For many skilled tradespeople, the idea of corporate branding may feel disconnected from their day-to-day work.

Unlike large corporations, tradespeople often prioritize craftsmanship, reliability, and personal service over slick, corporate-style marketing.

That’s where documentary-style videos come in—offering a way to authentically showcase the work, skills, and customer relationships that define the trades.

Documentary videos are more than just a marketing tool; they tell a story. They give tradespeople an opportunity to demonstrate the real-life impact of their work, from a job well done to the satisfaction of a happy client. These videos can cover everything from carpentry and plumbing to electrical work or landscaping, bringing attention to the hands-on nature of the job. This approach highlights the pride and dedication tradespeople bring to their work, offering potential customers a glimpse into the true value behind the service.

All Business Videography LLC’s founder Matt DeSarle spent the first 10 years of his career in a television newsroom. He founded his business to serve as both a video producer and a journalist for his business clients. Local businesses enjoy an authentic style to relay the integrity of their work to the general public.

A significant advantage of documentary-style videos is the opportunity to feature customer testimonials. Hearing directly from satisfied clients can be a game-changer for a trades business. When customers share their positive experiences, it provides social proof, which is critical for building trust in a field where personal referrals often drive new business. Testimonials give an authentic voice to the video, ensuring that potential customers hear how your services meet real-world needs, straight from the people you’ve helped.

Rather than relying on polished, overly produced ads, documentary videos allow tradespeople to market themselves in a genuine and relatable way. By focusing on craftsmanship and customer service, these videos provide a long-term strategy over short-term gain.

Another great approach in truth-telling videos is testimonials. Anyone can talk about how great their services are. However, a customer review can validate that greatness.

The testimonial video below produced by ABVLLC received a telling reaction in its first-ever comment after being published.

“This is so incredibly wholesome! WOW!” -Michael D. on YouTube

All Business Videography’s local company clients include Starway Roof Systems, Marcon Construction, and Reflections Window Washing, to name a few. These are all great examples of companies that are publishing case studies on their YouTube channels to connect with like-minded audiences.