Whether you’re looking for a detailed product video, a compilation of customer testimonials, or a training video incorporating animation, you’re likely in the process of hiring a video production company. But how do you know which company is the right one to hire? Read on to find out the most important things to look for in a video production company and how to choose the right one for your project.
1. Portfolio
First things first, you need to review their portfolio. Their previous work is going to show you what they can do. Make sure that you watch multiple videos from their portfolio. Don’t make your decision based on just one video – look at their portfolio as a whole. Notice the things you like in their example videos. These are things that you may want to apply in your own video, so be sure you take note of that and relay this info to the production company when meeting with them.
2. Similar Work
Beyond just liking their portfolio as a whole, you need to see if this company offers the skills, experience, and equipment you need for your video. Do they provide the services that you’re looking for for your video? Will you be needing computer graphics, a certain type of backdrop, or a specific editing style? If so, you need to make sure that their portfolio includes the elements you’re looking for in your video. If they don’t have the type of video you’re looking for in their portfolio, be sure to ask them. They may have a video from their previous work that they can share that just isn’t displayed on their site.
3. Production Quality
One of the most important things you are looking for in a final video is professional production quality. You can shoot the video yourself, sure, but it won’t be high quality. That’s really where hiring a video production company is going to bring you the most benefit. They have both the experience and the equipment necessary to create a crisp, high-quality final product. How do you know if the company you’re considering provides good production quality? Pay close attention to the quality of the videos in their portfolio.
4. Professionalism
A video production company can do incredible work, but if they don’t have the professionalism to go along with the skill, then they can be a nightmare to work with. When you reach out to a company, pay close attention to how they correspond with you after that first contact. Do they return your calls/emails in a timely manner? Do they stick to the timelines they set for your initial meetings? Do they answer your questions and provide more context when needed? If you can answer yes to all three, then they are likely to be professional throughout the entire video production process.
5. Pricing
An important factor when picking a video production company is affordability. Based on your budget, you’ll be able to narrow down your pool of potential companies. Obviously, a company can meet all your qualifications when it comes to their experience and professionalism, but if they are out of your price range, then you’ll have to move on to other options.
6. Scheduling
Similarly to pricing, you’ll have to consider if a video production company has the capacity to take on your project in the timeframe that you’re looking for. You might love a company’s portfolio, but you may not be able to work with them if they can’t start on your project for another 6 months. Be sure that you discuss timing in your initial meetings when considering a video production company.
7. Reviews
Don’t just rely on your first impressions of a video production company – see what their customers have to say. Check both their site and external review sites for customer testimonials. See why people liked working with them, and pay attention to any red flags that customers call out. While you should always take reviews with a grain of salt (both good and bad reviews), they can be useful in helping you make your decision.
8. Cultural Fit
Lastly, it’s important to pay attention to the culture of the video production company and how they do business. Are they more casual? Do they prefer to meet in person? Do they strictly adhere to deadlines or are they more flexible? There’s no one culture that is “correct”, you just need to look for a company with a culture that is going to match well with you and your company culture. You want to ensure that both of your teams will work well together and become one cohesive dream team!
Now that you know what to look for in a video production company, it’s time to give us a call! We’d be happy to discuss what your video production needs are and determine if we’re the right fit for you. Send us a message or give us a call at 831-824-9660 today!