Why Video Production Is Worth It for Twin Cities Businesses

If you run a business in the Twin Cities, you’re competing for attention with everybody. The shop down the street. The national brand with a real ad budget. Whatever else is in somebody’s feed that day.

Video is how a lot of local businesses are getting noticed right now. I’ve been shooting for about 15 years, and most of what I make these days is for small businesses, nonprofits, and home builders around Minneapolis and the south metro. Here’s why I think video is worth it, what the numbers say, and where I’d start.

Most of Your Competitors Are Already Doing It

Wyzowl’s 2026 State of Video Marketing report found 91% of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and 93% of video marketers call it an important part of their strategy.

So if you’re in Burnsville, Eagan, Lakeville, or anywhere else around the metro, there’s a good chance the business you compete with already has video on its website and its socials. That’s one of the main reasons people reach out to me. They saw a competitor do it.

You don’t need an enterprise budget to compete here. One well-made brand story, or a steady run of social clips, goes a long way for a local business.

What the Numbers Say

HubSpot’s 2026 State of Marketing data shows the top three content formats for ROI are all video: short-form at 49%, long-form at 29%, and live streaming at 25%. Wyzowl found 83% of video marketers say video has directly increased sales, and 85% say it’s helped them generate leads.

Here’s the part most blogs leave out. Only 82% of marketers told Wyzowl that video gave them a good return, and that’s down from 93% the year before. I think it’s because more businesses are making video and a lot of it isn’t good. No plan. No posting. One video expected to do everything.

Video works when it’s planned, shot well, and actually posted. If you want real numbers on what that costs, I broke it down in How Much Does Video Marketing Cost for Small Businesses?

Why Quality Matters

Wyzowl also found 89% of consumers say video quality impacts their trust in a brand.

That doesn’t mean everything has to be a full production. Phone clips are okay if they’re done with intention. Know what the clip is for and who it’s for before you hit record. AI clips are a different story. People can tell, and it’s not a good look.

But for the stuff that represents your business, like your homepage video, your brand story, or a client testimonial, quality is what people judge you on. That means real lighting, clean audio, and somebody who knows how to run an interview. On a long-form shoot I bring a two-camera interview setup with professional lighting and audio, and I’m Part 107 certified, so any drone footage is done by the book.

I’ve had clients come to me after a friend with a camera took a crack at it. They ended up paying for it twice.

I also have a featured producer credit on the Emmy-winning Call of Duty League broadcast, and I hold local work to that same standard.

Want to see what that looks like? Here’s some of my recent work.

Where to Start With Video Production in the Twin Cities

Depends on where you’re at.

• Brand story or founder video. This is the one for businesses that have done everything else. It’s a single piece you’ll use for a long time on your site and your socials.

• Client testimonials. Wyzowl found 85% of people have been convinced to buy a product or service by watching a video. Hearing it from your customer does more than hearing it from you.

• Monthly social content. For service-based businesses looking to grow. One content day a month turns into a month of reels, and more eyes mean more potential customers.

One more reason to post on social. Since July 2025, Instagram has let Google index public posts from business and creator accounts. That means if you’re a business that’s already posting on Instagram, those posts can show up when somebody Googles what you do, even if they never open the app. So write a real caption. Say what you do and where you’re at.

Two recent examples. Innovate MN did one shoot with me plus a social ad, and they’ve had a big uptick in new members since it went out. Gonyea, a home builder I work with, goes the other way: several shoot dates planned up front, and then I pick the best days to go capture extra content.

If your business runs on referrals and you’re not trying to grow, you may not need any of this. That’s fine.

I go deeper on formats in 4 Types of Videos That Instantly Boost Trust, Clarity, and Reach for Small Businesses.

Work With Nrth Media

Nrth Media is a video production and photography studio based in Minneapolis, working with businesses across the Twin Cities and south metro. Here’s what we do:

• Brand films and founder stories

• Documentary-style storytelling

• Client testimonials

• Short-form social content (monthly plans start at $999)

• Event coverage

• Photography

• FAA Part 107 certified aerial work

Everything starts with a free discovery call. We talk through your goals, then I put together a brief with my recommendations so you know what you’re getting before you spend anything.

If y’all are ready to talk, reach out here.

FAQ

How much does video production cost in the Twin Cities?

At Nrth Media, long-form video starts at $2,500 for a full production day and monthly social content plans start at $999 a month. The final number depends on scope.

What kind of video should a small business start with?

It depends on your goals. A brand story works if you need one strong piece for your website. Monthly social content fits service-based businesses that want to grow.

What areas does Nrth Media serve?

Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the south metro, including Burnsville, Eagan, Lakeville, Apple Valley, and Savage.