12 Tips to Save on Production Costs
- Plan far enough in advance to avoid rush charges.
- Establish a firm budget and itemize what you expect to receive; submit to your vendors a written document which clearly communicates your objectives, budget, and what you expect to receive from them.
- Have your vendors submit a written contract that spells out all deliverables; be aware of any cancellation clause.
- Give accurate, complete, and important input to ensure the 1st draft script is 90% correct.
- Make sure all decision-makers are a part of the input process.
- Meet all deadlines set by an agreed-upon timeline.
- Attend edit sessions to avoid costly mistakes.
- Do not change input in the middle of the production process.
- Amortize costs over several projects; reuse as much of the existing graphics, videos and ads as possible. Make your production team aware of associated graphics, videos and ads before they start the creative process.
- Map out a strategy for the year and include events, meetings, tradeshows, road shows, overseas shows, laptop presentations, and press conferences. See where presentation materials could be re-used.
- Work with established vendors; check references.
- Establish preferred vendors who understand your process. This eliminates time needed to understand your company, culture, products and customers.
