How can you balance an animated project budget with marketing and distribution costs?

Without doubt, before any budget can be raised you need to KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. This knowledge will drive many if not all of your decisions. Knowing where they are in your funnel is also important these 2 examples will help explain: Your audience are small business owners looking for a software solution. 1: Prospect is exploring: Higher budget - for these reasons: a) Has a long shelf life. b) Will be on your website AND sales pages. c) Needs social snippets versions. d) GOOD script essential. 2: Customer needs help: Lower budget - for these reasons: a) Needs updating regularly. b) Function is priority, not conversation. c) High volume of video. Always start with: WHO is your audience WHERE in their journey they are WHAT platform

The first step to balance your budget is to know who you are making the animation for, and what kind of demand and competition there is for your project. This will help you determine the appropriate scale, scope, and genre of your animation, as well as the best platforms and channels to reach your target audience. You should also do some market research and analysis to find out what kind of animation works well in your niche, and what kind of pricing and revenue models are feasible. Knowing your audience will help you avoid overspending or underspending on your animation.

Typically these following TWO areas are often underestimated - rush through them and you'll pay for it later in time and money. Making changes after the animation has been stared is far more expansive than getting it right at these two stages: 1 - scripting: This is the frame everything else is hung on. Getting your message into 90-150 words (typically) is challenging. And doing to also be engaging and catchy and not too rushed, is even harder. 2 - storyboard: Now you see how the script will potentially work, so often the script is tweaked at this point as we see how it blends with what we see. Allow as much time as you can to these stages. Remember to allow feedback time for those stakeholders who might be slower to contribute.

There are many talented creative agencies and freelancers and internal team members who could be the best choice. When it comes time for you to find the right creative/s I believe there are THREE factors to help you pick: 1: TECHNICAL ABILITY - first off they need to be capable, so ask if they can do the style of animation you are looking for (have a sample video/s to share) 2: WORKABILITY - how easy is this person or agency to work with? Here you're best to ask about, find a recommendation etc. someone can be capable but awful to work with. 3: TRUST YOUR GUT - with the above two ticked off, presuming availability and price works, now I would ask yourself who you trust the most. Meet in person if you can, what does your gut say?

The most amazing video in the world isn't much good if no one sees it! Whatever the function of this video is, from hero to helpful there is a purpose to it and the only commonality is that it needs to be seen by the people you want it to be seen by. Your distribution and promotion plan will be in alignment to the video function and appropriate investment. However, there is ONE THING everyone must do to their best ability whatever the video and wherever the distribution, whoever the audience.... PERFORMANCE TRACKING! As much as you are able ensure you have in place methods to be able to measure performance. Not only so that you can adjust as you go for maximum success but you can report on your KPIs and improve next time around.

When you make a deal with a network or streamer, they tell you the budget and they handle all promotion costs. None of that is on the producer or creator.

There is one single BIGGEST MISTAKE in my experience that brands make with video content. Creating an animated video is often a healthy investment and often part of a campaign. However, all too often between campaigns there is zero video activity. You already know that video content is in high demand, gets results faster and is needed in all areas of business and throughout the customer journey. The irony is that this is easily solved without any massive investment by using the content you have already invested in and by taking advantage of opportunities across the business that are already in place. Develop a 'business as usual' video strategy, and include YouTube, the biggest missed opportunity brands are ignoring today.