Intro
As a small business owner, you know that testimonials are powerful. They are social proof that your product or service is effective and that other people have had success with it. The more testimonials you have, the more likely you are to attract new customers. But how do you get testimonials?
The best testimonials are specific and highlight the results that your customer achieved by using your product or service. They should also be believable, so make sure to get permission from your customer before using their quotes in your marketing materials.
Here are some tips on how to get testimonials that will help grow your business:
1. Hold a contest
One way to get testimonials is to hold a contest. This can be an online contest or even a physical one if you have brick-and-mortar locations. Ask your customers to write a review or shoot a video testimonial and offer a prize to the best one. People love free stuff, so this is a great way to get attention and generate some quality content.
2. Ask for them!
The simplest way to get testimonials is to just ask for them. At the end of every transaction, whether it’s a sale, installation, or repair, let your customer know that you would appreciate a testimonial and ask if they would be willing to provide one. Many customers will be happy to oblige if they had a positive experience with your company.
3. Make it easy with pre-written questions.
If you’re not comfortable with asking for testimonials outright, another option is to provide your customers with pre-written questions that they can answer. This takes the pressure off them to come up with something on their own, and it allows you to guide the conversation so that you get the kind of testimonial you’re looking for. All you need to do is send them an email with the questions and give them a deadline for responding. Then, post the best ones on your website or social media accounts.
4. Give something in exchange.
Sometimes, people are hesitant to write a testimonial because they don’t want to take the time or they don’t feel like they have anything valuable to say. One way to overcome this is by offering something in exchange for their time. For example, you could offer a discount on their next purchase or enter them into a drawing for a bigger prize. This incentive will make them more likely to write something positive about your business.
5. Give them an incentive.
In some cases, you may need to offer an incentive for customers to provide you with a testimonial. Offer a discount on their next purchase or a freebie such as a t-shirt or coffee mug emblazoned with your company logo. Just make sure that the incentive is something that won’t break the bank—you don’t want to go into debt just to get a few testimonials!
Summary
Testimonials are essential for small businesses because they provide social proof that your product or service is effective and that other people have had success with it. If you want to generate more testimonials, try holding a contest, making it easy with pre-written questions, or giving something in exchange for their time. With these tips, you’ll be able to get the quality testimonials you need to attract new customers and grow your business.