15 Best Video Testimonial Questions to Ask [COMPLETE GUIDE]

TLDR:

• Great video testimonials come from asking the right, story-focused questions.
• Keep interviews short, natural, and centered on real experiences.
• Use testimonials to build trust, credibility, and stronger customer connections.

Intro

You finally convinced a happy customer to record a testimonial, but once the camera started rolling, things didn’t go as planned. Their answers were short, awkward, or too general to use.

Sound familiar?

Many businesses run into this problem... not because their customers aren’t satisfied, but because they weren’t asked the right questions.

The truth is, great testimonials don’t happen by chance. They happen when you guide people with prompts that help them tell their story naturally.

That’s exactly what we’ll cover in this guide on video testimonial questions.

What Are Video Testimonial Questions?

Video testimonial questions are simple prompts you give a customer so they can tell their experience as a short story, in their own words.

Think of them as gentle guide rails that keep the conversation natural and useful.

Why Do Video Testimonial Questions Matter?

Video testimonial questions matter because they’re the difference between a forgettable clip and a story that actually sells.

Most customers don’t naturally know what to say on camera, even the happiest ones.

The right questions act like a roadmap, helping them open up about their journey in a way that feels real and relatable.

When done right, these questions draw out:

• Authenticity: Real stories sound human, not scripted.
• Trust: Specific, honest experiences help new customers believe you.
• Emotion: Hearing genuine excitement or relief connects better than any ad copy.
• Proof: Details like numbers, results, or “before vs. after” moments give credibility.

In short, video testimonial questions don’t just capture opinions, they capture transformation. That’s exactly what potential customers want to see before they choose you.

Common Mistakes When Asking Questions on Video Testimonials

Even with the best intentions, many businesses make small mistakes that lead to awkward, unconvincing testimonials. Below are the top three that happen most often.

Asking Yes or No Questions

This leads to short and unhelpful answers that sound stiff and rehearsed. The result is a testimonial that lacks emotion and depth.

Asking Too Many Questions at Once

When customers are overloaded, they lose focus and give rushed or generic responses. The testimonial ends up feeling scattered and unfocused.

Ignoring Sound and Lighting

Poor audio or dark visuals make the testimonial hard to watch. Even strong stories lose credibility when viewers struggle to hear or see clearly.

Best Video Testimonial Questions to Ask

Below are the best questions to guide your customers through a natural story flow—from who they are to how their experience with you made a difference.

Warm-Up Questions

1. Can you tell us who you are and what you do?

This helps viewers quickly understand who’s speaking and builds context for their story. It also sets a comfortable tone before diving into deeper questions.

2. How did you first hear about us?

This gives insight into how people discover your business and helps connect their story back to the moment of first contact.

3. What made you decide to give us a try?

This reveals what initially caught their attention or motivated them to take the next step, setting up the story of their journey.

Problem & Motivation

4. What problem were you facing before using our product or service?

This brings out the challenge or pain point that your brand helped solve, creating the emotional anchor for their story.

5. What other options did you consider?

This uncovers what alternatives they explored and what factors mattered most in their decision-making process.

6. What made you choose us instead?

This highlights your key differentiators and what ultimately convinced them to pick your business over others.

7. Did you have any doubts before signing up?

This exposes any hesitation or concern they had, helping future customers relate to and overcome similar objections.

Experience & Results

8. What was it like working with us?

This lets them describe their firsthand experience, capturing tone, personality, and authenticity in their words.

9. What’s changed since you started using our product or service?

This question surfaces the transformation or improvements they experienced, showing measurable or emotional results.

10. Do you have any results, numbers, or examples you can share?

This invites specific proof—like time saved, revenue gained, or satisfaction improved—that gives credibility to their story.

11. What part of the experience stood out the most?

This draws out memorable details that often make the testimonial more engaging and personal.

Recommendation & Wrap-Up

12. Would you recommend us to others? Why?

This helps capture their endorsement naturally, showing real confidence in your business.

13. What advice would you give to someone still deciding?

This gives viewers practical reassurance from someone who’s already made the leap.

14. Was there anything that surprised you about our service?

This brings out positive, unexpected moments that can make the testimonial feel more genuine.

15. Anything else you’d like to add?

This open-ended prompt lets them share final thoughts or emotions that weren’t covered earlier, often leading to the most sincere and unscripted moments.

How to Ask These Video Testimonial Questions (Without Making It Awkward)

Getting great answers isn’t just about what you ask, it’s about how you ask. A relaxed tone, simple direction, and a bit of patience go a long way in helping customers share their stories naturally.

Keep It Conversational

Avoid sounding like you’re reading from a script.

Treat it like a friendly chat where you’re curious about their experience. When customers feel comfortable, they speak more openly and deliver genuine answers that sound natural on camera.

Share the Questions in Advance

Send the questions ahead of time so they know what to expect.

This helps them organize their thoughts, recall details, and feel more confident once the recording starts. It also reduces nervous pauses and filler words.

Start with Easy Questions

Begin with simple introductions like their name, role, or how they found you.

These warm-up questions help them relax before discussing deeper topics like problems and results. It sets a smooth tone for the rest of the session.

Listen and Follow Up Naturally

Once they start speaking, avoid cutting them off or jumping to the next question too quickly.

Let them finish their thoughts and use gentle follow-ups like “Can you tell me more about that?” to draw out better detail and emotion.

Keep It Short and Upbeat

Long recordings drain energy and make editing harder later.

Aim for a concise conversation that stays positive and focused. Keep their best moments centered on transformation, not filler or repetition.

Conclusion

We hope this guide helps you create stronger, more authentic video testimonials that truly reflect the value of your work.

If you’re exploring more ways to understand your customers, you can also check out our post on the different types of customer feedback and how to use them effectively.

For those in healthcare, we’ve shared insights on dealing with negative patient reviews and maintaining a positive online reputation through reputation marketing.

At SurgePoint, we make it easier to gather, manage, and act on customer feedback through our products for Reviews, Referrals, Insights, and Repeat business.

These tools help businesses like law firms, dental offices, medical practices, med spas, plumbing companies, and landscaping services grow through better reviews and stronger relationships.

If you’d like to explore how we can help you turn more customer experiences into stories worth sharing, visit our homepage or browse our blog for more guides like this. You can also reach out directly at info@thesurgepoint.com — we’d love to hear from you.

Good luck with your next testimonial project, and remember, every great story starts with the right question.

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