Top 6 Questions to Ask a Video Production Company Before You Hire Them
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
✔ Ask clear questions about experience, process, communication, costs, timeline, and ownership to find the right fit.
✔ Define goals, audience, deliverables, and budget so proposals are accurate and aligned.
✔ Pick a partner who understands the brand, the business goals, and communicates clearly.
✔ Choose a team that explains each production phase so expectations and timelines are clear.
Before spending a single dollar on a video agency, it’s worth asking six smart questions so budget, time, and brand reputation don’t go to waste. With 51% of marketing professionals worldwide naming video as the type of content with the best ROI, choosing the right video production company isn’t just a creative decision—it’s a business one.
Hiring a team means trusting strangers with a brand, a story, and often a serious marketing investment. Get it right, and the result is a video that builds authority, drives leads, and looks incredible; get it wrong, and it becomes a forgettable clip that never makes it past a lonely YouTube upload.
6 Key Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Video Production Company
1. What experience do you have with projects similar to mine?
Ask video production services near me for examples, case studies, or testimonials from businesses like yours. Look for:
- Similar industries or audiences
- Similar formats (testimonial series, product launches, brand stories)
- Clear business outcomes, not just “it looks nice”
2. How do you handle the video production near me process from start to finish?
Invite video production services near me to walk you through their workflow step by step:
- How do they handle discovery and creative development?
- Who writes scripts and plans the shoot?
- What does the editing and revision process look like?
3. How will we collaborate, and who will be my main point of contact?
Clear communication from a commercial video production company can make or break a project. Ask:
- Who’s managing my project day to day?
- How often will I get updates?
- How do you prefer to receive feedback—email, project tool, or calls?
4. What is included in the cost, and what could be additional fees?
Request an itemized quote that breaks down:
- Pre-production (strategy, scripting, planning)
- Production (crew, gear, locations, talent, travel)
- Post-production (editing, music, graphics, revisions)
5. What is the estimated timeline for completion?
Ask video production services near me for a realistic timeline from kickoff to final delivery, plus:
- When you’ll see the first cut
- How long revisions typically take
- What happens if approvals on your side are delayed
6. Who owns the final video and the usage rights?
This is critical. Make sure your contract with video production agencies spells out:
- Who owns the raw footage
- Who owns the final edited video
- Where and how long you’re allowed to use it (website, social, paid ads, TV, internal)
How to Choose the Right Video Production Company (Before You Ask for a Quote)
Start by getting clear on your own needs. Ask yourself:
- What is the primary goal of this video? (Leads, sales, awareness, recruiting, training)
- Who is the target audience in the U.S. market, and where will they see it?
- Do you need one hero video or a whole set of shorter versions for social and ads?
Then look at each video production company through three lenses:
- Specialization – look for video production agencies that regularly create the formats most widely used in global marketing, like testimonial and explainer videos, along with product videos and brand films.
- Style – Does the video agency’s portfolio match the tone you want—polished and corporate, bold and edgy, or warm and human?
- Professionalism – Do they respond quickly, ask smart questions, and provide clear next steps?
Why Choosing the Right Video Production Agency Matters
For many Americans, a brand’s video is the first real “face-to-face” interaction. It’s what plays on your homepage, in your ads, at your next big conference, or in a pitch to investors.
The right video production agency does more than point cameras and hit the record button. A strong partner will:
- Translate business goals into a clear video strategy
- Protect your brand voice and visual identity
- Plan a clean, organized video production near me so you’re not stuck on set all day
- Deliver polished videos that are ready to plug into your marketing funnel
The Video Production Process Explained: From Idea to Final Cut
Understanding the basic breakdown of video production helps you spot real pros.
- Pre-production: Strategy, scriptwriting, storyboarding, casting, location scouting, and scheduling. This is where a serious video production agency will slow down, ask strategic questions, and make sure the plan supports your business goals.
- Production: The actual shoot days—cameras, lighting, audio, directing, and capturing both A-roll (main footage) and B-roll (supporting shots). A good commercial video production company will keep things efficient and comfortable, especially for non-actors.
- Post-production: Editing, color correction, sound design, music, graphics, and revisions. This is where your brand story is shaped, paced, and polished for your audience and platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should start planning as soon as you know a key date or campaign you want the video to support. Working backward from that date gives enough time for strategy, pre-production, and revisions without rushing. The more time you allow, the more options you’ll have creatively and logistically.
You don’t need a polished script before reaching out, but you should have a clear idea of your goals and audience. Many teams prefer that a commercial video production company help craft the script so it fits your strategy and brand voice. A rough outline or bullet points is usually enough to kick things off.
Before your first call, gather basic details like budget range, timeline, audience, and where the video will live. It also helps to pull two or three example videos you like and be ready to explain what works about them. This context gives video production agencies a much stronger starting point for ideas and pricing.
Both options can work well, but a local team can simplify logistics if you need on-site filming or frequent in-person meetings. If you search for “video production near me,” you might find smaller teams that know your region, venues, and local talent. Remote teams can still be a great fit if they’re set up for virtual collaboration and travel when needed.
Yes, a single production can often be edited into multiple versions for your website, social media, email, and ads. A good video agency will plan for this upfront so you capture enough footage for different lengths and formats in one shoot. This approach stretches your budget further and keeps your brand consistent across channels.
Choose an NYC Corporate Video Production Partner That Delivers!
Brands in competitive markets like NYC need corporate video that looks sharp and performs across channels. Our Corporate Video Production team in NYC manages strategy, scripting, on-site filming, and post-production to keep every asset aligned with brand goals. Schedule a call with our NYC Corporate Video Production specialists today to kick off the next project.