Unlocking the secret to captivating explainer videos doesn't involve a magic wand (though a talented animator might feel like one!). It hinges on partnering with the right explainer video agency, a team capable of transforming your complex brand story into a concise, engaging narrative that truly resonates.
Navigating the vast landscape of video production agencies can be daunting, even for seasoned video marketers. Fear not, this comprehensive checklist will be your compass, guiding you through every crucial aspect, from portfolio scrutiny to contract clarity, and revealing hidden gems in animation style and production processes.
Portfolio Review
Get to Know: Can you share examples of explainer videos you've created for businesses similar to mine?
Rationale: Gauge their experience in our industry, assess animation style, and see if the videos resonate with our target audience.
Look For:
- Videos that clearly and effectively explain complex concepts relevant to our industry, catering to a similar target audience.
- High-quality animation that is visually engaging and professional, avoiding amateurish or outdated styles.
- A demonstrated ability to adapt their animation style to match the brand identity and tone of their clients.
Industry Experience
Get to know: Have you worked with clients in the [your industry] industry before?
Rationale: Confirm understanding of our industry's unique challenges and nuances.
Look For:
- Not just a simple ""yes,"" but specific examples of projects completed within our industry.
- Evidence that they've tackled common industry-specific challenges (e.g., regulatory compliance, technical terminology).
Team Expertise
Get to know: Which key team members would be involved in my project?
Rationale: Understand the team's expertise and who will be directly involved in our project.
Look For:
- Detailed team members core responsibilities, highlighting their role and skills in animation, scriptwriting, voice-over work, and project management.
- A team composition that demonstrates a balance of creative talent and technical expertise.
Communication Style & Responsiveness
Get to know: What is your typical process for communicating with clients throughout a project?
Rationale: Understand their project management and communication methods.
Look For:
- A well-defined communication process that includes regular updates, scheduled meetings or calls, and a designated point of contact.
- Clear expectations regarding response times to inquiries and feedback.
- Utilization of project management tools or platforms that facilitate communication, feedback sharing, and progress tracking.
Understanding of Your Target Audience
Get to know: How would you approach understanding my target audience and tailoring video style to resonate with them?
Rationale: Gauge their comprehension of how the target audience impacts animation choices.
Look For:
- A willingness to delve into our target audience research and demographics.
- Demonstrated ability to connect animation styles and narrative approaches to specific audience preferences and characteristics.
- Examples of past projects where they successfully targeted audience segments.
Service Offerings & Packages
Get to know: What specific services and packages do you offer that are tailored to explainer video projects?
Rationale: Evaluate the range of their capabilities and find options that best suit our needs.
Look For:
- Clearly defined service packages that cater specifically to explainer video production, including options for various levels of complexity and budget.
- A breakdown of the specific services included in each package (e.g., scriptwriting, storyboarding, animation styles, voice-over, music selection, revisions).
- Flexibility in customizing packages or adding à la carte services to meet our unique project needs.
Pricing & Transparency
Get to know: What's your typical pricing structure for explainer video projects?
Rationale: Establish a baseline understanding of project investment.
Look For:
- Clear and upfront pricing information, outlining different pricing models (e.g., per-minute, fixed project fee, or tiered packages).
- Detailed breakdowns of what factors influence pricing (e.g., video length, animation style, voice-over talent).
- Openness to discussing customized pricing based on our specific project scope and budget.
Scriptwriting Capabilities
Get to know: How does your team typically approach scriptwriting for explainer videos?
Rationale: Gauge their approach to crafting clear and concise narratives.
Look For:
- A collaborative approach to scriptwriting that involves understanding our brand message and target audience.
- A focus on creating scripts that are engaging, informative, and tailored to the chosen animation style.
- Experience in writing scripts that effectively convey complex information in a simple and accessible manner.
Style & Animation Capabilities
Get to know: What animation styles do you specialize in and which ones would you recommend for my project?
Rationale: Confirm they offer suitable animation styles for our message and brand.
Look For:
- Expertise in a variety of animation styles (e.g., 2D, 3D, whiteboard, motion graphics), demonstrating versatility and ability to cater to different needs.
- Strong justification for their style recommendation based on our specific project goals, brand identity, and target audience.
- Examples of past projects showcasing their mastery of the recommended animation style.
Voice-Over & Music Options
Get to know: How do you handle the selection of voice-over artists and what options are available?""
Rationale: Assess voice-over quality and options available, ensuring they match our desired tone.
Look For:
- Access to a diverse pool of professional voice-over artists with varying accents, tones, and styles.
- A clear process for selecting voice-over talent that aligns with our brand, target audience, and overall video aesthetic.
- Options for providing feedback and direction during the voice-over recording process to ensure alignment with our vision.
Project Management & Communication Process
Get to know: Describe your project management process and how you keep clients informed throughout the project.
Rationale: Understand how they manage projects and client communication.
Look For:
- A well-defined project management methodology that ensures clear timelines, roles, and responsibilities.
- Regular communication through scheduled check-in calls, email updates, and access to a dedicated project manager.
Revision & Feedback Process
Get to know: How many rounds of revisions are typically included in your explainer video packages?
Rationale: Understand the level of creative input and revisions we can expect.
Look For:
- A reasonable number of revision rounds included in the standard package.
- Transparency regarding the cost and timeframe for any additional revisions beyond the standard offering.
- A clear process for submitting feedback and reviewing revisions that facilitates collaboration and ensures client satisfaction.
Production Timeline & Deliverables
Get to know: What is a typical production timeline for an explainer video project of this scope?
Rationale: Get an estimate of project duration and assess feasibility.
Look For:
- Realistic timelines based on the project scope and complexity, including clearly defined milestones for each stage of production.
- Flexibility in adapting the timeline to accommodate our specific needs and deadlines, when possible.
Software & Tools
Get to know: What specific software and tools does your team use for creating explainer videos?
Rationale: Ensure they use reliable, industry-standard software and tools.
Look For:
- Proficiency in industry-leading animation software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D) and video editing tools.
- Utilization of tools that ensure high-quality output in various video formats and resolutions, optimized for different platforms.
Asset Ownership & Usage Rights
Get to know: Who owns the copyright and usage rights for the final explainer video?
Rationale: Establish clear ownership of the final video and associated assets.
Look For:
- Contracts that explicitly grant us full ownership and usage rights to the final video and its source files.
- Clearly defined limitations or restrictions, if any, regarding the usage of the video for different purposes or platforms.
Contract Terms & Conditions
Get to know: Can you provide a copy of their standard contract for me to review?
Rationale: Gain clarity on terms for payment, deliverables, and other essential aspects before signing.
Look For:
- A well-structured and clearly written contract that outlines all project deliverables, timelines, payment schedules, and revision procedures.
- Detailed clauses regarding intellectual property ownership, confidentiality, and dispute resolution.
References & Client Recommendations
Get to know: Would you be willing to provide contact information for a few of your past clients for me to speak with directly?
Rationale: Gain unbiased insights directly from their previous clients.
Look For:
- Willingness and enthusiasm to provide client references.
- Positive feedback from past clients regarding the agency's communication, professionalism, ability to meet deadlines, and the overall quality of their work.
Storyboard & Design Approval
Get to know: What is your process for creating and reviewing storyboards with clients?
Rationale: Understand their creative process and how they incorporate client feedback into the storyboard.
Look For:
- A collaborative approach to storyboard development that involves clear communication, visual examples, and opportunities for client feedback at multiple stages.
- A willingness to iterate on the storyboard based on our feedback to ensure it accurately reflects our vision and effectively communicates our message.
Rough Cut & Feedback
Get to know: When can I expect to see a rough cut of the video for feedback and review?
Rationale: Assess their process for feedback and understand the timeframe for receiving the first draft.
Look For:
- A reasonable timeframe for delivering the rough cut, allowing ample opportunity for feedback and revisions without causing project delays.
- A structured process for providing feedback that allows us to clearly communicate our suggestions and ensure they are accurately incorporated into the next iteration.
Voice-Over Recording Quality
Get to know: Can you provide examples of previous voice-over recordings from your team?
Rationale: Assess the quality of voice-over work and if it matches our brand and message.
Look For:
- Voice-over samples that demonstrate clear, professional recordings with excellent audio quality.
- Voice-over talent that can adapt their style and tone to match our brand identity and target audience.
Music & Sound Design
Get to know: What is your process for selecting or composing music that complements the video?
Rationale: Understand how they approach music selection or composition.
Look For:
- Access to a wide library of high-quality, royalty-free music or a willingness to work with us to select or license appropriate music tracks.
- A demonstrated understanding of how music can enhance the emotional impact and storytelling of the video.
Video Quality & Resolution
Get to know: What video resolutions and formats are typically delivered in explainer projects?
Rationale: Understand their standard delivery formats and resolutions to ensure compatibility with our needs.
Look For:
- Delivery of video files in industry-standard formats (e.g., MP4, MOV) and resolutions that are suitable for our intended platforms and viewing experience (e.g., HD, 4K).
File Delivery & Formats
Get to know: How will your studio deliver the final video files to us?
Rationale: Understand their file delivery method to prepare for receiving and managing the final product.
Look For:
- Secure and reliable file delivery methods (e.g., cloud storage platforms, FTP) that ensure easy access and efficient download.
- Flexibility in offering different file formats and resolutions to cater to our specific platform and usage needs.
Post-Production Support & Maintenance
Get to know: What type of support and maintenance does you studio after the final explainer video has been delivered?
Rationale: Understand their level of post-delivery support and potential options for future revisions or updates.
Look For:
- Clear communication about their post-production support policies, including any warranties or guarantees they offer.
- Options for ongoing support, such as minor updates, format conversions, or troubleshooting, with transparent pricing for these services.
Project Completion & Final Delivery
Get to know: What's the typical turnaround time for final video delivery once production is complete?
Rationale: Set expectations about final delivery timing and plan for incorporating the video into our content schedule.
Look For:
- Realistic delivery timelines for the final video files, taking into account potential revisions or unforeseen delays.
- Clear communication throughout the post-production process to keep us informed of progress and anticipate any potential delivery changes.
Payment & Final Invoicing
Get to know: What are your accepted methods of payment for explainer video projects?
Rationale: Ensure compatibility with internal payment processes.
Look For:
- Flexibility in offering multiple payment options, such as bank transfer, credit card payments, or online payment platforms, that are convenient and secure.
Overall Satisfaction & Evaluation
Get to know: How do you ensure client satisfaction with the final delivered explainer video?
Rationale: Assess their commitment to client satisfaction and their feedback processes.
Look For:
- A genuine interest in exceeding client expectations and building long-term relationships.
- Processes for soliciting feedback throughout the project lifecycle and a willingness to make adjustments based on our input.
Conclusion:
Investing in an explainer video can be a great video marketing strategy for your business, transforming complex ideas into engaging narratives that resonate with your target audience. But choosing the right explainer video studio can be a daunting task, given the abundance of agencies offering video production services.
This checklist serves as your guide through the process, ensuring you partner with an agency that understands your vision and delivers exceptional results.
This video agency checklist equips you to scrutinize potential explainer video agencies, going beyond superficial assessments. It helps you delve deeper into their service offerings, team expertise, animation studio capabilities, and production processes.
By utilizing these pointers, you can thoroughly evaluate each agency's ability to understand your target audience, craft compelling scripts, produce visually engaging videos, and effectively manage the entire video production lifecycle.
Finding the right explainer video studio is about more than just a slick portfolio. It's about finding a partner who understands your brand, your message, and your goals. By utilizing this checklist, you can establish a clear framework for communication, collaboration, and evaluation, setting the stage for a smooth and successful video production journey.
This in turn will ensure you select an agency whose services are best aligned with your needs and whose approach will translate your vision into a high-quality explainer video that elevates your brand and captivates your audience. Investing time and effort in selecting the right explainer video agency is a crucial step toward creating a video that effectively communicates your message and drives measurable results for your business.
With a clear roadmap and thoughtful evaluation process, you can leverage this checklist to transform your vision into a captivating explainer video that boosts your brand and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.
