---
title: What Do I Need Before Hiring a Production Company?
description: What should you prepare before hiring a video production company? Learn how goals, audience, messaging, and strategy set your project up for success.
image: https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/hubfs/Horizon-9-2-1.jpeg
---
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# What Do I Need Before Hiring a Production Company?
 [Dave Perlman](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/author/dave-perlman) March 24, 2026 2 min read
One of the most helpful things you can do before hiring a video production company is come in with a bit of clarity.
You don’t need a full script or a fully mapped-out plan — that’s part of the process we guide you through — but having a general sense of direction makes everything more efficient and ultimately leads to a stronger final video.
Here’s what I usually recommend thinking through ahead of time.
---
## Start With Your Goals and Audience
The first thing I’ll always ask is: *what do you want this video to do and who is it for?*
Are you trying to attract new customers, explain a service, [build brand awareness](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/what-is-brand-storytelling), or [support hiring](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/recruitment-video-production)? Pair that with a general idea of your audience — who they are, what they care about, and what questions they might have — and you already have a strong foundation.
When those two pieces are clear, it becomes much easier to shape a video that actually connects with the right people.
---
## Clarify Your Message and Where the Video Will Be Used
[You don’t need a script](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/do-i-need-to-script-my-videos), but it helps to know the core message you want to communicate.
I usually suggest keeping it simple: what do you do, who do you help, and why does it matter? From there, we can refine and build it out into something that feels natural and engaging.
[It’s also important to think about where the video will live.](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/how-to-use-video-photography-in-your-marketing) A website homepage video, a social media clip, and a paid ad all require slightly different approaches. Knowing how the video will be used helps guide everything from length and pacing to overall style.
---
## You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out
One thing I always like to emphasize is that you don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out.
Having a general idea of your goals, audience, and message is incredibly helpful — but the real value of working with a [video production company](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/video) is in the collaboration. We help refine those ideas, fill in the gaps, and build a plan that makes sense for your business.
Before hiring a video production company, it helps to have a sense of:
- What you want the video to achieve
- Who you’re trying to reach
- What you want to say
- Where the video will be used
From there, everything else can be built together in a way that feels clear, strategic, and aligned with your goals.
If you’re considering video for your business and want help shaping your ideas into something actionable, [I’m always happy to talk it through](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/contact).
[Branding](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/tag/branding)
Keep reading
## More from the blog
- ### [ Oct 21, 2026 When Should You Refresh Your Digital Media?](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/when-should-you-refresh-your-digital-media)
- ### [ Oct 14, 2026 Best Types of Digital Media For Your Business](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/best-types-of-digital-media-for-your-business)
- ### [ Oct 7, 2026 Do I Need to Script My Videos?](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/do-i-need-to-script-my-videos)
- ### [ Sep 30, 2026 What Makes a Good Recruitment Video?](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/latest/what-makes-a-good-recruitment-video)
## Let's make something *worth watching.*
Tell us what you need people to do. We'll send back a plan and a fixed quote — usually within one business day.
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## Tell us about *your project.*
1 / 3
What are you looking to make?
Pick all that apply.
**Brand or promo film**Tell your story, sell your offer **Recruitment video**Attract better applicants **Training video**Onboarding, safety, how-to **Testimonial video**Customers selling for you **Social content**Ongoing shoots and short-form **Not sure yet**Let's figure it out together
When do you need it?
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### Got it. Talk soon.
We'll reach out within one business day — usually with a quick call to talk through your project. Rather pick the time yourself? Grab a 15-minute slot below.
[Book a 15-minute call](https://www.horizonvisualmedia.com/meetings/dave-perlman?uuid=ea45f749-fe8f-4197-bce8-5283839fa65a)
Prefer to talk? Call [207-713-4245](tel:+12077134245) or email [dave@horizonvisualmedia.com](mailto:dave@horizonvisualmedia.com).
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