Outsourcing some of your marketing efforts to a video production company can do more than take a task off your plate. You’ll have access to the company’s technology, skills, equipment, and expertise. More than that, working with a professional video production company can provide you with a higher quality of content to share with your audience, thereby increasing your conversions, making your brand more accessible, and allowing you to stay ahead of the competition.
When selecting the team you want to partner with, you don’t want to go with just anyone. You want to choose people who not only aim to enhance your brand visibility and customer engagement but also understand your vision and goals.
If you are looking for guidance on choosing a video production partner, here are some dos and don’ts from a professional video production company in DC.
Video Production Dos
- Select a production company that you feel you can have a partnership with. From the moment your consultation starts, the energy needs to feel good between you and the video production company you’re considering. When that initial call ends, you should feel like the company has a better understanding of what you’re going for in your video, including your overall vision and the goals you hope to achieve.
- Check the video production company’s portfolio and references. Before committing to working with any video production agency, review their online portfolio. Does their previous work align with your overall vision? Additionally, look into their testimonials. If possible, call two of their previous clients and ask them pointed questions about how their experience was working with them. These check-ins will give you a better idea of what to expect, plus some guidance on what you might need to provide or ask more of when working with that company.
- Get to know the production team. A lot of times, the “A” team is on the sales call, and the “B” team shows up on location. Ask specific questions about who will be around on the day of the video shoot, as well as questions about their experience and a portfolio of their work. Doing this is essential, especially for interview-specific content. If you are looking for an interview-driven video (people on camera), asking them to show you the interviews they have shot can make a huge difference. Anyone can shoot pretty scenes, but when it comes down to lighting an interview in a specific environment — whether they’re using what’s available or bringing in equipment — that is what will separate your video from the competition.
Video Production Don’ts
- Don’t select a production company based on their demo or sizzle reel. When looking for a video partner, checking out what they have published on their website is an excellent place to start, but always ask for full videos. Watching a full video instead of a sample or sizzle will allow you to see how they tell a story and whether their videos are impactful from beginning to end.
- Don’t get caught up in the latest technology. Almost every video production company uses the same tools, from camera gear to software and editing systems. If a video production company puts a lot of emphasis on the tools they use, they could be trying to distract you from another area in which they need improvement.
- Don’t get too involved in every step or stage of the production process. Once you’ve found the right video production agency, trust them and allow them some creative space to come up with nice shots or ideas you haven’t thought of. You’ll get a better product when you make it a collaborative process.
When choosing the perfect video production partner, trust your instincts and build a solid connection right from the first consultation. Remember, it’s not about the flashy tools or getting too hands-on. It’s about finding a partner who understands your vision and can bring it to life seamlessly.