Hello bosses, marketing managers, and business owners! Why does AI video pricing important?
We all know the story. You open LinkedIn or TikTok, and everyone is shouting, “Use AI! Use AI!” You see those smooth videos of digital avatars talking about property, insurance, or the latest sambal paste. It looks sophisticated, clean, and very “atas”.
But let’s be real for a second. You are busy running a business. You have staff to manage, sales to close, and suppliers to chase. Do you really have time to sit in front of a computer, learn how to prompt AI, fiddle with video editors, and write perfect scripts?
For many Malaysian SMEs, the answer is a loud “NO, lah!”
Even though AI tools like HeyGen or Synthesia are accessible, using them well takes skill. It’s like buying a wok; just because you have a wok doesn’t mean you can cook Char Kuey Teow like the uncle at the hawker stall.
So, the alternative is outsourcing. You hire an agency or a specialist to create these AI videos for you. But is it worth it? What is the actual AI video pricing to promote business when you pay someone else to do it?
Let’s “bedah siasat” (investigate) the costs, the hidden values, and whether this is the best move for your company.
Why Outsource? Understanding Real AI Video Pricing
Before we talk about money, we must understand why people pay agencies for this. If the software only costs USD 24 (RM110) a month, why pay an agency RM1,000?
Here is the truth: The tool is cheap, but the skill is valuable.
When you outsource AI video production, you are not paying for the software subscription. You are paying for:
- The Script (Copywriting): An AI avatar reading a boring script is still boring. Agencies know how to write “hooky” scripts that sell.
- The Prompt Engineering: Getting the AI to smile at the right time, pause correctly, and pronounce “Nasi Lemak” without sounding like a robot takes tweaking.
- The Editing: Adding B-roll (stock footage), background music, your company logo, and subtitles.
- The Headache (Leceh Factor): You just send a WhatsApp saying “I want a video about my new Raya promo,” and 2 days later, the video is ready. Senang.
So, when we look at the pricing of AI generated video to promote business, we are looking at a “Service Fee,” not a “Software Fee.”
The Market Rate: How Much Do Agencies Charge?
In Malaysia, the market for AI video services is still new, so prices can vary like crazy. But generally, you can find three tiers of pricing.
1. The Freelancer / “Side Income” Tier
You find these guys on Fiverr, Upwork, or local Facebook groups. They usually have their own subscription to the AI tools and do this part-time.
- Cost: RM 150 – RM 350 per video (usually 1 minute long).
- What you get: A basic avatar reading your script. Minimal editing. Maybe simple subtitles.
- Pros: Very cheap. Good for quick internal updates or simple announcements.
- Cons: Quality might be “cincai”. You usually have to provide the exact script yourself. If the script is bad, the video is bad.
2. The Boutique Content Agency (The Sweet Spot)
These are small marketing agencies or specialized content creators who understand branding. They don’t just “generate”; they “create”.
- Cost per Video: RM 400 – RM 800 per video.
- Package Cost (Retainer): RM 2,500 – RM 4,000 per month (for 8-10 videos).
- What you get:
- Professional scriptwriting (they study your product).
- Custom background design (branded with your colors).
- Stock footage integration (making it look like a high-end commercial).
- Strategic advice on where to post.
- Verdict: This is usually the best option for SMEs. You get volume and quality without breaking the bank.
3. The Full-Service Digital Agency
These are the big boys. They integrate AI video into a full marketing campaign with Facebook Ads management, SEO, etc.
- Cost: RM 8,000+ per month (Campaign based).
- What you get: High-end AI avatars (sometimes custom-made to look like your CEO), full strategy, distribution, and analytics.
- Verdict: Only for bigger companies with a dedicated marketing budget.
Price Comparison: Traditional vs. Outsourced AI video
To really see the value, we have to compare apples to apples. Let’s say you want 4 High-Quality Marketing Videos this month. You don’t want to do it yourself.
Option A: Traditional Production House You hire a crew to come shoot.
- Scriptwriting: RM 1,000
- Videographer & Crew (1 day): RM 2,500
- Talent/Host: RM 800
- Editing: RM 1,500
- Total: ~RM 5,800 (and takes 2 weeks).
Option B: Outsourced AI Video Agency You hire a specialized agency.
- Strategy & Setup: Included.
- Scriptwriting: Included.
- AI Generation & Editing: RM 500 x 4 videos.
- Total: ~RM 2,000 (and ready in 3 days).
The Difference: You save nearly 65% by outsourcing AI video compared to outsourcing traditional video.
When you analyze the pricing of AI generated video to promote business through an agency, you are essentially getting “agency quality” output for “freelancer” prices. That is a massive lobang for businesses trying to save cash flow.
What Factors Change the Price?
If you go to an agency and they quote you higher than what I listed above, don’t panic. Ask them what is included. The price usually goes up based on these factors:
1. Custom Avatar Creation
Do you want the AI to be a generic stock person (Mat Salleh or random Asian face), or do you want it to be YOU? Agencies can create a “Digital Twin” of the business owner. They will ask you to record yourself for 5 minutes, and then they clone you.
- Extra Cost: Usually a one-time setup fee of RM 1,500 – RM 3,000.
- Why pay? It builds personal branding. You can be “on camera” selling to clients while you are actually sleeping or on holiday in Bali.
2. Length of Video
AI tools charge by the minute. Agencies also charge by the minute because longer videos require more editing and longer rendering times.
- A 60-second TikTok is cheaper than a 5-minute training video.
3. Complexity of Editing
If you just want the talking head, it’s cheap. If you want the video to have “Alex Hormozi style” captions, zooming in and out, pop-up images, and sound effects—the agency has to use human editors to polish the AI video. This takes time, so the price goes up.
4. Language Capabilities
One of the biggest selling points is language. If you want the agency to take your English script and produce:
- One video in English.
- One video in Malay.
- One video in Mandarin. Most agencies will charge a small “adaptation fee” for the extra languages, but it is WAAYYY cheaper than hiring 3 different actors.
Hidden Benefits of Outsourcing (Beyond Price)
When considering the pricing of AI generated video to promote business, you must look at the Return on Investment (ROI). Outsourcing gives you speed and consistency that DIY often fails to deliver.
1. No “Creative Block” When you do it yourself, you stare at the screen. “Alamak, what to write ah?” Agencies do this for a living. They pump out scripts fast. You just approve. This ensures you actually post content instead of just planning to post.
2. Staying Updated AI technology changes every week. HeyGen updates, Synthesia adds new features, InVideo changes its interface. If you DIY, you have to keep learning. If you outsource, the agency handles the tech updates. You just enjoy the results.
3. Quality Control (The “Uncanny Valley” Check) Sometimes AI can look creepy. The eyes don’t blink right, or the hand looks like a claw. A good agency will spot this and fix it before publishing. If you DIY, you might miss it and your customers will laugh at you in the comments section.
Is It Safe? (Plagiarism and Copyright)
One question bosses always ask: “If I pay agency, who owns the video?” Standard practice in Malaysia:
- You own the final video. You can post it anywhere.
- The Agency owns the source files. (Usually).
- Copyright: The AI avatars are usually royalty-free (based on the tool’s license). However, ensure the agency is using a paid commercial plan.
- Warning: If the agency uses a “Free Trial” version of the software to make your video, you might get sued or have legal issues later. Always ask, “You got commercial license or not?”
How to Choose the Right Agency/Freelancer?
Okay, you are convinced. The pricing of AI generated video to promote business via outsourcing fits your budget. How to pick the right partner?
1. Ask for Samples (with Local Context) Don’t just look at their generic portfolio. Ask: “Do you have samples of Malaysian slang or local accents?” Some AI tools sound very “Mat Salleh”. If your target market is Kampung Baru, an American accent won’t work. A good agency knows how to tweak the AI to sound more localized (or use local voiceovers synced to AI lips).
2. Check Their Turnaround Time The beauty of AI is speed. If an agency says “Wait 2 weeks for the first draft,” they are too slow. They are treating it like traditional video. A good AI video agency should be able to turn around content in 48-72 hours.
3. Look at the Script Quality Ask them to write a sample intro for you. If the script sounds robotic (“Hello valued customer, we offer premium solutions…”), lari jauh-jauh (run away). You want conversational scripts (“Hi guys, looking for the best deal in KL?”).
Conclusion: Spend Money to Buy Time
At the end of the day, as a business owner, your most expensive asset is your focus. Yes, you could save RM500 a month by learning the tools yourself. But how many hours will you lose? 10 hours? 20 hours? If your hourly rate is RM100, you have already lost money by doing it DIY.
The pricing of AI generated video to promote business via outsourcing is incredibly reasonable right now. It is the perfect bridge between “High Cost Traditional Video” and “High Effort DIY”.
My advice: Start small. Find a boutique agency or a skilled freelancer. Give them a budget of RM1,000 for a “Test Month” to create 3-4 short videos. Use these videos for your social media ads or website. If sales come in, then sign a retainer.
Don’t let the fear of technology stop you. You don’t need to be a tech wizard; you just need to be smart enough to hire the people who are. That is the true Malaysian business spirit—find the lobang, leverage it, and profit!
