Testimonial Video Tips Guaranteed to Grow Your Business

Every business needs testimonials for their website and marketing efforts. But truly SMART businesses know they need to step it up and get one or two high quality testimonial videos. In this video I'll share all my best testimonial video tips, secrets and strategies that will make your testimonials compelling, and watchable, from beginning to end. And the best part? You don't need to spend much $$, if any at all to pull this off.
Questions to Ask Your Customers During the Interview:
• Introduce yourself (and where you work, and what you do there if B2B customer)
• What was your problem before you bought/joined [our product/service]?
• Can you talk about any specific pain points that came from that problem?
• Did you try any other solutions before [our product/service]?
• How did you first hear about [our product/service]?
• What was your main concern that would have prevented you from buying this, and what put your fears to rest?
• What made you choose [our product/service] over anything else you could have done?
• What are three benefits you've experienced as a result of buying/joining [our product/service]?
• What is life like now that you've experienced [our product/service]?
• What surprised you the most or made you the happiest about buying/joining [our product/service]?
• If you were to recommend [our product/service] to your best friend, what would you say?
Filmic Pro App: www.filmicpro.com/
Wes' lavalier mic: www.amazon.com/Rode-smartLav-...
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#websuccess #videomarketing #testimonials

[@balloonselite8516]

I love how to tell us what we need to do, then give the details of how to do it.

[@Taxita]

You are the best person to work with. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@desireechester40]

Amazing video! Thanks Wes😊 my biggest take away was ur 90 sec breakdown for the video itself! I love a simplified formula I can follow. But in addition to that, the tip about varied angles was a pretty subtle trick on the eye that I couldn't have picked out myself. Very nice compact video! Also thanks for the links to the mike and video editing app. Xo! PS: I'm super visual... it would me wonderful if I had an example of a well edited review vid I could watch... one that includes the 30 sec formula and the varied soot angles... but gosh i think that's asking for a lot! Well done anyhu!!!

[@saitamaguy2002]

Excellent video Wes. Of course in 2020 nearly all of us are restricted to doing client interactions on Zoom. I wonder if you could create a supplement to this video about how to make a testimonial video from Zoom recordings.

[@tabthorell]

Great Content!! Thanks a bunch. I love the takeaway about the different angles and the questions to ask them

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Nice, have you gotten any filmed yet?

[@LivingStoneGlobalFoundation]

Thank you. Loved the comment getting different angles...keeps it interesting.

[@kaveengoonawardane9651]

Great video!! Thanks!

[@reesefrost3071]

I love this channel

[@lisemija5991]

Thanks Wes! Your content is short and sweet. Will definitely implement.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thanks Lise - you got this! 🙌

[@prajwalwarhade7273]

Insanely valuable videos! I click the like button even before the video starts!!!😁

[@WesMcDowellInc]

You're welcome, Prajwal! Keep posted for more videos soon.

[@Smiles4lifepkn]

Excellent tips! Exactly what I needed.

[@jcmodesto]

Thank you! Subscribed!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

You're welcome!

[@nandymcclean3523]

Great layout if all things to consider. LOVE IT! Thank you!!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thx, Nancy! I always make it a point to be simple and concise. Watch out for more videos soon.

[@aresborne9463]

OMG! I recognize the "I Steal Pets!!!!" LOVES IT. Also, thank you for this video. It was a lot of help.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

No prob, man! I'm glad this video helped you in some ways.

[@isaacsabu7822]

I watched several videos on this topic, your breakdown and recommendations were the most useful.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

That's great to hear Issac! Cheers 😀 🙌

[@bluestripes6037]

You're the best, Wes - such compact value here! Ans: for me the best part was you bringing the "why" and the actual recording technique together. Like when you detailed, to keep it interesting, move the camera angles. It's simple but it's gold. I'm practicing shooting b roll today, do you have any tips for that?

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thanks, that's such a simple thing to do, but really makes it more interesting! As far as B-roll goes, just get lots of variety. Desktop objects, people walking, interacting, etc. Then just look at what you have, and where it makes sense to cut to it in the video. Have fun!

[@StewartSavage]

Hi Wes. Great explanation on how to put together a testimonial video. Looking forward to using your how-to guide to create client videos. Thanks for such a great online training catalog.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thx Stewart! much appreciated

[@samuelobiniyi9632]

This was very informative and straight to the point. Thank you!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thanks Samuel! :)

[@joanettahendel2946]

This was outstanding!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thx Joanetta!

[@celinaherrero5661]

Found the interview questions extremely helpful, including that timely reminder to have them restate the question in their answer. So easy to forget to do when the conversation starts flowing! Thanks very much

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Glad it was helpful Celina! 😀👍

[@SherifaNakalema]

My biggest takeaway was not to include the questions in the video. Just the answers. Great tips! Thank you!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

You're so welcome Sherifa! Glad you liked it. 😊 There are more helpful tips and guides on my channel so stick around.

[@phone7x7]

Hey dude I love your videos. You have SO MUCH useful information and I love your format.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thanks so much!

[@33Giusi]

Very interesting

[@sebastianpuchalski8028]

Hi, nice job on the video. Something that would be worth covering is telling a project story from the perspective of company you work for in case the customer is not readily available for a testimonial

[@claritychiropractic2564]

Great video! Really like the idea of using an external mic. Can't wait to apply this our patient testimonials!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Good luck with the testimonials and thx for watching!

[@adityaraghu9399]

Hi Mr Wes. Do we need to take any kind of written consent from the customers end which says that they allow us to use the testimonial videos for publicity purposes? Or is just telling them before hand enough?

[@pathmonkofficial]

Asking the right questions during the interview is key to capturing authentic and impactful responses. Introducing the customer, understanding their pain points, and learning about their journey before choosing your product or service adds depth to the testimonials.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

That is spot on 😄

[@peterbrayshaw4163]

Awesome Wes, it all makes a lot more sense now Cheers

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thanks so much Peter! 😊

[@CesarRavedutti]

Such great information in this channel. I really liked when you said to ask them to rephrase some answers so it would look like they are the ones talking only.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thx Cesar, yep, that's a must!

[@coupecruiser]

Thank you. My biggest takeaway is the 30/30/30. Thank you.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thx for watching Coach! 👍😀

[@coupecruiser]

@@WesMcDowellInc do you have an Instagram profile?

[@tci-photo-video]

I'm a video professional, so I knew most of the stuff in this instructional video. But I didn't know about the Filmic Pro app. I've been thinking of using my iPhone with an 18mm lens attached to film unmanned, super-wide cutaway shots of the action. Most of the video work I do will never be seen anywhere but the internet, so the iPhone's quality is more than enough for that. The Filmic Pro app will help me accomplish these cutaway shots seamlessly. Thanks!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Glad it was helpful! 😊👍

[@visakhachronicle]

Wes, it is a great video

[@Shenanigans000]

Great video! Ty!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😎

[@evilailani2737]

what a charming presenter .....

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thanks Evi! 😊

[@DJIvanSynapse]

Thanks for the helpful video - you are a great teacher! I have the Smartlav+ and, though it is clear, the volume comes out pretty low if I record a video on my iPhone. Did you boost your the volume in post?

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Hey Ivan, this one was so long ago, I don't even remember honestly. These days I have a video editor, and film on a canon m50.

[@PaulLadendorf]

Good vid. Thx. Here's my question: Do you think a video collage of multiple customers telling a snippet of their story would be effective?

[@isurupunchihewa]

this is uper cool Wes.. Thank you

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Glad you liked it!😊

[@Whoiskevinjones]

Incredible resource!! Will look at other videos but would love your input into what to put in the accompanying text in a video. Specifically interested in demonstrating ROI for services rendered.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Thx, Kevin! Stay tuned for more videos dropping soon.

[@caryhuff8924]

All great tips Wes, thanks. Question: What if my clients live around the world? It would be very challenging to say the least to have them have a great mic. Any suggestions?

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Hey Cary, yea I hear ya... obviously this video is geared toward shooting the testimonials yourself with more local customers. In the case of long distance ones, you have a few options, one still free/cheap, which is do just interview them on Skype, and either ask them to film themselves with their smartphone, or you can record the screen from your end. The paid option is to actually hire a videographer local to your customer and have them run things, asking your questions, etc. Might not be cheap, but worth the end result.

[@dennispatrickdolan9930]

@@WesMcDowellInc I'm in the planning phase to attract video testimonials. I plan on putting together a kit (old smart phone but camera / video works), clip on light, and a lapel microphone that plugs into phone. In the kit will be a postage paid return box that they just load up when done. I'll let you know how well that works.

[@Roscopicotrane]

Thanks for the great video. All of my customers are online and I have never met them. I have been thinking about asking for testimonial videos for the last month and I am now convinced more than ever that they are extremely necessary. How would you go about finding a customer that would agree to do something like this and is it worth compensating them for their time?

[@WesMcDowellInc]

I'd email some of them, and ask if they'd agree to a 10 minute call. You'd tell them you're recording it, and ask all your questions, and transcribe their answers. If these are testimonials for your own site, there are no rules saying you can't compensate for them. Just make it clear you will give them some kind of compensation (whatever you think is fair) for an HONEST testimonial.

[@Shenanigans000]

Question: I'm doing a video testimonial for the company who did my bathroom Reno (I'm also filming and editing the testimonial) - my question is my bathroom was being renovated due to damages caused by neighbors upstairs, so should I put the damage pix in the video? It's not going be pretty to look at, but I'm thinking to get people to see the before and after would be impactful. What do you think?

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Yea that would definitely help it’s impact!

[@mpugliano]

Great video, I am shocked you don't have a million subscribers. Thank you

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Hi, Mark! Thank you.

[@stefaniesorrell6795]

Do you recommend testimonial videos that are just letters or notes from people interspersed with photos? Or is that not a very compelling type of testimonial video?

[@dennispatrickdolan9930]

in the planning phase to attract video testimonials. I plan on putting together a kit (old smart phone but camera / video works), clip on light, and a lapel microphone that plugs into phone. In the kit will be a postage paid return box that they just load up when done. I'll do the editing. I'll let you know how well that works.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Great idea! Instead of a light, you COULD do include of those suction cup car mounts and tell them to stick it to a window, that way you get nice natural light. Tends to look the best anyway. Let me know how it goes!

[@JoshuaGipson]

So I have my own video production company and I plan to produce my own video and pay for ads on Facebook to sponsor said video. Is that against Facebook ad rules? Or what are the rules surrounding what I’m trying to do?

[@WesMcDowellInc]

I'm not sure what you're asking... is it against their rules for you to promote your own video? no its not.

[@Riiddz]

i want to make a testimonial video for this guide on testimonial videos

[@isaacperal9778]

I am hooked to your videos and I am redoing my whole website because I am very inspired by you. Thanks so much!!! I do headshots for actors and today I photographed a casting director who is very happy to do a video testimonial. I won’t have the chance to film it myself. Do you think that I can get away with mailing her a lapel mic and a phone tripod so she can do it herself? Thanks you!!!!!

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Hey Isaac, I used to be a headshot photog myself back in LA :) No, I wouldnt do it that way, you'l find she'll probably never do it. Schedule a time for a zoom call, and just interview her with the questions in this video, record the whole thing, and edit her answers together into the finished testimonial. Even if it doesn't LOOK as good over zoom, the content of the testimonial is way more important.

[@isaacperal9778]

Wes McDowell Yes I know, you mentioned you used to a be a headshot photographer on one of your videos. Thanks, the zoom idea seems much better!

[@timrichardson518]

Tell a story - that's what I got...

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Great Tim! 😊

[@alisalman8542]

The biggest take away is the 30/30/30 rule. Its simple, but it works.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Awesome Ali! It's a solid little formula for sure.

[@alisalman8542]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWG6YYCEorKeo6c

[@armstrongjosh]

I'm having a terrible time with music in my testimonial vids. I just need calm, casual music that kind of 'loops.' No beats. No sounds of raindrops and birds singing. No dramatic changes in tempo. If anyone has a tip - please, no overpriced subscription services that just offer beat-heavy tracks - suggestions would be appreciated.

[@PsychHacks]

The 8-second attention span is a myth that's been propagated all over the Internet. Most people can concentrate for 20 minutes at least, but you have to give them a compelling reason to do so.

[@WesMcDowellInc]

Riiiight... nobody's suggesting that nobody can concentrate o n something GOOD for long periods of time. People won't give something more than about 8 secs if it isn't grabbing them.