Testimonials Offer Credibility
One of the main reasons to gather testimonials is to show prospective clients credibility. When they see that you’ve worked for other people to the point that they were able to say something good about you, it will establish instant trust.
Testimonials Tell Your Story
Sometimes your clients can explain the value of your services far better than you can. Take for example the following reason someone should hire a realtor.
Realtors can save you time by only showing you home that meet your criteria.
vs.
“As a mom of three with a husband who works full time, I was so thankful my Realtor understood exactly what we were looking for. She found our dream home in no time flat. We’d still be clicking around online if it wasn’t for her.” – Jane Doe
They both make the same point that Realtors save people time, but the testimonial will certainly resonate more with customers because of the implied story that is told through testimonials.
Who Should I Ask?
Satisfied customers
Of course you’ll want to start with your raving fans. They will certainly be the most cooperative and give you lots to work with. I’m sure there are a few names that come to mind. Start there and then expand. The more the better.
Look through your customer database and begin reaching out to gather testimonials.
Not-so-satisfied customers
We recommend making it a practice to ask all customers for feedback. We aren’t saying that you’ll want to promote all of it, but even negative feedback is valuable to your business – arguably the most valuable. Don’t be afraid to ask for honest feedback. Customers respect companies who make their clients feel heard, even when they don’t get it perfect. Additionally, most customers have a few nice things to say for every disappointment.
What Should I Ask?
Getting the right content to shape a testimonial starts with asking the right questions. Here are some great questions you can use to pull out great quotes:
- What did you find as a result of hiring me as a Realtor?
- What did you find the most beneficial about the service?
- Was there anything about our service you didn’t expect?
- Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
- Is there anything you’d like to add?
Don’t be afraid to ask follow up questions based on the feedback you get. Keep in mind the points you might be trying to highlight about your service and design the questions to pull out those answers.
What Format Should I Use?
The more context the better. Some clients may be a bit shy about being on video or having their photo taken, but if you can sway them it’s worth it.
Video is ideal, short of that an image, and short of that their name and a title.
Where Should I Use Them?
In short everywhere. There really is no wrong place to put your testimonials. A recent study by boast.com found that customer testimonials have the highest effectiveness rating in content marketing at 89%. Consider the following marketing collateral
Your sales flyers
Adding a quick “Here’s what a few clients have said” to your sales flyer can be a great way to promote yourself.
Your website
Your website is your place to speak about yourself. Pack it with as many client testimonials as you can. We recommend dedicating a page to them as well as sprinkling them throughout the site.
Your Facebook page
Have your clients leave reviews on your Facebook page if you use one to promote your services. You can always share it from there with a thank you!
Google Places page
Another great place to send clients is your Google Business page. Once you have five or more reviews, Google unlocks a star rating that shows up in the local listings.
