Running an SME in Dhaka is pretty daunting, as you are constantly competing against the big sharks. You’re already spending on boosted posts and click-through ads that sometimes feel like donations to the algorithm. Then there are bills, rent, and clients who want “just one more revision.”
So when someone brings up “corporate videos,” you immediately find yourself shrieking. It’s not that you don’t see the value. You’ve watched other brands pull off striking visuals and storytelling. But, for some reason, it feels like gambling.
A strong video can do more for your credibility than a hundred well-written captions because visuals hit harder than plain text. But there is an in-between stage where you have to set the budget. This blog is here to bridge that gap.
Cost Ranges
In Dhaka, costs vary depending on crew size, equipment, imported cameras, lighting, etc. Below, we’ve broken down three common tiers of corporate video production.
| Tier | Approximate Cost Range (BDT) | What You’ll Get |
| Budget Tier | 5,000–20,000 |
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| Mid Tier | 20,000–50,000 |
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| Full Production | 50,000–100,000+ |
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But remember, producing the video is only half the story. Once it’s ready, you’ll have to deal with ad spend. Whether that means running short YouTube pre-rolls or targeted Facebook ads, CPC benchmark data shows that even a modest ad budget can multiply a video’s reach several times over.
Misconceptions About Corporate Video Production
Due to tight budgets and small teams, SMEs should follow solid digital marketing guidelines. On top of that, everyone’s heard horror stories about videos that are deemed corny by “the masses.” It’s common to have some doubts before you start budgeting. Let’s address some of those:
High Budget Means Better Outcome
A lot of small business owners freeze at the idea of video production. Because they look at Hi-Fi multinational campaigns and think, “We could never afford that.” This perception of “looking smaller” taps into human psychology. Your brain measures your limited resources against the work of global brands. It convinces you that video is a luxury reserved for the giants.
Truth is, even a short 60-second testimonial or a simple product demo can make a small Dhaka-based brand look professional. That’s why even one video can have more impact than dozens of half-baked social posts.
So how do you make sure your investment pays off? Once everyone agrees on the vision, insist on seeing a plan of action before shooting begins. Review scripts, framing, and tone. There’s a whole process that goes behind it. More on that later.
What If It Flops?
Every small business owner has that sinking feeling when they think about paying for a video and ending up with something unusable. This fear stems from the sunk-cost fallacy. When budgets are tight, this fear paralyzes decision-making. The biggest mistake that leads you to that path is the lack of discipline and structure.
Without moodboards or sample approvals, you’re essentially completely relying on someone else’s imagination. The outcome is nasty for a small business. The solution is to anchor the process in alignment: review scripts, frames, tone, and key shots before the camera rolls. This way, you’re shifting from reactive fear to proactive confidence.
What If the Budget Blows Out Halfway Through?
Unexpected costs are another concern. What starts as a minor reshoot can quickly turn into extra editing rounds or surprise fees for music and stock footage. Without transparency from your marketing agency, the budget might spiral out of control.
To avoid that, ask for a detailed quote that clearly shows what each part of the project costs. Set limits for each stage, and tie payments to completed work. Doing this keeps your budget under control and turns a scary, unpredictable process into something you can manage.
Factors That Affect Costs
When most people think of video production, they imagine clapperboards snapping shut and blinding lights. But that’s just one slice of the budget. What actually drives cost is everything that happens before and after the shoot. Here’s how each stage affects your final bill:
Pre-Production
Pre-production covers everything from brainstorming the concept to finalizing the script, storyboards, and logistics. Many small business owners in Dhaka assume the real spending starts in this stage, but in reality, the groundwork that you lay here will escalate your ROI.
It begins with a concept. A clear concept acts as your compass. It will direct you to your ultimate goal with the campaign. Next comes scriptwriting, which shapes your message into a story. Good writing can make even a tight-budget video feel big.
After that, storyboarding turns your ideas into visuals. Each frame is mapped out, helping the crew understand camera angles, transitions, and pacing. This step may seem extra, but it prevents reshoots later. Finally, there’s logistics: scheduling, budgeting, arranging props, organizing the team, etc. Once you are done with logistics, you move on to the next step, production.
Production
This is where everything comes to life. Naturally, most of the budget goes into this stage. Costs typically include crew fees, equipment rental, lighting, and sound; you know the drill..
Equipment can quickly inflate costs, especially when imported cameras or drones are involved. But, of course, great storytelling doesn’t depend on flashy gear. A skilled videographer with mid-range equipment can often create results that look just as professional as those shot with high-end cameras. The difference lies in experience and creative direction.
For SMEs, another approach is influencer marketing campaigns. A short collaboration with a relevant influencer can bring both talent and reach. Take Moonskin as a case study. They collaborated with micro-celebs like Modernotaku to promote their hair serums. And, guess what, they blew up shortly after that.
Anyway, just to clarify, this kind of campaign is PR mostly. PR is distinct from full-fledged video production. But you get it, right? Bring in a couple of familiar faces and booof m! The likelihood of instant hits increases.
Post-Production
Now that you’ve got your raw footage, it’s time to edit it in a way that tells a coherent story. Editing costs alone can vary widely depending on whether you’re doing simple trims and overlays or combining multiple angles, syncing voiceovers, and layering motion graphics.
Color grading sets the visual tone. Even tiny adjustments, like ambient lighting, can significantly improve quality. Sound mixing is equally critical: uneven audio or poorly balanced music can make a video feel unprofessional. Motion graphics, animated callouts, and transitions add engagement, but each extra element increases cost.
Distribution
Once your video is ready, the next layer of planning is how it will be shared and reused. Social media often requires vertical or square cuts, while websites and ads favor horizontal formats. So, you’ll need more than one version of that video. Also, don’t forget about captions and subtitles during the first two stages.
Usage rights are another multifaceted consideration. You need to know what you can legally do with the footage:
- Can you reuse it for ads?
- Repurpose it for future campaigns?
- Share it on social media without extra fees?
Ultimately, distribution and usage planning are not an afterthought. It’s part of your investment. A video’s value is in how far it travels and how many audiences it reaches.
End Note
As an SME, you’re balancing a lot of things. Define your goals first. What do you want your video to achieve? Once you have that clear, the next step is simple: talk to a team.
A top-tier corporate video requires you to work with people who understand your business. That’s why you need to lock in with a digital marketing agency you can count on. Look for agencies that can catch your vibe while simultaneously understanding Dhaka’s market.
At Ngital, we help Small businesses in Dhaka strategize for videos that deliver real results. Reach out today, let’s hear your objectives, and create a video plan that fits your vision.
