How To Get & Use A Client Testimonial

Who: This process is for the Account Managers to undertake

What: It shows you how to get and use a client testimonial

When: Undertake this process when you ask and or receive a client testimonial

Why: This process is completed to increase the number of Strictly Savvy client testimonials and to best use these testimonials

What Makes A Great Testimonial

A testimonial is critical to your credibility. It proves your professionalism, qualifications and quality. But to be taken seriously, testimonials need to be quality too.

So, what makes a great testimonial?

Great testimonials have the person’s:

• Full Name and Picture

• Location or Claim to Fame

• Specific Results or Benefits

• Optional: Contact Details

Follow the "before and after" formula to describe working with you:

• Mentions the problems the client had before

• Creates rapport (says "I am no different from you”)

• Talks about the specific results/benefits after

How Do You Get Great Testimonials

• The best way to get great testimonials is by asking in an email

• NEVER call it a testimonial - instead simply ask for “feedback”

What To Say When Asking For A Testimonial

Here’s an email template that you can customise to suit your business. Send this “asking for feedback” email out just after someone’s experienced the benefits of your service:

"Hi Matt, it’s great to have you on board. By now, I hope you've started to see the benefits of outsourcing to a virtual assistant. I'd really love to get your feedback about my/our service. Would you mind answering these 4 simple questions? It would really help me/us a lot."

1. Please share the story that led you to find us

2. Initially what were your concerns and why did you choose us?

3. What specific benefits have you received from our service?

4. Who would you recommend our service to and why?

You can edit and summarise the 4 answers and then send a pre-written testimonial for approval.

"Hi Matt, thanks so much for the honest answers. I really appreciate the support! I’d also love to use your feedback on my website. To save you time, I have summarised your 4 answers into one paragraph, which I’ve included below. Please have a read and reply back to let us know if you’re happy with it. Or, feel free to modify/enhance it as you see fit. Also, would you mind sending me a photo of yourself, so people can see you're a real person? Thanks so much."

What Can You Do With Testimonials?

• Add them to your websites

• Put them into all of your ads

• Add them to any other marketing materials

• Add one to your email signature and rotate

• Put them on the back of your business card

• Ask testimonial-givers if they would share via video

Remember to say thank you! You can even send a little gift

What To Say When Asking For Referrals

Asking for referrals is best done in person or over the phone. You will need to enter into some type of conversation first. It could be a check-in call or a call to thank someone for paying an invoice. After mentioning your primary reason for the call, then say something like this:

“Before we wrap up, I’d like to ask you a couple of quick questions, so we can improve what we do.”

1. What did you think of our service?

2. How would you feel about recommending us to others?

3. Can you think of three people we can talk to?

4. How do you suggest I contact them?

Remember to say thank you and again, consider sending a little gift