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Strategic Tips For Effective Testimonials According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Written by: Glenn Ebersole

Article Overview: Testimonials can be very powerful, especially when they are strategically sought from well respected and satisfied clients. Testimonials are much more powerful than advertisements since they are basically unpaid third party endorsements of your company or organization. There are three major reasons why your business should seek and use testimonials. + to build strong bonds of trust + to improve the credibility of your company + to demonstrate your success There are 2 types of testimonials, the solicited and the unsolicited. The unsolicited testimonials come to you without any effort on your part. The client takes the initiative and contacts you directly with their testimonial. Solicited testimonials are the result of a conscious effort by you to pursue them.

Strategic Tips For Effective Testimonials According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Testimonials can be very powerful, especially when they are strategically sought from well respected and satisfied clients. Testimonials are much more powerful than advertisements since they are basically unpaid third party endorsements of your company or organization. There are three major reasons why your business should seek and use testimonials.
+ to build strong bonds of trust
+ to improve the credibility of your company
+ to demonstrate your success
There are 2 types of testimonials, the solicited and the unsolicited. The unsolicited testimonials come to you without any effort on your part. The client takes the initiative and contacts you directly with their testimonial. It may come via telephone, person-to-person conversations, email, or the US postal service.
Solicited testimonials are the result of a conscious effort by you to pursue them.
Here are some tips for effective testimonials from Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach.

Strategic Tip #1: Use a variety of tools to solicit your testimonials, including comment cards, customer satisfaction surveys, “feedback” or “contact us” sections on your website, and direct solicitation of a client.

Strategic Tip #2: Be proactive in soliciting testimonials from your satisfied clients and customers. This should be a part of your strategic marketing efforts.

Strategic Tip #3: Offer to facilitate the preparation of a client testimonial by preparing 2 different versions of a testimonial for them and let them choose which one they prefer or edit what you gave them for their submission to you.

Strategic Tip #4: Effective testimonials are specific and focus on a single idea. A single focus will provide greater impact.

Strategic Tip #5: Always make sure that the testimonial has a name, and as appropriate a title and name of organization, at the end of it.

Strategic Tip #6: Effective testimonials include an emotion or emotions.

Strategic Tip #7: The most effective testimonials include a specific and definable benefit.
Strategic Tip #8: Display the testimonials you have received by incorporating the testimonials into your company’s marketing materials and on your website.

Strategic Tip #9: Try to obtain a testimonial from your client and/or customer as soon as possible. This could be as early as right after the contract is signed.

Strategic Tip #10: Always seek permission to use the client testimonials.

Your strategic thinking business coach encourages you to fully realize the benefits of business coaching to more strategically market and grow your business. If you would like to learn more about how a strategic thinking business coach can facilitate and guide you in that endeavor, please contact Glenn Ebersole today through his website at www.businesscoach4u.com or by email at jgecoach@aol.com

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