There is no denying that video testimonials are incredibly effective at boosting sales and convincing potential customers to do business with you. They provide your potential customers with a real-life example of how your product or service has helped others, and they can be highly effective in converting leads into customers.
But the challenge with collecting reviews and creating video testimonials in person can be managing logistics. There are a lot of logistical considerations when it comes to recording video testimonials in person, such as finding a location, setting up camera equipment, and making sure the audio is good quality.
If you're not experienced with video production, this can be a lot to handle on your own.
Luckily, there’s an easier and simpler way to create high-converting video testimonials without all that hustle. The alternative is creating asynchronous videos. And in this blog post, I’ll teach you how to create effective asynchronous video testimonials.
Let’s get started!
What Are Asynchronous Video Testimonials?
Asynchronous video testimonials are a type of user-generated content (UGC) that can be used to promote your brand or product. Unlike traditional live testimonials, which are recorded in real-time, asynchronous videos are recorded independently by the client in their own time, leaving you free to attend to other aspects of your business.
They are remotely recorded by customers with their own devices- phone or webcam, at a time that is most convenient to them. These videos can be uploaded to social media platforms such as YouTube or Instagram, or they can be embedded on your website or blog.
Like email marketing, asynchronous video testimonials are an effective marketing strategy that can greatly grow brand awareness, thereby increasing conversions and profits for your business.
Steps To Creating Effective Asynchronous Video Testimonials
So what steps do you need to take when creating this kind of video testimonials to make sure they are as effective as possible?
Well, you certainly don't need expensive equipment or a lot of experience to record a great video testimonial. Just follow these simple tips and you'll be on your way.
Choose and Prepare the Right Customer
When it comes to recording a video testimonial it's important to choose the right customer. Ideally, you want someone who is articulate and can speak coherently about their experience with your product or service.
This may seem obvious, but it's important to choose a customer who will be able to deliver a strong and convincing testimonial on camera, someone who is enthusiastic and who comes across as genuine in their praise.
Additionally, you'll want to choose a customer who has a good internet connection and who is comfortable with technology.
Here are a few tips for preparing the customer to give an effective testimonial:
- Ensure that they understand the purpose of the testimonial and what message you're trying to communicate. This will help them focus their comments and stay on-topic.
- Send them a list of guiding questions along with some bullet points that you would like them to cover. These questions should be specific and relate to your product or service that the customer has experience with. For example, they could mention specific benefits they've experienced or how your product has helped them achieve their goals.
- Ditch The Script For Prepared Questions. While it's good for the customer to have a few talking points prepared beforehand, it’s also very important to ask them not to use a script during the recording, as they will come off as robotic and unnatural.
- Finally, encourage them to be natural and relaxed on camera. The more comfortable they are, the more believable and persuasive their testimonial will be.
Once you have identified and prepared the right customer, you can simply send them a link generated by Sendspark that will allow them to record their testimonial with their phone or webcam.
Choose the Best Setting
When creating an asynchronous video testimonial, it is important to advise the customer to be in a naturalistic setting that allows them to feel comfortable and relaxed.
A well-lit room with a simple background is usually the best option, as it minimizes distractions and makes it easy for the viewer to focus on the speaker.
The key is for the subject to be in an environment where they feel comfortable enough to open up and be themselves.
I have seen some engaging video testimonials shot in the client’s home office, library, or even simply a quiet corner next to a window.
This brings me to my next point- lighting.
While there is no need for the customer to go out of their way to create an impressive background. One thing that is very important in creating the best setting is ensuring that there is sufficient lighting in the room.
If there isn’t sufficient natural light from the window the subject needs to ensure that the room is brightly lit, to avoid creating a dull and boring video.
The last point to consider when choosing the ideal setting is to find a quiet spot in the house if the customer is at home. This is very important because they need to be focused and relaxed, and not worried about possible sudden interruptions from family members.
Having the customer take care of these details in advance, can ensure that their video testimonial will be clear and professional.
Prioritize Good Image and Sound Quality
To further ensure that for your video testimonials to catch the customer’s eye, you’ll need to produce videos with excellent image and sound quality.
The good news is that it’s really not that complicated. Making an effort to create the setting as described will go a long way in creating a good quality video.
But here are some additional tips for ensuring good image and sound quality.
- Minimize background noise. This may seem mundane but it’s important to remind the client to turn off the T.V or music in the background. Some people are so accustomed to background music that they no longer hear it.
- Use an external microphone if possible. This will greatly enhance the quality of the sound as some phone and webcam microphones are not that powerful.
- Position the laptop or phone so that the camera is at eye level. this will help avoid any unflattering angles.
- Shoot in landscape mode. Shooting in landscape mode will give you a wider field of view and prevent your video from looking cropped or distorted.
By following these simple tips, your customers can shoot video testimonials that are professional and polished.
Maintain a Coherent Story Sequence
Another great tip to maximize the impact of your video testimonials is to maintain a coherent story sequence. This means having a clear beginning, middle, and end to your testimonial.
You want your audience to be able to follow along easily and understand the main points of your story. Here are some tips for maintaining a coherent story sequence:
In the beginning, let your client begin by introducing themselves and explain how they are connected to your product or service.
The middle of the testimonial should be focused on the actual story. This is where the person giving the testimonial will tell the story of the challenge they had and how your product helped them overcome it. Be sure to edit out any pauses or gaps in the story so that it flows smoothly.
Finally, the customer should wrap up the testimonial with a brief conclusion and encourage the audience to try out the product themselves.
Following this basic structure can help create video testimonial videos that are highly effective and persuasive enough to convert leads into customers.
Keep It Short and Compelling
Next, let’s discuss the ideal length of your video testimonials. While we all know how powerful this marketing strategy is in converting leads to customers, did you know that shorter testimonials are more effective than longer ones?
In fact, studies have shown that video testimonials under two minutes are more persuasive and have higher conversion rates than longer videos.
There are several reasons why shorter testimonials are more effective. Here are a few at the top of my head:
- They're easier for viewers to watch all the way through.
- They get to the point quickly and don't bore viewers with unnecessary details.
- And they leave viewers wanting more, which can encourage them to take action.
So, If you're looking to create highly effective video testimonials, encourage your customers to keep them short and to the point. No one wants to watch a long, rambling testimonial.
If you can keep your videos focused and concise, you will be more likely to engage and influence your audience.
Brand and Promote the Video Testimonial
Once the customer is done recording their video testimonial, it will upload automatically onto your Sendspark dashboard, and at this point, their job is done.
You can then easily customize the testimonial to incorporate your brand colors and logo into the video.
The final step is to promote the video on social media or directly send video testimonials to prospective customers who want a reference from an existing customer.
And before you know it you’ll begin to attract new clients to your business with video testimonials.
Final Thoughts
If you’re not currently using video testimonials in your marketing strategy, now is the time to start. In today’s blog post, I shared some tips for creating effective video testimonials.
By following these tips, you can create videos that capture your customers’ authentic experiences with your product or service and help persuade others to buy what you’re selling.
Have you tried recording video testimonials before? What tips would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.
Author Bio: Malehasa Moloi is a digital marketing consultant and web designer who writes about ways to make money online and reviews business software on her blog- ifeelgreattoday.com.
