In short
- A rating alone says little. Read what the reviewer actually describes.
- Look for communication, delivery on time and how problems were handled.
- Check that the reviewed event is similar to yours.
- Use reviews to prepare questions, then settle the answers in a written quote.
Do not choose on the star rating alone. Read what each reviewer says about communication, delivery and how problems were handled, then check that the event was like yours. Use what you learn to shape your questions.
Why is a rating not enough?
A star rating mixes together many things. It can reflect the look of the film, the friendliness of the crew, the price and even an unrelated delay. It rarely tells you whether the reviewer’s event was anything like yours.
Reviews also lean towards the best and worst experiences. Most people with an ordinary experience do not write at all. So read the text, not just the number.
What to look for in a review
| Look for | Why it helps | Example of useful wording |
|---|---|---|
| The type of event | Shows whether it is like yours | “A two-day conference with two halls” |
| What was agreed | Shows whether scope was clear | “They confirmed the hours and films before we paid” |
| Communication | Shows how the supplier works | “They replied to questions and sent a plan before the day” |
| Delivery | Shows whether promises were kept | “Files arrived as agreed, with a review step” |
| Problem handling | Shows character under pressure | “The power failed and they adjusted the plan calmly” |
| Honest limits | Shows realistic expectations | “They told us the dark hall would affect the footage” |
A review that covers three or four of these rows is worth far more than one that covers none.
A weak review and a strong one
Compare these two made-up examples. They are illustrations, not real reviews.
Weak: “Great video! Very happy. Highly recommended.”
Stronger: “We held a company dinner for a few hundred guests. The videographer asked for the run sheet two weeks before and told us where the cameras would stand. The speeches were recorded in full, and we received the files on the date we agreed. One speech had a sound problem, and they explained why and what they had done to improve it.”
The first review may be sincere, but it gives you nothing to check. The second shows the scope, the planning, the delivery and an honest problem. That is the kind of evidence to look for.
Check the reviewer and the context
Before you trust a review, ask a few quick questions:
- Was the event similar in type, size and venue?
- Is the review recent enough to reflect how the supplier works now?
- Does the reviewer describe the work in a way only a client would know?
- Does the supplier reply, and how?
A calm, specific reply to a complaint often says more about a supplier than the complaint itself.
How to use what you read
Turn each point into a question for the supplier. If a review praised planning, ask how planning works. If a review mentioned a delay, ask how delays are handled and what is written in the quote.
The questions to ask your videographer tool helps you collect these in one place. Reviews can also help you spot what to confirm about the team, so see questions to ask about who will film and edit your event.
What reviews cannot tell you
Reviews cannot confirm your date is free, what your quote includes or who your contract is with. They also cannot replace the written scope. Settle these with the supplier directly:
- The date, venue, hours and crew.
- The films and files you will receive, and when.
- How changes and revisions are handled.
- The business name that appears on the quote and the invoice. The guide to checking videography business and invoice details explains how.
Use the videography quote comparison worksheet to put the quotes side by side. For the evidence reviews do not give, read how to assess an event videographer portfolio and comparing sample films with different budgets and conditions.
Our page on event videography shows how we plan and quote an event from its own scope.
Reviews are one input. A short conversation about your date, venue and films shows how a supplier communicates, and the written quote shows what is actually included. If you would like to talk, send us your details and we will take it from there.
WhatsApp us