Why Size Really DOESN'T Matter (But Telling Everyone How Big it is DOES!)

The awkward but essential budget conversation every client needs to have with their creative partners

Let me share something that happens far too often in the creative industry:

A company gets in touch about a project. We have several exploratory conversations, develop creative concepts, prepare a detailed proposal, and then... silence. When we finally hear back, we discover our ￡10k proposal was met with shock because they'd mentally budgeted ￡3k.

Everyone's time wasted. Everyone slightly frustrated. And no project gets delivered.

The awkward money talk

I get it. Talking about budgets feels uncomfortable. There's that nagging fear that if you reveal what you can spend, that's exactly what you'll be charged - regardless of what the work actually requires.

But here's a truth about creative services that isn't discussed enough: the same "deliverable" can be produced in dozens of different ways, at dramatically different price points, all delivering varying results.

Think of it like buying a car

All cars essentially do the same thing - they get you from A to B. But there's a world of difference between a basic hatchback and a luxury saloon.

Some people choose the basic model because they genuinely don't care about the extras—they just need reliable transportation. Others might desire the premium experience but choose the lower-end option because of budget constraints. Some could afford the top-spec model but decide a car isn't where they want to allocate their resources. And some want - and can justify - the premium option because the additional benefits matter to them.

None of these positions is wrong.

The same applies to your creative projects

A case study film could be produced for ￡4,000 by one video company, while another might quote ￡25,000 for what seems like the "same" deliverable. Similar disparities exist in web design, marketing campaigns, and virtually all creative services.

Will there be differences in the output? Absolutely.

• Different equipment and resources
• Different team sizes and expertise levels
• Different pre-production processes
• Different time investment and attention to detail
• Different overall production values

But - and this is crucial - those differences only matter if they matter to you and your objectives.

For some companies, the additional polish from a higher investment will never generate a proportional return. For others, the refined finish and deeper creative capability are essential to achieving their goals.

The importance of budget transparency

When you avoid the budget conversation, several things happen:

1. You waste time reviewing options you can't afford
2. Creative agencies waste resources creating proposals that miss the mark
3. Your final deliverable may compromise on the elements that actually matter most to you

Even if you don't have a specific figure in mind, discussing an appropriate range helps everyone. It allows the creative partner to be honest about what's achievable within those parameters and focus their creativity on solutions that align with your resources.

What happens when you're open about budget?

When you share your budget (or even a range), something remarkable happens:

• The conversation shifts from "how much will this cost?" to "how can we maximise value within these parameters?"
• You can have meaningful discussions about trade-offs rather than uncomfortable negotiations
• The creative team can suggest solutions you might not have considered
• You build trust from the beginning through transparency

What if you genuinely don't know?

If you truly don't have a sense of appropriate investment levels, that's okay too. Just be upfront about it. Ask the agency to outline options at different price points, explaining what each delivers and what it sacrifices.

But remember, "What's your budget?" isn't a trick question designed to extract maximum revenue. It's an essential piece of information that helps align expectations and deliver the best possible outcome within your constraints.

The bottom line

Your story is too important to be compromised by misaligned expectations. Whether your budget is ￡4k or ￡40k, being transparent from the start ensures that story is told in the most effective way your resources allow.

In our video production work, we've seen how this transparency leads to happier clients, better creative outcomes, and long-lasting partnerships. And while our perspective comes from video production, these principles apply to any creative service you might commission.

Ready to have an honest conversation about your next creative project? Get in touch – we promise to be just as transparent with you.

Ally & Mo Media specialise in authentic people-led video content that drives measurable business growth. While our expertise is in video production, the principles in this article apply across all creative services.