Over the past 12 years, I’ve created hundreds of screencast tutorial videos and promo videos for some of the most notable companies in the WordPress industry, including Automattic, WooCommerce, GoDaddy, Liquid Web, Namecheap, and others.
In 2018, I launched 101Videos — a service dedicated to creating excellent custom tutorial videos.
Learn more at 101Videos.com
The Process
The process begins with a conversation about your goals for the video. Do you need a full-blown tutorial video, or a brief promo video for your homepage that just highlights the features of your plugin or product? Once we’re clear on the nature of the project and your goals, we’ll move on to the production process. Learn more at: 101Videos.com
- Create a Local Demo Environment — I always work from a local installation to ensure there are no “spinning beach balls” while recording, due to Internet traffic or server hiccups.
- Scriptwriting — The script is the most critical and time-consuming part of the project. We’ll work together to create a detailed, word-for-word script that describes precisely what is happening onscreen at every moment.
- Voice-over — Next, I’ll record, mix, and master a professional-quality voice-over in my studio.
- Screen Recording — Then, I’ll record the onscreen actions to match the narration in both timing and content. I use Chrome’s Full Screen Mode at 2560×1440 pixels for screen recordings.
- Intro/Outro — If needed, I can create a simple, animated introduction with your logo or other required text.
- Music — If you haven’t already done so, I can help you find and license background music that will perfectly set the tone and maximum the impact of your video.
- Editing and Export — With all the pieces in place, I’ll edit the final video and furnish you a high-resolution video file in H.264 MP4 format at 1280×720 pixels, the standard for HD web video.
How much does it cost?
Once we’ve had a chance to talk about your project, I’ll create a detailed price quote estimate for your video project. But for here are some ‘ballpark’ prices for planning purposes:
Screencast tutorial videos like this example typically cost around $2,500, at a rate of $500 per finished minute.
Introductory or promo videos like this example typically cost around $2,500, and clock in at two minutes or less.
Learn more at 101Videos.com
Time and Money Saving Tips
- Create a script for your video. This is by far the most time-consuming part of the process. The more detailed script you can provide, the less time we’ll spend going back and forth with revisions.
- Provide a fully-functional demo environment. For the best final result, I usually work from a local demo environment. But it takes time to create a completely functional sample site to showcase your product. If possible, provide a fully-functional demo site and you’ll save time and money.
- Find and license appropriate royalty-free music. If you don’t require a custom score for your video, find and purchase royalty-free background music that matches the tone of your video and your brand. I’m more than happy to do this for you, but it does take time to find just the right piece of music. I highly recommend Soundstripe or PremiumBeat.
- Furnish an animated pre-roll, or at least a high-resolution PNG of your logo. If you don’t already have an animated pre-roll to use at the beginning of your video, I can create a simple intro using a high-resolution version of your logo, preferably in PNG format, with a transparent background.
Just Need a Voice-over?
Maybe you’re capable of creating a compelling video on your own, but just need a professional voice-over. I’m happy to help! Simple voice-overs like this one cost $120 per finished minute: