How to shoot a 5-star video review: Testimonial Video Tips

Pearce Productions
May 16
5 min read

What Makes a Great Testimonial Video?

When was the last time you bought something online without checking the reviews? Exactly. In the same way you wouldn't trust a restaurant with no ratings, potential clients won’t trust a business without social proof. That's where testimonial videos come in, but not just any video will do.

A poorly made testimonial can do more harm than good. So, what makes a great testimonial video?

Let’s break it down.

Why Testimonial Videos Matter

Customer reviews are one thing, but seeing someone talk about how your product or service changed their life? That’s powerful.

A well-made testimonial video builds trust instantly. It showcases real-life results and humanises your brand. It helps potential customers picture themselves experiencing those same benefits.

A testimonial video says "you can trust us".

In fact, Wyzowl’s video marketing statistics show that 95% of people say video helps them better understand a product or service, and 79% say a video testimonial has convinced them to buy.

The Most Common Pitfalls

Before we get into what makes a video great, it’s worth understanding where businesses often slip up.

Some of the most common mistakes include:

Shaky, low-quality footage, poor lighting and echoey audio - That’s all a big no. It instantly downgrades your brand.

Scripting that sounds forced or robotic - If your customer sounds like they’re reading a press release, you’ve lost the authenticity that makes testimonials work in the first place.

A lack of story or emotional arc - Without a compelling narrative, your video will feel flat, forgettable, and frankly, like a waste of time.

Each of these can instantly undercut the professionalism of your brand.

Tell a Real Story

People remember stories, not features. The most compelling testimonials are basically mini case studies. They have a beginning (the problem), a middle (your solution), and an end (the result).

Take one of our recent projects. We worked with a property development company that was looking to convince more landowners to consider their backland development services. After we produced a series of videos, including testimonials from satisfied clients and successful projects, we made sure to highlight the clients' feelings during the project, not just the hard facts and data. They felt supported and comforted, while making a great capital return.

That’s what you want. A real journey. Real emotion. And real results.

Learn more about our property video services.

Pick the Right Person

Not every happy client makes a great testimonial star. You want someone who can speak clearly, looks comfortable on camera, and ideally, represents your ideal customer.

Speak clearly and confidently
Appear relaxed on camera
Reflect your ideal customer profile

It’s not about choosing the most well-known or most successful client. It’s about who will come across as authentic, relatable and engaging. Someone your audience can see themselves in.

If you're curious about how we guide clients through on-camera interviews, check out our blog on how to prepare for a corporate video shoot.

Production Quality Is Everything

Let’s be honest, if your testimonial video looks like it was shot on a shaky phone in someone’s kitchen, it won’t inspire much confidence.

That’s where we come in. At Pearce Productions, we use high-end cameras, lighting setups, and crystal-clear audio equipment to make sure your client sounds and looks their best.

You want the visuals to match the quality of your brand. Anything less sends the wrong message.

Set the Scene

The background matters. Filming in a setting that reflects your client’s business or their experience with you adds a level of authenticity that’s hard to fake.

Imagine a construction company testimonial.

Would you rather hear it from someone sat at home in their spare room, or from someone standing in front of the finished building, pointing out the work you delivered? Context enhances credibility.

Picture this:

A builder talks about your project while standing on-site
A salon owner raves about your service while surrounded by clients
A shopkeeper beams behind the counter of their now-busy storefront

Context isn’t just visual - it’s powerful storytelling.

Keep It Tight

You don’t need a five-minute epic. In fact, please don’t make a five-minute epic.

Aim for 60 to 90 seconds of tightly edited, punchy content. Get to the emotional heart of the story quickly. Respect your audience’s time, and they’ll stick around.

That doesn’t mean cutting corners, it means smart editing. Choosing only the best moments that support the story. That’s part of what we do best.

Learn more about our editing and post-production services.

Emotion Matters (But Don’t Overdo It)

The best testimonial videos capture emotion without turning it into a melodrama. Relief. Excitement. Gratitude. These are all powerful emotions that help viewers connect with the speaker.

It’s why we always frame our interviews with open, thoughtful questions. Instead of "Did you like working with us?" we ask, "How did you feel once the project was complete?" It opens the door for genuine responses that feel natural, not scripted.

We achieve this by:

Asking open-ended, reflective questions
Allowing time for unscripted answers
Focusing on real outcomes and impact

Need help crafting those kinds of interview prompts? Check out this helpful guide from Vidyard.

Add Visual Variety

A talking head alone won’t hold attention for long. That’s where supporting footage (or B-roll) comes in.

We always shoot cutaways: footage of the product or service in action, behind-the-scenes moments, and finished results. This isn’t just about making the video look pretty (though it does). It’s about reinforcing the story visually.

Branding and Accessibility

Subtle branding can go a long way. Think logo placements, consistent colour palettes, and professional typography. It should feel like an extension of your brand, not a salesy bolt-on.

Tasteful logo placements
Consistent colour palettes and typography
A clean, professional look and feel

And don’t forget subtitles. They’re not just for accessibility, most social media videos are watched on mute. Captions mean your message still lands, even in silence.

You can use tools like Rev.com but we also have an in-house captioning service to make sure everything is accessible and polished.

Distribution Strategy

Once your testimonial is polished and ready to go, the work isn’t over. In fact, it’s just beginning.

Where to share it:

On your website
On social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook)
In email campaigns and newsletters
Within sales presentations or proposals

You can even repurpose it:

Short clips for Reels or Stories
Pull quotes for graphic posts
Embed in case studies or blogs

Don’t let it collect digital dust.

Let Pearce Productions Bring Your Story to Life

We’ve helped businesses of all sizes across Surrey and London turn their happiest customers into their biggest marketing asset. Whether you're in construction, property, retail, or tech, we know how to craft testimonial videos that not only look great, but work.

So if you're ready to build trust, showcase your success stories, and take your brand to the next level - get in touch. We’d love to help tell your story.

Want to see some of our testimonial work in action?

Check out our portfolio and see what a professional, story-driven testimonial video can do for your brand.