Home is Where the Heart (and Equity) Is: A Client Testimonial Video Success Story

Client testimonial videos are a powerful tool for any brand seeking to establish trust and credibility.

Unlike traditional brand videos, testimonials showcase real people sharing their genuine experiences, offering a glimpse into the true impact of your product or service.

Recently, Skillman Video Group (SVG) embarked on a journey to create a unique client testimonial for Hometap, a company revolutionizing home equity investment.

A Unique Partnership: Hometap and SVG

Hometap is not your average financial services company.

They offer a fresh approach to home equity, allowing homeowners to access their equity without taking on additional debt.

SVG has been a long-time collaborator with Hometap, and this latest project presented a unique opportunity to capture the essence of their brand through the eyes of a satisfied client.

The Discovery Phase: A Conversation, Not an Interrogation

For this project, the discovery phase was less about grilling the client and more about fostering a comfortable conversation.

Since SVG had an existing relationship with Hometap, they already understood the brand’s values and goals.

The focus shifted to the client’s story and how it aligned with Hometap’s mission.

SVG CEO and Creative Director, Christina Skillman, engaged in an open dialogue with the Hometap marketing team, delving into the specific pain points the client faced and how Hometap’s unique approach solved them.

This conversation laid the foundation for the video’s narrative, ensuring it would resonate with potential customers.

The Strategy Phase: Crafting a Compelling Narrative

The strategy phase is where the rubber meets the road.

It’s where the initial concepts discussed in discovery are fleshed out into a concrete plan. Christina collaborated with Hometap to pinpoint the key messages that would anchor the video.

They explored the client’s journey, from their initial challenges to their positive experience with Hometap, and ultimately their decision to join the company as an employee.

This transformation from client to advocate became the central theme of the video, highlighting the trust and confidence Hometap inspires.

Capturing Authenticity: B-Roll with a Purpose

In a previous project for Hometap, SVG had to rely on stock footage due to limited access to clients.

But for this testimonial, they had the opportunity to capture authentic b-roll of the homeowner. This not only added a personal touch to the video but also created a valuable asset for future Hometap projects.

The b-roll showcased the client in their everyday life, interacting with their home and enjoying the benefits of their partnership with Hometap.

This real-world footage brought the testimonial to life, adding a layer of authenticity that stock footage could never replicate.

The Planning Phase: Logistics and Location Scouting

With the creative vision in place, the next step was to iron out the logistics.

The Hometap team provided photos of the client’s home, allowing SVG’s Director of Photography, Matt, to scout potential filming locations remotely.

This ensured a smooth shoot day, as the team could hit the ground running upon arrival.

Production Day: Lights, Camera, Action!

The production day was a well-oiled machine, thanks to meticulous planning and a shared vision.

The crew arrived early, set up their equipment, and prepared the client for the interview.

Christina skillfully guided the conversation, eliciting insightful responses that captured the client’s genuine enthusiasm for Hometap.

The b-roll shoot was equally seamless, with Matt capturing candid moments that showcased the client’s personality and the positive impact of Hometap’s services.

The result was a wealth of footage that would be woven into a compelling narrative during the editing phase.

The Editing Phase: Transforming Footage into a Story

With the production phase wrapped up, the SVG team eagerly dove into the editing process.

They meticulously reviewed the footage, selecting the most impactful moments and crafting a story that resonated with Hometap’s target audience.

The final product was a powerful testimonial that showcased the real-world impact of Hometap’s innovative approach to home equity.