AN East Lancashire business has launched a new platform to create video testimonials, reviews and case studies quickly and easily, which it hopes will help smaller firms level the playing field with their larger counterparts post-coronavirus lockdown.

Burnley-based Bellyflop TV said its new platform allows businesses to create cost-effective videos to promote their product using YouTube, the world's second-largest search engine.

Managing director Jonathan Robinson said: “I have been passionate about video and have worked in broadcast and non-broadcast production for over 30 years.

“I’ve witnessed a huge growth in video but I feel this will help make video even more accessible for small business. It will level the playing field between start-ups, SMEs and larger organisations with huge marketing budgets.

Mr Robinson said The Bellyflop Video platform will allow businesses to request video testimonials from their clients using a simple form. The client will then receive an email and they record a short response using their smartphone, tablet or webcam and click submit.

The clip is then processed to produce a client testimonial featuring the business brand which can then be downloaded and used across social media platforms, websites, emails and client presentations.

Operations director Mark Robinson said: "We’re delighted to launch this service now, we believe it will be extremely useful in helping businesses rejuvenate as lockdown lifts.

“We are aware of statistics that 92 per cent of people read reviews before purchasing and 88 per cent of people trust online reviews as much as those of family or friends.

"We’ve been creating non-broadcast video content since 2008 and have seen a huge shift in that time from those who thought video was a fad to now, where most of us carry a portable video recorder in the form of a smartphone in our pockets and we aren’t afraid to use them.

“We have always encouraged clients to utilise the technology available to them wherever possible to deliver content with immediacy to their audience, much to the surprise of some customers.”