The Ultimate Trade and construction Testimonial Video of all time.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.

Reviews and testimonials are EVERYTHING for your Trades brand and business.

What others are saying about you publicly will make or break you.

It’s serious stuff.

Like man flu. Only way better.

Not enough Trades take the time needed to work on and build their reviews and testimonials.

Fact.

But the funny thing is, if they did take the time, these reviews and testimonials would do a lot of the heavy lifting for them when it comes to marketing their Trades business. Imagine that.

Help generate more enquiries. Help convert more quotes.

The irony.

But here’s a question.

What is the one thing better than a client leaving you an online review?

SPOILER ALERT. The clue is in the blog title.

A client agreeing to star in a testimonial video where they are actually going to tell us on camera exactly why you rock.

Tell me, what beats that in nailing your Trades brand?

Your client serving you up a fresh, warm cake, mid-job maybe. Or not needing to be reminded of your invoice.

So given this vital piece of information, I wanted to share this with you…

15 reasons this is the best Trades testimonial video of all time.

In my (biased) opinion.

First things first. Give this 2 minute video a watch.

Then carry on reading to find out exactly why THIS is the holy grail of a Trade testimonial video and why…

It’s seriously good, right?

Pretty clear to see that this hasn’t been rustled up on an iphone through TikTok.

Indeed, our video production team got their hands on this one.

And yes, leaving it to the (right) pros will give you an outcome better than you could have imagined for your Trades business.

Where possible, I’d ALWAYS say leave your main corporate video to the masters.

But a lot of why this video is awesome can be taken and used in your own videos. So pencils at the ready.

Because this is the ultimate Trades Testimonial or Corporate or Marketing (whatever you want to call it) video out there.

Here’s why.

1. Trade AND CONSTRUCTION testimonial videos should be short and sweet.

First things first.

There is so much content going on in this video.

Yet, unbelievably, the whole thing is just over 2 minutes long. (2:06 to be exact). And that even includes the animated logo at the end.

Impressive.

This is the perfect length for a show-stopping corporate video.

It’s long enough to get all the main points across as to why this Tree Surgery company are awesome, but short enough to hold our attention for just a couple of minutes whilst we are, most likely, scrolling through Social Media at our leisure.

Any video you make for your Trades business shouldn’t drag just for the sake of making a longer video.

Unless it’s an important point to make that your Ideal Clients will want/need to here, leave it in the skip.

Speaking of which…

2. Feature your Ideal Clients in your Trade and construction Testimonial videos.

The single, most important factor of anything you do when building your Trades brand.

Your testimonial videos should feature your Ideal Clients only.

Why?

Because you attract more of what you put out there.

If the Ideal Clients for your Trades business include (like this video) a homeowner in a certain area of London with a certain style of garden, then that’s who you need on camera.

Why?

Because they are going to be saying everything similar clients (that you are after for your business) are thinking about or are concerned with.

If your client on camera is addressing all these issues and pain points then you, my friend, have just saved yourselves heaps of time on the phone as lots of their questions have already been answered in your testimonial video.

Good, right?

But wait. There’s more.

By showing only testimonial videos of your Ideal Clients, YOU become the expert for that group of people and their problems. Meaning you become the desired Trade to service that ideal community.

And, it can help filter out the wrong kind of client (e.g. if you only want commercial work it will help filter out unwanted domestic if your brand only shows commercial clients) and time wasters too.

THIS epic testimonial video nailed this.

How?

We carried out an Ideal Client workshop with the Tree Surgeons before the video was created.

We drilled down into exactly the kind of client our Tree Surgeon wanted and everything those clients worried about when hiring a Tree Surgeon to do the job.

The Ideal Clients turned out to be two sets of Homeowners – an affluent female and grandparents - and a Property Manager, all based in North London.

Funny how our video starred exactly those clients, isn’t it?

This was no happy accident I tell you.

Our production team used everything we discovered as part of the Ideal Client workshop to influence the video – including exactly how our Tree Suregon put them at ease, delivered impeccable service and solved all the problems and worries they had before getting them in for the job.

In recording these masterpieces, it was not a case of turn up to location, whip the cameras out and let’s just see what happens.

A lot of thought and planning went in behind this video.

All the right questions were asked that encouraged the Ideal Clients to give such superb answers.

Answers, that you can hear, will absolutely resonate with other people that will turn out to be this Trade’s perfect customer.

Without this planning and extraction (jeez, this sounds like some kind of surgical procedure)  our testimonial video could well have been 10 seconds long.

‘Great job. Would highly recommend”.

Useless. 

Ours turned out epic.

3. Choose clients that will be great on camera for your Trade and construction Testimonial video.

The clients that were chosen here, came up trumps on camera.

And this is important.

Much like the process of choosing your Ideal Client ‘on paper,’ think about how your client comes across when you speak to them, how they dress, their personality.

Is it in line with the calibre of future clients you want?

Do they align with the values of your Trades business?

The three clients in this video did an outstanding job.

Clearly spoken, happy, friendly and the property manager was very professional. Even if you don’t know this Tree Surgery business, from the calibre of people on camera you create an idea of the kind of Trade they are.

How would you rate their business brand from this video alone?

Pretty highly I’m guessing.

4. Get straight to the pain point for your Trade and construction Testimonial video.

Before we have hit 4 seconds in this video we hear ‘it’s really important to have Tradesmen you can trust.’

Dive right in.

We open straight away with the client singing the praises of the Trade and hitting on a pain point that lots of people worry about.

No faffing about.

This is so important – especially for social media – where unlike a website visit, we take a bit bit more time here to do our research, we have but a few seconds to grab attention on Social Media if our potential customers are merrily scrolling.

This Trade testimonial video has wasted no time in addressing a pain point – Trust.

A biggie for our Trades.

I love how this video cuts the cr*p and gets straight to it.

Brilliant.

5. Great answers can only be given from great questions in your Trade and construction Testimonial Video.

There is no question.

The answers these clients give about this Trades business were exceptional.

They touched on every part of the business that we needed to know to build trust without even knowing them and why they are the go-to Tree Surgery company in the community.

But these great answers are only possible because great questions were asked in the first place.

The bonus of using a professional video production team like ours is not only incredible footage and sound quality that you are never going to achieve on your own, but that you are working with professionals that have had years of practice and education in interview techniques, how to get the best answers out of different people without it looking staged and how to make clients NOT look nervous on camera.

It’s an art-form. Trust me.

‘I chose these guys over their competitors because…’

Absolute gold dust.

6. Include the whole team in your Trade and construction Testimonial Video.

Back to our old friend - trust building.

For Trades in particular. One of your biggest business challenges is trust.

You are fighting that ‘cowboy stereotype’ day in day out.

And it’s your reputation and brand that are going to combat that label faster than Usain Bolt on roller skates.

What we teach our Trades is that by building a brand that’s human and using the faces behind the business in your marketing, helps us ‘non-trades’ start to build more trust with you as it feels like there is transparency and accountability.

We know what you look like.

So if something is wrong, there is no-where to hide.

And this Trades testimonial video does this beautifully.

We see all the team behind the brand.

The Trades business owner, the guys out on the tools, the team in the office.

We even get to meet the company mascot – the French Bulldog, Athora.

Humans. Not just a logo.

Real people. That we start to get to know.

Which brings me onto my next point…

7. All the team in Branded Workwear for your Trade and construction testimonial video.

Every team member is wearing uniform.

They look smart, tidy and professional.

Nobody is letting the side down.

If they all look like this in the video, what do we, as clients expect them to turn up as to our homes or workplace?

If they make this kind of effort in their appearance, what level of detail do we think they fulfil their service to?

A small detail for any of your Trades videos but makes such a big difference.

And one important part of the uniform that often gets missed (but not in this video)…

8. Smiling in your Trade and construction Testimonial Videos.

Another small, but mighty difference.

We all want to work with Trades that are reliable.

We all want to work with Trades who know their stuff inside out.

But we also all want to work with Trades that are pleasant, approachable and make us feel like we are in good hands.

And as fluffy as this might seem, all this starts with a smile.

*Cue song and Tap shoes.

Imagine a video where every member of your Trades team looked miserable.

What would that say about your business?

That none of them want to be there?

That everyone hates their job?

That when they get to my home or workplace to carry out the works I’m paying them for, they are going to bring attitude or negativity through the door with them?

Smiling, happy faces sell.

And our Tree Surgeon has nailed it with his team - that appear friendly and approachable.

Because like they say, how you do anything is how you do everything.

9. Feature your Branded Vehicles in your Trade and construction Testimonial videos.

What I love about our production team is how they have showcased all the branded vehicles they use in their Tree Surgery business.

From the vans, to the chippers to the Smart cars.

All fully branded. And all make an appearance, even if in the background, somewhere in this video.

Why is this a great asset?

Because we get to become familiar with the Trade’s identity on the road.

We know to look out for the orange van and the Smart car with the big logo.

We can clearly see the investment the company have made in their vehicles and their branding to ensure they are as professional and well equipped as possible to service us.

This clever little trick means that for those of us who are unfamiliar with the Trades business start building familiarity with them through their vehicles.

Studies (right now) tell us that you need to see and interact with a brand 21 times before buying.

If someone views this testimonial video, then starts recognising their vans out on the road (multiple times), then gets a leaflet through the door, then meet the team at a networking event, do you think that person would feel like they already know the company?

They are half way already to that ’21 times’.

Who do we think will be front of mind when they are looking for some Tree Surgery work?

10. Feature different sites in your Trade and construction Testimonial videos.

One of the many strengths of this Trade testimonial video is that it has been shot on multiple sites.

We see the team in different client gardens.

We get an insight into all the locations our Tree Surgeon masters their work.

The added beauty of this, without it even being super obvious, is that as well as being a top-end Trades testimonial video, it’s also a ‘day in the life of’.

We actually walk with the Tree Surgeons through their day.

As a video, showing multiple sights makes it a really interesting watch for us non-trades and encourages us to watch the video longer.

Which is especially great when this video is on your website and helps your site visitors stay longer and Google love you more.

11. Show us behind the scenes in your Trade and construction Testimonial videos.

Leading on from featuring different sites, what this Trades testimonial also does brilliantly is show us behind the scenes of their business.

We see the yard where the team are briefed before going on site.

We also see the team in the office – which adds an extra layer to the business in that we see they have a premises also.

This is an added asset to their Tree Surgery business as we can feel more trusting we can hold them accountable and know where to find them should we need to.

No disappearing off into the horizon never to be seen.

You may not have an office or a yard. But perhaps you have a workshop.

Including shots of you working on a premises can add extra weight to your brand.

And if you don’t have any form of premises as you are a mobile Trade and maybe work from your home office, then don’t fear.

The fact you are putting together a legit client testimonial video helps combat these main worries for us as clients anyway. So you are well on you way.

This actually proves even more so, how important testimonial videos are for the mobile Trade.

But as this blog is about highlighting why this Trades video is outstanding, we wanted to mention the importance of behind the scenes.

12. Include during and after shots in your Trade and construction Testimonial videos.

There are some great shots of the team at work in this Trades video.

We see the guys climbing, clearing and using the chipper.

A great insight into how these Trades move throughout the day and what we can expect if they come to our home or business.

We also get to see the ‘afters’. There isn’t so much of an obvious ‘before and after’ shot or comparison, but it’s not necessarily needed here.

We see from the two female clients sharing their gardens with us, the light and space that now exists from the works carried out by the Tree Surgeons.

This gives us as potential clients, everything we need to on how things work from start to finish with these Trades.

13. Show us the systems and processes you use in your Trade and construction Business Videos.

The Trade industry can more often than not, be stamped with ‘living in the past’ and being a tad, ‘cave-person’ when it comes to systems in their business.

With many Trades still doing their invoicing with a good old pen and paper, we can see why it’s a tough label to shake off.

There is a great shot in our Trades video where you see the company director using his iPad to draw diagrams over the photo of the site.

This is sheer brilliance.

Not something you necessarily would expect to see in a client testimonial video.

But another example of how this has become way more that just a testimonial – but an insight and behind the scenes of the business.

In a shot that lasts only a few seconds, we get to see HOW our Trade organises and uses technology in his business to streamline his work and brief his team.

Not only that, but this shows a company that are embracing modern technology to get the best results for their clients.

14. Be creative with your Trade and construction Testimonial Video.

These last two points are going to highlight why using a professional video production company (like ours) makes a massive difference to the final output.

The shots used in this Trades video, undeniably, are outstanding.

The way the camera pans across the vehicles, the close ups of the clients and that mesmerizing drone footage of the tree felling.

Unless you are a wannabe Quentin Tarantino in your spare time – whilst juggling your Trades business – you probably aren’t likely to own this level of professional camera equipment. Or a drone.

Though they are becoming a lot more accessible for normal folk like us.

The point I want to make about this video is that all the different angles and shots make this testimonial video outstanding.

The video loses any sense of being some bog-standard, dull, corporate video but an enjoyable watch.

The day to day views a tree surgeon may take for granted when felling a tree or climbing to great heights, we don’t get to see in our Monday to Sunday.

This is exciting for us ‘non-trades.’

By adding this level of creativity, this video suddenly becomes an immense watch – whether you need a Tree Surgeon right now or not.

But when you do, what Trades company will you remember or will spring to mind?

15. For the ultimate Trade and construction Testimonial video, quality is everything.

I am all for self-generated testimonial videos.

Where we get scrappy and film clients on our phone or the client themselves send you a selfie video.

They are brilliant. And absolutely have a place. Usually on Social Media or blogs.

But for every successful Trades business, the cheery on the cake, is that amongst all those self-generated videos there is also at least one high quality, professional Trades testimonial video like this.

One Trades video that totally smashes it out of the park. Professionally.

I mean, if your business doesn’t currently have a video to this quality, tell me effect you think having something like this in your tool bag would do?

Is there anyone you’d be too embarrassed to show this to?

Would you be using it at every opportunity to help to bag those Ideal Cleints?

Of course you would.

I’m always teaching my Trades that there is a place for everything (well most things).

Imagine a new client visiting your website.

They’re on your Homepage and this video is the first thing they see.

As an introduction to your business.

It has absolutely everything they need to decide if this is the kind of Trade they want to work with or not.

Professional video production is not cheap.

But given everything we’ve listed in this blog, all of this became possible because

a) a professional team were used and
b) a lot of work went in behind the scenes.

That would have been virtually impossible to DIY.

And look at the result.

Perfect sound, crystal clear visuals, the content literally sings to our Tree Surgeon’s Ideal Client.

It’s flawless.

The video is used on Social Media, the company website and even in networking presentations.

It is constantly in use and shared wherever possible.

Breaking through so many of the challenges that most Trades face day-to-day.

Trust, reputation, reliability, quality of service, accountability, security, size of team.

Having a Trades testimonial video like this does so much of the heavy lifting for these Tree Surgeons and their Trade brand.

And plays its part in helping this company dominate their industry in London.

Ever wondered what a video like this could do for your business? Maybe it’s time to get the ball (and film) rolling.

Need a little more help nailing your Trade and construction videos?

Course you do.

Book a 20-minute virtual cuppa with us to find out how.

WHY THIS IS THE ULTIMATE Trade and construction TESTIMONIAL VIDEO RUNDOWN:

1. Trade testimonial videos should be short and sweet.
2. Feature your Ideal Clients.
3. Choose clients that will be great on camera.
4. Get straight to the point.
5. Great answers can only be given from great questions.
6. Including the whole team
7. All the team in Branded Workwear for your Trades testimonial video.
8. Smile.
9. Feature your Branded Vehicles in your Trades Testimonial videos.
10. Feature different sites in your Trades Testimonial videos.
11. Show us behind the scenes in your Trades Testimonial videos.
12. Include during and after shots in your Trades Testimonial videos.
13. Show us the systems and processes you use in your Trades Business Videos.
14. Be creative.
15. For the ultimate Trades Testimonial video, quality is everything.