The Best Way to Ask Your Clients for a Video Testimonial + [Email Template]
Video testimonials are a great way to demonstrate to potential customers the positive experiences of your current and past customers. They are a powerful and effective way to convert more leads into sales.
The key to successfully asking for video testimonials from your clients is to be thoughtful and strategic in your approach. Asking your clients for video testimonials can be a delicate process, so it’s important to ensure that you’re respectful of their time and provide enough information about the process for them to feel comfortable. Here are the best ways to ask your clients for a video testimonial:
Choose the right client
Not all clients are well-suited for video testimonials. For the best results, it is important to choose clients with whom you have a good working relationship and who have had a positive experience with your services or products. Ideally, these clients should have had direct contact with you or your company throughout the project.
One way to ensure a successful video testimonial is to interview multiple customers at once. For example, if your product or service was used by people at various levels of the company, you could interview a senior-level executive who was involved in strategic decision-making, as well as a more technical employee who has a different perspective on the project. This approach will provide a well-rounded view of the project and make for a more compelling testimonial.
Make it super easy
You want to make the process of providing a video testimonial as easy and stress-free as possible for your clients. Providing clear instructions and guidance is essential if they are recording their videos themselves. Provide them with easy-to-follow directions and a list of questions they can use as a starting point.
If you want a more polished and professional look for your video testimonials, it is recommended that you hire a video production company that specializes in this type of content. These companies have the expertise and experience necessary to ask the right questions and create compelling stories with all the raw footage.
If your client is willing to participate in the testimonial but cannot accommodate a video crew at their location, consider having the video production company conduct the interview remotely through a video calling platform like Zoom. This will allow you to capture a powerful testimonial without requiring your client to go to any extra effort. Overall, hiring a professional video production company will ensure that your testimonials are well-produced and engaging, helping to showcase your product or service in the best light.
Above all, make sure to explain why you are requesting the testimonial and how it will be used. This will help to ensure that your clients are fully engaged and enthusiastic about participating.
The why:
Dear [Name],
I hope this email finds you well. We are currently in the process of developing a [new sales strategy], and we would like to include a few video testimonials from our past clients as part of that. We were wondering if you would be interested in participating.
Provide an Incentive
Offering an incentive to your clients is a great way to encourage them to participate. This could be in the form of a discount or free product. Be sure to explain the incentive to your clients upfront so that they feel appreciated for taking the time to provide a video testimonial.
The incentive:
As a token of our appreciation, we would be happy to offer you [complimentary product/services] in exchange for your participation in this testimonial.
Give Them Time
Avoid pressuring your clients to provide a video testimonial within an unrealistic time frame. Instead, offer them a range of dates to choose from for recording the testimonial themselves or scheduling a date for the video crew to visit. Keep in mind that providing a testimonial may not be a top priority for your client, so it's best to gently remind them of any deadlines to avoid the process dragging on indefinitely.
The when:
Our goal is to have the videos completed by [mid-July], which is approximately [2 months] from now. We understand that your schedule may be busy, so we wanted to check if this timeline would work for you.
Be Clear About Your Expectations
To ensure a successful testimonial, make sure your clients are fully aware of what to expect on the day of the shoot. Let them know how much time they will be committing and what needs to be prepared in advance. After the initial email, you can provide more detailed instructions and information about what kind of questions will be asked. If possible, consider sending them an example of a relevant video testimonial to help them visualize the process and know what to expect.
The expectations:
We have a local video production company that will handle the filming. The testimonial will take about 40 minutes to record, with some additional follow-up footage lasting around 1 hour. Here is an example of the type of testimonial we are hoping to create: [exampletube.com/testimonialexample]. We will provide you with a list of questions related to the project, so there is no need for you to prepare anything in advance.
The Email
This email template is intended to serve as a starting point for your own video testimonial request. Feel free to adjust it to suit your specific needs, whether that means changing the number of participants, the format of the testimonial, or any other details relevant to your company or clients. By tailoring the template to your specific needs, you can create a request that is uniquely suited to your situation and more likely to result in a successful testimonial.
Dear [Name],
I hope this email finds you well. We are currently in the process of developing a [new sales strategy], and we would like to include a few video testimonials from our past clients as part of that. We were wondering if you would be interested in participating.
We have a local video production company that will handle the filming. The testimonial will take about 40 minutes to record, with some additional follow-up footage lasting around 1 hour. Here is an example of the type of testimonial we are hoping to create: [exampletube.com/testimonialexample]. We will provide you with a list of questions related to the project, so there is no need for you to prepare anything in advance.
Our goal is to have the videos completed by [mid-July], which is approximately [2 months] from now. We understand that your schedule may be busy, so we wanted to check if this timeline would work for you. As a token of our appreciation, we would be happy to offer you [complimentary services] in exchange for your participation in this testimonial.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I would greatly appreciate your participation in this project.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Follow-Up
After your clients have completed their video testimonial, be sure to follow up with them to express your gratitude for their time and effort. This demonstrates that you value their contribution and appreciate their participation. As a best practice, it's a good idea to let the client review and approve a draft of the video before publishing it online.
Asking your clients for video testimonials can be a great way to showcase your business and convert more leads into sales. Following these steps will help make the process as painless and successful as possible.