When it comes to building trust with potential clients or customers, few things are as effective as a well-produced testimonial video. Testimonial videos allow real people—satisfied clients, customers, or partners—to speak on behalf of your brand in a way that’s authentic and persuasive. But while the concept is simple, the execution is where success is truly determined.
As experienced professionals at St Louis Camera Crew, we’ve produced thousands of testimonial videos over the decades. In this article, we’re sharing expert techniques and simple tricks that elevate testimonial videos from forgettable to unforgettable—delivering strong ROI and valuable marketing content that can be repurposed across platforms.
1. Pick the Right Person to Interview
Your testimonial is only as strong as the person delivering it. The ideal interviewee is:
- Genuine: Someone who truly benefited from your service or product.
- Articulate: Comfortable speaking and explaining their experience.
- Relatable: Represents your target audience so viewers can easily identify with them.
Tip: Pre-interview your candidates with a short phone call or Zoom to assess how naturally they speak about your brand.
2. Create a Comfortable, Controlled Environment
A relaxed interview subject gives a natural performance. This starts with the right location:
- Use a private, quiet space free from distractions or interruptions.
- Control lighting and acoustics to make your subject look and sound their best.
- Add minimal props or on-brand backgrounds to provide subtle visual context.
At St Louis Camera Crew, our private studio is tailored for these setups—with versatile lighting systems, sound-controlled spaces, and adaptable set design that enhances any testimonial shoot.
3. Guide, Don’t Script
One of the biggest mistakes we see is over-scripting testimonials. While it’s important to hit key messages, scripting every word kills authenticity.
Instead:
- Provide bullet points or themes for the interviewee to touch on.
- Use open-ended questions such as:
- “What problem were you facing before using our product?”
- “How did our service make a difference in your business?”
- “What would you tell someone considering working with us?”
We coach interviewees in real-time, helping them stay on track while sounding natural.
4. Shoot Multiple Angles and Reactions
Shooting from multiple angles adds visual interest and helps in the edit. Capture:
- A standard eye-level shot for the primary interview.
- A side profile or over-the-shoulder angle for cutaways.
- Reaction shots of the interviewee smiling or nodding to add emotional cues in post-production.
This also gives the editor flexibility to cut around stumbles or long pauses while maintaining continuity.
5. Use B-Roll to Tell a Deeper Story
The testimonial voice is powerful—but pairing it with meaningful visuals takes the message further. B-roll might include:
- The customer using your product.
- Behind-the-scenes footage of your team in action.
- Brand imagery, locations, or team interactions.
It breaks up the “talking head” and reinforces credibility.
6. Prioritize Audio and Lighting
Bad sound is the number one reason testimonial videos lose viewer engagement. Use:
- Lavalier or shotgun microphones to isolate the subject’s voice.
- Soft, flattering lighting (such as key + fill + hair light) for a polished look.
Our professional crew ensures your testimonial looks and sounds like a high-end production—because it is.
7. Include Captions and Logos Strategically
Don’t forget post-production details:
- Captions improve accessibility and are crucial for silent autoplay on social media.
- Lower thirds can introduce the speaker with name, title, and company.
- Subtle logo animation at the start or end reinforces branding without being intrusive.
8. Repurpose Content for Maximum Value
One long-form testimonial can be split into:
- Short 15–30 second reels for social.
- Case study clips for your website.
- Pull quotes and graphics for email marketing.
At St Louis Camera Crew, we specialize in repurposing your video branding so your investment keeps delivering across platforms.
Partner with the Experts: St Louis Camera Crew
Since 1982, St Louis Camera Crew has helped businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies across the region create compelling testimonial videos that drive results. We are a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, offering:
- Studio and on-location video/photography
- Editing and post-production
- Licensed indoor and outdoor drone operation
- Private studio lighting and set construction
- AI-powered media services for enhanced editing, tagging, and delivery
- Versatile file handling and media formatting
- Equipment and crew for every production need—from custom interview studio setups to experienced camera and sound operators
Whether you need a single testimonial video or an entire campaign, we’ll tailor every aspect of production to your unique media requirements. Our goal is to help you tell your story in a way that builds trust, drives engagement, and delivers results.
Contact us today to bring your next testimonial video to life—with the creativity, professionalism, and technical expertise that only St Louis Camera Crew can deliver.
st louis camera crew 