Companies will often delegate a video project to a department head or engineer that has never had any experience putting one together. This can be daunting. Here’s a few tips for the first time video project manager. They’ll help you save time, money and avoid often-made mistakes. These include the script, length, and purpose.The script is the blueprint for shooting and editing video. It describes every visual and audio element. As architectural drawings are corrected during the ongoing planning stages, video production begins on paper and develops in stages. Whether you hire a script writer, a video production company or do it yourself, be sure to get the script right before you spend any additional time or money on shooting footage. Plan on multiple progressions. Someone from outside your organization can see things you don’t. So an “outsider” can be very helpful in constructing a written message that tells your story.

The script determines your video’s length. In marketing, shorter is better. Keep it from 5 - 8 minutes. Make it concise and compelling. Create an insight in to your company’s personality. Save detailed information for a printed fact sheet or an interactive CD. Once you think you have it, cut it some more. A good shooter and editor can improve the impact of a few good words. If the script is written well you’ll create curiosity and a need for them to learn more about you.

Your purpose is to sell an idea or a service to someone specific. Define your target audience. Are you appealing to an entire market segment or a specifically defined group? Covering too much is a common corporate video mistake. Show your core capabilities - how you solve problems, save money, or improve service or response time. Every element of your video needs to relate to these benefits, not merely describe a product or service. Create three or four main points and expand them efficiently.

These ideas, if applied early, should save you time and money later on.