7 Reasons to Work With a Remote Video Team

As we enter 2022 without any clear indication of when the pandemic will end, we’ve learned to adapt.

My team and I, for example, had to pivot to a remote work model in 2020. Now we’ve embraced a hybrid arrangement and we are all the better for it.

I think many businesses have had a similar experience, and realize that the remote work model is not only doable—it’s beneficial.

Another trend that emerged in parallel with remote work was that many companies decided to ramp up their marketing and leaned into video, a dynamic medium that is taking over the internet. Cisco predicted that by 2022, video will make up 82% of all IP traffic.

To me, this doesn’t come as a surprise because my company Motioncue did a 2021 survey that revealed that 70% of marketers gained a high ROI from videos.

These two trends—increased comfort in working remotely and interest in video marketing—have naturally led to new models of remote video production. If you’re looking to grow your video marketing but don’t have the resources to create content in-house, then working with a remote video production team is a great option.

Here are the benefits of working with a remote video team and tips on how to effectively collaborate on a project.

7 reasons to work with a remote video team

1. You’ll get high-quality and affordable video results

Even though technology and software have made video production easier, it’s still a tricky medium and requires a specialized skill set to pull off.

For example, if you use a phone to film the footage or online video tools for making animations, your work will not look professional.

And if you choose to buy the gear, that’s a big investment. For live-action, you’ll need expensive equipment and trained professionals to film and handle it all. You’ll also have to write the script, plan the shoot, hire the actors, book the location, and everything else in between. Then you’ll have to work on refining the footage in post production.

For animated videos, you’ll need to hire expert illustrators, designers, writers, animators, and voice-over artists to bring the project to life.

That’s a tall order and it will deter you from focusing on the core aspects of your business.

Outsourcing to a remote video team will get excellent results for a great price and free up your time and resources.

2. You’ll benefit from greater talent diversity

Most organizations understand that hiring diverse talent is a net positive. A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that organizations that support diversity increased innovation revenue by up to 12.9%.

If you hire a remote video production team, you’ll get to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. This way, you’re opening yourself up to fresh perspectives that could spark brilliant ideas.

3. Your team will be well-versed in virtual production possibilities

Virtual production technology ushered in a new era for video and filmmaking, and really took off during the pandemic.

Powerful video game engines, such as Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, are at the helm of this disruption.

Hollywood is also taking advantage of this tech. Shows like Game of Thrones and The Mandalorian achieved epic results using virtual production tools.

With this technology, you can have VFX artists from different parts of the world create landscapes and have them displayed on LED panels in a studio on the other side of the world. You can then film your actors and track the camera’s position and space in real-time as you get final pixels on set, in-camera. Real-time rendering also means that not much will have to be done in post production. That means the production process is shortened while the results are mind-bogglingly good. Here’s a video that explains how it all works.

Virtual production is exciting stuff for people in my industry, and although every agency doesn’t have the equipment to pull off this type of stuff, it’s still interesting to know what the possibilities are.

4. You’ll receive exceptional project management

Reliable project management is baked into the foundation of every remote video team. To function smoothly, a remote video team provides a dedicated project manager to facilitate the flow of the remote team. The project manager will make sure that the rest of the team understands the requirements and deliverables.

They will also help you understand the video production process, keep the project on track, and keep you in the loop every step of the way.

5. You can stay in close communication using modern tools

Digital communication tools eliminate gaps in communication. A video production agency can easily connect with clients from different parts of the world, share assets, make decisions, and successfully progress the project. We’ve successfully completed hundreds of projects with clients around the world from our base in Pakistan without any hiccups. (Below, I share tips on which communication tools are the most effective.)

6. You no longer need to worry about asset security and safe file transfer

Cybercrime and security breaches are valid concerns when considering working with a remote team. Fortunately, digital security and protocols have developed to protect information while working remotely. Remote collaboration is now safe when you use the right tools.

Plan to work with collaboration platforms that offer SSO (single sign-on) to authenticate users along with password-protected and time-limited link sharing.

7. You can easily outsource post-production tasks to the same team

If your remote video team understands the marketing and distribution side of things as well, they can advise you on how to take full advantage of your hero video.

They can also give you tips on how to repurpose your content. A great way to do this is by having your team create custom snippets from your main video so you can share them on social media.

And be sure to ask for help if you need some guidance about SEO. It’ll help boost your video’s visibility online.

Tips for working with a remote video team

The following tips will ease your worries if sharing ideas and working on a project with a team on the other side of the world feels intimidating.

1. Make sure the video team is using the best tools for communication

Below I’ve listed some tools of the trade that make collaborating with a remote video team reliable and hassle-free. Most of these applications are free and easy to use. Here’s what’s best for:

General communication

Scriptwriting and review

Task management

Content sharing

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Dedicated solutions

Some video production companies also use special software that bring all capabilities, such as collaboration, storage, and security, under one roof.

Here are the most popular ones:

• Frame.io
• Wipster
• Vimeo

All of the above are intuitive and offer asset security.

2. Set up an effective system for brainstorming

If you use Slack, create a dedicated channel and pin the important points in the discussion.

This app is so much more effective for brainstorming than emails. You have all the key people in one place and everything that’s shared is easily accessible.

Of course, Slack alone won’t do. Try to schedule video chats to discuss ideas and communicate your expectations to the team clearly.

3. Be open to your remote team’s recommendations

At times, your video production team may give you suggestions to refine your vision for the video. Try to consider their recommendation because you’ll be working with trade specialists who have developed a keen sense of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to delivering messages that stick via video.

There are all sorts of nuances regarding video length, character styles, sound design, and more. And a reliable video team will guide you about the best practices so you get the most bang for your buck.

So try to be flexible and have faith in the process. If you don’t like how things are turning out, you could always request changes when the team sends you storyboards for feedback.

4. Schedule regular check-ins

When you’re working with a remote team, there is usually a time difference to consider. So the best course of action would be to schedule the check-in times in advance.

Dropping in to get updates on project progress without any prior notice could confuse the team and create unnecessary friction.

So set the date and time in advance. Your project manager will be your point of contact and this will keep you and your team in sync.

5. Take time to offer project feedback

Once your project is complete, make time to have a discussion with your remote team to talk about what you appreciated about the process and what could have gone better.

Feedback will help refine things and make your next collaboration even more rewarding.

Partnering with a remote video team can lend an edge

Remote video teams are a great option for businesses wanting to build and adapt their video marketing programs, especially in a constantly evolving market.

As we wade into a future where virtual and augmented reality merge with the physical world, the work-from-anywhere experience will become more immersive, interactive, and rewarding.

Working with a remote video team will allow you to remain flexible and responsive to the latest developments in video marketing.