How to Ask the Right Questions for Effective Testimonial Videos
Client testimonial videos are a powerful tool for law firms, providing prospective clients with a firsthand look at the success stories of those who have worked with your firm. However, the effectiveness of these videos largely depends on the quality of the questions you ask your clients. Well-crafted, open-ended questions encourage clients to share detailed, authentic, and compelling stories about their experiences.
In this blog, we’ll provide a guide on how to ask the right questions for your testimonial videos to elicit genuine, insightful responses that resonate with viewers and help build trust in your law firm.
1. Why the Right Questions Matter
Asking the right questions is key to getting your clients to open up and share their story in a way that feels genuine and relatable. Poorly crafted questions, such as simple yes/no queries or vague prompts, can lead to brief, unengaging answers. On the other hand, the right questions will:
• Encourage storytelling: Clients will share their full experience, helping to create a narrative that potential clients can connect with.
• Elicit emotional responses: Asking about personal experiences and feelings helps viewers see the human side of your law firm.
• Provide clarity and detail: Open-ended questions allow clients to explain their situation, how your firm helped them, and what results they achieved, which builds credibility.
The ultimate goal is to guide your client to share their story in a natural, heartfelt way that demonstrates the value your law firm brought to their legal situation.
2. Start by Framing the Testimonial Around a Journey
Every client has a story—typically one that begins with a problem or legal issue, moves through the process of seeking help, and ends with a resolution. To make the testimonial compelling, frame the questions around this journey:
• The Challenge: What legal problem was the client facing before they sought your help?
• The Solution: How did your law firm step in to help resolve the issue?
• The Result: What was the outcome, and how did it impact the client’s life or business?
By structuring the testimonial around this narrative, you create a natural flow for the conversation and ensure the video tells a complete story.
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions for Genuine Responses
Open-ended questions are critical for encouraging clients to share their thoughts in detail. Unlike yes/no questions, open-ended queries prompt clients to provide context, emotions, and personal insights, which make their testimonials more engaging and impactful.
Sample Open-Ended Questions:
1. What legal issue were you facing before you contacted our law firm?
• This question sets the stage for the testimonial. It encourages the client to explain the problem they were dealing with, helping viewers relate to the client’s situation.
2. What made you choose our law firm to represent you?
• Here, you give the client an opportunity to explain why they chose your firm over others. This can highlight your firm’s reputation, the client’s initial impressions, or specific aspects of your services that stood out.
3. How did our firm help resolve your legal issue?
• This question allows the client to focus on the solution your firm provided, showing how you tackled their problem and the legal strategies that led to a positive outcome.
4. What was the outcome, and how did it affect you or your business?
• Highlighting the result is crucial. This question prompts the client to discuss the tangible benefits of working with your firm, such as winning a case, receiving compensation, or securing a favorable legal agreement.
5. How did you feel throughout the process of working with our firm?
• This question encourages the client to discuss the emotional side of the experience. Hearing about their feelings—whether it’s relief, confidence, or peace of mind—helps potential clients connect with the human aspect of your firm’s work.
6. What would you say to someone considering hiring our law firm?
• This final question serves as a direct recommendation from the client, creating a natural call to action for viewers who may be considering your firm for their legal needs.
These open-ended questions ensure that the client’s answers are thoughtful, detailed, and authentic, providing valuable insights into the client experience.
4. Focus on Client-Centered Questions
When creating testimonial videos, the focus should be on the client’s experience, not just your firm. The more you allow the client to talk about their journey, the more relatable and authentic the testimonial will be. Potential clients want to hear about real problems, real solutions, and real outcomes from the client’s perspective.
Example of Client-Centered Questions:
• What were your initial concerns when you first faced this legal challenge?
• How did our legal team support you through the process?
• What specific challenges did you overcome with our firm’s help?
• How did your life or business change after working with us?
These questions place the focus squarely on the client’s story, showcasing how your law firm helped resolve their legal issues in a meaningful way.
5. Encourage Emotion in Responses
The most memorable testimonial videos often tap into the emotional aspects of the client’s experience. Asking questions that explore how the client felt at different stages of the process can help uncover authentic, heartfelt responses that make the video more engaging.
Emotion-Focused Questions:
• How did you feel when you first realized you needed legal help?
• What emotions did you experience after your case was resolved?
• How did our firm’s support make a difference in your life?
These questions allow clients to share their emotional journey, giving viewers a chance to connect on a deeper level. Emotional responses are more impactful than purely factual answers, as they help potential clients understand the human side of working with your firm.
6. Keep It Conversational
While it’s important to guide the conversation with thoughtful questions, try to keep the interview conversational. You want the client to feel comfortable and open, not like they’re being interrogated. By maintaining a relaxed atmosphere and engaging with the client during the conversation, you’ll encourage them to speak freely and naturally.
Tips for Keeping the Conversation Flowing:
• Listen and follow up: Pay attention to the client’s answers and ask follow-up questions based on what they say. For example, if a client mentions a specific challenge, ask them to elaborate: “Can you tell me more about how that challenge affected your case?”
• Pause and give space: Allow for pauses in the conversation so the client has time to reflect on their answers. Don’t rush through the questions; give them space to think and respond thoughtfully.
• Reassure them: Some clients may feel nervous in front of the camera. Reassure them that there are no wrong answers and that they should feel free to speak naturally.
7. End with a Call to Action
After you’ve gathered compelling responses from the client, close the testimonial with a call to action. While the focus should remain on the client’s experience, you can gently guide the client toward encouraging viewers to contact your firm.
Example Closing Questions:
• Why would you recommend our law firm to someone else?
• What advice would you give to someone considering our legal services?
These questions provide a smooth transition from the client’s story to a natural endorsement of your law firm, inspiring viewers to reach out and learn more.
Conclusion: Asking the Right Questions for Compelling Testimonial Videos
The success of your client testimonial videos depends largely on the quality of the questions you ask. By using open-ended, client-centered questions that encourage storytelling and emotion, you can create powerful, authentic testimonials that resonate with potential clients. Asking the right questions helps highlight your law firm’s strengths while ensuring the client’s story remains the focal point.
At Viral Ideas, we specialize in producing professional, high-quality testimonial videos that capture the true essence of your clients’ experiences. If you’re ready to enhance your video marketing strategy with compelling client testimonials, contact us today to get started.
Alina
I'm the Director of Creative Operations at Viral Ideas. I'm passionate about marketing, writing, and social media.