relatable.
Here’s Our Take on the Situation
Knowing when to invest in a video production company depends on where you are in your marketing journey.
It’s always worth taking a step back and assessing your current content honestly: Does it truly reflect who you are as a business? Does it resonate with your audience? And does it help you reach your long-term goals?
In most cases (and as with anything), the ideal approach is a balance – authentic, user-generated content produced by your team alongside high-end, professional video that strengthens your brand identity.
Together, these two styles create the perfect blend of relatability and professionalism, making sure your business stands out for all the right reasons.
Have we persuaded you? If not, take a look at some of our recent case studies. If we have – feel free to get in touch with the team, and we’ll make sure your video content strategy is the very best it can be.