Testimonial videos have become a cornerstone of modern marketing communications. They humanize your brand, establish credibility, and provide powerful social proof—all within a few minutes of screen time. But one of the most common questions we hear from decision makers in marketing, photography, and corporate communications is:
“Should we produce short or long testimonial videos?”
The answer depends on your platform, audience, message, and marketing goals. Let’s break down the advantages and best-use cases for both formats to help you make an informed choice for your next campaign.
Short Testimonial Videos (30 seconds to 2 minutes)
Best for:
- Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook)
- Website landing pages
- Email marketing
- Trade show booths or digital signage
- Paid ads and promotional reels
Why it works:
Short-form testimonials are punchy and digestible. They capture attention fast—ideal for today’s fast-scrolling digital audience. When done well, a short testimonial delivers a memorable quote, an impactful result, or an emotional hook in just a few seconds.
Key strengths:
- High shareability and engagement
- Easily repurposed into ads, stories, and teasers
- Ideal for A/B testing and campaign performance metrics
- Quick turnaround time from production to delivery
Pro Tip: Keep the message focused. Choose one core theme (e.g., customer satisfaction, measurable ROI, or a transformation story) and build the visual and dialogue flow around that single concept.
Long Testimonial Videos (2 to 5+ minutes)
Best for:
- Case study landing pages
- Client-focused microsites
- Internal presentations
- B2B sales enablement tools
- Conference or pitch deck content
Why it works:
Long-form testimonials allow for a deeper dive into the customer journey. You get context, emotion, detail, and resolution—making it perfect for audiences already interested in your solution. These viewers are likely further down the sales funnel and are looking for validation and proof before making a decision.
Key strengths:
- Provides a full narrative arc (problem > solution > result)
- Establishes thought leadership and authority
- Builds emotional trust through storytelling
- Allows room for supporting visuals like B-roll, charts, or product demonstrations
Pro Tip: Incorporate multiple speakers or layered visuals to maintain energy and engagement. A two-camera setup and a mix of interview footage with authentic B-roll can elevate even the longest video.
How to Decide: Strategy First, Then Format
Choosing between short or long testimonial videos starts with your marketing strategy. Ask yourself:
- Who is the audience? Top-of-funnel prospects or decision-stage buyers?
- Where will the video live? On social media, your homepage, or during in-person presentations?
- What’s the goal? Brand awareness, lead conversion, or deeper engagement?
A well-rounded strategy often includes both formats:
- A short video to draw attention and direct leads.
- A long version to convert those leads into customers.
Even better, shoot once, repurpose often—extracting social clips, gifs, email snippets, and even podcast content from a single testimonial shoot.
Why Work With St Louis Video Services?
When it comes to producing impactful testimonial videos—short or long—St Louis Video Services brings the expertise, experience, and creative tools to make every second count.
We are a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company with the right equipment, skilled crew, and creative vision for successful image acquisition. From studio and location shoots to editing, post-production, and licensed drone operation, we handle every element of your project in-house.
Our private studio is tailored for interview-style testimonial production, complete with custom lighting, soundproofing, and enough space to incorporate props or stylized set designs. Whether you need a 30-second punchline or a 5-minute transformation story, we deliver compelling visuals and sound with professional polish.
We specialize in:
- Custom video solutions for all media formats and file types
- AI-enhanced editing and media processing
- Repurposing content to give your video assets more mileage
- Indoor drone operation to create dynamic visuals, even in controlled spaces
Since 1982, St Louis Video Services has partnered with businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies across the region—building testimonial videos that build trust, drive action, and deliver results.
Whether your audience wants it fast or prefers the full story, we’re here to help you produce testimonial videos that work. Let’s bring your client success stories to life—with impact, clarity, and creativity.
St Louis Video Services 