There's a good reason why the global digital video advertising market is expected to reach a staggering $712.6 billion by the year 2031. For many businesses or organizations, video is essential for their marketing efforts.

It can be used to convey emotional stories that might get lost in print marketing. Or it can convey complex product ideas through animation. However, it's important to remember that your video marketing efforts will only be as good as the video production company you hire for the job.

So how do you go about choosing the perfect creatives for your next video project? In this guide, we'll be answering that question so you can have video content that your business will be proud of.

Define Your Video Production Needs

Before you even begin searching, the first thing you need to do is define your needs. What type of video does your company want to make? It could be an explainer video, commercial, documentary, testimonial, or training video.

You should also define the goals behind the video you want to make. Do you want to increase sales by a certain percentage, or increase traffic to your website or a specific page?

Maybe you want to inform employees or stakeholders about company changes. By asking these questions, you can set a clear objective for your video. It will also help you gauge the effectiveness of the video later on.

Gather a List of Options

Next, it's time to start gathering a list of video production companies operating in your area. A quick Google search is usually the best way to start this process. Just look up 'Toronto video production company.

During this time, you should rule out companies that have a lot of negative reviews. Since you will likely need to work together in person, you should make sure the companies are local.

Alternatively, you might be able to convince a specific production company to fly out to you. However, this will likely cost a lot more money. So make sure you have a big budget if you want to pursue it.

Explore Their Past Work

You don't want to just take a video production company's word that they can handle your project. You should be able to look through their past work and judge for yourself whether or not it meets your standards.

Ideally, the video production company will proudly display its past work. However, if you can't find it, don't be afraid to ask for a portfolio.

When looking at the work it's important to not just pay attention to the visual or audio quality (though you should do this). Make sure you're also paying attention to the quality of the storytelling and how the message is presented through the video.

Make Sure They Have Appropriate Experience

If you work with an amateur video producer, you're going to end up with content that not only looks and sounds bad but also takes a lot longer to complete.

That's why you want to make sure that they have an appropriate amount of experience for your company. This shouldn't just include years in the industry.

You also want to make sure that they've worked with similar businesses or video projects in the past. If they have a list of past high-profile clients, that's always a good sign.

People with the right experience will also keep up to date on the latest trends in video production. That way, they can make suggestions that will optimize the reach and relevance of whatever they produce for you.

Sit Down With the Team and Ask Questions

Before you hire a video production company, you'll first want to meet with them either in person or over video conference. You can think of this sit-down as an interview.

As such, you should prepare some questions to ask them. That way, you get a better sense of both their company and whether they're a good fit for your project. Here are some good questions that you should consider asking.

Is This a Collaborative Workplace?

Collaboration is vital for any video production. Why? Because while the production company might be the expert in all things video, you're the expert in your industry.

That means that only you can provide certain insights and ideas that can make your video more effective. Certain video companies will simply suggest an idea and then proceed with it even though you might have hidden concerns.

Avoid these companies. Instead, go with video production companies that prioritize communication skills. That way, you can both give input during brainstorming sessions to land on the most effective ideas for your specific video project.

How Do You Incorporate Storytelling Into Your Work?

Since humans could first speak them into existence, stories have been a way for us to communicate complex histories, mythologies, and emotions. These days, given our love of movies, television, books, or even the latest gossip, it shouldn't come as a surprise that storytelling is more relevant than ever.

However, as this resource notes, besides connecting us, storytelling can also be a powerful persuasion tool. For example, let's say you're a non-profit. By telling an individual story that's related to your cause, you can create empathy that can influence people to donate to your organization.

Or if you're a business, you can create a commercial explaining a common problem people have through a narrative. This puts the viewer in the character's shoes, which makes them more likely to buy your product.

Because it's such a useful device, you should ask the video production some of the ways they've incorporated storytelling into their work. Then ask them if they have any ideas on how it can be effectively utilized for your project.

What's Your Usual Production Process?

There are three stages of the production process: pre-production, production, and post-production.

Pre-production deals with all the concept development for the video. It includes making a storyboard, writing the script, and hiring cast members.

Production involves the actual shooting of the video. It will require cameras, crew, professional lighting, and audio equipment.

Lastly, there's post-production. This involves all of the editing, both the video and the audio. This is also the time when animation or graphics are added.

It's important to ask this question because certain companies might only deal with one or two areas of the production process. It can be a lot more convenient to have a one-stop-shop of a company that does all three.

What Different Types of Video Can You Offer?

Generally speaking, there are typically three different options you can get when it comes to videos. The first type is a live-action video. Live-action video uses real humans using written dialogue or interviews.

It's a fantastic way to tell stories since it gives a real-life face to the characters. Live-action video is also great for showing off new products if they're in physical form.

The second type is motion graphics and animations. These use animated characters and objects in place of real humans. These animations can be as simple as stick figures or as complicated as fully drawn characters.

One of the greatest powers of animation is the ability to take complex ideas and break them down into something easily understandable. The last type of video is mixed media.

As you can guess, this medium combines live action with animation. It's a great happy compromise between the two.

For example, let's say you have a digital service company. You might want animation to explain your service and interviews to show the personal side of your team. Mixed media can deliver both of these things to you.

Can You Give Us a Quote?

Video production work can be costly. However, the exact amount that you pay for it will ultimately depend on the scope of the project.

Certain types of videos are going to be a lot more expensive than others. For example, a simple interview filmed for a social media release is going to be a lot more affordable than a nationwide television commercial.

As such, you should make sure to ask for a rough estimate of the project cost you want to keep. Any good video production company shouldn't have a problem with adjusting to your budget.

However, if you're on a tight budget, you might need to compromise in terms of your project. A few thousand dollars likely won't get you a massive production. But you can still use it effectively for your marketing or communication needs.

Ready for a Quality Video Production Company? Contact Viva Media

We hope this guide helped you learn how to choose the best video production company. Here at Viva Media, we know how challenging it can be to stand out in the digital age. That's why we're devoted to providing businesses like yours with exceptional video content that grabs attention while persuading the viewer. 

To do this, we prioritize collaboration and clear marketing goals for all of our clients. So if you're ready to learn more about how we can provide the best video production in Toronto, get in touch with us today.