Let’s be honest, picking a video hosting platform is not brain surgery. In fact, it should really be the simplest step in your online video strategy. At vzaar, we tell you exactly what you’re getting with each plan in a straightforward table and offer a 30 day free trial so you can quickly determine if we’re the right host for you, or move on if not. If only video production was as straightforward! Unfortunately, it usually is not. Deciding on a producer or company to work with can be very difficult. How do you decide who to trust with your time, money, and vision?
Before you begin approaching productions companies for quotes and pitches, there are a few questions you should ask yourself first :
What do I hope to accomplish with this video? Are you trying to improve conversions? Increase brand awareness? Differentiate your company from competitors? When you begin watching production company showreels, ask yourself if they managed to accomplish similar goals for others.
What is the personality of my company? If you were to describe your brand, what adjectives would you use? Friendly or professional? Lighthearted or no-nonsense? That personality should come across in your videos, which will be easier if you find a production company with a similar vibe. If your brand values include friendliness and accessibility, for example, then an edgy production company may not be the best fit. Sure, a skillful production company should be able to make any personality shine, but that will happen more naturally if your approaches complement one another from the start.
What videos do I like? This is a fun exercise. Take a look at the videos on the sites you love to visit. Do some searching and watch the videos that businesses in other industries are using. Keep a list of those you like. A list of videos you don’t like can be just as helpful. Make notes on what it is you like about your favorite videos, and look for any commonalities. Do they use animation, screencasts, voice overs, or actors? Once you have a better idea of the style you find most effective, you can seek out companies that do that particularly well.
What am I willing to spend? Some things are simply going to be out of your reach. That’s fine, as long as you are aware of what your constraints are and work with them. Don’t waste time looking at companies that won’t work within your budget.
Having a clear idea of what your goals are, the tone you’re after, the styles you find compelling, and what you can afford will go a long way in narrowing down your choices. Not to mention you’ll have your answers already prepared when the production companies come back to you with these very same questions, because they will!
