Lifestyle

Hiring videographer – the ultimate guide

Online videos can be an incredible marketing tool and attract numerous customers for most companies. If you don’t believe us, let’s check out these facts: 

Did you know that 60% of people like to watch more online videos than television? YouTube has become one of the most engaging platforms where 1 billion hours of videos are watched daily. Last but not least, viewers retain nearly 95% of the information they receive through a video. 

But, what does this mean for your business? Well, it indicates that customers prefer watching video content to reading about your brand. Unfortunately, not all can make great videos, and that’s why we have to hire a videographer. 

If you don’t know where to start, you can check out a videographer in Dubai. You can find professionals that can offer you great rates. Now, let’s see how you can find the right person or production company for this job? 

Review their specialty; are they a good fit? 

Not all videographers or production companies are the same. The majority of them have some sort of specialty, like presenting themselves as generalists, which isn’t a good match to you. Generalists usually do generic work. But we have a couple of methods to help you determine whether you have found a good fit. 

Check out which genre of work they specialize in. For instance, you should know the difference between essence and informational video. Additionally, you need to know what questions to ask and force videographers to demonstrate their skills on a particular example. 

Make sure to review their portfolio to see whether they have worked on similar projects. If you don’t find anything that resembles the videos you want, you may have to ask for more examples with your direction. Not all projects require a specialist; sometimes, a generalist will do an amazing job. 

Go for quality

More often than not, production companies or videographers will show you a demo reel, where they put all their best work. But, in some cases, quality can be deceiving. It’s important to watch multiple videos and ask yourself whether these videos accomplish your goals. 

If you have issues locating full-length videos on their website, head to Vimeo or YouTube. 

Look for reasonable pricing

Many production companies and videographers will bill you according to actual materials and time spent. If you want to stay on a budget, hire a company or a videographer that has a fixed rate and get that in writing. 

Unfortunately, creatives don’t often anticipate everything required for a project, so it’s better not to risk with them. On the other hand, don’t underestimate the pre-production process. In some fixed rate situations, the videographer will apply a change fee if you change your mind mid-process. 

Don’t neglect flakiness

Since videographers are artistic people, they tend to use more their right side of the brain than the left one, which means that organization might not be their strongest suit. This could potentially work for you, as long as you are flexible. 

The most common complaint we hear is that videographers don’t stay on the originally discussed schedule. To avoid further delays, do a test. Request a proposal, specify you want a complete description and goals of the project, and ask them when you can expect to see a completed video. 

Did they deliver on time? Did their work clearly articulate your goals? If yes, you are free to proceed; if not, run away and don’t look back. 

Look for the right level of production 

One person might have limited equipment and not offer you the reliability and expertise you require. On the other hand, a production company with a studio might be too much. So, how do you find a balance? 

You need to find a person or a company that matches your needs. For example, suppose you run an organization that wants to boost its marketing strategy or promote a brand and requires a high-quality video filmed in 4k or higher. In that case, you will choose a production company. 

But, if your project is less demanding, you can hire a videographer. Even with limited resources and gear, they will do an amazing job. 

Final note 

When it comes to clients, they are looking for the three main priorities, quick turnaround, high-quality, and low price. As a client, you can only have two. Even if video production companies and videographers promise all kinds of wonders, they can hardly deliver. 

For example, you can’t get a high-quality video in a few days. This is a process that requires detailed planning and organization.