Most all of the videos shot in South Carolina, Georgia and the rest of the nation are “live action,” in fact, about 48-percent of all video, as opposed to animated or screen shots. Why? Live action is real-life. Live action brings businesses, practices and even non-for-profit organizations into a human focus.

Of all the live action videos, almost 40-percent of them produced are “testimonials.” Testimonial videos might range from customers talking about a new lawnmower to patients describing their dental implant experience to parents being interviewed in regard to a pre-school. Video marketers know that testimonials get results.

Here’s the problem

The problem with testimonial videos is both simple and complicated. The simple part is that it is easy to mess up any testimonial video on nearly subject. The complicated part is that it is never just one problem that messes up a testimonial video, but there are several ways to make a good testimonial approach and turn it bad.

Primeau Productions would like to review 7 common mistakes most videographers make when shooting testimonial videos.

1. Trying to say everything that comes to mind. Allow the person giving the testimonial to be themselves and not sound as though they are reading from a long and boring script. Sure, they can follow a few, pre-rehearsed notes, but they should not come across as robots. When people do that, it is more boring than an online math class! Primeau Productions has script experts and excellent directors. We help those being interviewed to be at their best, but never fake.
2. Amateur hour is not for you. Primeau Productions uses the best production equipment. It is not just the camera, but lighting and sound must be excellent. Staging is important. As professionals, we see things that amateurs often miss. Sure, you can shoot everything from a cheap smartphone, but that is exactly the way it will come across. The quality of the video must stand for the quality of your organization.
3. No search engine plan. Because a video is embedded in a website or put up on social media, is no guarantee the testimonials will be seen. Have a social media plan, have a search engine optimization plan in mind to make the video not only professional looking but effective from a marketing point of view. The plan includes a catchy title but also linked to SEO.
4. Your identity must be managed and made clear. This one is tricky. When we shoot a video testimonial, we want to reinforce the identity but to not have the brand or product or service name get mentioned “every three seconds.” Too much can sound forced, and it’s a turnoff. Script to screen, Primeau Productions delivers writing and direction that sounds natural and not pushed onto the listener.
5. What do you want people to do? Some call it a “Marketing Objective,” and others call it a “Call to Action.” Testimonial videos must be produced with intention. What is it you hope the video will accomplish? Primeau Productions will help you better define the intention.
6. Don’t try to be clever, be effective. Primeau Productions writes content and shoots testimonial videos with the intention of being effective, not “clever.” It is always a mistake when crafty copy is placed on a higher level than understandable material. Be effective!
7. Not being authentic. A testimonial for a physician could be humorous, but not come across as ridiculous; the testimonial for a carpentry shop should not come across as sloppy or uncaring. The testimonial must be authentic to the situation not to the whimsy of runaway creativity.

Primeau Productions is an expert in shooting exceptional testimonials. We care about your success! Let us show you how we can help.