Don’t Make These Mistakes When Hiring Professionals in Video Production in Chicago
Given that video content holds paramount importance in today’s fast-paced digital age, it comes as no surprise that brands are increasingly looking to leverage the avenue for awareness, educational purposes, entertainment, and promotional purposes.
Sure enough, videos have an immense power over human emotions, more than any other medium, but they have to be made the right way, to reap the desired results. This is where you need the help of an expert video production company.
In a city like Chicago, where the average digital user is more than intelligent, only a creative and experienced professional can penetrate their mind and make an impact. And not all video production companies can do so.
How do you identify true professionals with sufficient knowledge and expertise to produce your video, from the large pool of companies in Chicago?
Let’s start with what not to do.
Here are 7 mistakes to avoid when looking for professionals in video production Chicago.
Getting too Influenced by their Demo Reel
The demo reel of a video production company or a commercial photographer in Chicago is meant to impress you. And it will most likely do so with ease, as it is a thoughtfully created marketing collateral. While it is an exceptional example of the kind of talent the company has, it is not always the best indicator of the other important aspects to consider, like professionalism, expertise in different subjects and formats, industry experience, reliability, etc. Your project is unique and may require other skills or talent-sets too, in addition to the ones displayed, and you may not completely know it unless a true professional deciphers a powerful way to put your message across.
Hence, ask the company to share their work on projects similar to yours, ask questions, and convey the goals of your project clearly. Urge them to think out of the box; come up with unique ways to do the job, and gauge their potential to do something phenomenal.
Not Getting to Know the Company Wholly Before Hiring them
The company you choose to work with must be the most resourceful and perfect partner for your project. They need to be reliable in terms of creativity, gray matter, equipment, and talent. Most importantly, you need them to handle your project with great care.
Many companies make the mistake of hiring a company too soon based on their initial few conversations and exchanges, but this may not be sufficient to make an accurate judgment about the company’s reliability. Ask more questions and find out what kind of equipment the company has and uses, the skills and expertise of the crew members, their availability, their core values, their work model, their communication channels, and the like. This will help you understand where you might face challenges, and how to navigate them.
Going Hollywood, instead of Working with a Local Name
A lot of brands think that only the states and cities that are popular for show business possess good quality video production services. However, this is far from the truth.
Many out-of-state production companies often rely on localized resources for projects in specific cities. Hence, even if you hire a Hollywood-quality video service company, chances are, they will rely on local talent in Chicago, but for a much higher cost.
Save yourself the money and time, and research locally for experts in video production in Chicago. There is a myriad of well-established professionals who may put their heart and soul into your project and do a stellar job.
Choosing the Lowest Bidder or the Highest Bidder
Some brands go for the cheapest commercial photographer in Chicago in an attempt to stay within the marketing budget, while some other brands believe that a higher quote is indicative of better quality. Neither of these inferences is true.
If a brand quotes significantly lower than others, there is a good chance they might deliver subpar quality or level of services. On the other hand, too high a quote, if unjustified is simply not smart for your brand. Besides, you may not need all of the services offered for the high price.
The best way to go is to gather quotes from a few brands and do a comparison study, considering the value offered by each company for the price. You ideally need tailored value for a reasonable price, which is why it is essential to get to know the brand. Evaluate the specific needs of your project and see which brand offers those skills and services for the price. Negotiate the deal and aim for the most necessary services while taking advantage of seasonal discounts or offers.
Not Considering Customizations
Video production is a complicated affair that cannot offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Any brand that provides a quick and easy output is most likely relying on tried-and-tested templates, which can only offer a “hope” to work.
Customization is key in video creation; whether it is for a marketing video, a brand video, an explainer video, a testimonial, a review, or an advertisement, it needs careful attention to detail and refinement so that it is fine-tuned to fit your brand persona and product offering. For this, the video production company must inevitably conduct in-depth research and analysis of your brand, along with ample discussions and brainstorming, all of which will take time. Such data-driven efforts, as opposed to based on guesswork or assumptions, guarantee desired positive results for your brand.
Hence, consider the level of customization offered by the company when reviewing options. It ensures maximum value for money and the best chance for success.
Not Believing the Reviews
Once you have narrowed down a few options for video production companies, it is time to examine the client reviews and testimonials. Oftentimes, brands overlook certain less-than-good reviews, in hopes that it was a one-off incident or that it is less likely to happen with them. However, a good look at the reviews may reveal specific or understated details about the company, which may be a prime factor to consider for your project.
For example, if a client has left a fairly positive review, with a single cautionary statement about the delivery promise of the company, it should be viewed as a red flag. If at least one other review mentions similar feedback, then the company most likely has issues delivering projects on time. If you are running on a strict timeline, it is best that you stay away from such a company, rather than trying to make it work. Dedicated professionals in video production in Chicago will never have a problem sticking to a commitment.
Failing to Establish Clarity Regarding the Timeline
Video production is a process that requires ample time, ranging from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the scope and requirements of your project. There are also shorter videos that can be delivered sooner. Brands sometimes fail to establish clarity in this regard and end with unwelcome surprises. To combat this, ensure clean and clear communication about your requirements; if you need the video for a product launch an event, or a seminar, you most likely need the final video a few days before the event. Convey the necessity to the company and ensure that they have the time and resources to get the job done. If they seem too busy on other projects, they will most likely cut corners and try to negotiate a new date. Avoid undue stress by establishing clarity; have your company ensure on-time delivery and ensure that they, in fact, do have the bandwidth to meet the commitment.
Wrapping Up
Finding the right team of experts in video production in Chicago is crucial to the success of your project, as there is more to the job than meets the eye. Only the most well-researched, customized, and carefully created video content will stand a chance to make an impact, which is not possible to do in haste. Take time and do your due diligence when looking for a videographer or a commercial photographer Chicago; carefully examine the pros and cons and make sure to steer clear of the above-mentioned mistakes.
For reliable and expert-level video production and commercial photography, count on K3. We are one of the few companies offering fully customized packages to fit your unique business needs in Chicago.
Give our team a quick call; let’s discuss your project.
