After identifying a Case Study Subject (CSS) for your video, planning and preparing for the testimonial interview is essential to make it easy and effective. This post explains what you’ll need to do before, during, and after the shoot to ensure you wind up with a great Video Testimonial.
Before the Shoot
Have an Angle
Have a clear plan for what you want to focus on in the testimonial interview. Examples of messages could be “it’s so easy” or “it cut our costs in half.” Having an angle in mind when coming up with questions can help make the video less generic.
Research
Look at your subject’s website to find any items of note that you may want to bring up during the testimonial interview. This may lead to additional questions or topics that can further improve your set of questions.
Prep Your Question List
Write down the questions to ask your subject, and don’t worry about getting the perfect answer for every single question. Have a few more questions than necessary so there will be more material to work with during the editing process. Try to craft a few questions that can have a measurable indicator of success, such as saving time or money. This will help drive home that your product or service is effective and desirable for prospects.
During the Shoot
Setting Up the Shot
When recording a testimonial remotely, it’s very important to have a framed shot and great audio. No matter how great the subject or message is, the Video Testimonial won’t be perceived well if the audio sounds muffled or the background is distracting.
Set up the shot successfully by directing your CSS to have the camera at eye level. Adequate lighting on the CSS’s face helps separate the CSS from the background. Have the proper tools in place and ensure that the audio is free of clicks, pops, and static.
Overcommunicate
Being on camera may cause some subjects to experience anxiety. Help your CSSs feel at ease by explaining that you will be just needing a bit of their time, and they will have final approval of the completed testimonial before it goes public. Remind your CSSs that the video will be edited, so if they stumble or need to gather their thoughts, it’s completely okay. This often helps ease their hesitation.
Remember: The goal of the testimonial is for your CSSs to speak highly of your company, so make them comfortable and guide them to the best possible answers.
Discuss B-Roll
After finishing the interview, ask the CSS for any B-roll, or footage or images that can be used to keep the video engaging. If no extra content is available, the right stock footage can also help keep the video interesting.
After the Shoot
Put It All Together
Edit the video using the raw interview, B-roll, and titles to bring the video down to one to three minutes long. Find the best responses from your CSS to craft a story. The video should include the problem the CSS faced, how your company provided the solution, and the results.
Get Approvals
Once your video has been drafted, it’s time to get the CSS’s approval. Send the video via private Vimeo or Google Drive link so the CSS can easily access the testimonial. Once you’re both satisfied with the video, it’s ready to share with prospects and your LinkedIn community and on landing pages!
Conclusion
A great testimonial interview can tell a story. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about how we can make your high-quality Video Testimonial from start to finish.
