11 Tips to Make Great-Looking Testimonial Videos on a Smartphone

Smartphones have made it easier than ever to capture video of all types, including video testimonials. But testimonials with poor lighting, background noise, or awkward framing, can be a turn-off. Whether you’re encouraging your customers to record their own testimonials or filming them yourself in person, these tips will help you capture professional, authentic footage—no camera crew required.

11 Tips to Make Great-Looking Testimonial Videos on a Smartphone

If you’re filming the video testimonial with your customer in the room, you’ll be able to set up the shot more easily. If you’re encouraging customers to leave video reviews on a landing page on your website, consider adding these tips to the landing page. A brief bulleted list and a few potential prompts can go a long way towards helping your customer film a great-looking testimonial video on a smartphone.

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1. Use the Rear Camera—Not the Selfie Cam

Smartphone selfie cameras are convenient, but they typically have lower resolution and fewer features than the rear camera. If your customer is recording the video themselves, suggest that they ask a friend or colleague to film using the rear camera. If you’re recording a video testimonial with your customer face-to-face, this one’s easy: just point, frame, and shoot with the best lens available.

2. Clean the Lens

A quick wipe with a soft cloth can make a surprising difference. Pocket smudges and fingerprints blur the video and dull the colors. This one is easy to overlook, but it can make a big difference in the final product.

3. Stabilize the Shot

Shaky videos instantly feel amateur. If the customer is filming themselves, encourage them to prop their phone on a stable surface like a table, stack of books, or tripod. If you’re filming in person, use a tripod or grip the phone with both hands and lock your elbows in.

4. Use Natural Light (But Avoid Backlighting)

Natural light is your best friend—but placement matters. If you’re in the room with your customer, make sure the light is hitting their face, not coming from behind them. A bright window in front of the speaker works great.

Backlighting—for example, if the customer stands with their back to a window—will make them look like a shadowy silhouette. If you’re filming indoors and natural light isn’t an option, try to find soft, even lighting that doesn’t cast harsh shadows.

5. Frame It Right: Eye-Level and Centered

How and where you or your customer holds the camera makes a difference, too. Hold the camera at eye level and keep the person’s eyes about one-third from the top of the frame (the “rule of thirds” in action). Too low, and it feels awkward and unnatural. Too high, and you risk chopping off part of your customer’s head. A little headroom is good—too much makes them look lost in the shot.

6. Find a Quiet Space

Nothing ruins a great testimonial like background noise. Whether it’s traffic, a loud AC unit, or office chatter, try to find a quiet spot. If possible, film indoors in a carpeted room with minimal echo. The quieter the space, the clearer the message.

7. Use a Microphone (If You Can)

Built-in smartphone microphones can work fine on their own, but a small lavalier (clip-on) mic can make a big difference. If you’re filming in person, consider bringing a simple plug-in mic. If your customers are filming themselves, just provide some instructions about finding a quiet place to film.

8. Coach Them Through It

If you’re filming the customer in person, help them feel comfortable. Keep the tone conversational and encouraging. Remind them to speak to you (or the camera) like they’re talking to a friend. If they’re recording on their own, consider adding a message with a few encouraging tips, some conversation starters or prompts, and a general structure to follow.

9. Keep It Short and Sweet

Short videos testimonials work great, but be sure you have enough substance in the video. Remember that you’ll likely edit the video a good amount. One to two minutes is a great target length. Encourage the speaker to focus on what problem they were trying to solve, how your product or service helped, and what life looks like now.

10. Do a Quick Test First

Before jumping into the full testimonial, record a short test clip. Check the lighting, framing, and audio. This quick step can help you catch any issues before you’ve captured the whole video.

11. Don’t Over-Edit—Keep It Authentic

The beauty of testimonial videos is their honesty. It’s okay if the customer pauses, stammers, or takes a second to find the right word. You can trim out major stumbles if needed, but don’t worry about making the video flawless. In fact, a little imperfection can make it feel even more real.

Smartphones are powerful tools, but it’s the customer’s story—and a few thoughtful technical choices—that make a testimonial video truly shine. Whether you’re helping a customer record themselves or capturing the moment together, try these tips to help you build a library of high-quality, authentic videos that resonate with your audience. To start collecting high-quality video testimonials with an intuitive platform, start a free trial of Boast today.