Using Textual, Audio, and Video Testimonials Effectively

Written by businessideas.info

The wide increase in DSL and broadband users throughout the Internet has allowed businesses to add advanced media to their websites. Websites that were once bland and only text now are rich and multimedia. If you are not taking advantage of these relatively new opportunities, you are missing out on a lot of sales.

Testimonials are traditionally just copy, with the occasional photograph thrown in. However, testimonials also come in the form of audio and video recordings, the latter being the most effective. Think of it this way; the more difficult it is to acquire the testimonial, the more valuable it is. Since a video testimonial is harder to make than an audio, the video is more valuable. Luckily, you do not need many video testimonials to get your point across; having two or three should be enough. You should have more audio and many more written testimonials to go along with your video.

Formatting your testimonial page is also important. Your video testimonials should be accompanied by written ones, and there should be a link above or below the written testimonial leading to the video. That way, if people do not have time to watch the video, they can still skim the copy.

Your videos should be able to play in the browser window. If users can only watch by downloading to their hard drives, they will probably skip it. Simply embed the video into a page of your site and link directly to that page. Creating browser-friendly videos can be done with a wide array of software programs available for download on the Internet. Many have free trials so you can find the application that is right for you.

Audio recordings can be made fairly easy as long as the user has a microphone. Ask potential testimonial makers if they are willing to record their written testimonial. Mention how it is simple and only takes a few minutes. After they write the testimonial, simply open up a program like Sound Recorder (standard with Windows OS), read the testimonial, and send it to you via email.

If you are desperate for audio or video testimonials, consider paying some of your testimonial givers for them. It would be the same, natural testimonial; the only thing the money would be for is to demonstrate it in a different media. Remember, you only need a few video testimonials, so it is best to just be patient and wait until someone is willing to do it for free.