Using Testimonials to Generate Leads
How often have you given out a testimonial unsolicited? After reading this post you might start writing them more often.
People use great testimonials all over the place. On their sales page, a whole testimonial page on their website, in their blog posts, in the signature space for their emails – to name a few.
I don't know about you but I quite often look up the person in the testimonials so see what they are up to as a result of the training they took part in.
Testimonials are great for both the giver and the receiver – what the receiver is looking for are clear results, it does not have to be numbers, but a clear indication that you were in one place and then because of the work you did with them you are now in a different (better) place. It may just be a change in perception or a change in your opinion about it or it may be the phenomenal results you have achieved.
The other thing you can mention is about the person and their teaching style or how they are to get along with.
Here is an example of a testimonial I received:
It is clear, tells people what she was learning with me, talks about my teaching style and that her Twitter following is increasing as a result of working with me.
You don’t need to directly have worked with someone to give them a testimonial – it might be that you have learned loads from reading their blog posts or being a subscriber to their emails and had great results from implementing the knowledge you gained.
When thinking about which testimonials to display the person may have quite a few testimonials to choose from, and the ones that are well written, and demonstrate progress will get picked every time.
Things to include in a great lead generating testimonial:
- Your full name
- Your website address – most testimonials will be in a graphic and therefore will not be a clickable link, but if you have your web address the reader can simply type it into their web browser.
- Give evidence of the benefits you have received from working with that person.
- Talk about their teaching style or how it has been to work with them.
- Make sure it is clear and easy to read. Watch that you don’t have any spelling errors.
- If you can add in what you do without it sounding inappropriate you can do that as well. For example: Even as a florist with a local business I know how important it is to be on Twitter but I had no idea where to start. Through doing this program… Something like that. But, make sure it fits in with what you are saying and is not just jammed in there for exposure.
Here is another good example:
I liked this because it was telling people that the course if for beginners and experienced users alike, as they will both learn something. It also talks to my teaching style.
Instead of just emailing a testimonial to someone – you could post it on Facebook or Twitter. This will also give you more exposure and I quite often see those used as well.
The Twitter and Facebook ones don't have your website but people can easily see your username and find you that way.
Who wouldn't share it if people were saying such nice things about you? Just makes sense to me.
So, get out there and start writing testimonials for people.
You can see how I have used these testimonials on the course page for my upcoming Twitter Workshop – What to Tweet? Short is Sweet!
Stacey Myers is a business and online marketing trainer, speaker and social media strategist accredited with the Relationship Marketing Institute. She mentors authors and writers in building relationships and community online.
I love testimonails because you have raving fans who tell others about you and your work. Great tips for what to include in a testimonials.
Thanks! It is not just about your receiving them though – it is about you giving them!
I got my first testimonial last night on my fb page, the thought that i had inspired someone was a great feeling, 🙂
Is it ok to use these testimonial’s without asking say put it on my site? or is it good etiquette to ask them first??
Wow, that is great!! Generally if someone posts it in a public place it is fine. If someone emails something or says it is in a private group I will always ask first.
Thanks Stacey, for replying 🙂
Thanks for the reminder and clear examples of good testimonials, Stacey. I use them in LinkedIn but must be more diligent about using them elsewhere. Great tips!
Thanks so much, Sue!!
Love this idea. I’m a big fan of sharing a great vendors, courses and resources. Definitely gonna put it into action.
Thanks! I am a big fan of that also!
I love the idea of using testimonials as a traffic generator! If you like what someone offers, let them know and make sure you include your link!
Cheers, Gordon
Exactly!!
Great article, Stacey! I haven’t really thought of testimonials as a networking tool! I am definitely bookmarking your post so that I can refer back to it again and again.
Thanks Alise. I am pleased I gave you a new way to look at using testimonials.
Thank you for this great reminder. To give testimonials is a great way to show appreciation. And what you give, you get 🙂
This is so true!
Hadn’t thought about sharing Twitter and Facebook testimonials! Will add to my list for additions for my website. Thanks FYI – starting to rejig my Twitter Lists yesterday (procrastinating over doing something else!)
To further clarify my previous post. Sharing a twitter and facebook testimonial is a great way of sharing an experience you had with a business/person. I quite often will just send an email thanking them, so in future will keep in mind to share on social media.
I can see how this would work so well. Its like telling your best friend about something that you tried out. I worked in a brick and motar store where to move up we had to have a written testimonial from a customer about how you went beyond the basics to help them. It breeds even better customer service. People love getting more than they expect.
They do indeed and yes, it can work in any business!
Stacey,
I am a huge fan of testimonials and recommendations. Where else can you gain such credibility? I have several on LinkedIn, Facebook and my website. I sprinkle them in as appropriate in emails or enewsletters.
It’s also great recognition for the person who is giving it because you can link to them and give them a little ‘air’ time on your site.
Great advice Stacey! The unsolicited part – yes – that’s a great reminder for me to add comments, etc when I’ve used a product or service. Do it before being asked…
I think it is easy to forget that – or we rave about them to someone else but forget to tell the actual person.
Great post Stacy, I recently blogged about this very topic myself. Testimonials are a great way for others to see what your clients think of you and if used correctly they are also a great way of driving business to your clients.
I regularly find that the “What Others Said” page of my site gets a lot more hits leading up to training events and some of the businesses mentioned have received extra sales because I put a live backlink to their sites.
It’s a win/win for everybody concerned.
It is a win/win, that is for sure! The backlinks are an added bonus.