How Business Training Video Production Works: Costs, Process & Best Practices

21 Oct

Every month, we get calls from companies asking the same question: "How much does it cost to make a training video?"

The answer isn't straightforward because training videos aren't one-size-fits-all. A simple software walkthrough costs significantly less than a comprehensive employee onboarding series.

After producing training videos for Bristol businesses and UK companies across various industries, I can walk you through exactly what goes into creating effective training content – from budget planning to final delivery.

Here's something that might surprise you: 88% of large companies now use video as a core part of their learning programs, and employees are 75% more likely to watch a video than read a document.

So if you’re looking for ways to train your staff, get everyone on the same page, and get your business running smoother than ever before, this is well worth thinking about.

How much does it cost to produce business training videos?

Let's start with what everyone wants to know – the actual costs. In the UK, training video production typically falls into three main categories:

Basic Training Videos: £1,800-£3,500

These work well for straightforward content, such as policy explanations or simple process demonstrations. You're looking at a single-camera setup, basic editing, and professional audio.

An example would be a series for a business that needs to quickly and effectively explain its client onboarding process to new hires.

Standard Training Videos: £3,500-£7,000

This is where most of our clients land. You get multiple camera angles, custom graphics, professional voiceovers, and more polished post-production. These videos can handle more complex topics and maintain engagement throughout longer content pieces.

Premium Training Videos: £7,000-£15,000+

When you need something that really stands out – multiple shooting days, complex animations, professional actors, or specialised equipment – you're looking at premium pricing.

Where Your Money Goes

Pre-Production (20-30% of budget) covers scriptwriting, storyboarding, and planning meetings. This might seem like a large chunk for work you can't see, but getting the foundation right saves money and time in the long run.
Production (40-50% of budget) includes crew day rates (£250-£1,000 per day), equipment rental, and location fees. A simple talking-head video might only need two people, while a comprehensive training series could require a whole production team.
Post-Production (30-40% of budget) covers editing (£25-£75 per finished minute), motion graphics, colour correction, and audio mixing. This is where your raw footage becomes a polished training tool.

What are the different types of training videos?

Different training needs call for different video approaches:

Software Training Videos (£800-£2,500 per video)

Perfect for system tutorials and process documentation. A tech company needed to train over 200 employees on new CRM software, which was produced using screen recording combined with professional narration.

These can be broken down into a series of 5-8 minute modules that employees could pause, replay, and reference whenever needed.

Employee Onboarding Videos (£3,000-£8,000 for complete series)

These pay for themselves quickly. Instead of HR spending 2-3 hours with each new hire explaining company policies, a well-produced onboarding series covers the basics while maintaining consistency.

Compliance Training Videos (£2,500-£6,000 per topic)

These need to be thorough but engaging. We often use scenario-based approaches, presenting real-world workplace situations and corresponding responses. Nobody wants to sit through dry policy readings, but everyone needs to understand the requirements.

Skills Development Videos (£4,000-£10,000+)

These require the most planning because you're teaching, not just explaining. We often combine demonstration footage with animated explanations to show both theory and practice.

What does the training video production process look like?

Creating effective training videos follows a structured process that typically takes 6-8 weeks:

Planning and Strategy (Weeks 1-2)

Before any cameras roll, we spend considerable time understanding what you're trying to achieve. This includes defining clear learning objectives, identifying your target audience, and determining how you'll measure success.

Pre-Production (Weeks 2-4)

The script is where most training videos succeed or fail. We spend considerable time on this because getting it right up front saves money and time later. A good script balances being informative with being engaging, using conversational tone rather than corporate-speak.

Production (Weeks 4-5)

On training video shoots, we focus heavily on audio quality. Poor audio makes even the best content hard to follow, and in training videos, clarity is everything. We use professional lighting, lapel mics for consistent audio, and multiple camera angles for visual interest.

Post-Production (Weeks 5-8)

This is where raw footage becomes a polished training tool. We create rough cuts for review, integrate graphics and animations, clean up audio, and ensure colour consistency throughout.

Best practices for effective training videos

Keep it focused and digestible: We recommend 5-8 minute modules rather than 30-minute videos. Attention spans are shorter than ever, and bite-sized content is easier to reference later. Each video should cover one key concept with a clear introduction and summary.
Make it visually engaging: Training videos don't have to be boring. We use a mix of talking head segments, screen recordings, animations, and real workplace footage to keep viewers engaged throughout.
Ensure accessibility: Accessibility isn't just good practice – it's essential. This means closed captions for all content, clear high-contrast visuals, consistent audio levels, and multiple format delivery options.
Plan for updates: Training content is subject to frequent changes. When budgeting, consider how you'll update videos when processes change. We often deliver source files so clients can make minor updates internally.

FAQs

How do you measure the success of your training videos?

The return on investment for training videos comes from several areas: reduced trainer time (£40-£80 per hour saved), decreased travel costs for remote training, consistent delivery across locations, and reduced printing costs.

We worked with a Bristol manufacturing company to replace their week-long safety training program with focused video modules. The results: 40% reduction in training time, 95% completion rate (compared to 78% for previous in-person sessions), and significantly better knowledge retention scores six months later. They invested £12,000 in video production but saved over £30,000 in the first year.

Can I produce the training videos in-house?

DIY production works well for simple software demonstrations, internal process updates, and quick policy announcements. Basic tools, such as screen recording software (£10-£50/month) and a USB microphone (£50-£200), can produce acceptable results for straightforward content.

When should I hire a professional to produce the training videos?

Professional production makes sense when you need higher production quality, faster completion with experienced teams, better engagement through professional techniques, and ongoing support for updates.

The decision often comes down to volume and impact. If you're training hundreds of employees on critical skills, professional production usually pays for itself through better results and reduced revision needs.

Making the Right Decision

Training video production isn't just about creating content – it's about creating effective learning tools that improve your business. The investment typically pays for itself through reduced training costs, better knowledge retention, and improved employee performance.

Decision Framework:

Budget under £3,000: DIY or simple professional production for basic needs
Budget £3,000-£8,000: Professional production for comprehensive training needs
Budget £8,000+: Advanced training series with interactive elements

And then to get started:

Define learning objectives and success metrics
Assess internal resources versus external production needs
Get quotes from production companies if going external
Begin script development and planning

The most important factor in successful training video production is clarity about your goals. Whether you spend £1,000 or £15,000, knowing precisely what you want to achieve makes the difference between effective training and expensive videos that sit unwatched.

Ready to create training videos that actually engage your employees and improve performance?

At Freitas Films, we've helped Bristol businesses and UK companies transform their training programs with professional video content that gets results.

From simple software tutorials to comprehensive onboarding series, we handle everything from initial planning to final delivery.

Andrew Freitas