Photo Marketing Mentor

I recently came across a photographer who used a video testimonial on his blog to attract new business and inspired to write today’s post.

It’s been said that the best source of new business is from your last customer. Referral marketing has taken on all whole new personality, now a days new prospects want proof that you’re good at what you do, social proof to be exact and nothing illustrates social proof better than video.

Today collecting on the spot reviews & testimonials of your work, your personality and your work ethic is as simple as whipping out a pocket size camera.  The best part is that you don’t need to hire a film crew, shooting high quality video using off the shelf consumer level pocket cameras like the Mino Flip and the new Kodak Zi8 for example makes it a snap. Even the new generation of digital still cameras have some form of video capture capability.

How to create the video and what makes a good testimonial is the focus of this post for example, all you need to do is ask your current client how they felt about their experience working with you and then record their reply. After you collect a sufficient amount of clips you can lace them together using another off the shelf product like iMovie for example if you’re on a Mac or Video Studio Pro X3 if you’re using a PC.

When you sit down to edit the video just add your contact information on the last frame and you’re done. The following 5 tips will help you create and distribute your new testimonial video for maximum impact.

1.) Ask Relevant Questions Of Your Interviewee’s: For example: What was it like to work with me? What stood out for you from the experience? (Ask them to name specifics) Would you recommend my services to others?

2. Keep Your Clips Short: If your interviewee rambles on just cut down to the gist of the conversation from about 1 minute to 45 seconds if you’re doing a montage of clips from different people. If the person speaking is key and the majority of their testimonial is relevant then consider giving them their own clip, preferably about 3 minutes and under.

3. Keep Your Video Camera With You At All Times: This is especially true when attending events, as you never know whom you might run into. Of course the person you approach must be someone who you have either a current or previous working relationship with; one word of caution (no fake or made up testimonials) this is will ruin your reputation not to mention get into serious hot water with the FCC if you’re ever exposed.

4. Select Audio With Caution: If you insist on adding music on your clips keep the sound level low and the style of music relevant to your audience. Obviously people are watching your clip to listen to the testimonials, not rock out to Pink Floyd (no offense to PF fans). In my opinion music is totally unnecessary but if you insist on it, add it to the opening -or- at the end of your video. Again choose your selection with caution and sensitivity to your audience.

5. Distribute Your Video Virally: First post your video on your blog (if you have one) second on your website. Third spread the video by posting on YouTube, Vimeo and Viddler are three video sharing sites I recommend. Next Tweet about it, tell your Facebook friends or fans if you a fan page (and you should).

Fourth, if you have an in-house email-mailing list (and you should) sends out announcement to your list. Finally ask the participants featured in your video to send out announcements to their network for you. This is a great way to get maximum mileage out of your testimonial.

Lastly I highly recommend using Animoto to distribute your video. Animoto offers a data collection feature called a “call to action button” that appears at the end your video allowing viewers to enter their name and email address. After the viewer enters their info they’re immediately directed to your blog or website.

Animoto charges a fee for this value added service, you can test it for $39 for a month, if works for you, you can upgrade to a year for $249 and release new videos every month. This is an excellent way establish and maintain communication with your growing fan base.

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