How to Choose a Video Production Company

The right video production company has made videos like yours, for audiences like yours, and can walk you through its process before you sign anything. Use this checklist to compare companies in Minnesota, Wisconsin or anywhere in the Midwest.

1. Look for work in your industry

A company that has filmed in a plant, on a campus or inside a bank already knows the access rules, the approvals and the logistics. Ask for examples from your industry and for clients you can contact. You can see ours on the Our Work page.

2. Ask who actually makes your video

Some companies sell the project and pass it to freelancers. Ask who will direct, who will film and who will edit, and whether you will work with the same people from start to finish.

3. Compare the process, not just the reel

A strong reel shows what a company can do. The process shows whether it can do it for you, on time. Ask how they start, who writes the script, how feedback is collected and how many rounds of revisions are included.

4. Understand how pricing works

Pricing can be hourly, itemized or one price per project. Ask what is included: revisions, music licensing, extra lengths and delivery formats. Then compare quotes by scope, not by the bottom line alone. Our video production cost guide explains what moves the price.

5. Check reviews and references

Read Google reviews and ask for two or three past clients to contact. Look for reviews that describe the process and the result, not only the people.

6. Ask how much you get from one shoot

A good production company plans a shoot to produce more than one video, such as a main film, shorter cutdowns and versions for social media. That is how one budget covers your website, events and ads.

7. Confirm timeline and communication

Ask for a timeline from first call to final delivery and the name of your point of contact. Most projects take weeks, not days, and delays usually come from unclear approvals, so ask how they handle them.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Have you made videos for companies like mine?

  • Who will direct, film and edit my project?

  • What does your process look like from first call to final delivery?

  • How many revisions are included?

  • What is included in the price, and what costs extra?

  • Can one shoot give me more than one video?

  • How long will the project take?

  • Can I speak with a past client?

Red flags when comparing video production companies

  • No examples from your industry or a similar one

  • No clear process or timeline

  • A price with no explanation of what it includes

  • No references or reviews you can check

  • Promises of views, leads or viral results

How DMM Productions works

DMM Productions is a Minneapolis-Saint Paul video production company that has made marketing-driven video since 2020 for banks and credit unions, schools and universities, manufacturers and marketing agencies in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Clients include River Falls State Bank, the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, USEMCO, Nortek Air Solutions and GeoComm. Our recruitment video series for the School District of River Falls won a 2025 WSPRA Spectrum Award, and we hold a 5.0 rating on Google from more than 50 reviews.

Every project starts with a free discovery call. We build a crew for your project, handle concept through final delivery, and give you one project price with revisions built in.

FAQ: choosing a video production company

How do I choose a video production company?

Choose a company that has made videos for your industry, can explain who will work on your project and how, shows a clear process and timeline, and gives you a price that states what is included. Check reviews and speak with a past client before you decide.

How many video production companies should I get quotes from?

Two or three is enough. More than that makes the comparison harder, not better. Give each company the same goal, audience, timeline and budget range so the quotes are comparable.

What should I prepare before contacting a video production company?

Know the goal of the video, who it is for, where it will be used, when you need it and a rough budget range. You do not need a script or a concept. A good company helps you build them.

Should I hire a local video production company?

A local crew can scout locations, return for a reshoot and understand your regional audience more easily. DMM Productions is based in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and films across Minnesota, Wisconsin and the greater Midwest.

What is the difference between a video production company and a marketing agency?

A video production company plans, films and edits the video. A marketing agency handles broader strategy, creative and media buying, and often hires a production company for the video itself. Many marketing teams hire a production company directly. We also partner with agencies on client projects.

How much does a video production company cost?

DMM Productions projects typically cost $8,000 to $25,000. See the video production cost guide for what moves the price.

Talk to us about your video

Tell us what you need and when you need it. We will set up a free discovery call and give you one price for the whole project. Contact Us