It is a common trend to see businesses slowly increase their marketing budget. That's due to the digital age redefining marketing entirely. With the internet, general users can now be aware of your business' existence when they weren't even looking for it. It makes sense that any company wants to enter this space as it increases their exposure and draws in new demographics.
One of the most effective ways to market your business in the digital age is through video marketing. It has been known to sustain a strong return on investment and is quite effective at converting consumers. But choosing a good corporate video production company is easier said than done. Here we will discuss some necessary red flags to look out for when picking a video production company.
No Liability Insurance
This is one of the biggest red flags you can come across. Most video production companies will offer either general liability or standard coverage. You might be thinking that the chance of something going so wrong that you would need insurance is very small. But the reality is that video production is a landmine with high chances of copyright strikes. It happens more often than you think.
If the company you have hired uses a soundbite or music licensed, you will be spending a good amount of time in court trying to sort this out, which will impact your finances. What's worse, if someone ends up injuring themselves during a shoot, then you can be sure you'll be liable for that as well. Experienced production companies are well aware of this danger and will always include insurance coverage as a precautionary measure.
Art Over Profits
With a large amount of competition in the market, every video production company wants their videos to stand out and have a unique approach. If you come across agencies with out-of-the-box ideas, you might want to reconsider your decision to pick them. You may think that a creative videographer is a good videographer, but that is not always the case.
Keep in mind that the video's purpose is to reach out to the general masses. Videos that appeal to artists and connoisseurs are good for film festivals but not for the audience you are trying to convert into customers. If a company emphasizes creativity and originality over the business targets you want to achieve, you might want to try out someone more professional and business-oriented.
Lack of Production Gear
If the corporate video production company you are considering has old equipment, you probably don't want to go with them. Video production technology is changing at an unprecedented pace where something that was called state-of-the-art five years ago is now considered obsolete. Get an idea of the tech the company will use to make your video and cross-check it with experts.
The other red flag is the video production techniques they will use. Like technology, these tend to get old fast. Also, if the production company has not upgraded their tech with the times, most of the newly available production techniques will be inaccessible.
No Online Reviews
This aspect applies to every business but is a massive red flag for a video production company. If you can't find reviews or client testimonials of the company online, the company isn't trustworthy. This applies harder for video companies because the very nature of their job is embedded in the public domain. To not find any reviews means that the company either removed them or is inexperienced at sustaining and serving their clientele.
You might find companies that have been in the business for some time now, and while this is a desirable quality, it becomes a curse if they don't have any reviews. A company that has been around for a while and still has no reviews is hiding something or simply isn't bothering themselves with putting up these reviews. Either way, both these factors display a lack of credibility, which you want to avoid for sure.
Keep In Mind
Choosing an excellent corporate video production company is not going to be easy. Still, if you trust reputable and professional companies, you shouldn't have much trouble finding the right one for your business. You need to ensure that there are proper communication channels in place when dealing with these agencies. It would help if you also steered clear of companies that don't have the required staff to back up their promises. Remember that video production takes a dedicated crew, and if you go with an agency that is small and understaffed, you might end up spending more than you thought.
