Partner Teams Rely on Pro Video Production Agencies

Partner teams combine resources to improve their impact on consumers and open up marketing opportunities that may not have otherwise been possible. For any marketing campaign, professional video production can elevate your success and leave lasting impressions of your brands. 

Learn why pro video production has become a crucial tool for partner teams. 

Why In-House or Freelance Video Approaches Fall Short

In-house or freelance video production may be suitable for specific types of content, such as passive social media content or videos with specialized visual effects (VFX). However, they often fall short of pro video productions from full-service video agencies. 

In-house production teams require significant investments into equipment, video software, and training, which can result in hefty upfront costs. And even with the right equipment and extensive training, internal team members may still lack the innovative approach of experienced video professionals, potentially limiting your quality and scalability. Only using internal teams can also restrict collaboration when working with partners who expect high levels of quality or may want to get involved in the production processes themselves.

Freelancers and freelance teams are often skilled at particular aspects of film, such as professional videography or editing. However, they typically can't support your team throughout all of the key stages of video production, from pre-production through distribution. Additionally, working with multiple freelancers can limit quality consistency and return on investment (ROI) compared to working with a single, full-service team. 

Key Benefits of Working With Professional Video Production Agencies

Pro video production companies have unique experience, specialized equipment, flexible schedules, and other crucial resources. This gives their professional video production services several key advantages over other production options for partner teams, especially when using market development funds (MDF).

Specialized Expertise & Creative Talent

Pro video production agencies comprise talented video experts with diverse experiences and skill sets beyond what you'll find with most in-house teams. Working with an agency with a broad set of skills ensures expert care is taken with every aspect of your professional video.

Key pro video production skills include:

• Script-writing

• Pre-production logistics

• Cinematography

• Lighting

• Sound mixing and editing

• Video editing

• Motion graphics

Dedicated video experts also offer fresh creative perspectives you won't always get in house. Because they're external to the company, a pro production team can offer objective and out-of-the-box perspectives and solutions you may not have otherwise considered. 

For instance, they may suggest strategic camera angles and storytelling techniques that push your narrative and intended emotional impact. They'll also ensure your video strategies, from your messaging to your distribution platforms, match your target audience.

Advanced Equipment and Technology

High-quality cameras are expensive and not always the best financial investment for in-house production purposes. Pro video production agencies are typically well-stocked with high-end cameras, audio equipment, lights, and video editing software. Some companies also invest in specialized gear to make your production stand out even more, such as drones, cranes, and studio space. 

Partnering with a production company with the right resources limits your financial burden while significantly expanding your technical capabilities. You can capture a polished, visually engaging final video that raises your brand credibility without having to budget for each piece of equipment yourself. 

Cost & Time Efficiency

From developing scripts and storyboards to editing hours of footage, professional video production can be a long, painstaking process. Outsourcing to pro production services lets you and your partners focus on your core responsibilities and greater marketing strategies rather than complex video logistics. 

High-quality agencies, such as Charter & Co, have streamlined workflows and processes that reduce costly delays, retakes, and other setbacks. Additionally, years of experience mean that each professional works more quickly than someone still learning the craft of videography or video editing. You can put out a great-looking finished video in less time, without breaking your budget.

Strategic Alignment With MDF Campaigns

MDF campaigns can elevate your budget and creative possibilities, but your content must stay aligned with your partner's marketing objectives. Pro video production teams keep your project focused on your key goals and can hone in on your target audience to potentially raise your MDF amount. 

Video production experts craft engaging stories with strategic camera angles, color schemes, cuts, audio, and other video elements that drive emotional connections. This improves your messaging and makes viewers more likely to stick around for your call to action (CTA), potentially raising your lead generation, social media engagement, and other metrics. 

Professional agencies are up to date with the latest industry trends, practices, and tools, so your content stays relevant and tailored to your unique audience's top platforms. Additionally, pro companies can offer better flexibility and scalability than freelance or in-house teams. It's easy to scale your production needs up or down depending on your MDF requirements, campaign goals, and the types of video content you're creating. 

How To Choose the Video Production Agency That Delivers the Best ROI

A video production agency takes care of most of the video production process, from script-writing through post-production, while aligning your content with your vision and goals. Partnering with a video company to develop your marketing campaign is important for maximizing your marketing potential, your ROI, and your campaign insights. 

However, not all production teams are alike. Each offers different professional video production services and specialties, and even top-notch video teams may not meet your brand's unique stylistic needs. 

Choosing a pro video production provider requires considering key evaluation criteria, including:

• Portfolio quality: Check out each agency's previous work, including portfolios and demo reels, to get an idea of their styles, techniques, and production quality. See if any previous videos match the aesthetic you are interested in, and evaluate how well the agency adapts to each brand's different style and needs. 

• Collaboration process: Partner teams require your video productions to meet both of your brand's goals and requirements, especially when working with MDF. Review customer testimonials and case studies to verify that the production company is collaborative and will include you in the production process. 

• Reporting: Viewership metrics, social media engagement, link clicks, and other analytics indicate how effectively your content achieves your goals, even when the only goal is brand awareness. These insights can refine your best marketing strategies, support MDF renewal, and make your projects more financially appealing to partners. 

• Budget: Some video production companies, such as corporate-focused agencies, charge more than others. Defining your precise marketing goals helps you estimate your potential ROI and determine an appropriate budget accordingly. 

• Project-specific needs: Certain full-service production companies may offer specialized services that you won't find at every agency, such as drone footage, animation, and dedicated marketing and discovery processes. Understand your specific project needs to choose the best video marketing company for your partner teams' current and future campaigns. 

What To Expect When Partnering With a Pro Video Agency

A professional full-service production team such as Charter & Co will walk you through each step of the video production process, from concept to delivery. This collaborative workflow focuses on your marketing goals, your creative vision, and any restrictions of your partner team, such as not making your partnership appear like a sponsorship.

The key stages of the production workflow include:

• Strategy and discovery: The team will first learn about your target audience, your goals, and your brand standards to develop the best strategic approach for your marketing objectives. This includes your best platforms, video formats, and CTAs.

• Script-writing and storyboarding: The agency will put your ideas on paper to refine your message and visualize your content before the camera even turns on. This gives you time to make changes without impacting production. 

• Production preparation: Producers will handle the logistics of your video production by securing locations, scheduling crew members, and maintaining transparent communication with you and relevant partners. 

• Filming: Next, your agency will use its equipment, crew, and pre-production plan to capture your content. This production stage may only be one or a few days, but it's often the most expensive step, stressing the importance of thorough pre-production prep. 

• Video and sound editing: Professional editors will review, trim, and juxtapose into a polished cut that meets your expected format and quality standards. Agencies such as Charter & Co also offer additional post-production services, including motion graphics, voiceovers, and licensed music. 

• Distribution and advertising support: Marketing-focused agencies will help you publish your content on the right platforms at the best possible times. Beyond that, regular performance tracking and feedback loops will help the agency identify which content does and doesn't work for your unique audience, raising the impact of your next campaign. 

Start Maximizing Your Results With Charter & Co

Charter & Co is a Chicago-based pro video production agency focused on supporting partner teams. Our integrated creativity and performance reporting processes boost the impression that each marketing video leaves with viewers, delivering content that's both fresh and effective. 

Choose Charter & Co for video production to elevate your video quality, ROI, and partner trust. Get in touch now to get started.