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Multimedia is a cornerstone for businesses online, whether ads, website design, or streaming video resources. It’s essential to know the basic components of professional multimedia production so that you can develop, produce, and distribute quality projects to your audience.

 

There are three main components when budgeting for a professionally made multimedia project: the creative piece, production, and revisions. If you don’t have an in-house creative department for multimedia productions, as most small businesses and nonprofits don’t, this will be something you need to outsource. It’s important to hire based on quality and experience rather than price point. A company that has created other projects in your market space is an excellent place to start. They will then already have a basic understanding of your audience and market placement. This valuable insight can help them to create the best product for your budget.

 

Since there are so many moving pieces in creating a multimedia project, there can be some extended costs associated with the project. Go into meetings with design firms understanding your budget and project goals. If you are still undecided on these two key points, it can cost you valuable time and, once the project begins, money if significant changes occur.

 

When hiring a design firm, you may have the option of working independently with the designer or the entire design team. While team expense may be higher, most businesses find more gets accomplished when everyone meets together to understand the goal and projection for the product. When working with a firm, bring everything you have to help guide the project to the initial meeting. The more you can provide to them, the less they need to create from scratch. So, if you want a commercial with actual clients singing your praises, come prepared with a curated list of clients willing to participate and their reviews. 

 

If you need to reduce costs, you can ask for fixed-price development. It may mean you lose some flexibility, but it can save both time and money in the long run with a firm. Another cost-reducer is providing the firm only one point of contact for a project. Having too many people involved or as decision-makers can cost additional time and money. You may also entertain the idea of working with freelancers vs. a professional firm. While there are many great freelancers available, they typically cannot do all aspects of a project. You will need multiple freelancers, which can be more costly than a professional firm. The result may not be of the same quality due to those limitations. Some design firms work with trusted offshore freelancing agencies to help with the workload and ease their costs. Ask if this applies to any firms you interview for the project.

 

No matter which way you choose to go, creating professional multimedia projects will pay off over shaking videos stitched together from a cell phone without clear messaging. Take your project seriously to get the best possible return on your investment.