How Much Does Video Content Cost?
A Simple, Honest Breakdown
If you have ever looked up how much professional video content costs, you have probably seen the same vague response: “It depends.” While that is technically true, it does not help anyone plan a real budget or understand what affects pricing.
This article explains the cost of video production in a clear and transparent way, using real project examples, real deliverables, and the exact process we follow at Ardist. The goal is to help you understand the investment, where the value comes from, and how to choose the right type of content for your goals.
What You Are Actually Paying For
The price of a video always comes back to one key question:
Where will the content live, and what job is it supposed to do?
A polished video that sits on your website for years and represents your brand requires a different level of planning and production than a simple vertical clip for social media.
Event coverage is different from interviews.
A case study is different from a highlight reel.
A monthly content system is different from a single promotional clip.
Different goals require different workflows, crew sizes, editing time, and creative direction. This is why pricing changes from project to project.
Two Ways We Price Our Work
Project-Based Pricing
This covers one-time productions such as brand stories, case studies, website content, and event coverage.
The cost is determined by complexity, locations, audio requirements, deliverables, turnaround time, and how the final content will be used.
Monthly Content Subscription
This is designed for businesses that need consistent content, not just one project.
It includes photo, video, strategy, caption writing, scheduling, analytics, and a full social calendar.
This model turns content into an ongoing engine, not a one-time purchase.
Real Project Examples and What They Cost
The following examples are based on actual proposals we delivered. These illustrate how scope, goals, and deliverables directly affect pricing.
Monthly Content Subscription
Price range: $1600 to $4000 per month
What is included each month
• One capture day per month
• Edited photos and multiple short-form videos
• Social calendar, captions, and scheduling
• Strategy calls and monthly reporting
• A library of brand assets
• A structured workflow that keeps content consistent and on message
This pricing makes sense for businesses that want continuous content and a clean, professional online presence without hiring an in-house creative team.
Event Capture
Price range: $3449 to $5799+ HST depending on package
What is included
• Pre-event planning session
• Full-day onsite coverage
• Professional audio capture
• Retouched photographs
• Recap videos, highlight reels, interviews, or branded edits depending on the package
• 10 business day turnaround
• Licensing for internal, web, and social use
Pricing varies because each package creates different levels of value.
A basic recap serves internal documentation.
A higher-tier package can fuel months of external marketing.
Brand Story Production
Price range: $3500 to $4500
What is included
• Primary case study film
• Five short-form videos for social media
• High quality photography
• Two-camera interview capture
• Raw footage delivery
• Full editing, color work, sound design, captions, and revisions
Brand Stories are powerful long-term assets. They tend to perform well because they show real results, real environments, and real experiences. Businesses use them across websites, pitch decks, presentations, and social content.
Why Clients Misunderstand Video Pricing
Many people assume they are paying for the hours spent filming.
In reality, filming is only a portion of the workload.
The value comes from
• Pre-production and planning
• Creative direction
• Brand alignment
• Editing and multiple versions
• Professional sound, color, and pacing
• Deliverables that actually achieve business outcomes
A video is not an expense. It is a marketing asset designed to work for you long after it is delivered.
Final Advice for First-Time Clients
Be clear about your goals. The more we understand your direction, the more efficiently we can create the right content.
Think in terms of long-term value. A single video is helpful, but a consistent content system performs better over time.
Trust the process. Professional content requires planning, collaboration, and refinement. There is no single miracle piece of content. Consistency wins.
If you need help choosing the right type of content for your goals, we can guide you through the process and create a plan that fits both your budget and your timeline.