Small video production studio

Medium-sized businesses, marketing agencies, training departments, charities and local organisations that want polished films, adverts or training content.

Project fees quoted from a brief, covering planning, crew, filming, editing and revisions. Repeat clients can be moved onto retainers for regular content.

• Producing and project management
• Quoting and pricing projects
• Directing and editing
• Managing freelancers and client expectations

• Public liability insurance, equipment cover and employer's liability insurance if you take on employees
• Check whether the people you hire count as self-employed or as employees for tax purposes
• Commercial rent, business rates and studio running costs, which can be heavy if work is irregular
• Cash flow, since clients often pay 30 days after delivery, so ask for deposits
• Contracts that cover ownership, revisions and usage rights

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on whether you hire or lease a studio space and how much equipment you buy. These are estimates, so your own figure will depend on your premises and kit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the size and number of projects you win. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, and costs such as rent and freelancer fees will come out of it.

Check insurance, including public liability, equipment cover and employer's liability if you take on employees. Check whether hires count as self-employed or employees for tax, plan for rent, business rates and cash flow, and use contracts covering ownership, revisions and usage rights.