You’re probably already aware of video’s power to get results- results like 66% more qualified leads, or a 54% increase in brand awareness– with the volume of stats swirling around video’s impressive ROI, the value of video is tough to ignore. But what about the cost? We work with many clients, like you, on a daily basis, and the question they ask us again and again is:
“How much will my whiteboard animation video cost?”
As with any video or creative project, the answer to that question can be complex and depends on a number of variables. And it’s an answer that’s ever-changing. But here are a few insights from our experience.
Whiteboard animation is generally cheaper than other forms of video
Though the age-old adage “you get what you pay for” definitely comes into play with regards to video production, by turning to whiteboard animation vs. live-action, traditional animation, or stop motion, you’re already saving money- on average, even the priciest whiteboard animated video will cost about half as much as a live-action video of the same length, and about a third what an animated video costs.
This is because the overhead is far cheaper.
Compare it to live-action- no actors to pay for, no camera crew to compensate, no hefty location fees or risk of a shoot taking hours or days longer than planned.
And in contrast to traditional animation, the storyboarding itself is far less complicated and easier to edit, resulting in a faster turnaround and lower cost overall.
Whiteboard animation is known for its simple, straightforward, and easily understood style- the star of your video is your story, and our streamlined process and individual attention brings your story to life. This helps your message be more effectively understood while saving you money.
The cost of your video depends on the length of your script
If you’re on a tight budget or if you’re thinking about making whiteboard animation a cornerstone of your video strategy but you’d like to try it out before committing to an overall video plan, an affordable video is definitely within your reach.
The key?
Keep it short and sweet.
We learned long ago that giving our process parameters also helped our clients stick to a budget. We use script length as our scope control, and we require a final script before we embark on video production.
Bringing us a final script that is under 160 words (160 words equals one scribed video minute) can result in a video with a low budget that still looks amazing and gets great results.
We’ve done videos as short as 15 seconds (and over 20 minutes long), and we’re happy to share examples if you have something in mind. Or, if you’ve got a snappy story to tell but your script is still 700+ words long, our talented team can trim it down to save you time and money.
Our goal is to tell your story as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Pricing for your whiteboard animation video will fluctuate in accordance with your deliverables
There are various building blocks that ultimately create the foundation of your video. Our process is collaborative, which means we’re working hand in hand with you every step of the way. If you have a certain budget in mind, we’ll help you determine what makes sense for us to contribute and what makes sense for you to do on your own.
For example, you can either hire one of our pro storytellers to write your script, or you can write your script yourself and save a bit of money. Our seasoned voiceover talents can lend their voice to your video, or you can record a VO on your own.
There are also “bells and whistles” that are fully optional – we often advise clients to do without sound effects or music tracks, citing the fact that they can distract from the video’s overall message. But if you do opt for those audio effects, your budget will increase. Other options, like localization, captioning, or media inserts, will add costs upfront but could always be added in at a later date if you’re able to come up with more money towards your video.
If you’re on a fixed budget, stick with your original scope!
This tip is pretty straightforward, but it can’t be stressed enough – change orders will add time and increase the pricing for your whiteboard animation video project.
Our process is designed to simplify review and approval, and to give you the opportunity to work directly with amazing artists and your own producer (who will ensure there are no surprises when it comes to the schedule or scope of your video).
We’ll all be working towards the same goal- and that means that after our kickoff call, we want to keep moving forward. Adding revision rounds, making a video longer than initially planned, or tacking on the aforementioned bells and whistles midway through the production process will mean you might get your video later than originally anticipated, and you will definitely pay more for it.
Be sure you discuss your goals and ideas before the agreement is drawn up— and our team will be sure to alert you if you’re about to step out of scope.
Whiteboard animation videos can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars for a minute of video to multiples of that, as we outlined above. The best way to get an accurate idea of TruScribe pricing for your next project is to know the scope of your project and to talk with someone on our team.