What your customers say about you is infinitely more persuasive to a prospect than anything you could possibly say about yourself, hence the popularity of websites such as tripadvisor.co.uk and yelp.co.uk
Many customers are pleased to provide a testimonial if you make it easy for them. When a customer compliments you on your product or service (usually at the point of delivery), respond accordingly :-
"Thank you for your comments. We would really appreciate a written testimonial from you. May I draft something up for you to review and send back to us?"
Or you could take the initiative and approach your customers or clients directly with a request for a testimonial. We have developed a really simple letter that you could send to all of your customers making it really straightforward for them to respond and this will provide you with loads of excellent testimonials. If you would like a copy of this letter then please email me at [email protected] and I would be delighted to send it to you.
When you have gathered in a selection of testimonials you should consider all the ways in which you can use them. Here are a few ideas :-
- Put them on your website
- Put copies in a binder and keep it in your reception area
- Include them in your various marketing brochures
- Have the original testimonial letters framed – hang them throughout your office / premises
- Include pictures of your customers they will make the testimonial letters even more effective
Whatever you decide to do, you shouldn't under-estimate the power of testimonials and you should be looking to develop a strategy for gathering and using them as a matter of priority.
