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, promote them!
Business owner Paul Wilkins of Paul Wilkins Electrician is a good example of how creating a trail of testimonials helps win him new business. One client researched him for 3 months before engaging his services. Having heard about him through word of mouth, they then searched for him online, visited his website, read through the trail of testimonials and blogs, asked about him locally and decided, yes, he was the man for them. Another client had spent ages doing google searches for electricians to find that many of those recommended through forums and closed groups had nothing beyond those forums or groups. No website, no reviews, nothing. Having come across Paul's site they felt at ease, they knew what he looked like and what others thought of his work, consequently helping them make an informed buying decision.
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, promote 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.
- Create a link to your testimonial area on your email signature
- Update your business cards and have one printed on the back of them
Flyers and brochures should not be overlooked either. Sharing your testimonials is a perfect and appropriate way to market your business. - Include them in your regular newsletter
Business owner Paul Wilkins of Paul Wilkins Electrician is a good example of how creating a trail of testimonials helps win him new business. One client researched him for 3 months before engaging his services. Having heard about him through word of mouth, they then searched for him online, visited his website, read through the trail of testimonials and blogs, asked about him locally and decided, yes, he was the man for them. Another client had spent ages doing google searches for electricians to find that many of those recommended through forums and closed groups had nothing beyond those forums or groups. No website, no reviews, nothing. Having come across Paul's site they felt at ease, they knew what he looked like and what others thought of his work, consequently helping them make an informed buying decision.
When a homeowner is looking for reputable trades to work on their home, many will want to see proof of reputation and credibility. So they will look online. They will look for your website, they will look at your socials, they will look for reviews on the web. It pays to have your happy customers sharing their perception of you as they help contribute to buying decisions for the next happy customer.
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
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
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