The Value Of Testimonials

When was the last time you updated your testimonials? Do you have a following of raving fans that only you know about? You should have a smattering of testimonials on your website or throughout your marketing materials, sales pages or within your newsletter. If not then it’s time to get to work on gathering your testimonials so your testimonials can get to work for you.

Just think of the process you go through when seeking out a new service or product. You likely start by asking those you trust for referrals. You also do your own research then compare factors such as cost, features and benefits. You also probably look for written reviews. Those reviews play a big part in your final decision and can even outweigh the cost factor when you consider the value you are getting for your money. Value can be found in great customer service and reliability.

If this is the process you go through then you can be pretty sure that this is what others are doing when looking for the product or service you offer. That’s why it’s important to have this information up front and centre. You may still get requests to speak to references but without any testimonials up front, your business may have already been eliminated from a potential buyers’ list of possible choices.

How do you go about getting testimonials? Just ask. Most delighted customers or clients will be happy to provide you with one. But people are busy or may not know what to say or how to say it, so help them out with a template you can provide when making your request.

You want the testimonial to be specific and state the reason why working with your business benefited them. By simply getting the answers to the following questions, you can build the testimonial. These questions can be altered slightly to suit your business.

Here’s what I use for my service-based business:

1. What challenges were you facing in your business?
2. What made you decide to hire someone to help?
3. What difference has working with me made? Please explain specific results or benefits.
4. Any additional comments.

When sending your request, be sure to mention that with their permission in exchange for their testimonial you will include their full name, company name and website url as well as a headshot.

And remember, unless your business holds a privacy and confidentiality factor, a testimonial from ‘Joe S., Toronto’ won’t hold as much weight. A full name and picture add validity to your testimonials. Also, if you slightly alter the testimonial, send a copy of the final version for your customers’ review before publishing.

How can you present the testimonials you collect? I proudly display my client testimonials on a dedicated page on my website. Testimonials can also be used on sales pages, strategically placed throughout your site or set up as a scrolling or fading list.

One of my clients shared her story of what led us to working together in the form of an article which is posted to my blog. Elizabeth speaks about how using virtual support has helped her to grow her business and the positive effect our working relationship has had.

If you have received a letter of accolades from a happy customer, feature it on your website or blog. And if your business uses print advertising, be sure to add testimonials to your promotional materials too.

Nothing is stronger than an effective, meaningful testimonial documenting a positive experience with your business. Use as many as you can. A diverse mix of testimonials with a variety of experiences and benefits leaves no room for doubt for your prospects. And as a business owner, feedback from clients in the way of testimonials can be very encouraging and motivating and helps make what you do all worthwhile.

5 Simple Things You Can Do Right Now To Grow Your List

For those peak busy periods in your business when you are working on projects that are consuming a lot of your time, don’t put your marketing efforts on hold completely. It’s easy to let it slide for a while but try to be as consistent as possible because once you get away from it, it’s hard to pick it back up again.

Assuming you already have an opt-in form on your website for your free offering or ‘pink spoon’, and you don’t have much time, here are a few quick ways you can increase the size of your list:

1. Invite people in your social networks to sign up for your newsletter by enticing them with the next hot topic you’re writing about. i.e. “My upcoming newsletter will feature ‘x’. Not signed up? Click here to get your copy (include link to sign up page).”

2. Write and submit articles to the article directories. Include information about your free offering and a link within your by-line that takes people to the sign up form to receive it. No time to create a new article? Repurpose a previous blog post or newsletter article.

3. Ask in person. Are you giving a talk at your local networking group? Pass around a clipboard for those who would like to receive more information from you. Collect names and email addresses while they’re still excited about what they’re learning from you and are hungry for more.

4. Ask your subscribers to share your newsletter with friends and family i.e. “Thanks for reading! Forward this ezine to a friend or colleague who you know could benefit from this…”

5. Within your ezine, invite people to sign up. For example in mine I have a block that reads: “Did a friend forward this ezine to you? Make sure you get your own copy – it’s easy and it only takes a second. Sign Up Now (include link to sign up page)”

Marketing takes time and effort and it’s important to be consistent. When time is of the essence, there simply isn’t enough time to roll out the big strategies. All of the tips I’ve given you are still opportunities to market and can be implemented quickly and easily. Which one will you try?

3 Simple Ways to Consistently Grow Your Business

Business owners can get stuck in the area of Revenue Generating activities. This initially seems like a good thing, however, it’s important to devote time to other aspects of running a business to enable you and your business to grow and prosper and the cycle of Revenue Generating activities to continue. Business Development is one of those areas.

Here is a guide to help you know where to focus your attention during the time you make for Business Development. I have broken it down into 3 main areas with a definition, suggested activities and time frame for each:

1) Marketing – selling of products or services: the business activity of presenting products or services in such a way as to make them desirable*

Suggested activities: Spend time working on your website and marketing materials. They are your ’store front’ so to speak and a reflection of you and your business. Check that all your information is current including contact details and upcoming events. Ensure website links work. Keep content fresh and regularly post new articles to your blog. Ensure your business cards and logo match your website. They may be in need of a fresh new look. Have an email marketing plan in place or send out a newsletter on a regular basis. These materials leave a lasting impression about your company.

Time Frame: Marketing activities can either be scheduled in amongst Revenue Generating tasks throughout the week (for example, 1 hour twice per week). Or you may prefer to include these in a day entirely devoted to Business Development.

2) Networking – practice of gathering of contacts: the process or practice of building up or maintaining informal relationships, especially with people whose friendship could bring advantages such as job or business opportunities*

Suggested activities: Network regularly in person, via Social Media and Forums. Build relationships with fellow business owners in your industry and those in your target market. Meet regularly both online and in your community. Attend trade shows. Become actively involved in Social Media and Forums providing useful information to your contacts and group members.

Time Frame: Schedule in 30 minutes or less each morning to spend on Social Media sites and in Forums. This doesn’t seem like a lot of time but by being consistent you maintain an ongoing presence and build relationships. The same goes for networking events that you attend in person on a regular basis.

3) Training – acquiring of skill: the process of teaching or learning a skill or job*

Suggested activities: Are you keeping up with the latest technologies? Let’s face it, technology is changing on an ongoing basis and it’s not possible to know it all. Listen to your target market in your networking activities and find out what their needs are. Learn something new that provides a solution to their needs. Attend informational teleclasses to discover new trends that will help you serve your clients better. There are many resources to learn just about anything online (live or self-paced) or in a classroom setting. This applies to almost any industry. Even my hairstylist keeps up with new trends in her industry through teleseminars.

Time Frame: I have found it best to focus on training during my weekly Business Development day where I have longer stretches of time to concentrate without interruption.

Remember, when you devote time to Business Development you ensure the constant flow of business to your company. Keep current clients and attract new ones by allocating time in your schedule to maintain a professional image through your marketing efforts, cultivate your business relationships and add to your skill set. These all translate into opportunities to generate more revenue and live the life you love.

*source: Encarta dictionary