Praise, Please. Score Stellar Customer Testimonials Without Sounding Desperate
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Testimonials can work wonders for your business. They're like the glowing badge of honour that separates you from the pack, but how do you get them without sounding pushy or desperate? Well, read on because I've got you covered with eight practical tips to help you score stellar customer testimonials.
Tip #1: Time It Right
[01:40] Timing is everything when it comes to asking for testimonials. Ideally, ask for a testimonial when your customer is at their happiest. Ask after they've experienced a big win, completed a successful project with you, or received outstanding service from your team. This ensures they're more likely to have positive feelings about your business and be willing to share their experience.
Tip #2: Make It Easy
[03:14] People don't like homework, especially when it comes to customer testimonials. Make the testimonial process as simple and painless as possible for your customers. Offer multiple ways for them to share their feedback, such as via email, a survey, or a review site.
I recommend using a tool called Video Ask which makes it easy for customers to record a short video testimonial or type out a written one.
Tip #3: Be Specific
[04:59] When asking for a testimonial, be specific about what you're looking for. Instead of a generic request, give a list of simple questions to guide clients' responses. Ask questions like:
- What problem they were trying to solve
- What are your services
- What almost stopped them from working with you
- What they've been able to achieve since working with you
- What they would say to someone sitting on the fence about working with you
- What one word would they use, to sum up, their experience
- And how their business has been impacted since using your services.
Tip #4: Use Social Listening
[06:20] Keep an eye on social media and online review sites for positive feedback from your customers. Reach out and ask permission to use their kind words as a testimonial. The likelihood is they'll be happy to help.
Tip #5: Leverage Case Studies
[06:52] If you have customers who experienced significant success using your services, consider creating a case study about their journey and transformation. Not only does this provide valuable social proof, but it allows you to shine a spotlight on your customer and gives you a natural opportunity to ask for a testimonial.
Tip #6: Say Thank You
[07:41] Don't forget to thank customers for leaving a testimonial. It shows that you appreciate their time and effort and encourages them to continue doing business with you.
Tip #7: Offer Incentives
[08:24] Some customers need a little extra motivation to leave a testimonial. Offer a small incentive, such as a discount on their next purchase, to encourage them to share their positive experience.
Tip #8: Showcase Their Success
[09:24] When sharing testimonials, share the spotlight on the customer's achievements rather than just your own services. This makes the testimonials more relatable and genuine as well as building goodwill with your customers by celebrating their success.
And That’s It!
Getting stellar customer testimonials is crucial for any business looking to establish trust, build credibility, and attract new customers. Testimonials provide social proof, showcasing real experiences and results from satisfied clients. By implementing the eight practical tips discussed in this podcast episode, businesses can make obtaining testimonials more straightforward and effective.
Remember, the benefits of having great testimonials extend far beyond the words themselves; they can help companies to stand out in a crowded market, increase conversion rates, and ultimately drive growth.
So, don't be afraid to ask your happy customers for a testimonial and use their positive feedback to your advantage!
Important Links
Video Ask - A great tool for testimonials!
