“In film, the way you tell a story matters. It’s not just the content, it’s the experience of how you craft it.”
– J.J. Abrams (Filmmaker and composer)
In the current times, an increasing number of people are inclined towards video content to advertise their products, engage audiences, and tell their stories. After all, the results it bears are extraordinary. 87% of video marketers reported greater website traffic when they used videos. (Here, Now: Video marketing statistics)
Inspired by these huge figures, I also decided to opt for video marketing to promote my business. But to effectively bring my ideas and vision to the screen, I needed a professional.
Surprisingly, finding and hiring the right videographer was nothing less than a challenge. But now that I have conquered this minor search skirmish, I am here to assist you. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps that led me to a reliable and suitable video-making professional.
The preliminary step I followed before starting the search was outlining my project’s specific requirements and getting more clarity on what I wanted. Various professionals specialize in different types of video production, so understanding your exact needs and goals becomes necessary.
Consider the type of video you need. There are several types of videos companies prefer, depending on their needs. Be it a promotional video or an event highlight, each kind requires its own expertise. You can observe some famous choices from the graph below.
Additionally, I would suggest you decide on the scope of your project. What kind of camera setup you will need, and will it be single-camera or multi-camera production? This will help you match your needs to the professional’s experience and equipment.
Once done with defining my requirements, I started researching potential video-makers. Since I wasn’t sure where to begin, I utilized online platforms like portfolios, social media, and professional directories.
A piece of advice I would give you in this step is to check out the samples of past work to assess their style and quality. A strong portfolio demonstrates experience and skill, which can help you gain more confidence in their ability to meet your expectations.
Also, when reviewing portfolios, prioritize consistency as most professionals offering video production services often showcase their best projects, but you want someone whose work is reliable and high-quality across the board. You can even consider asking for references or testimonials to get a sense of their reliability and customer satisfaction.
You need to remember that not all video-making professionals are equal, therefore it’s important to ensure their skills align with your project. Some key areas that I evaluated and would suggest you do the same are technical proficiency, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
Technical skills should include their mastery of camera equipment, lighting setups, and editing software. Trust me, you do not want to hire someone who cannot handle the stress and issues they might experience at certain points in the work, so inquire about their process from pre-production to post-production, this will assure you of their abilities.
Creativity is a significant factor in such jobs. A reliable professional should bring innovative ideas to the table, respecting your vision at the same time. Collaborating with someone who understands storytelling can elevate your project, turning it into something much more than just a visually appealing video.
FUN FACT
While many successful filmmakers come from prestigious film schools, a significant number are self-taught. Famous directors like Quentin Tarantino and James Cameron didn’t follow traditional paths.
An important step in selecting a professional is to understand the costs involved. Video production budgets vary largely depending on various factors like complexity, location, and timeline of the shoot.
I did not want any surprise fees after the shoot, which is why I asked for detailed quotes from potential hires and ensured all costs were transparent. This also helped me confirm that the professional’s rates fit within my budget.
Do not forget that the cheapest option may not always be the best—quality often comes at an expense, but from my experience, I can tell you that it’s worth the investment for a polished final product.
As they say, communication is the key. Clear communication is essential throughout the video production process. A reliable professional should prioritize and understand your needs and maintain consistent updates.
To avoid any communication and scheduling gaps, I asked about their availability to ensure they can meet my deadlines.
I would advise everyone to discuss in advance their update schedules during the project and their preferred methods of communication. Clear timelines for shooting and editing phases are also essential to avoid any uncertainties and delays.
In the end, from my overall experience, I can say that high-quality video production can greatly impact the success of your project. And trust me, the right professional makes all the difference. By understanding your needs, researching thoroughly, evaluating skills, and ensuring clear communication, you can confidently hire a video-making expert to effectively bring your vision to life.
