A video production retainer is a monthly or quarterly agreement where a business pays a set fee to have ongoing access to a video team. Instead of booking each shoot separately, you reserve time and services in advance, often at a better rate.
This setup works well for companies that need consistent video content, like social media clips, brand updates, interviews, or internal communication videos.
How Retainers Work in Video Production
With a retainer, you agree to a set number of hours or deliverables each month. It’s similar to having an on-call creative partner without hiring someone full-time.
You get:
- Reserved shoot days or editing hours
- Priority scheduling
- A consistent team that knows your brand
- Set pricing, which helps with budgeting
Most retainers are billed monthly or quarterly, depending on the company and workload.
What’s Typically Included?
Video retainers can be customized, but many include:
- Filming (on-location or in-studio)
- Editing and revisions
- Motion graphics or branded intros
- Monthly planning or content strategy meetings
- Social media cuts or vertical videos
- File delivery and management
Some also include photography, scriptwriting, or location sourcing if needed.
Who Should Use a Video Retainer?
Retainers are best for companies that need consistent, ongoing video content. If your business regularly updates clients, posts to social media, or runs monthly campaigns, a retainer helps keep content flowing without starting from scratch each time.
Ideal for:
- Law firms – Weekly legal tips, firm updates, client testimonials
- Wealth management companies – Market updates, investor education, trust-building content
- Marketing teams – Regular social content, event recaps, or product features
- Agencies – Supporting multiple clients who need fast, reliable video turnaround
- Healthcare clinics or dental practices – Patient education videos, doctor intros, community updates
- Real estate brokerages – Monthly property highlights, team videos, or market trends
- SaaS companies – New feature explainers, customer onboarding, or thought leadership content
- Educational brands – Monthly courses, tutorials, or explainer videos
If you’re posting videos weekly or monthly, or want a retainer that gives you predictable support, faster turnaround, and better consistency across your content.
How Much Does a Video Retainer Cost?
Retainer pricing varies based on hours, deliverables, and complexity. Here’s a rough idea:
- Basic: $2,000–$4,000/month (1 shoot + editing or monthly content refresh)
- Standard: $5,000–$8,000/month (2 shoot days, multiple edits, strategy calls)
- Advanced: $10,000+/month (multiple locations, high-volume content, full-service support)
At SeanG Productions, we create custom retainer plans based on your content needs, not just fixed packages. That way, you’re paying for value, not wasted hours.
Benefits of a Retainer Over One-Off Projects
- Faster Turnarounds – We prioritize retainer clients
- Better Rates – Prepaid hours are often discounted
- Creative Consistency – You get the same team and style
- Strategic Planning – We build content with long-term goals in mind
- Scalable Support – Easy to add deliverables as your needs grow
Final Thoughts
If your business relies on consistent, high-quality video, a retainer helps you stay on schedule, stay on budget, and avoid the stress of finding a new crew every time.
At SeanG Productions, we work with businesses across Atlanta and beyond to deliver custom video retainers that actually make sense for your content goals. Whether you need one shoot a month or a full-service production partner, we’ll build a plan that fits.
FAQs
What is a video production retainer?
A video production retainer is an ongoing agreement where you pay monthly or quarterly for regular access to a video team. Instead of starting fresh for each project, you reserve time and services in advance to keep your content consistent and on schedule.
How much does a video retainer cost?
Most video retainers start around $2,000 to $5,000 per month for basic monthly content. Larger packages with multiple shoot days, edits, and strategy can go up to $10,000+ depending on what’s included. Pricing is based on your content volume, complexity, and turnaround needs.
Who needs a video retainer?
Retainers work best for businesses that post video content often or update clients regularly. That includes law firms, wealth management companies, agencies, SaaS brands, and medical practices. If you post weekly or monthly, a retainer saves time, improves quality, and keeps your messaging on point.
