There are three types of videos that you really should have on your company’s website in order to effectively market your brand: Explainer Video, Testimonial Video, and Company Culture Video. Now that you know what you need, the next step is hiring a professional video production house to help you achieve your video marketing goals.
Choosing the right production house to fit your video project requires some good thought, and can be the defining element in a successful end result. It’s important to pick a dynamic and creative team that properly understands and embraces your vision. Do your research here, check out samples of videos that you like and can relate to, and then ask good questions. Following are 10 questions you should ask the video production house early in your decision making process. These questions will help put you on the right track to getting the information you need.
What range of services do you extend?
Look for a video production house with a broad range of in-house service options and a diverse skill-set. This will ensure that the company’s team has the ability to tackle any creative venture in order to suit your needs—from engaging animated and live action video to live-streaming, pre-production planning/artwork, editing, and post-production marketing.
What video styles do you offer?
You will want to hire a video production house with experience in a variety of styles. As mentioned, explainer videos, testimonial videos, and company culture videos are big ones. Make sure that the production house you choose has the necessary experience to successfully produce these corporate videos. You also want to look for a video production house with event video experience, from pre-event promotional videos to post-event highlight reels or session recordings. Depending on your audience and the message you are trying to get across, you may decide that animation is the most effective vehicle to bring your idea to life. Be sure to ask about the production house’s experience with video animation. Check out the company’s portfolio on their website, Vimeo or YouTube.
Do you “get” my vision?
You want to find a team that gets what your vision is, understands your goals, and shares in your enthusiasm for the project. Once you find that magic combination and connection, you’ll end up with a finished product from script to screen that not only meets your expectations, but likely exceeds them.
What do you bring to the table creatively?
It is essential that you ask about the video production house’s creative team. Do they work together cohesively on a daily basis, or are they contractors, working largely independent of one another? Is the team diverse, with a wide skill set—from designers, animators, strategists, cinematographers to logistics specialists—enabling them to fully develop any project? Are they easy to work with, do they enjoy their work and do they have big ideas? Creativity is paramount.
What do your past customers think about your work?
Ask about customer references and look at customer testimonials. Happy and satisfied customers will gladly give a good reference and share their positive experience. A video production house that’s willing (and proud) to show you well-pleased past customers should definitely be in the running.
What does a corporate video cost to make, and can I stay within my budget?
There are many factors that contribute to the cost of producing a corporate video. While it may be difficult to pinpoint exact numbers, once you have had a chance to visit about the scope and type of project work you are considering, a good production house should be able to provide an estimate of what costs are involved. Additionally, an experienced and knowledgeable video production house should be able to guide you with creative ideas and suggestions that help you stay within range of your budget.
What type of customers do you most often work with?
Find out if the video production house primarily produces videos for a specific type of industry or if they have a broad client base. Asking about the type of customers they generally work with will help you in determining if that experience translates well to fit your project.
How much oversight and involvement can I have in the process?
You will want to know up front whether your input will be encouraged in the process. Some teams may prefer to work by getting client approval each step of the way, while others take creative initiatives more freely. There’s no right or wrong, it’s all a matter of fit. Ask the questions in advance, and decide the fit. Most importantly, you want a team that is able to listen, assess and make excellent, well-thought-out recommendations that will ultimately set your business apart from your competition.
What is your production volume average?
It’s also a good idea to find out a ballpark number of how many videos the video production house makes each month. While a video production house that produces an excessively high volume of videos each month might have a great deal of experience, it’s important to consider that it might also mean there may be less customer involvement and connection. You may find that your needs are better served by a company that produces fewer videos, but has more time to connect with and understand your vision. Again, it’s a matter of finding the right fit.
What happens at the end?
What happens once the video has been successfully produced? Is that the end, or will you receive added value from a production house that has the know-how and will to help you market your video product? I would encourage you to work with a video production house that has a mutual interest in seeing your video succeed by adding all the value to your business that it absolutely can. You’ll want your video to reach the most people possible, and the production house should be able to offer suggestions and to encourage other uses for your video, providing overall assistance to that end.
Arm yourself with the necessary information that allows you to find your best fit production house by first asking really good questions. The informed decision you then make will lead to a team that’s easy to work with, values the client relationship, and goes that extra mile to create the most valuable end result possible for your business. In turn, the foundation for a long-lasting and mutually-beneficial relationship will be set.
