Video producers, there are now more options than ever when it comes to starting a small business that revolves around video. If you’ve got some basic video equipment and the skills to create great video content, here are 50 different video production business ideas for you to consider.
Why You Should Start a Video Production Business
With an ever-increasing demand for visual content, starting a video production business might just be the gold mine you’ve been seeking. Here’s why:
- Rising Demand for Video Content: From social media platforms to corporate websites, video has become the preferred medium of communication.
- Diverse Revenue Streams: Whether it’s advertisements, documentaries, tutorials, or wedding videography, there’s a multitude of niches to explore. Each niche not only caters to a different audience but also presents unique monetization opportunities.
- Flexibility & Independence: As a video production entrepreneur, you have the freedom to choose projects that align with your passion and interest. Whether you wish to work from a home studio or travel around the world for shoots, the flexibility is unmatched.
- Scalability: Start as a one-person team, and as your portfolio and client base grow, so can your business. Expand to include a team of editors, videographers, and even venture into new video-related avenues.
Choosing the Perfect Video Production Business Idea: Our Methodology
Entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to venture into the video production industry face an exciting yet challenging landscape. The key to success lies in selecting the right video production business idea that aligns with your skills, resources, and market demand. We’ll rate these criteria on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest importance and 1 being the lowest:
- Equipment and Technology (Rating: 5): Assess the availability and quality of video production equipment and technology required for your chosen niche.
- Market Demand (Rating: 5): Research the demand for video production services in your area or niche, ensuring a viable market exists.
- Skills and Expertise (Rating: 4): Evaluate your own skills and expertise in video production, as well as your team’s capabilities if applicable.
- Portfolio and Showreel (Rating: 4): Develop a strong portfolio showcasing your previous work to attract clients and demonstrate your abilities.
- Client Base (Rating: 4): Consider your target client base, including businesses, individuals, or specific industries that require video production.
- Competitive Landscape (Rating: 3): Analyze the competition in your chosen video production niche and identify opportunities to stand out.
- Budgeting and Pricing (Rating: 3): Create a pricing strategy that covers your costs and provides competitive rates for your services.
- Marketing Strategy (Rating: 3): Develop a marketing plan that includes online presence, social media, and networking to reach potential clients.
- Legal and Licensing Requirements (Rating: 2): Ensure compliance with all legal and licensing requirements related to video production in your location.
- Client Relationships (Rating: 2): Focus on building strong client relationships through effective communication and meeting their needs.
Video Production Business Ideas
Vlogger
Vloggers are basically bloggers that use video as their main form of content. You can create video blogs about a wide range of topics, then earn money through ads, sponsored content, selling products or any number of other methods.
YouTube Partner
YouTube is one of the most popular outlets for people to share and watch video content online. And the platform offers an ad sharing program for partners who want to earn money by posting videos on the site.
AdSense Business
You can also make videos that you then post on a website where you host ads from AdWords or a similar platform that allows you to earn ad revenue.
Wedding Videography Service
Couples often hire videographers to capture their wedding days in video form. So you can build a business where you provide those videos for couples.
Drone Videographer
The emergence of drones has also led to a unique niche for videographers. You can offer a service where you capture film from an overhead or moving perspective using drone devices — though permits may be needed for this kind of business connected to use of your drone.
Local Advertising Production
Local advertising is still a relevant marketing tactic for some local businesses. So you could offer videography services where you produce local TV commercials for business clients.
Online Video Advertising Service
You could also provide a service where you produce ads to run online before YouTube videos or in banner ads.
Freelance Video Production
Or you could offer video production services on a freelance basis to businesses looking to create videos for a variety of purposes.
YouTube Influencer
Building a popular YouTube channel doesn’t have to mean making money through ad sharing. You can also work with brands that are relevant to your niche as an influencer.
Facebook Influencer
Facebook has also become a popular platform for video content, both edited and live video. So you could build a business around Facebook and work as an influencer.
Instagram Influencer
Or you could focus more on mobile video content and work with brands as an influencer who specializes in Instagram.
Training Video Service
Another popular way for businesses to benefit from the use of video is by using it for training purposes. So you could build a business around filming training videos in a specific niche.
Real Estate Video Service
Video is especially popular in the real estate world. You could build a business by creating videos that show off homes for sale.
Online Comedy Series
It’s also popular to build a business around a sitcom or comedic series of videos that you post on YouTube or Facebook. In this instance, you’d make money as a partner or accept your own advertisers through video ads or product placement.
Documentary Film Series
As a video producer, creating a documentary series offers you a unique platform to delve deep into a topic, shedding light on untold stories or offering fresh perspectives on well-known issues.
There are numerous channels – from YouTube to dedicated streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime – to showcase your work. Pairing with online monetization strategies, such as sponsorships, subscription models, or pay-per-view, can turn your passion for real stories into a sustainable business venture.
Independent Film Production
As a video producer, this avenue allows you to craft narratives that resonate on a personal level, without the pressure of mass market appeal. While the indie film route may initially seem daunting due to budget constraints and fierce competition, success stories are abundant.
By leveraging film festivals as a launch pad, you can gain critical recognition, network with industry insiders, and even catch the attention of distributors. Additionally, the proliferation of streaming services today presents ample opportunities for indie filmmakers to find a broader audience and monetize their creations.
Online News Channel
News is also a popular topic for people to follow online. So you could start a website or YouTube channel where you share breaking news.
Stock Video Sales
Like stock photos, businesses and individuals sometimes look for stock video footage to fill in their own video projects or web content. So you could shoot video and then offer it up for sale in this format.
Business Presentation Creation
Video is also a popular format for business presentations. So you could specialize in this type of video and offer your services to professionals.
Video Resume Service
Or you could work with professionals who are looking for job opportunities by creating video resumes or portfolios.
Affiliate Marketer
Another way to earn an income online, you could work with various brands as an affiliate and earn a share of sales that you send to those brands.
Online Video Courses
If you’ve got a lot of knowledge in a specific topic, you could create your own video courses that people can purchase and view online.
How-to Video Service
You could also create some shorter tutorial or how-to videos and then earn money from ads or even viewer donations.
Video Tour Guide
If you live in or visit areas that are popular with tourists, you could create video tours and work with businesses or groups that want to attract more visitors.
Video Marketing Service
There are so many different ways businesses can use video content for marketing. So you could start a marketing agency that specializes in video content.
Animator
If you’re artistically inclined, you could create animations and then work with clients or sell animations in a stock video format.
Conference Videography Service
For those who attend business conferences, you could work with event organizers who want to have a video recap of the event or even a video preview to attract more attendees.
Product Review Service
If you’re looking to start your own channel, you could start one where you review various products, allowing you to build a specific influencer niche.
Product Demonstration Service
You could also focus on demonstrating products that might be difficult or complicated to use. This could be especially relevant in a niche like software or gaming.
Video Sales Service
For those who are skilled with sales, you could build a business where you share sales pitches for various products.
Musician
If you’re musically inclined, you could build a business by creating videos of you showing off your talents, allowing you to convince people to hire you for gigs.
Music Video Service
You could also work with musicians to film music videos to go with their songs.
Concert Video Service
Or you could film concerts for musicians who want to share the footage online or in a format that they can sell to fans.
Motivational Speaker
If you’re trying to make a living as a motivational speaker or other type of event presenter, you could use your video skills as a main way to show off your talents and expertise online.
Podcast
While traditionally considered an audio medium, podcasts have gradually evolved, and many now incorporate video elements.
Podcasters realize the potential of video to add depth, bring visuals to their narratives, and capture audiences who prefer to watch rather than just listen. As a video producer, you can tap into this growing trend by offering specialized video services for podcasters.
This could range from filming interviews and discussions to creating visually engaging animations or infographics that enhance the content. Furthermore, platforms like YouTube can act as a secondary distribution channel, boosting the podcast’s reach and offering additional monetization strategies through ads.
Book Trailer Service
As a video producer, you can collaborate with authors to craft compelling book trailers that capture the essence of their work. Using captivating visuals, music, and perhaps even narration, these trailers can intrigue and entice potential readers, driving sales and interest.
With platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook supporting video content, the opportunities for sharing and promoting these book trailers are vast, making it a profitable venture for videographers.
Virtual Fitness Classes
For those who are athletically inclined, you can create video fitness classes and offer those for sale or on a subscription basis.
Sports Video Service
You might also be able to film various local sporting events for teams or athletes and their family members.
Online Coaching Service
There are many different niches that could allow you to start an online coaching business. And you can use video as a major way to show off your expertise to potential clients.
Membership Site
You could also set up a site where you share video content to visitors who pay a monthly or yearly membership fee.
Video Will Service
For those with video skills and a legal background, or connections in the legal community, you could offer a service where you work with people who want to create video wills.
Legal Video Service
You could also use your video skills to film depositions or other legal matters on a contract basis.
Remembrance Videos
Sometimes, families also like to have videos for funerals or memorials, which could offer another niche for video producers.
Video Fundraising Service
You could also offer up your services to businesses or organizations that want to use video for fundraisers or online fundraising sites.
Video Competitions
There are plenty of opportunities for companies to create online competitions that integrate video. So you could start a service where you work with companies that need some help facilitating those contests.
Viral Video Creation
If you create one or two videos that go viral, you can build a brand around that and then sell products related to the video or even appear at events.
Online Video Platform
If you’re really into sharing videos online, you might even consider starting your own video platform that people can sign up to use.
Online Social Network
Or you could create a social networking site or app that integrates a lot of video content.
Video Gear Rental Service
If you’re a video producer, you likely have a lot of video equipment. So you could potentially start a service where you rent out that gear to customers.
Video Transfer Service
Or you could simply help customers who want to duplicate or transfer video into another format, like families who want to transfer old family videos from old film into a digital file or DVD.
Types of Videography Business
| Type of Videography Business | Business Ideas | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Content Creation | Vlogger, YouTube Partner, AdSense Business, YouTube Influencer, Facebook Influencer, Instagram Influencer, Online Comedy Series, Documentary Film Series, Independent Film Production, Online News Channel. | Engage audiences through consistent content, monetizing via ads, sponsorships, and brand collaborations. |
| Event Videography | Wedding Videography Service, Concert Video Service, Conference Videography Service. | Capture special events and occasions, providing clients with lasting memories or promotional material. |
| Specialized Services | Drone Videographer, Training Video Service, Real Estate Video Service, Legal Video Service, Remembrance Videos, Video Fundraising Service. | Cater to niche demands, offering specialized videography solutions for specific industries or needs. |
| Advertisement & Marketing | Local Advertising Production, Online Video Advertising Service, Video Marketing Service, Product Review Service, Product Demonstration Service, Video Sales Service. | Help businesses promote their products or services through effective video commercials or demos. |
| Educational & Instructional | Online Video Courses, How-to Video Service, Online Coaching Service. | Share knowledge or expertise, offering courses, tutorials, or coaching sessions. |
| Influencer & Affiliation | Affiliate Marketer, Musician, Motivational Speaker, Podcast. | Establish a presence on platforms, leveraging popularity to collaborate with brands or share insights with followers. |
| Business Solutions | Stock Video Sales, Business Presentation Creation, Video Resume Service, Membership Site, Video Transfer Service, Video Gear Rental Service. | Offer video-related solutions, from stock footage to equipment rental, catering to a variety of business needs. |
| Entertainment & Production | Animator, Music Video Service, Viral Video Creation, Online Social Network, Online Video Platform. | Engage audiences with entertaining content, from animations to music videos, while also offering platforms or networks for content sharing. |
Related reading: 51 Business Ideas for 2020
Video Blogger Photo via Shutterstock
