There is no doubt that the best business is repeat, recommended or referred. The most effective way to build your business this way is with testimonials from clients who are enthusiastic and supportive of the work or service you provide. Potential clients want to know you are worthy of their business and they have a tendency to believe what they read from other business owners.
Testimonials can be used in many ways:
- · Post testimonials on your social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn
- · Have a dedicated page on your website or you can have a sidebar with rotating testimonials.
- · You can put testimonials on any of your promotional materials.
- · Having trouble getting a blog together? Gather several testimonials together and post them as a blog.
- · Use one or more on your newsletter each month.
- · Keep all testimonials on letterhead in a notebook for when you are making a sales presentation.
Sometimes it’s hard to ask for testimonials. Here a few ways that makes asking easier:
· Clients always tell you how great you are, how much they love you, and that they couldn’t live without you. When they do that you should ask them to put it in writing. They can post it on your Facebook page under a reviews tab or they can send it to you in an email for you to use on any kind of promotion items.
· When a client tells you how great you are, ask them if you can use their comment as a testimonial to your work. Write up their comments and ask the customer to review it for accuracy.
· Ask them to type the referral on their letterhead so you have all of their contact information and post this as a pdf on your website. Having them sign the document makes it more personal and believable.
· Ask for a testimonial early on in the business relationship. Clients are always excited and love you the most in the beginning!
· Put a feedback button on your website. This is makes it extremely easy for them to leave a testimonial. Encourage them to let you know their thoughts and “construction criticism” as well, it may help you provide better service in the future.
· Create a system for asking for referrals. If you are doing an on-going or long term project for a client, ask for the referral early on when they are the happiest. If you are doing a simple one time project, ask for a referral when you send them the project invoice.
Be sure to ask permission to use the testimonial on your promotional materials. Don’t use testimonials without names if you can help it. Adding a city and/or state will also help to assure the authenticity of the quote. Don’t forget to always thank your client for the testimonial. Everyone likes to hear thank you. Getting testimonials from happy clients will help you to become more trustworthy in the eyes of your potential clients. By implementing a testimonial request system and incorporating testimonials into all of your marketing efforts, you’ll create the double effect of establishing credibility with potential clients and inspiriting loyalty in current ones.