How to Get More Testimonials from Your Customers

Testimonials play an important role in helping your company grow. The simple truth is most online customers just don’t trust your business. It’s nothing personal, but consumers are just wary of online companies that they don’t really know all that well. As a result, it’s your job to do everything you can to ease their concerns and show them how trustworthy you really are.

That’s where testimonials can help. Testimonials are reviews from satisfied customers that basically talk about how great your company really is. Studies have shown that customers don’t trust your brand and are likelier to believe their fellow customers recommendations than businesses. In other words, testimonials can help you earn the trust of potentials customers.

This leads us to our next point. How do you get testimonials? Here are some easy tactics you can put to use to start earning more testimonials from your customers.

• Provide great service every time—No customer is going to give you a testimonial if your services or products are just average—or even worse, below average. If you want someone to give you a genuine endorsement, you have to really earn it. The best way to do this is to be consistently great. You need to go above and beyond the customer’s expectations every time. There’s no room for slipping up or being average. Greatness is required at all times.
• Know when to ask for the testimonial—There’s a time and a place for asking for the testimonial. You don’t want to ask for it right away before you’ve even delivered on your products or services. And you don’t want to ask for it while billing the client. You need to ask for it after you’ve delivered and the customer is happy.
• Catch them when you see them—You may already have potential testimonials without even realizing it. Clients say things in passing all the time, in conversations , emails, social networks, etc. Be on the lookout for these testimonial opportunities, and record them. However, always ask the client if you can use the quote before posting testimonials on your website and other marketing collateral.
• Solicit feedback at the end of projects—Don’t feel comfortable asking for a testimonial outright? That’s okay. Another thing you can do is have a feedback process at the end of your projects. Surveys and feedback forms can be sent to customers to get their thoughts on their experience with your company. This is a non-pushy way to get more testimonials for your company.

What makes a good testimonial?

Not all testimonials are created equal. There are certain characteristics that make for a great testimonial.

• It’s believable. If the testimonial is over the top and sounds way too good to be true, no one is going to believe it. The testimonial should sound authentic and genuine. Check out the testimonials in the comments section on the Thesis Theme Discount blog
• It includes a photo or video of the customer. Text-only testimonials seem fake and made up. When there is a picture to go with the testimonial or the testimonial is recorded on video, customers can see the person making the recommendation, and it just feels more real.
• It is specific. A great testimonial contains lots of specifics and important details about exactly why the customer likes your products and services so much.

What are some other techniques you’ve used for getting testimonials?

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