Not every company has an in-house production team, but every company does need video marketing to really be seen. According to Forbes, the average user spends 88% more time on a website with video. So it makes sense that video content also leads to an improved conversion rate for 72% of businesses. In order to create the perfect video to stand out in the online market, you need a qualified team working on the job. But with so many video production companies claiming to be the best and offering all different kinds of styles, how does anyone decide which one to put their trust in? The best company will not only have the technical skills needed to create a high quality video, but also understand what your company needs to shine in terms of style and creativity. Although there are a lot of factors to bear in mind, we’ve put together a checklist of what to look for when choosing a video production company.

Affordability

All businesses have set budgets for their marketing campaigns, whether it’s a start-up or a multinational corporation. The first thing to check is whether the company you’re looking into is offering their services at a price that is affordable for you. Affordable doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, as cheaper videos are often not very original or high quality. Affordable means getting a high quality video at a justifiable price. If a video production company is giving you what you want for the price you’re paying, go for it. Costs can vary to a great degree, but there are some elements that can determine the costs.

“Factors which increase cost vary from project to project depending upon the requirements”, according to Caroline Dobison, founder of BluLux Media.

 

”The factors include whether we or the client is writing the script. The video style, for example, is it 2D, 3D, live filming? Will we need actors? Is a voiceover required? The length of the video, the timeline, etc.” she added, “The specificity of the brief is a huge determining factor for cost.”

 

It is important to remember that video content is an investment that is meant to bring you returns in the form of sales and engagement. It’s best not to compromise on quality in favor of lower prices because then the returns will also be subpar. Think about these factors when you’re formulating a video production budget and then shortlist companies whose prices fall within it.

Professionalism

The company you choose should be professional to the extent that they can effectively explain their services and expertise, but also friendly enough for you to be able to talk about your expectations freely. They should ask relevant questions and keep you updated on the whole production process . Ask them how they go about their process and when you can expect  progress updates or provide feedback for revisions. Not being able to communicate openly can lead to delays and unsatisfactory results, so make sure you feel like the company is approachable and receptive to your feedback.

 

“The Adobe Brand Content Study suggests that consumers spend more than a quarter of their day looking at digital content. To really make an impact on your audience you need to hire a company that creates original work.“

 

Turnaround Time

Turnaround time is another important factor that determines whether or not you should choose a company to work with. Good quality videos require time (but it shouldn’t take ages either!).

“We’ve completed video projects in a week, however, this is not ideal, nor recommended.” says Caroline, founder of BluLux Media.

 

“Your video project is a big investment and should be given the time and attention it deserves to ensure the desired outcome is achieved with the suitable time for creative input, revisions and production. In general, the timeframe for most projects from script to final production is 3-5 weeks.”

 

So always try to approach the production company as early as possible to allow for a reasonable turnaround time. If you want work done on a short notice, you might have to pay extra costs, but it is still better to do that rather than sacrifice quality for speed. It takes time to agree upon a strategy for the video approach, brainstorm creative ideas, get buy in from stakeholders and build the illustrations and animations for a video. But how much time does it actually take to complete the entire video production process?  “We’ve completed video projects in a week, however, this is not ideal, nor recommended.” says Caroline, Founder of BluLux Media. “Your video project is a big investment and should be given the time and attention it deserves to ensure the desired outcome is achieved with the suitable time for creative input, revisions and production. In general, the timeframe for most projects from script to final production is 3-5 weeks.”
 

Expertise

Make sure you’re placing your brand in the hands of a company that has expertise in what they do. Go through their portfolio or case study section, and also look at any client testimonials they may have. Analyze the video and audio quality of their work. Ask yourself questions such as:

• Is the message clear?
• Is the script well-written?
• Is the animation streamlined and aesthetically appealing?
• Do the live-action videos look professionally shot and well lit?

 

By looking at a company’s portfolio you will also be able to determine if their work is similar to the type of video you are looking for. If none of their previous work is displayed, then that company may not be the best choice.

Creativity

The Adobe Brand Content Study suggests that consumers spend more than a quarter of their day looking at digital content. To really make an impact on your audience you need to hire a company that creates original work. Be sure to hire someone that creates videos from scratch and not from stock footage. Make sure they understand your brand’s voice. You can test this out by asking them to pitch you a few ideas. There is little point in publishing generic videos that don’t bring recognition to your brand and what you do.

With the popularity of video content, it is likely that your videos will be the most viewed content you have. Therefore, their production is a responsibility that shouldn’t be handed off to just anyone. Here at BluLux Media, we have an extensive portfolio of videos from past satisfied clients that you are welcome to browse. Contact us for an in depth discussion about your company’s marketing needs and how we can help you reach your goals.