Amateur v. Professional: When to Try it Yourself & When to Hire Someone Else

There are some of us who like to try it ourselves and some of us who would rather avoid the hassle and pay someone else to deal with it. Who are you?

You might want to consider creating your own video if:
1. You are on a tight budget, as in you want a video for free or under $500 for everything.
2. You are not likely to make any money as the result of having a video, even a high quality one.
3. Your friends and family (and you) will probably be the only ones who watch the video.
4. You want to learn how to produce a video so you can gain some production experience.
5. You are a do-it-yourself type in general.

You might want to consider hiring a professional if:
1. Image is everything. If you want to look like a pro, hire one.
2. Video is an essential part of your marketing mix.
3. Money is not a factor (well, at least not the deciding factor, since money is always a factor, but if it isn’t, then definitely hire me- kidding).
4. You can make money by selling or showing the video to others (as in get a positive return on your investment).
5. Potential hecklers and critics, as in the general public and potential clients may watch it (although sometimes friends and family may fall into the peanut gallery category at times too.)

Of course there are advantages and disadvantages to either decision, but these are some factors to consider seriously before you decide. Keep in mind, that a special moment is gone in an instant, but video lasts forever (unless you lose it, but a professional would probably keep an archive copy for a while).

If you have any questions, or comments, feel free to contact me for more information that would pertain to your specific situation. [email protected]