Before you jump into creating customer testimonials, let’s talk about what they really are. In a nutshell, a customer testimonial is a video in which your customer shares their experience with your product or service, authentically and sincerely. Not just with surface compliments, but with hard facts: how your service helped him, why he trusts you, and why he’s ready to recommend you.
It’s a powerful tool, because seeing is believing. Well-prepared customer testimonials become your best social proof. They inspire trust, connect emotionally with your prospects and show, in pictures, that you’re capable of doing exactly what you promise.
So, if you’re wondering how to prepare those testimonials so they become customer magnets, keep reading! I’ll answer all the questions you might have: how to choose the right customers, deal with hesitations, what questions to ask to maximize impact, and even how to make it all flow for your customers.
And if you need inspiration for your next customer testimonial video, come brainstorm with the team!
How to prepare customer testimonial videos
1. Identify the best customers
You surely know that a good casting can change everything in a project. The same goes for customer testimonials. But how do you choose the ones that will have the most impact? Start here:
- Identify your die-hard fans. These are the customers who’ve worked with you more than once, those who were super grateful for your services, or who already speak highly of you. They’ll be natural and authentic in front of the camera.
- Look for diversity. Show that your solutions work for different industries or customer profiles. For example, small businesses as well as large ones, or varied sectors such as agriculture and tech.
- Focus on the communicative. Customers who are at ease with words (and the camera) will give more convincing testimonials.
What if a customer is a little shy? Don’t stress. Start with an informal call to discuss their experience. Show them that the process is simple and that you’ll be there to guide them every step of the way.
Now that you’ve spotted your stars, you need a tool to make sure you don’t forget anything. Create a document in which you note :
- Your customers’ contact details,
- Their experience with your product/service,
- The concrete results they’ve achieved thanks to you.
Prioritize them: who’s the most enthusiastic and available? It’ll save you time. Don’t forget to note their preferences, such as communication channels (email or telephone) and schedules.
Good organization makes the rest so much easier!
2. Send a personalized invitation to your customers
No one likes to receive a generic message. To convince your customers to participate, personalize your approach. Here’s how:
- Remind them of a time when their experience with you stood out.
- Explain why their testimony is important (and not just to you, but to inspire others).
- Choose the right channel: email, phone, or even a direct message on LinkedIn.
Here’s an example of a simple and effective email you can send to your customers to invite them to your video testimonial:
Hi [Prénom],
Hope you’re doing well! We’re inspired by your journey with [produit/service], and think your story might motivate others to take the plunge too.
If you’re up for it, we’d like to invite you to take part in a customer testimonial video. We’d love to welcome you to our offices!
In exchange for your opinion, we’d like to offer you [incitatif], as a thank you.
To confirm your participation, simply reply to this e-mail.
So, [Nom du client], what do you say?
Thank you for your consideration,
[Ta Signature]
3. Offer motivating incentives
Customer testimonials are a win-win situation. Customers share their experience, and you show the value of your product. But sometimes, a little extra motivation can make all the difference:
- Offer a discount on their next order.
- Offers early access to a new product or service.
- Offer a voucher or a personalized gift.
To find out more about customer testimonial videos, discover Our guide to creating a stunning customer testimonial!
4. Ask open-ended questions adapted to your audience
A good video testimonial is above all a story. And to tell a compelling story, you need to ask the right questions. Open-ended questions that invite your customer to open up on camera.
Here are some sample questions for your customer testimonial videos:
- What convinced you to try our product/service?
- What problem did you have before, and how did we help you solve it?
- How would you describe our product/service to a friend or colleague?
- What results or changes have you seen thanks to us?
- If you could give one piece of advice to someone hesitating to use our product/service, what would you tell them?
If you’re worried about your customers giving too short answers, ask follow-up questions like: “Can you tell me more about this particular moment?” or “How did it make a difference to you on a day-to-day basis?”.
Need more ideas for structuring your interview? Check out our article: Your guide to creating stunning customer testimonials.
If you want natural but thoughtful answers, give your customers time to prepare. Send them a list of questions a few days before the interview. Giving them the questions in advance allows them to feel in control. And if they have any hesitations, take the opportunity to reassure them, encourage them and thank them for their participation in the project!
Choose a video agency that understands your vision
If you want your customer testimonial videos to captivate your audience, and convert many future customers, it’s all about preparation. Choose your customers carefully, ask the right questions and show them that their opinions are important to you. And don’t forget: well-prepared customer testimonials can become your marketing superpower.
At Studios Machiavel, we turn testimonials into powerful marketing tools. We’re with you every step of the way, from preparation to post-production, with a focus on authenticity and impact. Our mission? Capture your customers’ stories to inspire and persuade your audience.
To discover more examples of customer testimonial videos, we invite you to read our article: 10 inspiring examples of video customer testimonials.
Ready to take action? Contact us today for a brainstorming session, and we’ll help you tell your stories. Because with us, every testimonial becomes living proof of your success!
Experience the immersion. Feel the emotion.
At Studios Machiavel, Immersive Video Production Agency, we amplify the emotion of the audience most passionate about your brand. We combine our experience in storytelling with our expertise in the most advanced video technologies, such as indoor drone, 2D/3D animation and virtual reality.
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