Why the best customer testimonials aren’t real: the power of animated client stories

Customer testimonials have long been the bread and butter of marketing. Nothing builds trust faster than someone else raving about your product or service, right?  But here’s an idea: what if the best testimonials weren’t real? No, no, not fake reviews or made-up stories, but something more creative, visual, and—let’s face it—more engaging.

So… 

How about adding extra points to your brand credibility by creating animated customer testimonials? 

Why Animate Testimonials in the First Place?

Let’s start with a cool example: 

When we say “animated testimonials,” we’re not talking about cartoons for fun’s sake. We’re talking about visually rich, engaging stories that recreate real client experiences in a memorable way. Now, why would you animate a real person’s testimonial instead of, say, recording a boring old video? Here’s the trick: animation doesn’t just tell the story—it elevates it. Just like in the example you can see above.

Freedom to Tell the Whole Story (Without the Drama)

Customer testimonials, while impactful, are often… awkward. Sure, a client might have loved working with your brand, but people generally aren’t polished speakers. They ramble, fidget, and don’t always get to the point. You end up spending hours cutting down a three-minute video to 45 seconds of usable content. Animation skips all that. You craft the story exactly how it needs to be told, hitting all the key points without any awkward pauses or filler.

Plus, you’re not limited to the “what” anymore. Animation lets you show the “why” behind the story. You can visualize the client’s challenges and the solutions you provided in ways that a standard testimonial just can’t.

More Engaging Than Real-Life Video

Video testimonials often lack excitement. A talking head in front of a camera saying nice things about your product? Yawn. On the other hand, animation can make that same story pop. Dynamic visuals grab attention, whether it’s through clever metaphors, a bit of humor, or even adding a human touch that a real client just couldn’t bring to the table.

And let’s not underestimate the fun factor. When done right, animated testimonials are like mini-movies. They’re entertaining, informative, and far more likely to be shared. After all, a well-told story sticks—and if that story just so happens to be visually stunning, even better.

How to Make Client Stories Animated

You’re sold on the idea of animation. Now, how do you make it happen? Roughly, you can do everything in just three steps. 

1. Start with a Real Story

Every great animated testimonial starts with a genuine story. Find a client who had a transformation, solved a major problem, or achieved something extraordinary with your product. Interview them, dig into their experience, and get the raw details.

2. Storyboard the Journey

With animation, you have full creative control. Map out the client’s journey in a way that emphasizes both their struggles and how your brand helped them overcome those obstacles. This is where animation shines—you can visualize abstract concepts, whether it’s data, emotions, or even the passage of time, in a way that live action can’t.

3. Add Personality

Remember, animation isn’t just about transferring a story to visuals. It’s about injecting personality into it. Use vibrant colors, quirky characters, and clever transitions. Bring in humor or wit where it fits. Make your animation feel alive—it should match the energy and tone of your brand.

How to Ask Your Customers for a Testimonial

Timing is Key

Don’t ask right after they make a purchase. Wait a few months so they’ve had time to appreciate your service and feel loyal. After all, it takes time to understand that you like some company. 

Look for Positive Feedback

Target customers who have shared positive experiences with you before. Avoid sending mass emails; focus on those who genuinely love your brand, and you can actually see they enjoy your services. 

Use Email

Reach out via email instead of calling. This gives them space to think without feeling pressured to respond on the spot. Explain how you’ve used their insights and let them know you’d love a more in-depth testimonial. Make sure they understand it will be shared with potential customers, but there’s no pressure to participate.

Skip Incentives

Don’t offer rewards for testimonials. This can come off as bribery and skew their feedback. You want honest insights, not influenced opinions.

Conclusion

In the end, animated client stories give you the freedom to tell real stories in a more interesting way. You’re still delivering genuine customer experiences, but in a format that can be repurposed, remixed, and remembered. Win-win. 

The next time you’re thinking about recording another standard video testimonial, consider animation. The best client stories might not come from real-life people on camera, but from a more creative approach that brings their experience to life in unexpected ways. The power lies in how the story is told—not necessarily in who’s telling it. 

Remember: if you need help, contact us. We’ll do everything else.