5 Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Video Production Company
After careful consideration you have now decided to commission a video production that would suit your marketing strategy needs. And for the right reasons, as video production and video content is no longer the exclusive domain of blue chip corporations, being both the fastest growing and furthest reaching means of communication, while becoming accessibly to virtually any business nowadays due to technological progress. Its outreach is unsurpassed by any other public relations channel. Video is considered the most effective and prospective advertising medium for years to come. Yet video production is hard to master, it is a form of functional art after all, which makes companies wary of spending their marketing budget on a video production company that does not deliver the expected creative result and return on investment. So here is what to consider when making an informed decision about hiring a video production company, listing 5 most important factors:
1. Check the video production company’s portfolio
Virtually all video production companies will showcase, normally on their website, an online video portfolio that demonstrates their skills and style of videography. Make sure to check these reels first, in order to get a first taste about their style, competences, and their specific experience in the type of video that your require. Look for diversity of specialization and their capacity to accommodate different video types, judging how well suited the company would be to deliver the video content and post production that you believe you will need.
2. Assess and estimate your expected budget, timeframe, and complexity
Before your start reaching to prospective companies that you’ve shortlisted, ensure that you have assessed an estimated what your expected budget for the video production will be, as well as the delivery time frame, and the complexity of the video content. All these factors will impact whom you can pragmatically contact and at what budget you can deliver it. Obviously perfection can be delivered at different cost levels and knowing your needs and budget will help you filter out companies that are not suited to your specific requirements. Preferably be more flexible with the budget, as quality videos can often be expensive, and certainly do not make it the deciding selection criteria, as often times investing in high quality content will offer generous returns on your investment over time.
3. Make sure the chosen video production company has the both the artistic experience and practical understanding of your video production needs
Compelling storytelling is all about artistic experience and a practical understanding on how to produce the best video product that would cater to your needs. It is therefore only natural to look for artistic creativity matched by professionalism in delivering a compelling video product. Both go a long way in ensuring a project is meeting your goals and is ultimately successful. Knowing that your prospective video company brings these attributes to the table, is reassuring and perhaps the most important indication that your brand and product will stand out from the crowd, allowing you to truly connect with your audience, tell them your story, and deliver on that ambitious marketing strategy.
4. Consider the company’s reputation and acclaim
Of course business reputation isn’t always unbiased, but given enough research and experience, a company’s reputation and public acclaim is a strong indication of its professionalism and business prowess. Do not necessarily look for big company names among their clientele, as this does not necessarily mean that the company is the best video production service out there. But having satisfied clients definitely indicates that others seem to think so. Clientele adds credibility in the production company, so you won’t have to worry about in-depth research, and it is an easy telltale sign that what you are looking at is exactly what it is.
5. Discuss and plan your rollout strategy with the video production company in line with and as part of your marketing strategy
More often than not, clients have a great story to tell, but making sure you tell it right, and most importantly promote it accordingly, is defining in terms of the success of your video product. Ideally any video content creation must be guided by a marketing oriented approach. Therefore it is important to have a good understanding on how you intend to sell and promote your product or communicate your message. Discuss this with your video production company the marketing strategy and how you plan to make your rollout, ensuring these are in sync and complementary.
No medium is better at conveying information and reaching your target audience than video, with its importance and reach expected to continue increasing in the coming years and decades. So choosing the right video production company for your marketing strategy needs is no easy feat. However considering the right factors and your specific expectations and limitations when making the choice, can make all the difference between a win all or lose all investment. So let us tell your story, because a great story is always great!
