10 Questions to Ask a Video Production Agency

Hiring a video production agency is quite an investment—and it feels like an even bigger one if this is your first time using an agency. Whether you’re new to video, exploring higher-ticket video options, or simply working with a video production company for the first time, it’s crucial to get this right… the first time.

At Kyro, we see our first project with a new client as our opportunity to establish what we call your “video branding.” You’re likely coming to us with your brand colors, logos, messaging, etc.—but if you’re new to video, there are many additional elements to establish upfront. Things like visual style, tone of voice, and overall video personality are just a few aspects that need to be crafted on the first project and carried forward for years to maintain consistency across your digital or TV ads.

All that to say, you need the perfect video agency partner. Having run a video production agency for almost a decade, I’ve distilled the 10 most important questions to ask a video production partner to give you the greatest probability of success from the start. Let’s dive in:


1. Who Will Be Working With Me on the Project?

I’ve always believed you can deliver a 7-out-of-10 video with 10-out-of-10 service and still create a lifelong customer. While we always strive for 10/10 in both areas, the process of creating the video is just as important as the final product.

Before starting the project, ask to connect with the project manager. It’s essential to vibe well with them and understand their communication style.

At Kyro, you’ll either work directly with me, Justin, or a dedicated project manager. As a smaller agency, we can adapt to your preferences. Some clients prefer working directly with the owner since I sold the project, while others enjoy the consistency of working with the same project manager across multiple projects. Either way, the relationship needs to be a good personality fit.

Also, clarify who will be leading the creative execution. Every project needs a creative director to steer the team toward the cohesive vision established at the beginning.

At Kyro, we assign a creative director to every project. With a roster of 5–10 creative directors, we ensure the right person is matched based on the project’s needs. Smaller agencies often have just one creative director who oversees every project, but this can lead to a one-size-fits-all approach. Ask to see relevant work from the assigned creative director, whether it was produced at that agency or not.


2. What Makes Your Video Production Agency Different?

It’s often hard to distinguish one agency from another. Many deliver similar-quality work, serve diverse industries, and provide comparable services. So what really separates agencies? Price? Speed? Unfortunately, those differences often have little impact on the final product.

At Kyro, our differentiator is the marriage of strategic marketing and creative video production. We don’t just create stunning videos—we create videos that achieve measurable business goals. It’s not just about how the video looks or sounds; it’s about the impact it has in 3, 6, or 12 months.


3. Can You Show Me Relevant Work?

In other words, can this video production company create the type of video you need? This requires reading between the lines.

For example, we haven’t produced a commercial for a peanut company. If you’re a peanut company only looking at peanut e-commerce ads, you might pass on us. Instead, focus on videos we’ve created for similar purposes, industries, or goals. For instance, ask, “Can you show me digital ads for the food service or consumer packaged goods industry that performed well on TikTok?” Just replace those specifics with your industry, goal, and platform to craft the perfect question.


4. What Results Have Come From Projects You’ve Worked On?

This should be a key focus. Videos need to exceed business goals, not just look good. You want to maximize your video investment, and that requires working with an agency that prioritizes what happens after the video is made.

In the past, we delivered videos and walked away, never knowing how they performed. We realized this approach didn’t help us build lasting partnerships. Just like doctors schedule follow-ups after surgery, video agencies should monitor results and adjust as needed. At Kyro, we’re fanatical about results, treating every project as a collaborative journey to ensure success.

Look at each stage of the sales funnel, whether its for high-funnel, mid-funnel, or videos for low-funnel purposes. 


5. What Input and Feedback Can My Team Provide?

It’s important to know if your voice will be heard. Some agencies are strict about client input, while others involve you in every step.

At Kyro, we’ve worked with clients across the spectrum—from those who say, “Don’t contact us until it’s done,” to those who want to be deeply involved. Both approaches are fine by us, as we’re nimble enough to adapt. Ultimately, this is a personal preference—there’s no right or wrong answer here.


6. What Items Could Increase the Price After a Contract Is Signed?

Transparency is key to avoiding frustration. Budgets are often tight, and you want clarity on potential cost changes.

Common reasons for price increases include:

  • Location Changes: Switching from a house to a premium location (e.g., a street with road closures) can significantly increase costs.
  • Additional Talent: Adding more actors or extras than originally agreed upon.
  • Extended Production Days: More scenes or complexity may require extra days.
  • Upgrading Animations: Switching from 2D to 3D in animated explainer videos, which is much more expensive. Mainly if this video is for SaaS Video Production.
  • Additional Deliverables: Requesting more videos than initially contracted.

To minimize surprises, ensure the contract outlines all potential variables.


7. How Accurate Is Your Price Estimate Compared to the Final Cost?

Consistency in pricing reflects reliability. At Kyro, we never adjust pricing unless the scope changes—and we always get written approval before proceeding. If we miss something in the estimate, we absorb the cost, not you.


8. How Do You Handle Tight Deadlines or Rushed Projects?

Sometimes, timelines are tight, and you need to trust the agency can deliver.

When we take on rushed projects, we create a detailed day-by-day schedule and hold both ourselves and our clients accountable to it. We do everything possible to maintain quality, and after meeting the deadline, we revisit the project to make any necessary refinements.

This video was an extremely tight deadline! From the time a contract was signed to delivering the final video, we are looking at about 9 days. 


9. What Is Your Approach to Video Revisions and Feedback?

This question often stems from bad past experiences. At Kyro, we include three rounds of revisions by default (four if working with a middleman/agency) but are usually flexible for minor changes. Our priority is your satisfaction, not nickel-and-diming you for small tweaks.


10. What Happens After the Video Is Delivered?

Most video production companies deliver the video and move on. If you’re confident in your team’s ability to leverage the content, this might work for you.

At Kyro, we go further. For many clients, our media buying team runs the ads behind the videos we create, allowing us to monitor performance and adjust campaigns as needed. This ensures long-term success and helps us refine future content based on what works.


Conclusion

Video is a significant investment. Don’t rely on gut feelings—make sure the agency you choose can deliver on your business goals and be a long-term partner for your brand.

If you’re interested in working with Kyro, reach out to me directly, and let’s start achieving your goals.