Hiring a videographer is not an easy task. Running a video production company, I have learned some important things about working with fellow production companies. It usually is quite a financial investment, so taking a few moments to check off these boxes that can help eliminate the chance of picking a lemon!
- KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
What kind of video are you filming? Are you running a giant corporation that needs a corporate videographer with the experience to maintain your aesthetic? Are you a family-owned business that could use a storytellers touch to bring across in film what is unique about your business.
There are so many different types of videographers. These range from wedding videographers, music video videographers, all the way down to hamsters with a camera… You get the point.
Narrowing doing to a niche will be useful in helping you find your specialist. If you need product video production, don’t seek out someone whose speciality is scouting music videos filming locations.
2. WATCH THEIR FILM REELS
Any videographer worth their salt should have a reel of their work. There is the exception if your budget is $0 & the potential videographer is your neighbour’s son who just got a camera and is willing to do it for a pop tart and Capri-sun. But in the professional world, there is no exception to not having a film reel if you are a video production company. Creating videos is based on science but creates a lot of room for interpretation and style, and this is where personal taste comes into play.
Make sure their style matches up with your vision. It is hard to expect a video production company who specializes in sport action highlights to give you that cinematic slow, heartfelt wedding video of your dreams. Instead… It may come out with a super-fast action-packed groomsmen beer-chugging & epic walk down the aisle styled like a John Wick movie on a Mountain Dew Sugar Rush.
3. WHAT ARE THEIR CLIENTS SAYING?
Word of mouth in 2019, in my opinion, is still the highest form of marketing. I work hard at developing a reputation that it is an advantage having a potential client speak to one of my current/past clients. You have gotten past step 1 & 2. Usually, through Google Reviews/Yelp/Testimonials, you can find out if this is someone you would like to film with & spend your video production budget. Are they reliable? Were they flexible? Did they deliver on time? While the final video product is essential, being efficient & punctual are critical when it comes to deadlines, which leads us to number 4.
4. ARE Y’ALL A MATCH?
In the age of online dating, we hear about being a match all the time. Choosing a video production company is no different. Well… It kind of is.. I look at every potential client as someone I may work with personally/professionally for the rest of my life! Speak with the potential videographer to make sure that you have a good working relationship with communication & vision. It is most effective in this order to do so. In-person > Over the phone > Through email > Text message.
I always love speaking with potential clients in person because I get to see who they indeed are and the way they talk about their business. Why is this so important is because this person you are going to be making a time/money/focus investment on. Just like in a relationship with your significant other, if you lack communication or understanding, or there is friction, things will not go smooth. Similar to finding someone new to cut your hair. Seeking out a new professional once you have established a great relationship with a current one is an uncomfortable situation once you find your match! Hold on to them!
5. KNOW YOUR BUDGET & VISION
As someone who runs a video production company, I get the phone call often where someone does not know what they want. They only know they need a video and not sure how much it will cost. I don’t mind this conversation, because it allows me to educate and help come up with an idea from scratch and collaborate with a business owner on what would be great for them. It can be time-consuming and depending on a budget; it may not be possible by allocating funds to a marketing budget for video. Allows the videographer to elaborate on what is possible for your project.
I believe there is a myth that people believe giving a videographer their budget immediately they have exposed their cards. As if secretly on the inside the videographer is going “well shoot I would have done it for half that! Sweet! MUHAHAHAHA!” It is false. I have a calculated formula that breaks down my equipment cost, my time invested, profits & overhead. If your budget is $800, I can strip away certain things to make sure you get the best you can for $800. If your budget is $5000, I make sure you get the proper time and quality investment that it takes so you get the best video that you can.
I hope this gives you some peace of mind when selecting a video production company to utilize! I know it can be an uncomfortable experience, but following these steps will eliminate some of the headaches. If you have any experiences, good or bad working with videographers, I would love to hear them! Subscribe for more marketing and video ideas!
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