SuperLogicA 30-second promo video for a small business usually costs anywhere from under $500 on a freelance marketplace to $1,000–$5,000 from a freelancer or small team, $3,000–$15,000 for a filmed local production, and far more for regional or national ads. The biggest price drivers are filming (crew, talent, locations), how custom the work is, and how many versions you need.
Here's how the options break down, and what to ask before you pay anyone.
The short answer: price ranges by option
| Option | Typical cost | What you get | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself (apps and tools) | $0–$1,000 plus your time | Full control | Hours of learning and editing; it often looks homemade |
| Freelance marketplace (e.g. Fiverr) | Roughly $40–$470 per project | Short 2D animations from individual sellers | Quality varies a lot; custom scripts, music rights and extra formats often cost extra |
| Freelancer or small team | $1,000–$5,000 | Custom work from one person or a small crew | Depends entirely on who you hire |
| Animation / motion graphics studio | Around $2,000–$3,000 for a short piece | Custom animation, no filming | Timelines of weeks; revisions may be limited |
| Local filmed production | $3,000–$15,000 | A crew films your space, staff and customers | Scheduling a shoot, release forms, add-ons |
| Agency | $5,000–$15,000 | Strategy plus production | Built for bigger marketing budgets |
| Regional or national commercial | $15,000 to $500,000+ | Actors, multiple locations, broadcast quality | Not built for a single-location business |
Sources for the ranges are at the end. Every provider prices differently, so treat these as the market's shape, not a quote.
What actually drives the price
1. Filming. Cameras, a crew, lighting, a location and people on screen are the most expensive part of any video. Budgets for a filmed commercial often break out director and crew, talent, equipment and editing as separate line items, and each can run into the thousands. Animation skips all of that.
2. How custom it is. A template with your logo dropped in is cheap because the work was done once for everyone. A script written about your business, in your colors and fonts, costs more because someone actually studies your business.
3. Versions and formats. Many providers quote one video in one shape. If you need a widescreen version for your website and a vertical version for Instagram Reels and TikTok, the second format is often an add-on. One production company lists platform re-cuts at $200–$500 per version.
4. Music. Licensed tracks cost money, and some licenses don't cover paid ads. Original music avoids that entirely.
5. Revisions and speed. Rush fees and extra revision rounds are common add-ons. Industry write-ups suggest budgeting 20–50% above the first quote for add-ons like these.
Hidden costs to ask about before you pay
Ask every provider these questions, in writing:
- Is a vertical version included? Instagram Reels, Stories and TikTok are vertical. A widescreen video with black bars looks like an afterthought there.
- Is the music licensed for ads? If you might boost the video on Instagram or Facebook, the license has to cover paid use.
- How many revision rounds, and what counts as one?
- Who owns the final video? You want to be able to use it anywhere, forever, without asking.
- What do you need from me? A shoot means closing part of your business for a day, lining up staff and getting release forms signed. That's a real cost even if it isn't on the invoice.
- When do I get the first draft? "Two to three weeks" and "three business days" are very different when you have an event coming up.
Is animation cheaper than filming?
Usually, yes, for the same level of polish, because there's no crew, no shoot day and no location. It also has practical advantages for a busy venue: nobody has to be on camera, it doesn't depend on the weather or a packed room, and it's easy to update later (new hours, a new offer, a new class schedule).
Filmed video wins when the point is showing real people and the real atmosphere, like a packed Friday night or a coach working with a member. Many businesses end up with both: an animated ad that explains what they offer, plus phone clips for day-to-day posting. We compare the two in detail in Animated vs. live-action video.
What's a sensible budget for a local business?
Think about how long you'll use it. A good 30-second ad isn't a one-day post; it can sit pinned on your Instagram, loop on the TVs in your space, run as a paid ad and sit at the top of your website for months. Divide the price by the months you'll use it and by the places you'll post it.
A practical rule: spend enough to get something custom (your business, your colors, your words) in both formats, with music you're allowed to use in ads. Past that, extra budget mostly buys filming, actors and bigger productions, which single-location businesses rarely need for social media.
What SuperLogic charges
We make one thing: a custom 30–40 second animated ad for a local business, in widescreen and vertical. We research your business, write the script, and animate it in your logo, colors and fonts, with original music. Two revision rounds, first draft within 3 business days, and you own it outright. It's $899, one price, no add-ons.