TV Commercial Production: Benefits and why it’s still relevant

Maximizing Quality While Minimizing Costs

TV commercial production may seem ancient these days with social media. In fact, you may be asking yourself, “Is making a TV commercial even necessary anymore?” To answer that question, you have to first look at your business. 

Studies have shown that localized businesses, such as law firms, heating and cooling companies, auto shops, and car dealerships, are more likely to benefit from local broadcast ads than other businesses. First, you have to determine where your customers are. If they are online, spend your money there and stop reading this blog post! 

However, for the rest of you, creating a broadcast TV commercial could be the difference between your business growing or not. Nonetheless, producing a TV commercial is neither for the faint of heart nor for the timid business owner. It requires careful planning and investment. Unlike social media videos, TV commercial production demands higher quality, often leading to more significant costs. However, there are ways to minimize extra expenses and prepare for this worthwhile investment. Let’s explore achieving this balance while creating a cool, less cheap-looking TV commercial.

Understanding the Costs of TV Commercial Production

TV commercial production involves several stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. Each stage has its own set of costs, from hiring a talented production team to securing the locations for your video shoot. High-quality TV commercials require professional-grade cameras, lighting, sound equipment, and post-production (editing), all contributing to the budget. You’ll likely need a skilled crew, including a producer, director, cinematographer, sound engineer, and video editing company, to ensure your commercial stands out.

The Importance of Investing in Quality Production for Your TV Commercial

The primary reason TV commercial production often demands a higher budget is the expectation of quality. Unlike social media videos, which can sometimes get away with a more casual, DIY approach, TV commercials are held to a higher standard. They must quickly capture the viewer’s attention, deliver a clear message, and level up your brand. Investing in professional production enhances the visual and audio quality and boosts your brand’s credibility and appeal.

Contrasting TV Commercials and Social Media Video Production

While TV commercials and social media videos aim to promote a product or service, their production and impact differ significantly. Social media videos are typically more casual and can be produced with a smaller budget. They are designed to trick the audience into thinking they’re watching “content” while subconsciously inserting brand messaging. For this reason, social media videos should look natural and less polished. Conversely, TV commercial production is more elaborate, targeting a broader audience and usually aiming for a more polished and professional look. These ads target services and products that will generally be a larger purchase price, like a car or legal expense. The viewer should feel that the company represents professionalism and legitimacy, and that’s something broadcast does swimmingly. The reach of a well-produced TV commercial can be far more extensive, often leading to higher brand recognition and customer engagement offline. 

Strategies to Minimize Extra Expenses

1. Pre-Production Planning: Most waste in production comes from poor planning. Careful planning is crucial to avoid unnecessary expenses during TV commercial production. Outline your goals, budget, and timeline clearly. Develop a detailed storyboard and script to avoid costly changes during the production and editing phase.
2. Hiring the Right Team: While cutting costs by hiring less experienced crew members might be tempting, you get what you pay for. Additionally, broadcast providers that offer “free” production for advertising on their network often look horrible. They’re typically produced by news videographers, and the look screams local-yocal! Instead, splurge a little more to hire a company specializing in cinematic-film-like video production styles.
3. Efficient Use of Resources: Utilize resources wisely. For example, if you need multiple locations, try finding versatile settings that serve different scenes. This reduces location scouting and travel costs. Wrapping production within a day can also be your best bet for lowering costs.
4. Post-Production Management: Post-production is where your commercial truly comes to life. Avoid last-minute changes that can inflate your budget. Work closely with your video editing team to ensure a smooth process.
   

Preparing for the Investment

Investing in TV commercial production is a significant commitment that can yield substantial returns. To prepare yourself for this investment, consider the following steps:

• Set a Realistic Budget: Understand that producing a high-quality TV commercial requires a considerable budget. Allocate funds not just for production but also for the cost of airtime.
• Research and Select a Reputable Production Company and Broadcaster: Partner with a production company with a proven TV commercial production track record. Additionally, find a broadcaster in your community who can offer you the best prices. Time slots you’re seeking. Their expertise can help streamline the process and ensure a high-quality outcome.
• Measure Potential ROI: Assess how the TV commercial will fit into your overall marketing strategy. Consider the potential return on investment (ROI) regarding brand awareness, lead generation, and sales.
  

The Benefits of High-End TV Commercial Production and Beyond

Once your TV commercial is ready, you can place it on other channels. In addition to local broadcasting services, streaming companies like Hulu and Roku now offer brands the ability to place ads within their ad-based streaming services. High-quality ads work well in these environments and may give you greater exposure for your budget. 

In conclusion, while TV commercial production requires a higher budget than social media videos, the investment is never a bad bet. Quality media content for your business will never hurt your marketing efforts. The more you have in inventory, the more tools you’ll have to repurpose, remix, and create derivatives. 

That’s all I have for you today. If you need some support on making your next awesome TV commercial, be sure to contact Indie Film Factory. We can certainly knock it out of the park for you! In the meantime, keep making movies (and TV Commercials)!