3 Types of Video Production Companies for Different Needs

When it comes to choosing a video production company to work with, not all are created equal. While doing your research, you’ll find there are three distinct types of businesses in the industry – Freelancers, Boutique Firms and Commercial Companies. Depending on your specific needs and budget, one may be a better fit over another. What’s the difference between them? Keep reading to find out!

3 Types of Video Production Businesses

Freelancer

If you have a small budget or project that needs to be done, a freelancer may be an option to consider. Since they typically work for themselves, they have little to no overhead to worry about. What this means is that they are able to pass those savings onto their clients. On the flipside, a freelancer doesn’t have a hired team to help them with projects so they are only able to take on what they have time for.

Another consideration with a freelancer is their experience and skills. This can range greatly from someone who has all the skills and knowledge from years of being in the business, to someone who is just starting out and trying to build their portfolio. When it comes to skills and experience, you’ll also want to make sure that they have the ability to produce a video for business purposes, not personal enjoyment.

Lastly, they may not have access to the equipment needed to meet your needs, especially if they are just getting started. 

Projects that would work well for a freelancer: Social media videos, short informative interviews and demonstration videos.

Boutique Firms 

This is where Tabrizi Productions stands in the mix. Boutique firms are a great option for businesses who are budget conscious and have a wide range of video needs. With this type of video production company you still get personalized one-on-one interaction like you would with a freelancer, but they have a team to back them up and help you reach your business video goals.

Boutique firms also usually have access to better equipment and have the skills to use it. Most have years in the field or corporate setting (like me!) so they are able to anticipate needs and determine the best solutions to make your video dream a reality. It is also easier to find a company in this level who are able to produce a wide range of projects for business - from training to videos welcoming guests to your website.

Because they have the equipment, skills and a team to work with, they have higher overheard costs compared to freelancers. This translates into a higher cost, but it also means that the final product is also likely to be better than someone who is doing all on their own with less equipment.

Projects that would work well for a boutique firm: Same as a freelancer, plus training and onboarding videos, website videos, other web-based videos.

Commercial companies 

Many commercial video production companies have been around for 20-30 years and were started when it was more expensive and difficult to produce videos. Typically, they work on a larger scale with much larger brands than a freelancer or boutique firm, producing commercials and high visibility pieces.

With their expansive teams, equipment and types of video they produce, these companies are much more expensive than the other two options, frequently working on a retainer basis.

While you probably won’t need to vet the skills of a company of this size, you will still want to check to see if they have experience in your industry and if they can answer your other questions to see if they are the right fit for your business and the money you will be spending.

Projects that work well for commercial companies: Television commercials as well as internal and external business videos.

Considering your needs and how much you are able to spend will help you in the decision making process. But don’t forget to do your homework with any potential video producers you’re thinking about hiring. Want to know if Tabrizi Productions can meet your needs and budget? Contact me today to find out!

Questions You Need to Ask When Hiring a Video Production Company

Have you recently decided to add video to your business strategy but don’t know what to do or where to even start? Or have you tried creating your own business videos but didn’t find them as successful as you’d hoped? Hiring a professional video production company is the answer you’re looking for. You may be tempted to sign on the dotted line with the first business you come across that offers this service; however, that’s a risk that can lead to a less than stellar experience. Don’t be afraid to shop around and ask any potential companies that you would like to work with specific questions.

Not sure what to ask, or if hiring out is the right choice for your business? This article is exactly what you need! Continue reading to learn why hiring out for the task is a good idea and what questions you need to ask when hunting for a video production company.

Why You Should Hire A Video Production Company

As we recently discussed, creating your own business video is possible, but the decision to do so should be considered carefully. A well-crafted video helps you reach business goals, engages with your audience, and can be more difficult to create than it appears. There is often a noticeable difference between a video done by a professional versus one created by someone with less experience. Here are four reasons why hiring a video production company for your business is the smart choice.

1. Experience. One of the most obvious reasons to hire a video production company is because they have the experience to back them up. With experience comes knowledge you cannot learn through reading articles alone. Professional videographers have the ability to read a situation and tell you if an idea will work; they can also make the necessary adjustments to fit your needs. From lighting conditions and sound quality to the editing process, pros know how to combine key elements and avoid any possible mistakes to achieve the best video possible for your business.

An experienced video producer can also take your idea to the next level. Using their knowledge from previous projects, they can work with you to develop a more intriguing and engaging storyline that will draw in your intended audience.

2. Equipment. The second most obvious reason why you should hire a video production company is because of their equipment. Sure, you can shoot a decent quality video with the latest iPhone, but it will never compare to the quality that comes with professional cameras, lighting, sound, and editing equipment. A video producer works with this equipment every day and has an intimate understanding of how each piece works, separately and together, to form the final product.

3. Time. Creating a well-developed video for your business takes time. Someone who is not as familiar with the equipment and software necessary to produce a top-quality video can end up using a large chunk of time learning, time that can be used more effectively elsewhere in your organization. Hiring a video production company frees you from the time required, from start to finish, to put a video together. Pros are able to give your project the time and attention it deserves.

4. Cost. All of these reasons lead to this final point - the time, equipment, and experience (training) to put together your own company video can be expensive! A video production company already has the experience and equipment needed, so they can work efficiently. While it will still require you to invest monetarily in the project, the costs of hiring a professional will be lower in the long run than if you were to go about trying to create a company video yourself.

As you can see, there are many benefits of bringing on board a professional producer to help with your video. If you’re sold on hiring help, don’t go running to the first business you find; keep reading to learn what you should look for in a potential video production partner.

Questions You Need To Ask Before Hiring a Video Production Company

Hiring a professional video production company is not something to be taken lightly. There are numerous factors you should consider and questions you need to ask when on the hunt for someone who can bring your brand to life through video. With the help of this article from VidYard, and my own insight as a professional video producer, here is a list of nine important questions you should have answered before hiring a video production company.

CAN THE VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY HANDLE THE PROJECT

LOAD?

If you have a series of videos that you want to create for your brand, it’s important that you ask if they have the capacity to take them all on. You don’t want to go through the hassle of finding a new partner for every video in your campaign – it’s a hassle and can take up valuable time. Another reason why you should hire one company to handle all the videos is for brand consistency and planning. By having the same video producer handle all your videos, they will be able to match the tone and message easier across all the pieces. 

IS THE PRODUCTION COMPANY LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC LOCATION?

If you have multiple locations that span a wide area, you need to find a company that can accommodate that request. Like needing to know if they can handle the project load, finding someone who can travel and serve multiple locations will help with your budget and brand consistency and free your time to focus on other aspects of your business.

WHAT TYPE OF VIDEOS DO THEY SPECIALIZE IN?

There are numerous types of videos that you can create for your business, from quick social media videos to internal employee training videos. A few examples would be FAQ videos, customer testimonial videos, corporate recruitment videos, etc. 

While the basics of creating a video are the same, no matter the type, there are distinct differences in how they are approached and produced. In the same sense, videos for enterprise-level companies and brands that are more informal will need to be handled differently to fit their specific audiences. You need to find a company that is knowledgeable about the type of video you want for your particular company.

DO THEY GUARANTEE THEIR WORK?

As VidYard states:

Not all video providers offer satisfaction guarantees; in many crowd-sourced marketplaces, it’s difficult to control the quality of freelance videographers. If there is a guarantee, read the fine print to see what it includes. It may cover the entire cost of the video or only the referral fee.

If a company you’re considering does not offer a guarantee, make sure you check out previous projects that are similar in size and scope to what you’re looking for. If they cannot provide that for you, proceed with caution or seek out other video producers who can or will guarantee their work.

DO THEY PROVIDE VIDEO

OPTIMIZATION?

One of the most common uses for video is for marketing purposes. A lot of marketing involves trial and error to find what works the best for the specific audience you are trying to reach. This understanding transfers to video as well. Ask if they are willing to work with, tweaking your videos to maximize the results you’re after.

WHAT COSTS ARE INVOLVED, AND WHAT’S INCLUDED?

When considering a boutique video production company, like Tabrizi Productions, the costs and what your money goes to may be different than if you were to hire a freelance producer or commercial company. It’s important you ask and understand what you will be getting and how much it will cost you.

HOW FAR OUT ARE THEY BOOKING CLIENTS?

When hunting for your perfect video partner, be sure to ask them how far in advance they are booking. Too often, brands take a passive approach to creating videos, searching for help only when an idea strikes instead of actively planning a campaign. Unfortunately, that can mean they miss out on top-quality producers who are booked well into the future. When it comes to including video as part of your business plan, the earlier you hire a videographer, the better, not only for availability but for planning purposes, too!

WHAT IS THE TURNAROUND TIME FOR VIDEOS?

The answer to this question will depend on the company, the type of video you want, and how many other projects the videographer is working on at the same time they will be working on yours. Like booking time, knowing how long it will take to get your final video once the project has started will help determine if the company will fit your plan and timeline.

DO THEY HELP WITH SCRIPTING OR STORYBOARDING?

This question is especially important if you have a general idea of what you want your video to be but have not outlined the specific details. Some video production companies offer these services to help see your ideas from conception to the final product, while others do not.

As you interview potential video production partners, arming yourself with these questions will help you establish clear expectations from the beginning. Beyond knowing what to anticipate from the video producer you hire, making a well-informed decision can lead to a long-term relationship with the top-quality results, you’re looking for.

Are you ready to find your video production company match? Contact me today, so I can answer all these questions and more!

Tabrizi Productions is a boutique video production company with a mission to make video accessible for all. We offer authentic, affordable video storytelling for companies large and small.

We are locally serving Oakland, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, and the surroundings of the Silicon Valley area.