Focus Films

Why Most Testimonials Don't Work

The problem with most testimonial videos isn't production quality.
It's the questions.

If you ask a client "What was it like working with us?" you get a nice, forgettable answer.

If you ask "What were you worried about before you started?" you get something real.

The best testimonials follow a simple arc:

1. Here's where I was (the problem, the hesitation, the doubt)
2. Here's what actually happened (specific, not vague)
3. Here's where I am now (the result they care about)

That middle part matters most. "They were great to work with" means nothing. "They showed up on time, explained everything before they did it, and finished two days early" means everything.

When you're asking for testimonials, don't ask people to praise you. Ask them to describe what happened. The praise takes care of itself.