Part three of our daily vlog series

If you’ve been following along with my vlogging journey this week, you’ll know that I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last few days in Las Vegas at the NAB Show—one of the biggest media events of the year.

While I was in Vegas, I created daily vlogs that give you a firsthand look into what it’s like to attend NAB. In part one, I shared my thoughts on the benefits of vlogging for marketers. And in part two, I gave you a behind-the-scenes look into how the Brightcove team powered the NAB live stream, and streamed our own live interviews directly to our Facebook page.

Check out my third (and final) NAB vlog to see me exploring the show floor to find affordable, easy-to-use video gear that doesn’t compromise on quality:

Now that you’ve had a chance to hear about some of the exciting technology that’s available in the video world today, let’s take a step back and go over some video production basics—and answer some questions that may be on your mind.

Should you produce your videos in house or outsource them?

Marketers around the world ask themselves this question every day. Of course, there’s no easy answer here. When making this decision, you have to keep a variety of different factors in mind and consider which of the following two scenarios you fall into:

• The one-and-done video project: This scenario applies if you’re creating a couple of basic, evergreen videos (such as a product demo), and you have a few team members who are willing to lend a hand when it comes to writing, directing, and producing the content. In this case, outsourcing your video production can be the right choice. This approach will ensure that your video content meets the desired quality—which means good lighting, clear audio, and an overall good viewing experience. And working with a vendor will help you get your project off the ground quickly.

• You’re all in on video: This scenario applies if your team has decided that video plays a huge role in your marketing initiatives, and you’re looking to expand upon your program to create a variety of different kinds of video assets. In this case, it’s worthwhile for you to bring your video production in house. If and when you do so, you’ll see the benefit from both a budget and management standpoint.

In either scenario, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to have unlimited time, a large production team, and a huge budget to make impactful videos. Take the pressure off your production process by identifying your budget from the get-go, focusing on telling an authentic story, and creating reusable content. By doing so, you can create exceptional brand videos—without a Hollywood budget and set.

What types of video equipment and resources do you need?

Depending on your video needs and production scale, you may want to invest in everything from DSLR cameras and photo lenses to LED lights and boom mics.

But at the most basic level, you’ll need to make sure you have access to the following six things if you’re looking to shoot videos in house:

• An empty room

• Camera, lighting, and sound equipment

• Seamless background paper

• A teleprompter

• A video professional

• Patience (After all, it’s important to keep experimenting and fine tuning your process to achieve the best results!)

If you’re interested in adding live video into the mix, check out our printable Live Streaming Checklist, which outlines all the specific tools you’ll need and the steps you should take to ensure your live stream runs smoothly. And watch the recording of our recent webinar: Let's Talk Live: How to Build the Live Stream Experience Your Audience Wants.

Thanks again for tuning in to my NAB 2019 Vlog series this week! It’s been a privilege to record some sights and scenes from the show and share this content with you all. Be sure to check back on our blog next week for a post recapping some of the major themes of NAB 2019.