In today’s content-driven world, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face increasing pressure to stand out in crowded markets. While large corporations often rely on big-budget campaigns, SMEs must find smarter, more efficient ways to communicate their brand value. One highly effective strategy is corporate storytelling through video.
Let’s explore the tangible returns SMEs can expect and how to budget wisely.
What Are Corporate Storytelling Videos?
Unlike product ads or explainer videos, corporate storytelling videos focus on your company’s mission, values, and people. They communicate your business journey or customer impact stories in a compelling, emotional way.
These videos often feature:
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- Interviews with founders or team members
- Customer testimonials
- Company milestones or community involvement
T Professional storytelling videos, like those created by RYG Films, offer a powerful way to build trust, humanize a brand, and drive both engagement and revenue. But are they worth the investment?
Why SMEs Should Invest in Storytelling
SMEs might hesitate to allocate part of their budget toward non-promotional video content. However, the benefits can significantly outweigh the cost.
1. Builds Brand Trust
Consumers today are skeptical of traditional advertising. Authentic storytelling fosters emotional connections, helping potential customers relate to your business on a human level.
- 81% of people say they need to trust a brand to buy from them (Edelman Trust Barometer)
- Story-based content can boost brand recall by up to 22x over factual ads (Stanford Research)
2. Increases Engagement Across Platforms
Videos featuring real people and stories tend to perform better on social platforms.
- Story videos often generate higher completion rates than sales-driven ads
- They are ideal for YouTube, Instagram Reels, LinkedIn, and email campaigns
3. Supports Content Marketing and SEO
Storytelling videos improve your website’s dwell time and reduce bounce rates, which boosts SEO.
- Embedding a video on your homepage or about page can improve conversion rates by 20–30%
- Google ranks video-rich websites higher, especially when content is engaging and relevant
How to Measure the Return on Investment
The ROI of storytelling isn’t always immediate—but with the right KPIs and distribution strategy, it’s very much measurable.
Metrics to Track:
- Engagement Rate: Likes, shares, comments, and watch time
- Brand Recall: Measured via customer surveys or direct feedback
- Conversion Support: Impact on email signups, demo requests, or contact form submissions
- Search Visibility: Page rankings for branded or narrative-related search terms
- Sales Cycle Impact: Shortening the time between first contact and closed deals
Cost Breakdown: What to Expect
The cost of a professionally produced corporate storytelling video varies by scope and complexity. Typical factors include:
- Planning & scripting
- Filming days and crew size
- Editing and post-production
- Licensing for music or visuals
For SMEs, this can range from £2,000 to £10,000 depending on length and production quality. While this might seem like a significant expense, it’s a one-time investment that can be reused across platforms for months or even years.
Working with a seasoned production company ensures that your video is not only high quality but also strategically crafted to align with your brand goals.
VAT and Budgeting Considerations
If your business is VAT-registered in the UK, video production services qualify for input tax recovery. That means the VAT you pay on professional services like video creation can be reclaimed, improving cost-efficiency.
- Always request VAT invoices for production costs
- Categorize video expenses properly for accounting and tax filing
This makes budgeting more flexible and enhances the investment’s financial viability.
Long-Term Value: Beyond One Campaign
The most valuable corporate storytelling videos are not time-sensitive. They become evergreen content you can feature in:
- Staff onboarding and training
- Partnership or investor pitches
- Press kits and event presentations
- Recruitment pages and job fairs
Over time, the cost per view drops dramatically as the video continues to build awareness, credibility, and community loyalty.
Conclusion
Corporate storytelling videos are more than a marketing trend—they’re a vital tool for SMEs aiming to grow trust, visibility, and long-term relationships. While the upfront cost may seem significant, the brand equity and strategic flexibility they offer deliver far greater returns.
