How To Make A Video For A Startup
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for the ultimate resource to learn how to make a video for a startup, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s guide has answers to all your top questions including:
- How do I make a video for my startup?
- How much does it cost to make a video for a startup?
- How long does it take to make a video for a startup?
- How do I find the right animator to make a video for my startup?
All that and more coming up in this comprehensive guide – including tips to help you save $1000 or more off your production budget when you hire Video igniter to make a video for your startup.
But first, let’s take a look at the types of animations Video Igniter can make for your startup
Startup Video Examples
Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for your startup. You can see some of our favorite example videos below. For additional production samples, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.
Contact us or schedule a call to start making your video.
Are you looking for a different type of animation example? Send us a message to let us know what kind of production example you want to see and we will follow up with some relevant production samples.
How to make an animated video for a startup
This step by step walk through will explain how to hire an animator to make a custom animated video for your startup.
1). Research Animators & Get Production Quotes
Start by looking online for different animation studios and freelancers you can hire to make a video for your startup. Take a look at each company’s animation portfolio (you can see Video Igniter’s animation portfolio here.).
Contact the animation companies you’re interested in hiring. Let them know you want to make a video for your startup. Include as much of the following information as possible:
- What style of animation do you want us to use to make the video for your startup?
- What is the ideal length for your video?
- When do you need the final draft of your animation?
- Are you providing the script for your video or do you want us to write it for you?
- Will you make the storyboard for your startup’s video or do you want us to make it for you?
See this questionnaire for the full list of questions we like to ask.
If you don’t know answers to all of these details, that’s ok! We can help you figure out the best path forward to make an amazing video for your startup that works within your budget.
Once we agree to the scope and budget for your video, you will receive a production agreement to sign and an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.
Thinking about hiring Video igniter to make a video for your startup? Get a custom quote.
2). Writing The Script For Your Startup’s Video
Now that production is underway, the first thing our team will do is interview you to learn more about what we should communicate in the video for your startup. Common questions include:
- Who is your startup’s target audience?
- What problems do they experience?
- How does your startup solve these problems?
- What key talking points do you want to incorporate into your startup’s video?
- What do you want your audience to do when they’re done watching your video?
Our writers will use all of the information to write the first draft of your script. A 60 second video script is typically 120-180 words long – so we need to be concise and focus on your key messages.
When the first draft is ready, you will receive a digital copy of the script to review with your team. Have everyone add their comments directly to the document and let us know when all the feedback is in.
We’ll review your edits integrate your feedback. Then, you will receive an updated copy of the script to review / sign off with your team. If additional revisions are needed, we’ll continue to work with you to revise and polish your script until it’s perfect.
Budget Saving Tip: you can save $500 off the cost of each minute video we make for your startup if you write the script for your video. Download our free startup explainer video script writing template for help getting started.
3). Make The Storyboard For Your Startup’s Video
The script for your video is approved, now it’s time to make the storyboard for your animation.
What is a storyboard, you ask?
A storyboard is the visual blueprint that explains to the illustrators and animators what to create for every part of your video’s script.
For every sentence of your script, we will create a rough sketch of the scene, along with a list of instructions that explain what sort of movement is happening during each shot.
You will receive a link to a digital copy of the storyboard to review with your team. This way, everyone on your team can add their comments and revision notes directly to each page of the storyboard.
Let us know once everyone on your team has added their feedback to the storyboard. We’ll integrate your revisions and share the updated storyboard as soon as it’s ready.
Budget Saving Tip: Did you know you can save $500 off the price of each minute of video we make for your startup if you make the storyboard for your video? Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation template to see how easy it is to make a storyboard.
4). Create The Concept Art
Before we make all of custom illustrations for your startup’s video, we will develop a few pieces of concept art to ensure we create art that matches your brand.
Video Igniter’s art director will review your startup’s brand guidelines and any visual style references you share with us. Then, the art director will develop multiple pieces of concept art, based off scenes from your storyboard.
Give the concepts a thoughtful review and let us know what you like and dislike. We’ll work with you to refine the visual details of your favorite concept(s) until you love the art.
5). Record The Voiceover
Our team will ask you what kind of voiceover you want for your startup’s video. You can select the age range, gender and nationality for your voiceover. We’ll also ask you what kind of tone / energy you want the voice artist to use when they record your narration.
If you don’t have answers or preferences for these questions that’s ok! We’ll suggest some options for you.
Our audio team will select a handful of voiceover talent options that are appropriate for your video. Give the auditions a listen and let us know which option is your favorite.
We take care of coaching the VO artist through the recording. We will also acquire the appropriate licenses so you can legally use their voice for commercial and or promotional purposes.
You will receive a link to listen to a copy of the voiceover. Let us know if there are any parts you want the VO artist to re-record. Otherwise, let us know it’s approved for animation.
Budget Saving Tip: Did you know you can lower your production budget by recording the voiceover for your startup’s video yourself? Watch 1:31 in the video on this page to see how easy it is to record professional quality voiceovers at home, for free.
6). Create The Art
After the concept art is approved, the art director will oversee a team of talented illustrators to create all of the art for your video, based on the scenes in your storyboard. The art director is responsible for ensuring all of the art looks like it matches the style of the concept art we created.
When all of the art is ready, you will receive a link to review the illustrations online.
Give the art a thorough review with your team and add your revision notes next to each image you want to modify. Let us know after everyone on your team has finished adding their feedback.
We’ll integrate all of your revisions at once and then share an updated copy of the art doc with you to review and sign off.
7). Select Music
Our sound team will select a handful of music options for your startup’s video. The songs we select are designed to set the appropriate tone / energy with your target audience. Musical builds and changes in energy can also be used to accentuate specific moments and messages in your video.
Give the soundtracks a listen and let us know which option is your favorite. We’ll take care of acquiring the appropriate license(s) so we can legally use the animation when we make your video.
8). Animation
Now that your script, storyboard, voiceover, soundtrack and illustrations are approved, it’s time to make the video for your startup!
Our animation team will use the storyboard to line up all of the illustrations with the voiceover. Then, we’ll animate each scene until everything flows together.
When the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to download a digital copy of your video. Give it a review with your startup’s team and members of your target audience.
Collect everyone’s feedback and send it our way. We’ll integrate your revisions and share the updated version of your video with you to review and approve.
9). SFX
After your animation is approved, our sound team will add subtle SFX throughout your startup’s video. Then, we’ll master the audio so the sound effects, voiceover and background music are all balanced and crisp in the official recording.
10). Special Requests & Project Wrap Up
Now that production has wrapped on the main version of your video, we can address any special edits and requests. These may include:
- Translating your startup’s video into other languages.
- Creating alternate endings to test which variation gets more viewers to convert.
- Running ad campaigns.
- Adding subtitles.
- Etc…
Once all the special requests are taken care of, our team will send you the final invoice for your video. You will receive the final, unwatermarked version of your startup’s video after payment is completed.
How much does it cost to make a video for a startup?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors like:
- How long is the video you want to create?
- What style of animation do you want us to use to make your video?
- Are you writing the script for your video – or do you want us to?
- How about the storyboard?
- When do you need the final draft?
How much does it cost to make a 2D animated video for a startup?
Most styles of 2D animation can be made for $1,500-$7,500 for each minute of video we create for you. Fancier forms of 2D animation that are made using hand drawn, frame by frame illustrations start at $10,000/min and can go up to $25,000/min for more complex animations.
Get a quote for your startup’s video.
How much does it cost to make a 3D animated video for a startup?
3D animated movies cost 2-4x more than 2D animated videos. Expect to spend a minimum of $5,000 for a 60-second startup video (but more likely, it’ll be over $10,000/min).
Schedule a call with our production team to discuss your startup’s video.
How long does it take to make a video for a startup?
The answer to this question also depends on the same factors – how long is the video going to be, what style of animation are we using, who is creating the script and storyboard, etc.
How long does it take to make a 2D animated video for a startup?
It’s possible to make a 60-second 2D animated video for your startup in 4-6 weeks. Fancier forms of hand drawn animation (also known as cel animation) take 2-3x more time to create.
If your internal team takes longer than a day or so to review deliverables, it may take an additional week or two to complete your video.
Need to speed up production for an upcoming deadline? Video Igniter offers rush delivery animation to speed up the production process.
How long does it take to make a 3D animated video for a startup?
3D animated videos take 2-4x more time to create compared to 2D animation. Allow for at least 8 weeks to create a 60-second 3D animation.
How do I find the right animator to make a video for my startup?
The answer to this question is an article in and of itself. Which is why we wrote a separate article that focuses specifically on this topic: How To Hire An Animator.
In the guide, you’ll learn:
- Where to look for qualified animators.
- What to look for on an animator’s website.
- Questions to ask before hiring an animator (or studio).
- How to evaluate an animation studio’s portfolio.
- And more!
How to save money when you hire Video Igniter to make a video for your startup?
Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off the cost of each minute of video we make for your startup:
1). Write The Script
You can save $500 off the cost of each minute of video we make for your startup if you write the script yourself. Download our free script writing template for help getting started. We can review your script and provide feedback before we use it to make your startup’s video to ensure your script aligns with our best practices.
2). Create The Storyboard
You can save an additional $500 off the cost of each minute of video we make for you if you also create the storyboard for your video. Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide to see how easy it is to make a storyboard. No artistic experience needed! Our team will review your storyboard and ask clarifying questions / provide suggestions before we use your storyboard to make illustrations for your video.
3). Use Free, Legal Music
If you have access to free music we can legally use in your video, we can remove music licnsing costs from your video’s production budget. You can also look for free, legal music on sites like Incompetech.
4). Record The VoiceOver
Did you know it’s possible to record professional quality voiceovers at home for free? No need to buy any expensive equipment or professional software. Watch 1:31 in this video to see how.
If you record the voiceover for your startup’s video, we’ll remove soundtrack licensing costs from your production budget.
5). Start Production ASAP
The fastest and easiest thing you can do to save the most amount of money on your video is to start production as soon as possible! Rush delivery is available if you need to speed up production for a deadline. However, rush delivery can add 10%-25% or more to your video’s production cost. In order to avoid or minimize the need for rush delivery, contact us ASAP or schedule a call with our production team to discuss your startup’s video project and goals.
Startup Video Production Resources
The following guides and resources are popular among people researching and reading about how to make a video for a startup:
- How To Make An Explainer Video For A Startup (+18 example videos)
- 6 Reasons Your Tech Startup Should Make An Explainer Video
- How To Hire An Animation Studio
- List Of Animation Services Offered By Video Igniter
- Explore Our Favorite 2D Animation Examples
Still have questions about how to make a video for your startup?
Do you have a question about how to make a video for a startup that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.
What is Video Igniter Animation?
Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.
Watch the demo reel below for examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce for you.
Looking For A Startup Video Production Company In The U.S.?
Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Startup Video Success Stories & Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.
“Couldn’t be happier with Derek and his team. The quality of the work for the cost far exceeded expectations and surpasses anything in the market. Derek was patient, offered many revisions, and was overall great to work with.”
Alex Novick – Founder, Sproutly.com
“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”
Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com
“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”
Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions
“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”
Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems
Get in touch!
Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.
Get a quote for us to create your animated video.
Request access to our newest price sheet.
Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.
