4 Red Flags When Hiring Video Production Vendors: What In-House Teams Need to Know

Choosing the right external video production vendor can make or break your project. With so many agencies and production companies out there vying for your business, how do you separate the true pros from the wannabes?

This guide will help you spot key red flags when hiring video production vendors, so you can make smart decisions that align with your brand's vision and goals.

Red Flag #1: The "Yes" Company "We got this."

What to watch for: A vendor that agrees with everything you say without offering any constructive feedback or alternative ideas.

Why it's a problem: This approach often signals a lack of creativity, confidence, or genuine interest in your project's success. A valuable partner should bring fresh perspectives to the table.

What to do: Try asking for their opinions on your creative ideas. A good agency or video production company should be able to challenge your concepts constructively and offer innovative solutions.

Red Flag #2: The One-Size-Fits-All Approach

"We've produced all kinds of videos across your company. We know your brand's style."

What to watch for: A vendor that claims to understand your brand's "singular" video style, ignoring the diverse needs of different projects.

Why it's a problem: Here's the thing: each video should have its unique style guided by its purpose and target audience. A cookie-cutter approach can result in bland, ineffective content.

What to do: Ask for case studies of diverse projects they've completed. Get them to explain their approach to each and how they adapted to different briefs and challenges.

Red Flag #3: Focusing on the "How" Instead of the "Why"

What to watch for: A vendor that's more concerned with logistics and budget than understanding your video's purpose and message.

Why it's a problem: They’re not producing widgets. They need to understand what the video is really about to provide valuable, relevant ideas for bringing it to life.

What to do: Ask if they have questions about the video's purpose, audience, and message. If they don't, prompt them to share their understanding of your project's goals and target audience.

Red Flag #4: Poor Communication

What to watch for: Delayed responses, unclear proposals, or a general lack of professionalism in communications.

Why it's a problem: Effective collaboration is crucial for successful video production. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and subpar results. Not fun for anyone involved.

What to do: Pay attention to their responsiveness and clarity during the initial interactions. Ask about their project management process and how they handle client communications throughout a project.

The Bottom Line: Choose a True Partner

Choosing the right video production company isn't just about technical skills or an impressive portfolio. It's about finding a true partner who gets your brand, brings fresh ideas to the table, and communicates effectively throughout the process.

By keeping an eye out for these red flags, you'll be in a much better position to select a video production partner that can help take your brand's visual storytelling to the next level. Remember, a great partnership is built on trust, open communication, and shared goals.

Are you looking to improve your creative operations, project management, or video production processes? Head over to infocusconsulting.net to learn more about our creative operations consulting services. We'd love to work with you directly to enhance your creative operations, including project, client, vendor, team, and asset management.

Got any questions, comments, or suggestions for future topics related to creative operations? Drop me a line at jesse@infocusconsulting.net. I'd love to hear from you!