When it comes to storytelling mediums, it is difficult to match the power of video. Since the invention of moving pictures in 1892, the power of video has been undeniable. There is a downside though; producing quality video requires technical expertise and talent.
If you want to start using video for your business, you will need to have qualified people on your side. If you have never hired for a creative position before, it can be hard to know whether a prospect is qualified or not. The answer to this dilemma is simple; ask questions.
Asking the Right Questions
Asking questions is an integral part of any interview process. If you are uncertain what kind of questions to ask, use this list to get started.
- How long have you worked in the industry?
Years of experience may not be a guarantee of success, but it is a useful yardstick. In reality, a number of factors affect your decision. This question is a good starting point for conversation about specific experience, timetables and cost.
- What is the essence of your service?
In other words, you are asking the individual to explain his or her service in a single sentence. It is easy to come up with a clever mission statement; do not be drawn in by clever but ultimately meaningless statements. As with every question, the answer should be a springboard to other questions.
- How do you plan to capture and relate the many stories that will emanate from my event?
Any major event is likely to generate a number of different stories. Every attendee experiences your event in his or her own way. The challenge is to distill a large number of stories into just a few representative stories, then weave those stories into a cohesive end product. When you do this well, you end up with a memorable video. If you do this poorly, it will look more like bad reality TV.
- How do you plan to leverage my existing video content?
The odds are high that you already have some existing video content. The content you have required time and resources to produce. If you can leverage your existing content when you create future content, you increase your return on investment.
- What support will you provide?
Before you sign the contract, it is important to know exactly what you are getting. What type of support do you expect from your provider? Be sure that his or her responsibilities are clearly understood before you make your final decision. This protects you from future difficulties.
- How do you measure success?
There are many ways to define success. Does success mean producing a quality product? Does success mean having a wide audience for your project? Maybe success is all about the return on investment. Whatever the answer is, make sure that you and your vendor are on the same page.
Hiring a creative individual to manage an unfamiliar project is an exhilarating process, but there are potential pitfalls to be aware of.