Hiring A videographer
Video Production in Cincinnati: In-House vs. Professional Video Production
Video has become an essential part of EVERYTHING today. The rise of video in Cincinnati is hard to ignore. Studies estimate 86% of brands – from large firms to local retailers – now use video in their marketing, training, and commercial strategy.
In other words, video - from Instagram Reels, to corporate interview is no longer a luxury but a core tool for engaging & retaining customers, employees and start talent.
This post will help you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the different approaches to video production – so you can achieve your business goals without wasting time or money.
Types of Video Production
There are various levels of video production available in Cincinnati. This section breaks down to most common types, what rates you should expect to pay, and what results you can expect.
1) Corporate Video - Corporate video production is characterized by smaller crews focused on creating high-quality content for a business that can be used for website, marketing collateral, team training and more. Production of this type focuses on generating assets that help to drive a businesses brand, mission, values, or internal initiatives. How does it differ from commercial work? See a detailed guide here. Pricing generally begins around $2500 and can reach up to $15K depending on production value and deliverables. This is one area we specialize in.
2) Commercial Video - Commercial video is characterized by larger sets, larger crews, and more expensive equipment. Commercial budgets typically start around $8K-$15K per day of shooting on the low end. A good production company can help you to conceptualize, plan and deliver a polished finished production. One major downside is that this type of production tends to be SLOW & EXPENSIVE. While the costs can certainly be justified for certain projects, the overall market trend is moving towards: faster, smaller, nimbler & AI Augmented. What if you need something that’s high-quality, affordable, and effective?
3) Social Media - There are many types of social media solutions in Cincinnati. Common types are the “UGC creator” and “Social Media Manager”. The former will generate a set of assets for your brand…usually on a one time basis. The latter will come in, usually with their iphones and shoot an entire months of content in a day or a half day and then post on your behalf. Pricing ranges between $1K-$2K per month depending on who you hire. The benefit of working with these managers are their deep knowledge of trends and engagement. The major con is they generally lack the ability to create high quality content that can be used across platforms (eg: website, social, print, etc.) We partner with our own social media manager when working on long-term retainers for clients to bring the best of both worlds: high quality content + social media savvy.
4) Camera Operator - A camera operator generally is someone that is hired to operate a camera and nothing else. They are not responsible for composition, lighting, or anything beyond… operating the camera. Perfect for live sports events, factory tours, podcasts, corporate interviews, etc. For production companies looking for a camera operator we offer this service with our without rental equipment. Rates start at $750
5) Live Streaming - Ever wish you could live-stream your event, conference call, or xyz while it’s being recorded? It’s possible! We’ve done it! Just let us know the details and we can get you a quote.
6) Drone Operator - Need something really impressive to show off your latest construction project, hotel, or dealership? We are offering a drone service in 2026. Until then, we are happy to refer you to a skilled operator that’s safe, reliable and licensed.
7) Wedding - An extremely specialized subset of video production. Wedding videography requires carefuly coordination and planning to achieve the perfect result. Because this type of video requires pinpoint precision and execution, only a handful of professionals are truly capable of delivering drool worthy results. There are plenty of horror stories of couples who went with a budget option only to be disappointed when they can’t hear their vows, un-focused first kiss, or completely miss a crucial moment.
8) Audio Visual (AV) & Event Services - Great for large corporate events. The benefit of these services is that they provide everything you need to host and record your event. From stage lighting, to projectors, sound, and more. We have connections to the major AV companies in town and would be happy to refer.
Ready to shoot? Drop us a line…
What about doing it Yourself (in-house)?
Many begin their video journey by filming on smartphones. Then the “aha” moment arrives! What if we had someone to film this? Then the cross-roads: do we do this in-house or hire out?
In-house production seems like the better option since you get full control over everything & you get to keep all the gear! You can shoot on your own schedule, learn new skills, and tailor every detail to your liking. There are significant upsides and downsides to consider. Let's compare the pros and cons below:
Pros (DIY Video):
Complete Control In House - This is the biggest reason to go the "DIY" route is if you have trade secrets, a competitive advantage, or just want to have the peace of mind knowing you've got full control over the process. Doing video "in house" is 100% the best way to go when you want full control. (We offer consulting services that will help you map out the exact workflow and gear you'll need if that's the route you choose.)
Video is a major part of your business - If you plan on creating videos on a daily basis to drive growth of your brand AND have the resources to support a full time video team, an "in house" production makes sense. If you're not yet ready to make that plunge we offer custom retainers for high-volume businesses like marketing agencies.
Creative Vision – Another great reason to bring video production in-house is to find your own “vibe”. Maybe you have a very specific vision you want to create. It might be a good reason to go in-house… or you can reach out to us and see if we are a good fit to make your dream a reality without needing to re-invent the wheel.
Cons (DIY Video):
Unknown Unknowns & Highly Technical Knowledge: This is the biggest danger of producing video in-house. If it’s not a daily part of your business operations it’s probably not worth investing into in-house. More than the gear cost, the TIME COST of organizing and retaining the extremely technical and specific knowledge of this fast-moving industry far outweighs the benefits. If you think a significant portion of your business operations could be video… then welcome to video production! Some examples of : churches,
Higher Upfront Costs - Initially purchasing all the equipment to produce a decent video will be at least $1000 if not many thousands if you opt for more professional equipment. This may not make sense if you are only planning on creating a few videos per year.
Lower quality equipment and technical issues: DIY generally means opting for the "consumer" versions which generally are of much lower quality than the professional standard we use at Cincinnati Social Media. Consumer versions usually cut costs by limiting features and using lower quality components. The result is lower image and audio quality generally. If this is something that won't be an issue, then DIY might make sense.
Time-consuming: Filming and editing even short videos can take many hours. Not to mention the hundreds of hours it can take to learn all the equipment from camera settings, to lighting design, mic placement, and editing. Going "in house" makes sense if you have a true passion for video.
Uncertain results: Without experience, you’re learning as you go and may not know what truly works. Professionals, like Cincinnati Social Media, keep up with the latest trends, gear and have a strong understanding for what inputs create specific results.
Hidden Costs of DIY Video
“just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should”
Jurassic Park (1993) — Dr. Ian Malcolm
It couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to video. Just like cooking a fancy dinner, creating a fancy looking video is much harder than it might look. For most businesses, it’s not worth the effort (investment) to get started with in-house video production.
Here’s just a few of the costs…
Time: A simple, polished 3-minute video can take 9–17 hours of work (planning, shooting, editing, publishing). Can your team realistically take that much time out of their day? Is that the best use of your business’s time?
Equipment and software: There's no way around it. High-quality video requires high-quality equipment...which is EXPENSIVE. From $7000 cameras, to $4000 lighting kits, $1000 microphones, and more… the costs add up fast (ask us how we know 😂) Then factor in editing suites (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut), a fast computer plus storage, and backup. A simple setup can easily break $10K-$15K once everything is factored in… Our equipment costs are easily around $30K.
Quality risk: If your DIY video looks cheap, it could hurt your business. As one marketing expert warns, a poorly made video “can make the entire company look bad”. A botched DIY project might need to be remade by professionals later, effectively doubling costs and effort.
Opportunity cost: Spending hours on video means pulling focus from other projects. A true “video-first” strategy can require dedicated staff and shift resources away from sales or product development. If your DIY video drains your energy with little return, that’s a hidden cost in lost opportunities.
When to Hire a Professional Video Production Company
“Never do anything yourself that others can do for you.”
— Calvin Coolidge
Consider for a minute that some of our biggest clients are other video production companies… and you’ll start to understand the value of hiring us. Let’s look at why
High production standards & reliability: The biggest reason we get hired. Quality that is reliable. We produce consistent results and generate video at a high standard every time, no exceptions.
Pre-production: The secret sauce behind all good video is everything we do before we hit record. That’s just something that takes skill, time and experience to master. Knowing what obstacles we are likely to face, and how to prepare for it is 80% or more of creating good quality video. It doesn’t take much to hit record, but it’s everything that happens around that which adds up to the value.
Security & Brand: Our clients hire us because we can be trusted with sensitive data. Much of the work we do never sees the light of day because of it’s sensitive nature. We take as many efforts as possible to securely store, backup, and safeguard everything we shoot.
Complex Shoots & Tight Timelines: A production company like Cincinnati Social handles everything – concept, script, shooting, editing – freeing you to focus on your business. We often get hired because of the way we think through problems.
Ongoing content needs: Need lots of videos? We offer retainers for certain clients that have ongoing video needs.
Cincinnati has plenty of local resources. Cincinnati Social Media’s portfolio includes hometown brands (Urbana Cafe, Taste of Belgium), illustrating the value of professional work. Even ArtWorks Cincinnati runs a Camera Studio as a mini-agency, offering high-quality photo/video services to small businesses and nonprofits.
Recent Trends in Video Marketing for Small Businesses
Stay current with these 2024–25 trends in small-business video marketing:
Short-form video dominates: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are everywhere. Around 39% of marketers report that videos under 60 seconds deliver the highest ROI, and 80% plan to increase investment in short clips. For Cincinnati businesses, that means quick tours of your storefront, product demos, or literally any video that highlights your brand can turn into easy ROI.
Authenticity rules: Audiences crave real, relatable content over slick ads. Expect more behind-the-scenes footage, employee/customer testimonials, and user-generated style clips.
Multi-platform strategy:
Live and interactive video: Live streaming is growing fast. Interactive formats (live Q&A, polls, shopable videos) keep viewers engaged. The live-streaming market is projected to grow ~20% annually through 2030. Consider live-walking tours, Q&As in your store, or streaming a local event to connect directly with Cincinnati audiences.
Emphasis on ROI: Video works. 91% of businesses use it, and 87% of marketers say video drives more leads and sales. Short clips boost engagement, and even long-form videos can increase conversions – one study cites a 34% lift in conversion when using video ads.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Use this checklist to decide your approach:
Budget: Can you allocate a minimum of $1,000–$2,000 (or more) for this project? Professional projects often start in this range. If not, DIY might be your only option.
Project importance: Is the video a critical marketing piece (like an ad campaign or website feature)? As a rule of thumb, the larger your brand, the more your audience expects a polished marketing asset.
Internal skills: Does anyone on your team have video experience (shooting, editing)? Are you comfortable in front of a camera if needed? Without some skill, a DIY attempt can end up taking more time to learn than it saves.
Time availability: Can you spend 10–15+ hours on this video? A 3-minute video can require 9–17 hours of work. A simple social media post can take up to 3 hours from shooting to editing to posting.
Equipment: Do you have at least a decent camera or smartphone with stabilization, plus lighting and sound gear? Will your filming locations have good light and minimal noise? Poor equipment often means disappointing results. Check deals on equipment here: B & H Photo Video
Quality goal: How polished does this video need to be? If your answer must be “very,” lean pro. If viewers just want quick updates (say, a fun behind-the-scenes Reel), good-enough DIY can work.
Compare your answers: if budget and stakes are high, invest in a professional. If you’re very strapped and the video is low-stakes, a well-planned DIY might still engage your audience.
Conclusion
Video production and social media video in Cincinnati are powerful marketing tools – but only if executed well. Small business owners should match their goals and budget to the right approach. If you need professional results, consider hiring local experts. Cincinnati Social Media offers video production services and social media video packagestailored to Cincinnati businesses. Reach out to them to discuss your project and see how they can help.
If you choose to DIY, use a clear plan and the checklist above to avoid pitfalls. In any case, focus on telling your brand’s story effectively. With the right strategy – whether outsourced or in-house – engaging Cincinnati audiences with video is absolutely achievable.
Sources: Industry and marketing experts (all accessed 2024–2025) provide the data and best practices informing this guide.