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Company video producers will want you to think their company is the finest in the land, and many will have well-practised spiel for creating this impression.
To get round this you have to ask a few unexpected questions, and observe their reactions. It's not so much right or wrong answers you're looking for as the reactions, and the degree of knowledge shown.
You don't want to embarrass a video producer or make anyone feel angry, but there's nothing wrong with testing the limits of their comfort zone. After all, you're going to be married to them for the next 3 months.
No single question in isolation will unearth the world beating video producer you're looking for, but the following 11 questions will open things up, so you can then watch them closely and decide who is the genuine article, capable of producing an effective company video for your organisation.
As always, ask your question, then stay silent, watching and listening attentively to their reply.
It's not just what they say, but the way that they say it!
1 - The Pandering Response: The video company that gives you lots of pandering attention in the buying stages might be desperate for the work, and so have all the time in the world to give you in order to win. But they give that precious attention that some clients love! Either way, you need to know.
Ask them how busy they are, then watch closely.
2 - The Standard Response: On the other hand, the video company that only gives you a "standard" amount of attention aren't necessarily disinterested. They're just busy. And they're busy because they have lots of customers who like what they do. Which is a good sign.
Ask them how many quotes a month they do.
3 - The Boilerplate Response: Some video companies send you a 40 page pdf for a tender document (I've even seen 80 pages!). But it's mostly a template, the same one they use for every client, where you get battered with superlatives and posturing, and much dubiously relevant information.
Ask how long their tender docs are.
4 - The Templated Response: To evaluate their video tender doc for individuality, check how many times your company name is individually used in an individual contextual way. That'll give you an idea if how much specific thought has gone into your company video project, and how much is simply boilerplate to be hashed up for every video client.
Ask how much of the tender is generic and how much is specific to you.
5 - The Recent Work Response:While it's obviously good sense to ask to see samples of video work similar to your business or from your business sector, it's good idea to ask to see very recent video work from the last month or two. Then you'll know what's bubbling in their pot - or not!
Ask to see recent video work, any work, from the last month or two.
6 - The 3 Referees Response: A tough series of questions to ask are "show me your last three company videos"followed by "can you give me references for these last three videos?"followed by "did you go over budget or time on any of the last three videos?". Watch reactions closely. It'll sort out the bluffers from the genuine article.
Will your last three clients provide a reference?
7 - The Pricey Treatment Response: Do you get an expensive treatment (like ad agencies do) or is it basically a video quote, proposal and samples? If it's an expensive treatment you can be sure you'll be paying for it. Which may be okay, if you have a sizeable video budget and are looking for something particularly special.
Ask how long it took to prepare your presentation
8 - The Added-Value Response: Check if your initial meetings with potential video producers came up with ideas that added value to your company video production? Or was the meeting simply someone showing you how they met your spec? Always look for added value early on, as it's a good indicator that you'll also get it later on in the production,when it's needed.
Ask how your ideas could be improved on
9 - The Script Check Response: Watch out for the "you tell us what to say"syndrome. Video production companies that are weak on developing your business message, will always imply the onus of the script development lies with you. Or they'll brush over this area, and talk about cameras. You do not want this. You want a professional scriptwriting service by a person experienced in your industry or your topic, so make sure they offer this.
Ask how many script development meetings you get, and how much research
10 - The Company Video Response: Ask each potential video producer "how long since they produced a company video, a marketing video, a business video?"(not any other kind of video). It's a simple question, but surprisingly many will respond with a video production they made over a year ago, and not something they did last month.
Ask how long since you last made a company video
11 - The Problem Hider Response: Does the video producer look resourceful? Sometimes things can go wrong in the course of a video production (believe it), but a resourceful video producer will solve these issues fairly painlessly. By contrast, a nervy person, a creative effete, or a tense image-obsessed individual will get everyone else worked up the same as they are, if there are unforeseen problems later down the line. The right person will openly admit to problems, while the secret hysteric will feel uncomfortable discussing the subject and want to move on quickly. "We don't get problems" is not an acceptable answer
Ask what sort of problems they get on company video productions like yours
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