Video Testimonial: Your Secret Weapon

"The only person who can sell what you do better than you… is your happy customer."

Let that sink in for a second.

Not your sales deck. Not your email sequence. Not even your sleekest ad. A smiling, satisfied client talking on camera—unscripted, unsponsored—is one of the most powerful things you can put in front of a potential customer. And yet, most businesses are sitting on a goldmine of happy clients and never ask them to say a word.

Let’s fix that.

Why Video Testimonials Matter

I’ll be blunt: a video testimonial is marketing rocket fuel. It builds trust instantly. It adds legitimacy you can’t fake. And it’s one of the easiest things to repurpose across your website, emails, ads, socials—you name it.

I’ve used testimonials in email outreach, on landing pages, and on socials - I even direct word of mouth business to testimonials. It's amazing how powerful it can be when people watch someone else say, “Yeah, they were great to work with,” and suddenly they’re not skeptical anymore. They're interested.

But how do you actually get these testimonials?

When to Ask

Here’s the part most people get wrong: you don’t have to wait until the end of a project.
One of my favorite ways to get a great testimonial is to mention it early—like during onboarding.

I’ll say something like:

“Hey, assuming this project goes well (and we think it will), would you be open to doing a quick video down the road about your experience?”

It’s casual. No pressure. But it plants the seed.

People usually say yes. They’re in the zone, they trust you, and it feels natural. This is an excellent way to set the stage.

Here's a really powerful video testimonial.

Keep It Easy for Them

Now, maybe you’re not doing full production shoots. That’s fine. You do not need fancy equipment or lighting to make this work.

You can literally ask them to record a quick video on their phone. Here’s the line I use:

“Hey, would you mind recording a short video on your phone about your experience working with us? I'd be really appreciative!”

Boom. Easy. Done.

You can email them, call them, or even set up a form with a video upload option. Just make it feel simple and friendly.

And here's a tip: explain why you want it. People are way more likely to help you if they know it’s going to make a real difference.

Instead of saying,

“We’ll put this on our website,”
say something like:
“We’re trying to reach more people like you and thought sharing your story would help others see what’s possible.”

Much more compelling.

Use It Strategically

This part’s important: don’t just post it and forget it.

Let me walk you through one of my favorite use cases.

I had a glowing testimonial from a client in a niche industry. They raved about how we helped them attract better leads with a new recruitment video. We clipped it into a 90-second video testimonial and I sent that video directly to similar companies in the same industry.

The message?

“Hey, here’s what we did for someone just like you. Thought it might be helpful to see.”

That email works. It leads to meetings, quotes, and closed deals.

So sure, put your video testimonials on your site. But also:

• Use them in cold outreach

• Add them to proposals

• Feature them in social media ads

• Drop them in follow-up emails

They’re not just “nice to have.” They’re sales tools.

Interested in more ways to use video strategically? Find out how to make video marketing work for you.

Final Thoughts

Some people overthink this. They worry about scripting the perfect message or hiring a full crew. But honestly, before worrying about production level, focus on authenticity. You want your video testimonials to feel honest, heartfelt, and human.

Start with your happiest clients. Make the ask.
Make it easy.
Use what you get.

And when you hear someone say, “I saw that video of your client talking about you—it really stuck with me,” you’ll understand exactly why this is your secret weapon.

Now go get one. Better yet—go get five!