So you’re thinking about hiring a video production company to create videos for your business, but you’re not sure where to look or what to look for. This can be quite a daunting task and a substantial investment, but definitely one that’s well worth it, especially if you end up with an amazing video edit that will effectively market your company. However, choosing the right production company to make your videos can be risky business.
Here are a few insider tips for finding the right video production company that will create the videos you are looking for. Click here to get a free quote.
1. Know what you want.
So you know you want a video, but you’re not entirely sure what you want…figure out why you want the video (what will it be used for, where will it be broadcast, what is the purpose and message of the video, is it a corporate video or an event video etc.) and everything else will follow. Videos are all about generating awareness around, or about something. Video is also a great way for founding your presence with the ability to portray that you are an authority in a particular industry. And, of course, they can also be used as a tool for marketing and trade.
2. You really do get what you pay for.
Whatever your budget restrictions, you will always be able to find someone, somewhere willing to create videos for you. Be careful of employing students who do production on the side or are looking to build up their portfolios. This will not have the same quality you can get from hiring a professional team. (Click here to meet your professional team). Video production companies who command higher rates are confident in their product and know that they can give you the best quality and exactly what you are looking for.
3. Get several quotes.
Have a look around at what other companies are offering to ensure that you project is well priced. This may sound tedious but will serve you well in the end. After considering the prices along with the quality of past project you will be able to make a sound decision
4. Find their most recent projects.
Browse around on the video production company’s website to find the most up-to-date videos to ensure that you are getting consistent quality. Updating a website can be time consuming, so check out their social media feeds or request a direct link to a video if need be. These videos will allow you to assess the quality of work and delivers to you a good representation of the current equipment and talent they have to offer you. Click here to find some recent video production projects in Johannesburg.
5. Don’t get dazzled by a demo reel.
Many video production companies, either event or corporate, or both, display a demo reel on their webpage. This is usually a short series of clips from past projects edited together with music. This is used to market their video skills and prove to any viable client that they are an established company with a variety of clients. This is all good and well, but what this fails to do is show you the final product. You are looking for something more than just a pretty video, you are looking for something that will be effective for your business and communicate the message you intend to send. If you look further and find they have no full videos of their past projects available, be wary. Click here to see show reels that count.
6. Focus on People First.
Think about the product or service that people are looking for from your company, rather than the product or service you want to sell. Keep your target audience in mind when planning your video, find out their needs, wants and aspirations so you can get a video that addresses those issues.
7. Preparation is Key.
The best videos don’t just happen – they are the result of careful planning and preparation. Think about storyboarding and scripting your video, so that you know and the company knows exactly what you want out of the video production. You should have a clear idea of what your finished product is going to look like, so storyboarding will help you see exactly what you want, plotted out in pictures, while a shooting script is a screenplay for your video. Together you will ensure that both you and the video production company know exactly what you want, and you will get the very best.
8. Prep your presenter or interview subjects.
Make sure everyone involved in your video production project, especially anyone who will be on screen know what is expected of them before the shoot so that you can minimize delays and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
9. B-Roll Footage.
Filling in the gaps, extra shots, cutting away, the scenes in-between…where does this come from? B-Roll footage. This is in essence, extra footage, or any footage that is not the primary focus of the shoot. This might include scenery, logos, people interacting, décor, external shots etc. Whatever it is you are going to need, should be figured out during the pre-production process so as to avoid any complications during your shooting process. You can never have too much B-Roll, and your video editor will be eternally grateful. Need an example? Click here.
10. Creating a Video Production Brief.
In order to get the most out of your video production process, especially in terms of impact, sales or the message you are trying to get across, it is vitally important to prepare a video production brief. This will ensure that you know exactly what you want, and so does the team that will be putting your video together. From shooting to editing to sound, if everyone is one the same page, you will get exactly what you asked for. Including the background of your company in your video brief will allow the video production company to assist in promoting your company and what it is your stand for. What is the focus of your video? Is it an event, a product, a service, your company as a whole? If you can provide this information in sufficient detail and how this makes you unique in your field, it will allow everyone involved in the production process to enhance that message so that it clearly comes across to anyone watching your video. What is the goal of the video? Will it be used to showcase your services? Will it be used to inspire teamwork and comradery within your company? If this is clearly defined, capturing specific moments and placing them in your video will be essential to communicating your message.
11. Timelines and budget.
In order to get what you want, when you want it, you need to be specific about what your timeline and budget is. Video production companies usually have their own structure with a specific turnaround time, so in order to avoid delays, make sure you have communicated this to them in advance and everything will run smoothly. Click here for a free quote.
This may seem like a daunting a task, but the end product and results of what effort you put in will be ten-fold and definitely worth the work you have put in.