How Makaton Found a Better Way

There is no doubt about it,  video has become integral to communication strategies, from fuelling marketing campaigns to improving employee engagement and enhancing training. However, when creating content, the dilemma is whether to produce it in-house or hire a production company. The DIY approach can be cost-effective, but it is often time-consuming and can lack polish. Alternatively, using a video production company may seem costly, but the expertise, efficiency, and quality you gain often far exceed the investment. With 91% of consumers stating that video quality impacts their trust in a brand (Wyzowl), it’s crucial to choose the right approach that supports your business.

This blog explores The Makaton Charity’s journey from creating DIY videos to producing professional content, highlighting the lessons they learned along the way.

 

When Cost Savings Impact Quality

With the advancement of smartphones and readily available editing software, creating in-house video content has never been easier. However, many businesses underestimate the time and skill it takes to produce high-quality videos, and poor production can negatively impact how an organisation and its brand are perceived.

One of our customers, The Makaton Charity, wanted to create a series of videos to support their training material. Makaton, a communication programme that combines speech, signs, and symbols to help people with learning or speech and language difficulties to communicate, traditionally used line drawings to illustrate each word. While useful as a quick reference guide, the drawings did not show essential elements such as movement or facial expressions. Through video, Makaton aimed to bring these line drawings to life, making learning more efficient and straightforward.

As a charity, it was important to keep costs down, so armed with just an iPad and a green screen, they filmed over 450 signs in the space of three weekends, with editing taking six months to complete. Later, they switched to a Sony digital camera, but the final output fell short of the quality they were aiming for.

Tracy Clark, Quality Manager at Makaton, said,

“The filming process took months and produced blurred footage, weak audio, and subpar editing. We lacked the in-house skills to achieve the quality we wanted.”

This scenario is all too common. Many organisations underestimate the time, planning, and expertise needed to produce effective videos. What begins as a cost-saving exercise can quickly turn into a project with mixed outcomes, resulting in videos that undermine brand integrity and fail to capture audience attention.

This is where video production companies excel. They are geared up to handle the entire process from pre-production to the final edit, bringing both technical expertise and creative vision. With access to quality equipment and advanced editing software, they deliver a finish that DIY simply can’t achieve. Equally important, their industry knowledge can help shape your story, offering valuable guidance on pacing and structure, while their skills with graphics, music, and visuals can enhance and elevate your video

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Why Businesses Turn to Video Agencies

Makaton decided to partner with Take One for the next round of videos. Their decision was driven by the need for higher-quality content and a more efficient production process, allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities and continue supporting their community.

“Working with Take One took the pressure off creating videos,” said Tracy. “We just turned up and signed in front of the camera, leaving the planning, filming, and editing to them. Their organisation, communication, and fresh ideas brought a new energy to our content.”

The impact was immediate. Makaton not only produced more videos in less time but also cut turnaround time from six months to a matter of weeks.

As Tracy noted, “Whilst budget is always a consideration, producing video internally takes time to orchestrate, which carries a cost. By working with a video production company, you not only claw back that time but also gain access to expertise, creativity, and professional quality that’s hard to achieve in-house.”

How Video is Shaping the Future of Makaton’s Digital Journey

Since introducing video into their training portfolio, Makaton hasn’t looked back. Members now benefit from clearer, more accurate demonstrations that make learning easier and faster. It not only improves accuracy but also makes the learning process more engaging and accessible.

This move has fast-tracked Makaton’s commitment to embracing a digital content approach, helping them keep pace with modern-day learners.

Tracy commented, “The introduction of signed videos has already accelerated learning. People can easily search the video library for the word they need and instantly see the correct sign demonstrated.”

Looking ahead, Makaton plans to expand its video library beyond individual signs to include short stories, nursery rhymes, and songs. These additions will enrich the library by providing members with engaging and comprehensive content that will complement the existing training material. This offers greater value for members while providing consistent ongoing support.

Tracy added, “Partnering with Take One has given us the confidence and capacity to create the high-quality video our community deserves. It’s enabled us to focus on what we do best while leaving the content creation to the experts.”

Conclusion

Professional agencies can make a real difference to your video projects. They bring years of industry experience and have access to specialist equipment, including cameras, lighting rigs, and drones for aerial shots.

One of the biggest benefits is consistency. A professional team can create a template and apply it across a series of videos, ensuring uniform lighting, sound, graphics, and colour grading. This builds a cohesive brand identity that DIY approaches often struggle to achieve.

They also bring fresh ideas, reliability, and efficiency, helping you save time and meet important deadlines. Additionally, they can take care of the finer details such as managing equipment, scouting locations, or coaching on-camera talent.

Ready to add that professional touch to your video content?
If you are looking for a helping hand with your video assets, we are here to make it easy. With our years of experience, we can manage the entire process from start to finish, freeing up your time to focus on your core work and business growth. Contact us today to find out more.

 

For more information go to: https://takeonetv.com/why-take-one.php