You don’t need a video. You need what the video does. That’s the core belief behind every project we take on at Main Paige Media—and it’s the foundation of a strong video strategy. It’s also the message behind the short video we shared earlier this week (watch below).

Too often, people jump straight to planning visuals, scouting locations, or talking gear. But without a clear strategy – a goal, an audience, and a plan for what happens after the video is made – even the most beautiful piece of content can fall flat.

(TBH a lower quality video with a great strategy is going to perform better than a beautiful video with no strategy.)

So what does a strategy-first approach actually look like?

It starts with clarity: What are you trying to communicate—and to whom?

It’s followed by alignment: Does the story you’re telling line up with what your audience needs to hear?

Then we find the format that fits: Is this an emotional founder story? A visual tour? An upbeat explainer? A social series?

We don’t decide what the video should be until we understand what the video needs to do.

Strategy isn’t a buzzword—it’s a service.

When people work with us, they’re not just hiring videographers. They’re bringing in a partner who asks the right questions up front. Because we know from experience: If your strategy isn’t solid, the edit won’t save you.

If you’re a founder, marketer, or nonprofit leader thinking about a new video—let’s start with strategy. Reach out and tell me: What do you want your video to do for you?