Video marketing has become an increasingly important part of the marketing landscape. With billions of people consuming video content daily, businesses and nonprofit organizations have an unprecedented opportunity to reach new audiences and engage with their customers. However, many small businesses and nonprofit organizations are hesitant to get started with video marketing due to concerns about cost. Good news! Many affordable options can help you get started with video marketing without breaking the bank. Here are some of the cheapest ways small businesses and nonprofit organizations can get started with video marketing.

Use Your Smartphone

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get started with video marketing is to use your smartphone. Many modern smartphones come equipped with high-quality cameras capable of capturing stunning video footage. You can save money on expensive cameras and equipment by using your smartphone to create video content. If you are a two-person team, or if you have a second smartphone, you can even use the second one as a microphone and mix the audio with the video in an editing program to get higher-quality interviews since you would be able to hold the microphone (pun intended) close to the interview subject's mouth.

Invest in a Tripod (even a cheap one)

While smartphones can capture excellent video footage, shaky footage can distract and detract from your video content's quality. Investing in a tripod can help you to capture stable footage and improve the overall quality of your videos. Tripods are available at various prices, and even inexpensive options can be highly effective. You can also get a smartphone gimble if you want to spend a little more.

Use Free Video Editing Software

Video editing software can be expensive, but many free options can help you edit your video content without breaking the bank. Some popular options include iMovie (for Apple devices) and OpenShot (for Windows and Linux). These programs offer a range of basic editing tools and can help you to create professional-looking videos without spending a dime. Still, I recommend purchasing the Adobe Suite and using Premiere if you have the funds available. Many people need Adobe for other reasons (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.), so they may already have access to Premiere for free. There are now AI powered video creation and editing tools - more on that to come in a future blog post at PogonaCreative.com/blog.

Make Use of Stock Footage

If you don't have the time or resources to shoot your footage, stock footage can be a great option. Many websites offer free or low-cost stock footage that you can use in your video content. Websites like Pexels, Pixabay, and Videvo provide a range of stock footage options that you can use to enhance your video content. Motion Array's subscription plan gives you access to an audio library, graphic and slideshow templates, stock images, and stock videos.

Utilize YouTube

YouTube is a classic platform for hosting and sharing your video content. Not only is it free to use, but it also has a massive audience that can help you to reach new viewers and grow your brand. Creating a YouTube channel and uploading your video content can build a following and engage with your audience meaningfully. However, most social networks give algorithmic advantages to posting natively, so rather than linking to YouTube from your social networks, consider posting there directly, even if you have to edit a second video version with the opposite aspect ratio.

Small businesses and nonprofit organizations benefit from video marketing, which can help you achieve your marketing goals and connect with your target audience. Video marketing doesn't have to be expensive. Using the tips in this blog post, you can get started with video marketing on a shoestring budget. 

*first draft written by ChatGPT