I was asked last night if I would do a promotional video for a local small business and despite my claims that I don't do video the guy was insistent, so it looks as if I ought to start.
As a professional you should consider what the potential benefits and pitfalls to your business of moving into video.
Firstly; It will require a significant investment in hardware and software, will you see that investment returned ? Is there going to be enough business to support that level of investment ?
Secondly; Having made the investment in kit, you'll then need to invest a lot of time learning to use it. Would that time be more profitably spent developing your existing business ?
Thirdly; If you rush into it and get it wrong will it harm your existing business reputation? (ie would your reputation be better if you simply recommended someone more experienced?)
Fourthly; Will your market be prepared to pay a fee sufficiently high to make a reasonable profit ?
is shooting a video on a dSLR a bit like doing a full blown wedding on a compact?
No, that would be a walk in the park in comparison. An experienced wedding photographer ought to cope with a compact relatively easily as much of the skills aren't particularly about kit, but people and knowing how to get the clients expect.
Video production is a whole different discipline. Besides the basics of camerawork and lighting, you'll need good skills as a sound recordist/mixer and video editor.
Then you'll also have to deal with distribution issues. How will it be used ? Just on the net ? DVD/BR ? or for broadcast. Each has very different requirements.
Starting cold from square one has a steep learning curve.
Sorry for the reality check, but it's not fair to suggest that any of this is simple or easy in a business context.
Paul