What to Ask an Explainer Video Company?

1. What is Their Experience in Your Industry?

One of the first things to determine is whether the company has experience in your industry. A company with a portfolio of videos within your industry likely has a better understanding of your target audience and the challenges you face. Look at their previous explainer videos to see if they’ve worked with similar brands or products. Their familiarity with your field could mean fewer rounds of feedback and quicker alignment on ideas.

Why This Matters

Explainer videos are all about delivering complex ideas in a simple way. If a company is already familiar with your niche, they will be able to create a more accurate and compelling message for your specific audience.

2. What’s Their Video Creation Process?

Understanding the creation process can give you an idea of what to expect, as well as how organized and methodical the company is. A reputable explainer video company will have a structured process that involves discovery, scripting, storyboarding, design, animation, and post-production. Each of these stages plays an essential role in the quality and effectiveness of the final product.

Key Stages to Look For

1. Discovery Phase: This is where the company should get to know your brand, audience, and goals.
2. Scripting and Storyboarding: A good company will offer a script draft and storyboard for approval before moving into production.
3. Design and Animation: Ask if they use in-house designers or outsource this work.
4. Feedback and Revisions: Clarify how many rounds of revisions are included in the project scope.

3. How Do They Approach Customization?

Some video companies use templates or pre-designed characters, while others build everything from scratch. It’s essential to ask whether they offer fully customized videos tailored to your brand’s personality, tone, and unique value. A customized video ensures that your animated explainer video stands out, as opposed to blending in with cookie-cutter solutions.

Consider Branding Elements

Ask the company if they will incorporate your brand colors, logos, and other visual assets to maintain brand consistency. Customization can be more costly, but it can also make a significant difference in how unique and effective the final video is.

4. Can They Show You a Portfolio of Their Work?

An explainer video company should be able to showcase a solid portfolio of past work. Request to see videos they’ve created in various styles—animated, live-action, 2D, or 3D—to assess their versatility and skill. Make sure to look at examples of both product explainer videos and brand stories to see the range of work they can produce.

What to Look For in a Portfolio

• Quality of Animation: Is it smooth, well-executed, and visually appealing?
• Clarity of Message: Does the video communicate the message effectively and concisely?
• Engagement Factor: Are the videos engaging and captivating to watch?

5. What is the Estimated Timeline for Completion?

Video production takes time, so ask about the timeline to ensure that it aligns with your goals and deadlines. The typical timeline for creating explainer videos can range from 4-8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the video. Understanding the timeline will help you plan your marketing campaigns accordingly.

Potential Delays

It’s common for minor delays to occur, especially during the feedback stages. Make sure you know what could potentially delay the timeline, such as extensive revisions, changes in the script, or adjustments to animations.

6. What Pricing Model Do They Use?

Explainer videos can vary widely in price depending on customization, video length, style, and production quality. Ask the company about their pricing model, whether it’s a flat fee or hourly rate, and what each package includes. Many explainer video services offer packages with different levels of complexity and production quality, so it’s helpful to understand what’s included at each level.

Get a Detailed Cost Breakdown

To avoid surprises, ask for a breakdown of costs, including any extra charges for revisions, scriptwriting, voiceovers, or rush delivery. This transparency ensures that you can budget effectively and avoid unexpected expenses.

7. Do They Offer Scriptwriting Services?

Scriptwriting is a crucial element of an effective explainer video. Some companies offer scriptwriting as part of their package, while others may charge extra or expect you to provide a script. If you don’t have a dedicated writer, hiring a company that provides scriptwriting services can be advantageous.

Importance of a Good Script

The script sets the tone, communicates the key message, and helps keep the video concise. A professional scriptwriter who understands explainer videos can make a big difference in the video’s quality and effectiveness.

8. Who Will Be the Point of Contact?

It’s essential to know who you’ll be communicating with throughout the production process. A dedicated account manager or project lead can streamline communication and ensure consistency in your feedback and requirements. This point of contact will likely play a significant role in managing timelines, addressing concerns, and updating you on progress.

Why It Matters

A clear line of communication is essential to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that any adjustments or issues are promptly addressed.

9. What Types of Revisions Are Included?

Video production often requires multiple rounds of revisions. Before starting the project, clarify the number of revisions included in the cost and how much additional revisions might cost. Make sure you also know what type of changes are allowed at each stage of production, from script changes to final edits.

Common Revision Phases

• Script Revision: Before moving to animation, the script should be approved.
• Storyboard Revision: Check the visual flow before design.
• Animation Revision: Minor adjustments to the timing, transitions, and effects.

10. Can They Provide Performance Analytics and Video Hosting Options?

Some video companies offer additional services such as video hosting and performance analytics. These tools can be invaluable in tracking how well the video resonates with viewers, where they drop off, and how to optimize future videos. Understanding your video’s performance can be beneficial for future marketing strategies.

What to Expect from Analytics

Typical metrics include play rate, engagement rate, completion rate, and viewer location. If analytics is important to your strategy, make sure the video company provides this service or works with a third-party platform to offer these insights.

11. What Rights Will You Have to the Video?

It’s crucial to discuss intellectual property rights and ownership before entering into a contract. Some companies retain the rights to their work, which may restrict your usage or require additional fees for certain platforms. Ensure that you’ll have the rights to use, edit, and distribute the video as you see fit after project completion.

Intellectual Property Concerns

• Usage Rights: Check if you can use the video on any platform without restrictions.
• Editing Rights: Ask if you’ll receive editable files and whether there are any limitations on making future edits.

Conclusion

Finding the right explainer video company can be a pivotal decision in the success of your video marketing strategy. By asking the right questions, you can ensure that you’re working with a company that aligns with your brand goals, understands your industry, and has a structured process to deliver a high-quality, engaging animated explainer video.