Why don't sellers use video testimonials to promote their services?

idealmike Level X³

July 19, 2016, 7:07 am

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Should you use video testimonials in your services?

You should use video testimonials in your services to sell more!

Videos make excellent communication tools. They're so much better than boring long sales letters don't you think? They add a real 'personal touch' to your service or business. People love to watch videos and they trust spoken voices over written words much much more. Also people can relate to someone talking in a video about something more than they can reading something on a page. They stand out, they install trust in people and can be used to promote your own services and encourage sales not just by the people who come across it on YouTube or another site that video may be on, but by those who view it in your actual service page too.

Think about it, if you make a video of/about one of your services, where you are sitting there talking about it, telling people about what it does, how it can help them etc. That will give your service a real edge over all the other similar services out there that are almost identical to yours. People will see YOU talking in that video about YOUR service and be much more inclined/enticed to purchase it if it's spoken to them. It will fill them with much more confidence when they can see a face behind the service. Don't you think!?

So knowing this, why don't more sellers here use video testimonials to promote their services? Are people afraid to talk on video?

I get that as a freelancer you can remain completely anonymous if you want. So it doesn't even have to be you? You could hire someone to make them?

A page 3 model or something perhaps!? Or even just someone dressed smartly in a suit or even dressed casually. You could tell them all about your service, even give them a script to read highlighting the good features/benefits to your service.

I think this is an excellent thing to do and will really help to give your services a real personal edge to them and make them stand out over other similar services.

It's definitely something to think about and consider doing. I think we should all make an effort to look into this more so that each of our services has a video about them.

Another good idea is to make podcasts. It's more for those people that are camera shy. They are just simple audio files you can make yourself. They can be just you talking about your service, telling people what it does, how it can help/benefit them and other useful stuff about it that encourages them to purchase.

What do you think of doing this?

Why don't your services already have videos/podcasts?

Have you considered doing this but haven't got round to it yet?

They could exponentially help you get more sales so if not why not!?

Comments

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cdrocks

I use video's at times to describe my service's more in detail. I think it helps with sales or if nothing else it gives your profile more of a professional look. I would say testimonials are an excellent idea as well. According to some studies 20%, more people will buy a service if a video description is attached.

10 years ago

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Everett

Can you name the source where the study was conducted? I'm not too entirely sure if it is a 20% success rate for having a video in the description. How would one detect if the buyer bought the service due to the service having a promotional video in the service description?

I like when service's have a promotional video in the description. It reassures the buyer that the seller took the time, and effort to properly inform the potential buyer about the service. However, I don't have any videos in my service's description, and I tend to believe at some point in the future I will add some..

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

i think you have a point everett what exactly are the numbers in a 20% success rate im a little curious on that my self now, i mean im not counting you out or anything cause you can be right there is probably a lot that connects the sales success rate and how it does to whether you have a video or no video posted up on your profile, and everett you know it can always be as simple as getting a buyers poll on who felt videos impacted them more in make purchase decisions its all about how you view it i guess

10 years ago

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Everett

Yes, I ask for more information in regards to this study because a lot of the times people just post made up statistics in order to A. Sell an idea, or B. Sell a product. I like to have concrete evidence for any claims.

I would, in the future, add videos to all my services but I personally don't like being in a video nor voicing it over. That is probably why voiceover services exist.. lol Maybe I will get more sales, or maybe not.. but it should be a goal of mine to establish myself in that aspect.

10 years ago

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cdrocks

Here is a link that some research has been done on the subject there are more also that I have found. However, this one uses various sources. I have seen other studies where the 20% was mentioned but this will give you some insight into the subject. Notice the Forbes findings as follows in the article "About 50% of those who viewed an online marketing video went on to make a purchase for their business". There are newer studies as well that back up most of this data since videos are now even more popular than before.
http://www.videobrewery.com/blog/18-video-marketing-statistics
https://animationsworld.com/benefits-of-animated-videos-for-business/

10 years ago

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Everett

Thank you for the links. *bookmarks* Why don

The article is huge though, it will probably take me a couple of days to read it all.. Not because im a slow reader, but because i am busy XD

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

i would agree it adds a professional look it can be a great thing to help improve your image in your business by taking advantage of video testimonials , if can give your buyers a side of you they have never seen allow them to feel more comfortable with your sales pitches and marketing strategies, and video can also show your buyers that your real i dont mean in the sense like you did not exist or you were fake and they found out who you were i mean it as in you can show them you mean business , a man of his word so too speak

10 years ago

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Everett

Yes, it can be quite professional. However, sometimes a video would make the buyer not want to buy if the video is done horribly. I have seen my fair share of bad promotional videos. It made me click away, and i never bought anything from the seller.

And you're very correct that it does ensure that you're a real person, and that is one quality a seller would need to have. No one likes bots, lol.

10 years ago

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cdrocks

Very good point I found stats to back up your point as well about bad videos. A bad video will lose business just as much as a good video will increase business!

10 years ago

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ajlancer

Hi idealmike thanks for your nice topic. I think this type of topic may discuss on CD previously as explainer video. Yes I should agree with you. I think you are talking about explainer video as video testimonials. I think most of the seller do not aware about this type of video even, they do not know how to create it and how to write script? Or seller may think to create such type of video need to spend some amount of money, which may not worth investment. But I think, this idea should be good if any seller use video testimonials for his service. Buyer may understand over voice explanation, who do not want to read big essay.
So, I think doing this really excellent for selling service.

Regards by Ajlancer

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

explainer video ? i like that concept it sounds like your trying to make an infomercial aj lancer , lol i am not sure if that truly was the direction you were aiming for but it is what it sounds like, you want too give a brief explanation of your service that do its best to appeal to your clients and that sir makes sense , so i can agree that if your going to take the time out to do a video at least make sure you take the time out to get your video done properly, great comment

10 years ago

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Webguy2024

Hi IdealMike,

I always thought that sellers are missing a big opportunity by not creating a video(s) for their services. If you think about it, most people don't read they scan. This means that you as a seller have about three to five seconds to get your message across to the visitor or they may bounce.

Text with pictures captivate the visitor and gets them to look around a bit longer on the page. However, a video retains customers on the page the longest, that is if the video is clear and concise.

Below is a members service that has a pretty nice video. He did a good job. What I like about it is that the video shows his service in action and in real time. Example: https://www.seocheckout.com/Traffic/433820/Get-Your-Business-Found-on-Apple-s-Search-5-000-000-000-Mobile-Searches-Per-Week

Maybe this will inspire more people to create a video for their services. There is also a nice benefit on social media. If you tweet out your service with a video attached you'll get a lot more views, clicks and shares than one without. There is definitely a pattern and noticeable increase in the stats with social media.

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

yea i can really agree with that videos really do draw more attention than any other source, as you mentioned web guy people tend to skim through and people do not really look in to detail so when it comes to even trying to throw a couple pictures in the mix even then the pictures just get glanced at i know for myself half the time i wont even give a second look i can only imagine buyers, videos on the other hand always get my attention it is a hit or miss though cause first impressions on a video is the deciding factor on whether the video gets treated like a picture

10 years ago

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hitmeasap

Hey Mike,
This is a good question. Video presentations usually brings you WAY better results than anything else. Videos have played a major role in successful product launches and we can see a bunch of people on other marketplaces using videos in their descriptions and people are using them on their sales pages etc. Videos ARE great. It's that simple.

However, when it comes to a marketplace like seocheckout, I truly believe people aren't using videos because of three reasons.

You can sell without a video. (Even though you most likely will have even better results WITH a video)
People are not comfortable enough to speak in front of a camera. (For various reasons. Self-confidence etc.)
People are a bit lazy. (We all are.)

I can share my details instead..
I don't use videos with myself, due to the second point above. I don't feel comfortable enough. I'm not native in English and I'm not confident enough to speak my "broken-ish" English with people. I'm better at writing, even though I most likely make mistakes on each and every post I make.. I get that feeling that people would understand better if I write rather than speak.

That's the MAIN reason for me. And probably the only one.

Best Regards,
hitmeasap

10 years ago

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Webguy2024

I agree with you that people tend to be lazy or self confident in not making a video for their service. Another issue is the time it can take to make the video and do the editing. If you are skilled and relatively fast at video creation I say why not create a video in your native tongue and and then take the transcript of what you said and run it through Google translate. You could overlay the text just like a foreign movie with sub-titles? That would be cool!

By the way, I actually enjoy watching a video with someone who isn't fluent with the language. People identify with people, and you are giving them a glimpse into your world. Plus, a video with someone speaking with broken English or other language gives it an international flare! This could really work in your favor.

10 years ago

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hitmeasap

Thanks for your input webguy2024, I appreciate it.

create a video in your native tongue and and then take the transcript of what you said and run it through Google translate. You could overlay the text just like a foreign movie with sub-titles?

I've actually thought of doing something like that and I've seen a few people doing the same.. But, I don't know.. It's probably my self-confidence or the awkward feeling by staring into a camera that's ruining the whole thing. Good inputs though. I'll think about it! Why don

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

i agree hit me asap i can understand you and the reasons behind taking the time out and choosing those specifics points too speak on it makes sense, i know for my self i too struggle with speaking at times in front of a camera i do not i just do not feel videos are for me specifically , and i can relate to being lazy lol dont take it wrong please i dont mean lazy as in sit back and not get nothing done but i am lazy when it comes too taking the time out to record a video so your doing good man, made some good points

10 years ago

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TommyCarey

Putting up an original video is pretty simple now. Hell, you can even hire someone on Seocheckout to put up a quick white board video about your services and it will look more professional than if you just put up colorful text Why don

Here is a list of people who offer a whiteboard service. https://www.seocheckout.com/search/whiteboard?s=r
I've sorted these users based on positive ratings Why don

You can get a good whiteboard video from $10 to $30 and it will be perfect for your service. Usually you can sift through the previous work of the service provider and that can help you make a better decision of who to choose. You can also pick someone who has a higher level combined with a good rating at a price you would be willing to pay.

Adding a video to your service page will increase your conversions because not everyone wants to read a wall of text about what you offer. You will be giving everyone an option to either read or just press the play button in order to figure out what your service is about. The best thing about this is you can launch your service and then pay someone to do the whiteboard. You can set up your service with all the content on it, and images if you have them, and then you can purchase the whiteboard video service and use your own service page URL for what you want the whiteboard service provider to write about. Since you'll have all the content on your service page already, the whiteboard creator won't have to ask any questions Why don

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

yea that is true it does not take much work to make a simple white board video to speak about your business, and of course there are others who sell services that cater to these types of things as far as putting videos together to fit your criteria or should i say to fit what exactly your needs are, but i also believe you should not devalue your video especially for your business , your over all video presentation should match the value you give your self and the value and quality you would give your business no point in putting part time work in some places and going hard in others

10 years ago

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Everett

I remember those whiteboard videos, especially when everyone had them.. they were EVERYWHERE. You couldn't escape the whiteboard video. I was about to purchase a service here for it but the quality wasn't good as it appears they all seemed to use the same program.

I couldn't really add my own pictures or change the font of the text, i think that specific seller was using a free version of the software, might as well been a free version since the service was like $10. But now i don't see any value in a whiteboard video, it just seems outdated, and overly used.

10 years ago

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TommyCarey

yeah, the problem is that a lot of people can make them. With the field having so many whiteboard makers out there, you'll have a tougher time sifting through the bad services to find a gem. When you find that one seller who goes above and beyond the call of duty, cherish them lol Why don

10 years ago

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EliteWriter

I think that many seem to go for the easy way out - and that is writing. Now I am a content writer, and this will obviously seem contradictory, but when it comes to real effectiveness I would surely opt for text + a video, and not text alone. In that way you would be able to target and reach out more effectively to so many people. Videos leave an imprint on one's mind due to their visual elements, and that is something that you can only do in a limited way with text, by adding a couple of pictures only.

10 years ago

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Lynne

I started doing Youtube videos this year and I try and do one video for every post I write. I have not conducted a study sorry Everett so I can't give you percentages but I can say that I have seen a huge change in engagement, in sales and in traffic since I have started adding videos.

I have also had some of my readers mention my videos and it has almost always been positive, well the true readers and followers of my websites anyway. I have done a lot of reviews of online scams and I have my haters too!

Talking to other online marketers it seems a lot of people are afraid to have themselves or their voices in a video. I can certainly understand this. It is not easy to put yourself out there for the whole world to see, but I do believe that in order to succeed you have to jump out of your comfort zone and do what needs to be done.

I think video marketing is something that needs to be done.

10 years ago

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EliteWriter

I guess that is one of the reasons why many end up resorting to writing only. However even if you do not like the sound of your voice, you can still opt for a voiceover or ask someone who has a nice voice and record him/her. It is not that difficult. Videos are without doubt more appealing and if only more businesses and sellers gave them importance and made good use of them they would be targeting followers much more easily and effectively in my opinion.

10 years ago

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Lynne

Yes I totally agree with you, it really makes such a difference it would be worth it. You can get people to do videos easily for you, for like $10 on Fiverr. I haven't seen anyone offering video services here though... hey maybe that is something I could offer. hmmm

10 years ago

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EliteWriter

Sure why not? There could be a loophole over there. Make the most out of it Why don

10 years ago

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Lynne

LOL not sure I want to do that either... have you seen the guys on Fiverr doing videos? Well half of them are on all those scam videos.... so scammers outsource people to advertise their scams. I would hate to do that hahaaa, how bad would that be for my reputation? I expose scams on my website but I make money doing videos for scams?

10 years ago

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EliteWriter

I fully agree with you. It seems that most stick to written text, and to make sure that it is read they end up keeping it short, and with bullet points etc, in the hope that it gets read, which I believe in most cases people will simply skim through it only because let's face it - we are all busy, and we prefer to use our time doing other stuff. So videos can help to get around this as they are sort of more entertaining since they are more visually appealing, and can summarize it all within a few minutes.

10 years ago

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Barida

One fact that I have come to realize on the online marketing and how to succeed in it is that most of our works and creating awareness on the internet is based on what reviews are others that have done business with us are giving. I think that is the reason using video testimonial works like magic for your prospective clients would get to watch them and feel convinced that you are not selling garbage to them, but what works.

9 years ago

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Corzhens

In this part of the world where internet access is crawling, viewing videos are only for the video lovers. But for a testimonial in video, I don’t think I would click on the play button or on the link to view it. We are travelers and our usual way of looking for a hotel is via travel sites where we always book for a hotel. Of course, we read the feedback and review of past customers. But if there is a video testimonial, I will not view it for purposes of convenience.

9 years ago

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