Looking to hire a video production company in your local area but not sure where to start? When searching for a 'Video Production company near me' you will end up with a ton of search options, so how do you choose the right video production company for your brand, company or business? There are many things you need to consider when hiring a video production company, one of the key determining factors might be to find a company that is located near to you or your business, so you can easily meet up and keep in touch throughout video production process. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps to take when researching local video production companies so you can find the perfect fit.
At Shootlab, our experienced video production team has supported over 200 companies with video projects across the UK. Keep reading to discover some helpful tips on how to find the best video production companies near you.”
Understanding Your Video Production Needs!
Before starting your search to hire a local video production company, it's important to have a clear understanding of your specific video requirements. This will help you effectively communicate your needs to prospects and determine if they are a good fit. Here are some key details to define:
The Purpose of Your Video
Before you start searching for a video production agency you need to ask yourself what do I want to achieve with this video project? You are then on a position to outline key details so you can communicate your needs and find companies that are a good match: Common video types include:
Commercials: Promote your products, services, or brand.
Corporate Videos: Training videos, company/brand overviews, recruitment videos.
Testimonials: Build trust with customer testimonials.
Video Blogs: Share tips, behind-the-scenes, or thoughts as value-added content.
Live Events: Concerts, conferences, weddings, or other live events.
Creative Content: Short films, music videos, or other artistic videos.
With clear goals and expectations, you can better evaluate if local video companies fit the bill.
Video Production Budget Range
Video production can vary widely in cost depending on your needs. Here are some typical price ranges:
Low Budget (£800 - £2,000): Best for simple videos with basic editing, shorter runtimes, minimal crew.
Moderate Budget (£2,000 - £15,000): Covers corporate and advertising videos, multi-day shoots, and professional editing.
High-end Budget (£15,000+): For long videos, high production value, extensive editing, and animation.
Evaluate your finances to set a realistic budget so you only consider affordable options. You want to maximise value while minimising costs.
Timelines for Video Production
Do you need the video completed on a tight deadline for an upcoming event or promotion? Or is your schedule more flexible? Provide clear time expectations so the company can realistically assess if they can deliver based on your timeframe. Rushed schedules can negatively impact quality.By outlining your purpose, budget, and timeline upfront, you provide the criteria video production companies need to determine if they are the right match for your project.
Finding Video Production Companies In Your Area
Once your needs are defined, it’s time to start searching for promising video production companies in your local area. Here are some techniques to build your prospects list and learn about the best ways to discover local video production options:
Network Locally
Enhance your Local Network - When on the quest to find the ideal video production company in your vicinity, tap into local resources for valuable recommendations. Consult with business associations, your local chambers of commerce, as well as engage with local filmmaker groups to discover respected professionals in your region. Expand your network by joining relevant video production LinkedIn groups and exploring rosters of local arts or media organisations. Attend video production group meet-ups to connect with industry experts and enthusiasts. Don't underestimate the power of word-of-mouth – seek out recommendations within your community to uncover hidden gems in the local video production scene.
Check Online Directories
Explore online business directories such as Yelp, YellowPages, Google My Business, and specialised platforms like ProductionHUB , these are a good starting point to find relevant video companies near you. Enter specific search keywords like “video produc`tion”paired with your city, allowing you to peruse local listings. Take the time to scrutinise a companies profiles and services, identifying qualities and video services that align with your unique requirements. While directories offer a convenient starting point, delve deeper by visiting the official websites of potential companies to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
Harness the Power of Localised Google Searches: Initiate targeted Google searches using phrases like "video production companies near me" or "Brighton video production," incorporating your city name for precision. Identify companies with robust websites that exhibit strong local rankings. Delve into the Google Business Profile displayed in the knowledge panel, examining photos, videos, and customer reviews. A 'high rating' coupled with numerous reviews serves as a reliable indicator of a trustworthy video production provider.
Ask for Referrals
Your local network likely knows of video production options too. Ask colleagues, friends, clients, venue managers, wedding planners, or event promoters for companies they’ve partnered with. Getting referred by a trustworthy source helps start you off on the right foot. But still do your due diligence researching any recommendations. Following this four-pronged approach, several promising video production companies to evaluate further.
Make a list of promising video production companies in your city or county for further research.
Evaluating Local Video Production Firms
Now it’s time to vet candidates thoroughly to determine the best fit. Compare and contrast options using these important criteria:
Review Their Portfolio and Previous Work
Watch several portfolio samples from each local company to get a feel for their video style. Judge whether you like the look and quality of their past productions, this should give you a good idea of their Videography skills as well as their video editing skills. Does their general aesthetic and approach align with the vision you have for your video? Make sure you see work similar to yours, not just their highlight reel. You must also find a video company that is able to create a film that is both engaging and appeals to your customers.”
Read Client Testimonials and Reviews
Before hiring a video production company, ask them to provide references and testimonials from their previous clients. You can use these references to verify the claims of the video production company. Browse online reviews on Google, Facebook, and other review sites to get candid client feedback. How does the company fare on ratings, responsiveness, service experience, and delivering high-quality videos on time and on budget? Good reviews indicate satisfied customers and reduce project risk. But don't write prospects off based on just one or two negative critiques if most seem positive. You can always get in touch with previous clients of the video production company and ask them about their experience with the company. You can then find out whether the company is reliable and if they met their clients needs.
Evaluate Relevant Experience with Your Type of Video
A company who mainly does commercial work may not be the best fit for producing your indie film. Seek those with proven project experience closely matching your specific needs.
For example, for a corporate recruitment video, you want a company well-versed in representing brands positively through video.
Research Their Equipment and Production Capabilities
Modern video equipment and production tools result in higher-quality outputs and increased editing capability. Ask what cameras, lenses, stabilisers, lighting, mics, editing software and other gear they utilise.
See if they use in-house equipment or rentals. Renting can provide access to more advanced tools for your budget.
Understand Their Pricing Approach
Video production quotes vary based on the scope of your project and needs. Get clarity upfront on how they price their services to avoid surprise add-ons later.
Ask if they charge by the project, per hour, per day, or other model. See if they provide discounts for multi-video contracts.
Request References
Ask prospects if they can provide two or three references you can contact about their experience during past video projects. Calling a former client offers invaluable insights
Speaking to someone directly gives you a better feel for what it will be like to work with this company. Evaluating and comparing providers across these criteria will reveal those most qualified for your particular video production needs and preferences.
Identify the top 2-3 local contenders from your research to move forward with.
Setting Up an Initial Consultation
Once you’ve narrowed options to two or three top contenders and , the next step is to set up exploratory calls or meetings and selecting the right Local Video Partner This is a chance to learn more before committing.
Prepare Questions in Advance
Compile a list of questions that are important for you to have answered to make an informed decision. For example:
How is your production process structured from start to finish?
How long will this project take based on my timeline?
How many revisions rounds are included?
How do you communicate during the project?
Who will be my main point of contact?
Can I see examples of scripts or storyboards?
Leave time for them to ask clarifying questions on your vision and needs as well. The more details they understand upfront, the more accurate the estimate they can provide.
Gauge How Well They Understand Your Project
Notice how interested they seem in the context and goals for your production. Do they ask thoughtful questions and listen attentively?
Are they genuinely excited by the prospect? Their level of curiosity indicates how invested they may be in achieving great results for you.
Assess Your Rapport and Communication Styles
Consider not just their qualifications but your interpersonal dynamic. You’ll be communicating frequently throughout the project, so it’s important you are comfortable working with them.
Do you click on a personal level? Do they “get” you and your vision? The collaboration will go smoother if your communication styles mesh well.
This is also a chance for you to share examples to convey the look, feel, and tone you want for your video. Give them a sense of your priorities and preferences.
The more context they gain, the more customised their proposal can be. Just be wary of oversharing creative details before you have a contract in place.
Making the final decision on which Video Production Company to Select
After completing the research and consultations, compare the frontrunners against each other to make your final choice:
Compare Pros and Cons
Create a simple table listing the benefits each company offers along with any drawbacks or gaps compared to your needs and budget. Seeing them side-by-side on paper can provide a helpful perspective.
Trust Your Instincts
There are objective factors to judge, but also listen to your overall impression from interacting with the company. Did you feel entirely comfortable with them? Confident they could deliver what you hoped for?
Sometimes that gut feeling ends up being right. It can tip the scales when all else seems equal.
Key Takeaways: Finding the Right Local Video Production Company
Here are the key steps to recap when searching for a talented video production partner in your region:
Clearly define the purpose, budget range, and timeline for your video project.
Search online directories, Google, local organisations, and ask for referrals to build your prospects list.
Vet companies thoroughly looking at portfolios, reviews, relevant experience, production capabilities, pricing, and by requesting references.
Set up exploratory calls or meetings with your top 2-3 contenders.
Evaluate pros/cons, your impressions, and contract details to make your final choice.
Trust your instincts throughout the process to find the best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a professional video production company cost?
The cost can range dramatically based on the length, production quality, number of filming days, editing time required, and other variables. A simple 3-minute company overview video could cost £2,000 - £4,000. A high-production commercial could range from £2,000 - £15,000. Get quotes from a few companies to compare pricing.
Should I work with a local or national video production company?
There are benefits to both. Larger national companies have vast expertise but may lack connections to great local talent. Smaller local providers know the geography, have lower travel costs, but have smaller teams. Evaluate options case-by-case weighing portfolios, experience, pricing, and responsiveness.
What questions should I ask during a video production consultation?
Key questions include: How does your production and revision process work? How long will my project take? What equipment do you use? Who will be my main point of contact? Can I see examples of your work in my specific niche? How flexible are you on pricing for multi-video contracts? Ask plenty of questions upfront before signing a contract.
What contracts terms should I look out for?
Review the video licensing rights, number of revision rounds, total costs, payment terms, cancellation policies, who owns the raw footage, and liability details. Get any vague points clarified before signing. Also consider asking for 2-3 references to contact about their experience.
Should I provide creative direction or let the company drive the process?
Offer clear direction on your goals, preferred visual style, where it will be used, target audience, and other relevant context. But also stay open to their creative expertise - they are the professionals after all! Find the balance between providing guidance while letting their talents shine through.
How can I get the most out of my video production budget?
Define must-have priorities upfront so spending stays focused on key areas that align to your goals. Consider constraining aspects like overly complex scenes, shooting days, travel, or props if needed to allocate budget where it has most impact. But don’t try to cut too many corners or quality may suffer.
Conclusion
Finding the best video production company in your area can be challenging, especially if you don’t know what to look for. As you can see there are many things you need to consider when hiring a video production company. Hopefully, this article has given you some insights and will help you in your search to find a great Video Production company for your business. Follow these tips to match promising local video companies to your specific needs and preferences. Soon you’ll be on your way to video success!
Shootlab are a content creation company based in Lewes, East Sussex. We offer a range of services for businesses and individuals, including Video Production Photography, Videography, Social Media Content Creation and Social Media Management. We have experience working with businesses of all sizes creating high-quality content for websites, blogs and social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.
Our Video Production team offers an extensive range of services, including full-service video production, Colour Grading, Freelance Cameraman Services, and Video editing. We create captivating Promo Videos for websites, edit short-form content for Instagram, produce engaging Facebook films, and even craft Brand Films. Additionally, we provide options for skilled videographers available at day rates and offer freelance Video Editing services.
Get in touch today EMAIL US
Check out our Website shootlab.co.uk
Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/theshootlab