Video production options for your hotel

Video will play a big role in the future of hotel internet marketing. I have a series of posts planned how you can take advantage of this medium, but first let’s look at your video production options.

Photo by ZaptheDingbat on Flickr

1) Hire a pro

The first is perhaps the most obvious – hiring a professional to shoot the video. Based on my research for a few clients, this typically costs somewhere between US$400 and US$2,500 and takes one day of on-site recording plus about a week of production time.

Advantages: Video quality, control over content
Disadvantages: Production time, expense

2) Shoot a video yourself

If you’re working on a low budget or perhaps just want that homemade feel, then consider shooting a video yourself. Technology has developed so that excellent video cameras can be purchased for under a few hundred dollars. Alternatively, you can rent a high quality one at very affordable rates.

Advantages: You control all aspects of the video (best time, place); you can re-record as needed
Disadvantages: Production quality depends on your recording skill

3) Crowdsource it from your guests

Launch an organized effort encouraging your guests to shoot video of their stay and your facility. Consider loaning them a video camera like the Flip Mino, and give them access to rooms as appropriate.

Advantages: Authentic video shot from a guests’ perspective, multiple videos provide multiple perspectives
Disadvantages: Less control over video content, time planning an organized campaign

4) 3rd-party video production

Sites like TVTrip will shoot a professional video for a moderate fee. They often subsidize production cost with an ongoing comission or flat fee relationship.

Advantages: Video quality, possibility for increased distribution on their website
Disadvantages: Production time, may lack control over video contents, ongoing commissions

The more content you have to work with, the better. You may eventually want to try all four of these video formats. For your beginning experiments with video marketing, you could start out with your own recording. Then you may want to increase quality with a professional production before opening up the creative process through crowdsourcing.