Stop Losing Customers: Use This Testimonial Strategy

If there’s one thing businesses should double down on in 2025, it’s user-generated testimonials. Why? Because nothing sells your product or service better than real customers sharing their authentic experiences.

For years, testimonials have been one of the most effective forms of content marketing. People trust other people more than they trust brands. That’s why leveraging customer-driven content is one of the best ways to build credibility, attract new customers, and increase conversions.

Two Effective Ways to Capture User-Generated Testimonials

1. Interview-Style Testimonials with Simple Video Setups

A great way to create engaging testimonials is through customer interviews. Thanks to advancements in smartphone technology, you don’t need a high-end production setup to make professional-looking content.

If you have an iPhone 15 Pro Max or the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max, you can film in C-Log, which allows for high-quality, cinematic footage. But even more important than visuals is audio quality—because if your audience can’t hear your message clearly, they’ll tune out.

That’s why I recommend using a high-quality external microphone that connects to both DSLR cameras and iPhones. This ensures your audio is crisp and professional, making your testimonials sound as good as they look. You can find a great mic option here: Check it out on Amazon.

Once you have the right setup, conduct casual conversations with past customers about their experience with your product or service. These interviews don’t need to be overproduced—a simple, low-fi approach makes them feel more authentic.

2. Selfie-Style Video Testimonials

Not every customer wants to sit down for a formal interview, and that’s okay. Selfie-style video testimonials are another effective way to showcase customer experiences.

The key to making these videos work is authenticity. Since the customer is speaking directly into their phone, it feels personal and relatable. A few things to keep in mind:

• The closer the person is to the camera, the more personal the connection feels.
• If they record in a quiet space, you don’t need high-end microphones.
• Keep it simple—just ask them to share their story in their own words.

One easy way to collect these videos is by setting up a file request through Dropbox. You can send an email or text message with a request, and customers can upload their testimonial in seconds. This gives you a bank of user-generated content that you can use in your marketing.

Organic & Paid Strategy for Testimonials

These testimonials aren’t just for show—they should be a core part of your content marketing strategy.

Organic Growth:

If the video is under 3 minutes and filmed vertically, you can post it across:

?? Facebook

?? Instagram

?? LinkedIn

?? TikTok

?? YouTube Shorts

Since all these platforms prioritize vertical video content, your testimonials have a higher chance of reaching a broader audience.

Paid Advertising Strategy:

Beyond organic reach, testimonials also work exceptionally well as ads. Brands are shifting away from the old "interruptive" ad model and moving toward "content-first" ads—which means the best organic content gets boosted with ad spend.

Once you have strong-performing testimonials, you can:

? Identify the best-performing videos organically.

? Add a 5-second call-to-action outro (made with Canva, CapCut, or similar apps).

? Turn them into high-converting paid ads.

The Future of Content Marketing Is Personal

Testimonials are one of the most scalable forms of marketing because they leverage word-of-mouth at scale. With a simple video setup, an affordable high-quality mic, and a strategy that mixes organic and paid content, you can create a powerful testimonial-driven marketing engine in 2025.

Want to start leveraging user-generated content for your business? Share this article with others and follow me on social media!