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Hiring a video production company to create videos for your business can be a daunting task. There are many out there, varying in price from amazingly cheap to incredibly expensive. Producing your videos professionally will require a leap of faith, and in most cases upfront payments are required to get the ball rolling. All companies promise to deliver high quality and professional video content. So how do you know that the company you choose will provide a video that effectively markets your business?
If you are hiring a video production company, consider these 5 things before making your decision.
1. What kind of video are you making?
Hiring a video production company will depend on the kind of video you want to create. Consider the company culture of the video production company and whether it meshes with your own. Have a clear idea about why you want a video, what you will use the video for and who it is targeted at before approaching any video production company. Knowing what sort of video you need will help the agency to create a superior product.
Find the production company that is able to connect with your product or service and identify what makes your business special. The more they can do so the better they will be at translating their video into sales for your company. If possible, meet a representative of the company in person or have a good chat on the phone to ease your mind.
2. How much do you want to spend?
Having a clear idea of your budget can greatly influence which video production company you will choose. Pricing can vary widely between agencies and can cost anywhere from $800 to $20,000 for the same project. Make sure you quote a few different firms before you decide. No matter what your budget, you will always be able to find a company that is right for you.
Consider hiring a video production company that is new to the industry. If your budget is tight, college students or budding professionals will normally attract lower fees. But if you have the money to spend, don’t be afraid to splash out on a professional who has all the technology and experience to make your video a success.
3. What is their timeline?
Don’t assume that every video production company can start your project right away. Most in-demand video producers will draw up a contract to start your project on a particular date in the future. If you want to speed up things, consider doing all the contract work online and using tools like online signature generators or proposal software. Most firms will take around 6-8 weeks to produce an animated or live-action video. Be sure to discuss with them a potential timeline and keep track of it to ensure you meet your video release date.
Live-action videos can be subject to delays more so than animated ones. Obtaining location permits, bad weather, issues with the talent and even delayed feedback should all be considered as a potential hold up to production. The video company you choose should be able to provide you with a list of potential set-backs that they foresee for your project.
4. Are there examples of their most recent projects?
Examples of past work can give a good idea as to the quality of an agency’s videos. However it is easy to be dazzled by a demo reel on a production company’s website. Ask to see examples of previous scripts and video productions from their first draft through to their finished product to see how they evolve.
Dig deeper into their website or find their social media or YouTube pages to find whole finished videos they were hired to create. The most recent videos will give you a better idea of the talent and professional video, audio and lighting equipment they have available and can bring to your shoot.
5. What do their design assets look like?
Ask production companies for examples of their assets used for past clients. If your video is animated consider whether the animator will be using stock characters or creating custom designs, and how many voice over options will be available to choose from.
Finding a production company that can access talent that appeals to your target audience can make a huge difference to the way your video resonates with viewers. Make sure that you have a web/ broadcast and perpetual licence over any of the voice overs and music used in your video, otherwise you may be infringing copyright and YouTube can take your video down.
Many video production companies will ask for at least 50% of the total costs paid upfront to cover any initial expenses. Before you make this deposit, make sure that you consider everything in our top 5 tips to start off on the right foot and to avoid wasting money.
Good Luck!
