#1 – ASK TO SEE SAMPLES!
Ask to see recent samples of work the production company has produced. Make sure it is recent
and in the same format you are looking for. Some production companies will show you 30-second
commercial samples to clients who want to produce long form infomercials. Those are two completely
different beasts.
#2 – BE WARY OF OUTRAGEOUSLY LOW COSTS
Be wary of production companies that charge very low rates. Make sure that they will deliver exactly what
they have promised and there are no hidden fees. Some production companies already own most of the
production equipment, so the low costs can be understood.
#3 – GET IT IN WRITING
Request a statement of work or production agreement where it will state exactly how much the production
will cost and what you will receive in return and a time-frame for completion.
#4 – YOU HAVE FINAL APPROVAL!
Make sure that the production company will not get ahead of the game without your approval. You should
have final say on the script and give 100% approval before entering the production phase.
#5 – ASK FOR REFERENCES
Ask for references! You will get a great idea of their work ethics by speaking to 3-4 of their recent clients.
#6 – EASY COMMUNICATION
Make sure that you are teamed up with a producer you like! Creating a TV Spot
requires focus, expertise and creativity and to balance those elements, there must be open
and comfortable communication between the producer and client. If you are not happy with
your current producer, ask to be teamed up with another one.
#7 – ASK FOR REFERENCES
Ask for references! You will get a great idea of their work ethics by speaking to 3-4 of their recent clients.
#8 – GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE
Getting a response 2-3 days after you inquire about a current project is not acceptable. Insist
Make sure the company understands the importance of prompt response and customer service.
#9 – DON’T SETTLE FOR TEMPLATES
Some production companies use templates and advertise “Customized Commercial
Production” to their clients. Make sure the script and commercial is specifically made for your
company and that no other company is using it elsewhere.
#10 – THINK LONG-TERM
Find a production company to stay with for a long time and not for just an easy fix. This means
that the company would be willing to make changes and revisions to your product on a weekly
or monthly basis without charging you an arm and a leg. For instance, Spot On Media offers 2 FREE
revisions per month as long as the client airs through us.
