Word of mouth plays an important part in your business, whether it is realised or not. If happy customers are telling friends and neighbours about you, and you get business from it, how wonderful is that? It is one of the most cost effective ways of your business being marketed.

If customers are saying good things about you then you need to get that to work for you in the form of testimonials.

Testimonials help build a good reputation with your existing customers and community.  By using testimonials you are helping new and potential customers make a decision about you. People are influenced by thoughts and feelings of others, and seeing what others have to say, helps them feel secure. Excellent testimonials convey trust and when people trust you they buy from you.

Don't be shy in asking customers for a testimonial. If you explain to them that they are an important part of your marketing, the chances are that they will be keen to help. Always seek permission to quote names or places, if in doubt, leave it out.  

You should never create and share or post fake testimonials. You are in the business of building trust and a fake testimonial just doesn't do that.

Get into the habit of asking for testimonials regularly. Factor this activity in at least once a month from customers who have used your services or bought from you.

When you get them, update your website. Update your Facebook page if you have one. Create a portfolio that you can carry around with you. When you are out and about seeing new customers you will have this to hand. Think of the places you have visited or stayed at and there is a guest/visitor book to complete.

Don't forget your business cards. Next time you are thinking about new business cards, put a testimonial on the back.

Flyers and brochures should not be overlooked either. Sharing your testimonials is a perfect and appropriate way to market your business.

Once you get into the habit of requesting them and sharing them you and your customers and potential customers will start to see consistent patterns. If your testimonials are saying that you are trustworthy or professional and that is exactly what you are giving your customers, then the power of the testimonial will certainly work in your favour.

Yours socially
Micala 

2016 is oozing with charm and sweetness for me. I love even numbered years, not a fan of odd numbered years [unless they add up to 6]. 2016 is the year of the monkey plus the month of February is packed with events that I cannot ignore.

Let's start way back in 2006 the year I married Paul Wilkins in Las Vegas on yes, an even numbered date 14th February. He proposed on my birthday which is packed with even numbers, but he was not aware of my slight obsession with even numbers at this point.

February 2012 I became self employed and started working with a fantastic lady Jill Woolf of Chimera Communications. In August that year I moved to France [more even numbers]. I have had the pleasure of working with Jill ever since, we speak to each other via Skype almost every week. In fact we see more of each other now than we would have done if I was in the UK. Technology means that one can work anywhere in the world and still feel connected.

August 2012 the big move from the UK to France. The transition from holiday romance that one has with France to realistic living. Different work cultures, distances between every day things, more reliance on technology, remaining calm when technology goes against you. Adapting to change. 

Still 4 years later my little business is still going strong. I have met many wonderful people in a virtual capacity, without which my life in France would have been completely different. Some of those people I have met face to face and it is still wonderful. I have kept true to my passion of social media, adding to my repertoire helping other small business owners to understand it better and use it in their businesses. Having kept my ear to the ground there are a few things that I want to develop this year along with getting back to nature.

There is an other key milestone to add to the anniversary list for February, my husband and I bought a French house  Having moved 3 times in as many years it became clear that we wanted something to show for our efforts of working hard and settling in another country. And it has, we became official home owners on 5th February 2016. A house that is perfect for our needs in rural France with a beautiful garden, plenty of space for our dogs and a man cave for my husband. We don't need to move again for a very long time. 

With so much going on, I am glad that this year is a Leap Year... it gives an extra day! As I have given up chocolate for 40 days, I think I will celebrate this collection of milestones with a new pair of wellington boots and some seeds for the garden.

Did you know though that February, having only 28 days in non leap years, is the only month of the year to pass without a single full moon. It last happened in 1999 and will happen again in 2018.... an even numbered year!  

Yours socially
Micala