Hire Videographer In-House vs Outsourced

person filming using DLSR

As video marketing continues to rise in popularity, many brands initially turned to outsourced videography vendors to fulfill their needs. However, with the growing demand for frequent and diverse video content, some organizations have begun bringing videographers in-house. Let’s explore the pros and cons of hiring an in-house videographer versus partnering with a trusted, outsourced video production company, specifically for independent schools.

Start with Your School’s Marketing Strategy

Before deciding whether to hire an in-house videographer or outsource, it’s essential to revisit your overall marketing strategy. What are your school’s goals? What’s preventing you from reaching those goals? What challenges are you facing, and how do you plan to solve them? Once you understand your broader objectives, you can determine if content creation and videography are essential components of your strategy.

Defining the Role of the Videographer

Next, consider the scope of the videographer’s role. Will they be focused on creating external marketing content, or will internal projects be their priority? Are they responsible only for filming, or will they also handle editing, pre-production, scripting, and planning? Do they need advanced skills, such as motion graphics and drone operation? Are they also expected to manage video distribution and posting on your school’s social media channels? These are crucial questions when deciding whether to hire a videographer in-house or outsource the work.

The Benefits of an In-House Videographer

One significant advantage of hiring a videographer in-house is cost-efficiency, especially if your school needs a high volume of video content. Outsourcing to a production company for four or five key videos may limit the variety of content you can create. By bringing someone onto your team, you can produce a greater number of videos, including more basic, day-to-day social media content, without worrying about extra filming or editing days. Plus, an in-house videographer focuses exclusively on your school, eliminating the need to juggle other clients’ projects.

The Drawbacks of an In-House Videographer

However, there are notable drawbacks to hiring an in-house videographer. Producing high-quality, compelling videos typically requires multiple skill sets and sometimes even an entire team. While you might find a talented videographer who can shoot, edit, manage audio, fly drones, and create motion graphics, it’s incredibly time-consuming and unsustainable for one person to consistently handle all these tasks alone. Over time, this can lead to burnout, which may impact the quality of work and the employee sticking around. 

Additionally, if your school primarily needs basic social media video only —like quick event recaps or social media posts—a full-time videographer might be overqualified. In these cases, a social media strategist with basic video editing skills might be sufficient. They can capture and post simple videos from events, classroom activities, or behind-the-scenes moments, which may be all your school really needs.

The Value of a Video Production Company and Outsourcing

Outsourcing your video production to a professional company brings a unique set of advantages. For starters, you gain access to a team of specialists with diverse expertise—from videography and editing to motion graphics, sound design, and aerial drone footage. This means you don’t have to rely on a single individual to carry the weight of an entire production. A dedicated video production company can deliver high-quality, polished content that may be difficult for one in-house videographer to achieve consistently. Additionally, outsourcing allows for flexibility. You can scale up or down depending on your project needs, without the long-term commitment of hiring full-time staff. For schools that don’t need constant video output but still want professional-grade content for specific campaigns, outsourcing can be a cost-effective and strategic solution.

Conclusion

Deciding between hiring an in-house videographer or outsourcing to a video production company ultimately comes down to your school’s specific needs and marketing goals. If your content demands are high, and you require frequent, quick-turnaround videos, an in-house videographer might make sense. On the other hand, if your school values quality over quantity and needs specialized video work for key events or marketing campaigns, outsourcing to a professional company could be the better option. Both approaches have their strengths, and the right choice depends on your capacity, budget, and the type of video content you want to create. Ultimately, having a clear understanding of your marketing strategy and content needs will guide you in making the best decision for your school. If you have any questions or want to learn more about what might be the right fit, reach out to me at joe@monzomediapro.com.

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