• Producing a corporate video can be a great marketing asset and see your business through for many years, that is if it's done well.
• The cost of professional video production varies, but it's usually a case of "you get what you pay for". That said, corporate video production doesn't have to break the budget. 
• In this article, we serve up 10 top tips to help you find a quality corporate video producer for your business.

How do you choose a good corporate video producer?

Search on the web and you will find a lot of production companies.

A competitive market can work for you, but how do you select one that will deliver?

In this article, we share some pointers from an insider. They are not in ranking order and some will resonate with you more than others. 

The biggest revelation for new clients is that while filming is very important, it's just one of the ingredients of a successful production. Creativity in engaging the viewer, whatever the subject, is critical.

And it isn't expensive!

In my experience, good quality video production starts at around the same cost as a quality website. All things are relative, but video really delivers and there are some fantastic professionals out there.

Nor do you need to engage an agency. There are producers who will deliver at a fraction of the cost and time. A good quality program will keep working for you over many years – yes, I have clients who are still getting value from work completed three years plus ago.

How to Hire a Corporate Video Producer

Here are the top considerations to hire a great corporate video producer: 

1. Experience
2. Comprehensive capability
3. Who will be doing the work 
4. Confidentiality and security
5. Client reviews and testimonials 
6. Industry expertise
7. Technology 
8. Delivery options 
9. Price
10. Write a good brief 

1. Experience

How long have they been around? Good providers survive and thrive.

2. Comprehensive Capability

Can the provider offer a complete service from end to end? Can they deliver the creative angle as well as the technical expertise to complete the production?

3. Who Will Be Doing the Work

Some providers contract out their work and the ability to manage time, quality and cost is lost or severely degraded. I believe that the people who sit across the table when scoping the work should be the people that deliver the video.

4. Confidentiality and Security

Who is handling your images and where are they stored? Make sure they can comply with your security requirements and handle any sensitive data safely. 

5. Client Reviews and Testimonials 

Who are their clients? How long have they worked with those clients? A provider that has undertaken multiple projects for a client over many years is an indicator that their work is of high quality. Test their references.

6. Industry Expertise

Some corporate video producers have built up portfolios in particular industry sectors or for particular types of work. This could be useful if your needs require specialist knowledge or skills.

However, a good provider should be able to honestly confirm whether they can address your requirements even if they are fresh to the industry. Don’t exclude them on this basis alone, you may lose out on an innovative approach.

7. Technology

Few industries have seen more rapid changes in technology to perform and deliver their services than those working in the media industry. From VHS to the web it has been a rapid ride.

Hardware and software are important but you should ensure that your provider is focused on the creative outcome, not the latest technology. If your provider tells you the latest gizmo they employ before they understand your requirements then who is the ‘client’?

Some newer technologies are not necessarily the best way to address a client needs. Cameras are tools and you wouldn’t hire a plumber based solely on the tools they use.

8. Delivery Options

With delivery options multiplying as technology changes do your provider understand your requirements? Each delivery option has its own characteristics and needs a specialist to be configured optimally.

9. Price

The cost is always important but equally the outcome of any work is critical. Focusing only on price will typically mean you will end up ‘getting what you pay for’. Your provider should be able to work to both time and materials and a fixed price.

We work to budgets and an open discussion on what your budget expectations are is a must. Pricing should always be confirmed formally.

10. Write a Good Brief 

Write out what you want to be covered - even a simple dot form will do. A producer will need this to price the work, and good producers will even do this for you and confirm your requirements if you haven't had time to work through the details.

Expect personal service and if you don’t think you can get on with the video producer at a personal level don’t choose them even if it costs you more. You will save time, money and frustration by working with a company that fits your culture and approach.

Do you have any other tips on how to find a good video producer? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!