Never Get Burned Again: 5 Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring a Video Vendor
You had high hopes. A compelling story to tell. A team ready to collaborate. But somewhere along the way, things fell apart—deadlines slipped, the message got muddled, and you were left managing expectations with your board or leadership.
Sound familiar?
If a video vendor has ever burned you, you’re not alone. That’s why I created this vendor vetting checklist: five essential questions to ask before signing any contract. These questions will help you protect your investment, clarify expectations, and feel confident in your decision.
✅ 1. What’s Your Process From Start to Finish?
Why it matters: A professional video partner should have a clear roadmap for pre-production, production, and post-production. This gives you confidence in how the project will be managed and helps prevent last-minute surprises.
Red flag: If they “wing it” or can’t explain their timeline or milestones, that’s a sign to look elsewhere.
Follow-up tip: Ask for a sample timeline or production calendar from a past project.
✅ 2. How Do You Tailor Content to Our Mission and Audience?
Why it matters: You don’t need flashy content—you need the right message for the right people. The best partners will take time to understand your mission, values, and target audience.
Red flag: If they focus solely on style, gear, or formats without asking about your goals, they’re not aligned with your needs.
Follow-up tip: Ask them to describe a time they worked with a nonprofit or mission-driven organization and how they approached story development.
✅ 3. What’s Your Revision Policy?
Why it matters: Revisions are normal, but the process needs to be clear and fair. You want to know how many rounds are included and how feedback should be delivered.
Red flag: If the revision policy is vague or comes with hidden costs, you might end up overpaying or getting stuck with a video that doesn’t feel quite right.
Follow-up tip: Request the revision terms in writing up front (most professional vendors include this in their contract or proposal).
✅ 4. How Do You Ensure We Stay on Schedule?
Why it matters: Mission-driven teams often have to coordinate messaging around campaigns, events, or fundraising deadlines. A missed delivery date could impact more than just the video.
Red flag: If there’s no project manager or clear communication structure, it’s easy for things to fall behind.
Follow-up tip: Ask how they handle delays, feedback cycles, and unexpected hiccups.
✅ 5. What Happens After the Final Delivery?
Why it matters: Once your video is done, you may still need help formatting it for different platforms, making cutdowns, or planning how to get the most value out of it.
Red flag: If they disappear after delivery, you're left on your own to figure out distribution and reuse strategies.
Follow-up tip: Ask if they offer support with content strategy, social cutdowns, or distribution best practices.
Final Thoughts:
Choosing a video vendor shouldn’t feel like a gamble. The right partner will make you feel supported, heard, and confident that your investment will pay off in both impact and audience engagement.
Use this checklist in your next RFP or discovery call, and you’ll never get burned again.