Not All Testimonials or Recommendations Are Equal
This is the third post from a my special report on using testimonials to generate more profits in your business. What is true of testimonials is true for resolutions. Today, I look at elements involved in a good resolutions or testimonial making. Enjoy. If you want to see the entire report, click here http://tinyurl.com/cj5yz6.
Most testimonials are dull and boring. If you are going to add this ingredient to your business, why not use the best? Use the following framework to make testimonials a powerful tool in your business.
Framework of a Good Testimonial
- I am a customer just like you.
- I had a problem and I wanted the same benefits as you.
- I wondered if there was a solution.
- Now, I know there is a solution.
- This solution will also work for you.
Testimonials that follow this thought process lead customers to buy your product! The following are 10 rules for creating powerful testimonials in your business.
Proven Techniques to Power Testimonials
1. Start by listing the benefits of your business–those things that make you unique and special. Get testimonials that speak directly to these benefits. Your prospect wants to hear about how you are going to make their life better.
2. Avoid the “Rah, rah, Bob is great” style of testimonials. Customers get very little from cheerleader comments.
3. Try to obtain your testimonials as close as possible to the customer’s greatest satisfaction from your product or service. This is when they are most excited to tell others about what they have experienced. That excitement carries over into their testimonials.
4. Get testimonials come from a credible person who has nothing to gain from giving the testimonial. Testimonials from experts or famous people add power to your testimonials.
5. Make sure the testimonial is specific and detailed. It’s much better to say “I realized a 19% increase in profits,” rather than “I improved my profits.” Which statement do you find more believable?
6. Use the person’s own words in the testimonial, even if they aren’t grammatically perfect.
7. Make it easy for customers to give you testimonials.
8. Include the name and the city where the person lives. Adding a photo or audio gives the testimonial even more power.
9. Get the customer’s permission to use the testimonial.
10. Thank your customers for the testimonials.
Conclusion
If you’re not using good testimonials in all of your marketing and sales materials, you’re keeping your “best sales person” in the closet. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get this sales force working for you. When you start using good testimonials, you will start seeing more customers, better customers and more loyalty in your business.
To be continued, your comments are always welcomed…
Al Hanzal
