Weekly Throwback: What Should You Charge for Video Production? — Then vs Now

On 2017-01-10, I published "What should you charge for video production?" because I kept hearing the same panic question from creators trying to go pro: how to price work without losing clients or burning out.

Original throwback video: What should you charge for video production?

Why this mattered then

My core thesis in 2017 was straightforward: there is no single magic rate card. Pricing had to match your market, reliability, and real delivery capacity.

Lines like “It’s all about what feels right” and “You can never guarantee it” reflected that transition phase many creators were in.

What changed since

Now one project usually means multiple deliverables: main cut, vertical versions, social hooks, and caption workflows. Expectations for speed are higher, competition is denser, and operational consistency matters more than ever.

Tools accelerated some tasks, but clients still pay for judgment, communication, and reliability.

What I’d do differently today

I’d emphasize offer architecture over generic day-rate talk: a scoped core package, a distribution layer, and an optional recurring cadence.

For creators rebuilding this side of the business, practical next steps include Content Consulting, a 1-Hour Virtual Consult, or the One Day Content Creator Virtual Bootcamp.

What still holds up

Clear terms still prevent chaos. Deposits still protect execution. Fair pricing still beats desperate pricing, and sustainable consistency still beats occasional giant invoices.

Practical takeaway for creators now

Build one starter package and one growth package, set deposit and revision rules in writing, and review profitability—not just workload—before your next quarter.

The 2017 lesson still applies, but in 2026 it’s clearer: pricing is a systems decision.