How Strategic Use of Testimonials Can Help Grow Your Business
If you're like most business owners, you understand the power of testimonials. After all, what could be more persuasive than hearing first-hand accounts from people who have already benefited from your products or services?
Getting testimonials from your customers is one of the most effective marketing tools at your disposal. A testimonial is a statement from a satisfied customer that praises your product or service. Testimonials help build trust with potential customers and can convince them to do business with you instead of your competition.
“Do you need a website? Digitalhatz is the best firm which offers website development and maintenance. They helped me build my website for my Architecture and Interior Business”
The challenge, of course, is getting people to take the time to write testimonials. Fortunately, there are a few strategies you can use to make it easier for your customers (and clients) to give you the valuable feedback you need to attract even more business.
1. The best time to ask for a testimonial is when your customer is already happy.
If you wait until after a problem has arisen—and then ask your customer to write about their experience—you're likely to get a less-than-positive review. Not only that, but you'll also come across as insincere.
Instead, try to request testimonials when your customers are still basking in the afterglow of a job well done. For example, you might send an email a week or so after a project has been completed, thanking the customer for their business and asking if they would be willing to share their thoughts in a testimonial.
2. Keep your requests short and sweet.
When asking for a testimonial, be concise and to the point. No one wants to spend hours writing something that may or may not be used, so the shorter your request, the more likely it is that people will be willing to comply.
A simple template you can use is: "I'm so glad you were happy with the [product/service]. Would you mind taking a minute or two to write a short testimonial about your experience? I would really appreciate it!"
3. Give people an idea of what you're looking for.
While too much direction can stifle creativity, giving people at least some guidelines will ensure that the testimonials you receive are relevant and useful.
For example, rather than simply asking for "a testimonial," tell your customer that you're looking for something they can use on their website, in social media posts, or in marketing materials. Then, provide two or three specific prompts they can answer.
Some examples might be:
-What problem were you facing before working with us?
-How did our product/service help solve that problem?
-What was your favorite thing about working with us?
4. Make it easy for people to say yes by providing links and templates.
The easier it is for someone to say "yes" to writing a testimonial, the more likely they'll be to do it—so don't make them jump through hoops! Include links to relevant forms or documents in your request email (or even better, attach them), and consider providing a short template they can use as a starting point.
5. Make it easy for them.
Don’t make your customers have to work too hard to give you a testimonial. Provide them with a list of specific questions that you would like them to answer in their testimonial. This will make it easier for them to write a detailed and helpful review. You can also offer to write the testimonial for them and then have them sign off on it. This can be especially helpful if you have customers who are not comfortable writing in English.
Conclusion:
By following these tips, you can start collecting testimonials from your satisfied customers that will help grow your business. Remember, the best testimonials are specific and highlight the results achieved by using your product or service. So don’t be afraid to ask for them—and make it easy for your customers to give them!
Asking for customer testimonials doesn't have to be difficult—and the payoffs can be huge. By using these tips, you can start collecting valuable feedback that will help grow your business in no time!