Don't just ask people to do business with you. Give them a reason to do business with you. Offer a third-party endorsement from someone who is delighted with your product or service.
They're called testimonials, and they're a free and powerful tool in your publicity arsenal. Yet they're one of the most underused and misused marketing tactics.
Time and again, I see people offering great testimonials at their web site and in their e-zines and marketing materials. But they never mention the name and company of the person giving it. "Gee, I wonder if they just made up that quote," I say to myself. Or they use somebody’s initials, as if the person offering the testimonial needs to go undercover. Why do they even bother?
If you're going to do it, do it right. Here are tips for getting, giving and using testimonials in your marketing and publicity campaign.
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How to Gather Them
- Just ask! As soon as you know someone is delighted with your product or service, ask for a testimonial. don't wait a month or two. By then, they may have forgotten how pleased they were.
- Use a phrase like this: "I'm so glad you liked our service. Your compliment means a lot, and testimonials are one of the most valuable marketing tools I can use. May I use your comment as a testimonial?"
- Be relentless about gathering testimonials. If you get into the habit of doing it, before long, you'll have lots of them, and you can pick and choose, depending on how you want to use them.
- Keep your eyes open for complimentary e-mail messages that can be turned into testimonials. Every time someone sends me an e-mail saying how much they like my newsletter or other products, I ask them if I can use the quote with their name and company. So far, everyone has said yes.
- Ask for them at your web site and, in exchange, offer people something for free if they provide one.
Want to know more?
Download Special Report #31: Sell More Products and Services by Getting and Giving Powerful Testimonials
Posted July 01, 2004
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