As the marketing communications director at an amazing independent school, you juggle countless projects to showcase your institution’s strengths. From branding and website support to targeted ads and social media, you rely on outside vendors and partners to help. And for most tasks, where these partners are located hasn’t mattered much—remote collaboration tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and even plain old email make location a non-issue.
But now you’ve identified a need for video content—a tool to build trust and tell your school’s story. It’s clear you need an expert to handle the complexities of video production, from the latest equipment to crafting compelling narratives. That’s where the real challenge begins: who do you hire?
You want a partner who truly understands independent schools. Sure, your branding and digital marketing teams know this niche well. But when it comes to video production, the landscape changes. Independent schools often work with a wide variety of video partners, many of whom specialize in creating visually stunning videos but lack a deep understanding of how schools operate.
So, you head to trusted resources like INSPIRED School Marketers and explore the filmmaker and photographer guide. You find plenty of talented professionals—but many of them are located far away. Suddenly, questions start popping up:
- How does travel work?
- Is it included in the cost?
- What if there are delays?
You may wonder if hiring someone local is the better choice. But instead of asking, “Do I hire locally or fly someone in?” the real question is, “How do I hire the video production company or videographer that is the right fit for our school’s needs?”
Why Choosing the Right Video Partner Matters
Hiring the wrong video production company—even if they’re cost-effective upfront—can lead to lackluster results. Sure, they may have stunning portfolios, cutting-edge equipment, and slick production techniques. But are they equipped to create a meaningful marketing tool for your school?
Independent schools operate in unique environments that demand flexibility. The production process can be unpredictable: interview rooms may be too small, classrooms might have mismatched lighting, or scheduling may require filming interviews and b-roll on the same day. A video partner with experience in schools knows how to adapt seamlessly to these challenges.
Moreover, great video production is about more than aesthetics. The content must resonate with families, connect emotionally, and support your marketing funnel. Does your video partner understand these nuances? Do they know how the videos will be distributed and used strategically to drive enrollment? These are critical considerations when evaluating a potential collaborator.
Flying Out a Video Partner: Worth the Effort?
The idea of flying in a production company may seem inconvenient, but it comes with key benefits. For example, if your scope involves five days of filming, having a dedicated team on-site allows for streamlined production. Instead of spreading shoots across multiple days or weeks, you get everything done efficiently, ensuring consistency in style and approach.
Additionally, shooting more footage upfront can lead to a stockpile of content that can be repurposed for future projects, saving time and money down the line. This kind of planning makes flying in the right partner a strategic investment rather than an unnecessary complication.
Local Isn’t Always Better
While hiring locally might seem easier, it’s not always the best option. A local videographer who doesn’t understand the unique challenges and goals of independent schools can create more headaches than solutions. From misaligned storytelling to inflexible production processes, the wrong choice could derail your project and leave you scrambling to hit your marketing and enrollment goals.
That’s a Wrap!
Choosing the right video production partner isn’t about proximity; it’s about expertise and fit (and someone you get along with never hurts either). Whether you hire locally or fly someone in, the decision should be based on their ability to deliver high-quality, strategic content tailored to your school’s unique needs. When done right, your video content will not only tell your story but also help drive enrollment and deepen trust with prospective families.
At Monzo Media Productions, we love to travel all around the country for projects (and we have!). If you ever want to chat about ideas feel free to reach out to me joe@monzomediapro.com
