(Checklist) What Makes A Great Video Review?

Video reviews provide an engaging and in-depth look at a product or service, allow viewers to see a product in action, and typically highlight important features and benefits. They are also more personal, as the reviewer can speak directly to the viewer and provide their own experiences with the product.

In order to help you get the most authentic and helpful video reviews for your business or brand, Vyrill has created 2 Video Review Checklists. 

Before we get there, however, let’s first look at several ways you can approach obtaining videos reviews:  

• Ask satisfied customers to leave a video review on their website or on a third-party review site such as Yelp or Google.
  
• Ask satisfied shop staff to create a video testimonial by filming a customer who has had a positive experience with the company.
  
• Offer incentives for customers to leave a video review, such as discounts or special promotions.
  
• Reach out to influencers or bloggers who can create video reviews of the company's products or services.
  
• Use video review capture and publishing software (hint: like Vyrill) that can be integrated into any ecommerce site or text review platform to display customer video reviews.

Video Review Checklist 

Finding and curating authentic, informative, and relevant video reviews is a daunting, yet critical strategy for brands. 

• How can you get what you want from creators?
• What is most important to include?
• How do great video reviews differ by product category?

Here is our checklist to follow and share with your customers and advocates to help them create an excellent video review!

1. Length: Video reviews should be short & concise, ideally 1 to 3 minutes. However, there are many video reviews, like haul videos in the fashion industry, that run much, much longer. Be sure to do some research about what people are doing in your field.
   

2. Images:

             a. Clear shot of the face of the reviewer.
            b. Clear shot of the product:

• If the review talks about an app or software: add a screen recording showing a task done with the app or software.
• If the review talks about a service: add a shot of the process during the service, the result or the environment the service was offered. 

             c. Clear shots of the person using the product or the product functioning (if possible).

2. Text/Speech:

              a. Minimum of 5 clear sentences (min 30 seconds) where reviewer:

• Describes the product, service or app, pointing out characteristics of it.
• Gives context from the reviewer (at the beginning) to help the viewer understand the reviewer. For example, for beauty products mention the type of hair, or skin you have.
• Mentions how the video impacted the reviewer’s life (positive or negative). Excitement and authenticity in reviews makes them more trustworthy.

              b. Mention the product by name, and the brand.
              c. No music, clear audio.

Here are 5 examples of great video reviews:

1. Tech example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWIkBMNKj1s 
2. Beauty example: https://youtu.be/rAiGZmCQXNQ 
3. Car example: https://youtu.be/SsnCFvSnXOU 
4. SaaS platform review: https://youtu.be/IiTZ-9Z9vdw 
5. Moving Service review: https://youtu.be/dpOW6VDN3n4 

Video Testimonial Review Checklist 

Video testimonials share the whole experience of a customer who used the product or service you offer. It delivers a story that allows other potential customers to connect and build trust with your brand and products. 

The production of video testimonials requires technical direction and editing.

1. Length: 30 seconds to 3 minutes, after editing.

2. Images:

                a. Medium close-up shot of the person offering the testimonial looking directly to the camera.

                         i. The participant needs to dress and speak in a way that makes sense to your targeted audience. Tip: Ask them NOT to wear black or white or small patterns that can create a distracting visual effect on camera.

                          ii. Relevant background or clean-simple design.

                b. Clear shots of the person using the product or the product functioning.

                c. Clear shots of the person using the product or service with a voice-over:

                          i. If the testimonial is about an app or software: add a screen recording showing a task done with the app or software or the participant using or navigating through the app/software.

                          ii. If the review talks about a service: add a shot of the person during the service, the result of the service or the environment where the service  is offered. 

       3.  Text/Speech:

                a. Mention the product by name, and the brand. 
                b. No music, clear audio.
                c. Person offering the testimonial should answer the following 10 questions:

• Describe life before purchase – talk about the problem/issue/pain.
• Describe how you were introduced to product/service and state any initial hesitation about it.
• What caused you to decide, “Yes, I’m going to buy this?”
• How did you incorporate the product into your life?
• When did you first notice a change and how did it make you feel?
• How does it continue to add value/reduce pain/solve an issue in your life?
• Have you shared it with friends or told others about it and why?
• Describe the overall transformation that you experienced while using your product or service?
• What’s memorable/meaningful about this product/service?
• How is the product different?

               d. Make it a story! Participants are encouraged to share the most exciting or transformational story about their experience using YOUR product, inspiring an emotional response and eliminating disbelief.

Here are 4 examples of great video testimonials:

1. Tech/software example: https://youtu.be/ppawFI1u6Po 
2. Beauty example: https://youtu.be/kEgKbRZCPpU 
3. Car example: https://youtu.be/H8e7sQ93y4E 
4. Travel testimonial: https://youtu.be/PIZLKaG44Hs 

We hope you enjoyed some insightful tips and takeaways from our checklists in order to obtain new, authentic, informative video reviews and testimonials for your brand. Get in touch with Vyrill to see how we can help you launch your next video review campaign.

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About the Author

Katy boasts two decades in B2B technology & services, spearheading growth and brand evolution. A former Adobe marketing maven for 9 years, she’s since built growth teams for 5 tech startups that have all been acquired. With a stellar record in operational excellence and creating demand, she excels at leading successful cross-functional initiatives that enable companies to scale up.