Comments on: Testimonials – Good vs. Bad and how to get them. http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/ Work ON your Business, not IN your business... Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:50:53 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Do your prospects really believe you? | Aspiring Business http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Do your prospects really believe you? | Aspiring Business Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:00:05 +0000 http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/#comment-58 [...] When you’re getting a testimonial from your customers, you need to make sure they focus on the benefit that you’re leading with - there’s more on testimonials here. [...] [...] When you’re getting a testimonial from your customers, you need to make sure they focus on the benefit that you’re leading with – there’s more on testimonials here. [...]

]]> By: Paul Simister http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Paul Simister Tue, 08 Jan 2008 05:52:42 +0000 http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/#comment-46 Hi Shawn Fist, the second point is right - cover half of them and you are on the way to having a really specific testimonial that means so much more than "Paul is great" I see no problem about leading a client through a testimonial process, starting off with a check that they are delighted with the service being provided. Then ask them if they would would prepare atestimonial for you as it will help people like them and help you. [most people by this stage will want to do both] Third check that it's OK to ask a few questions to help them think about their experiences. Ask the questions, write their responses on the form, highlight and key phrases that you'd love to have included. Thank them, say that you have been taking a few notes as you talked and would they like you to send them your notes so that they can remember some of the great things they said. People like to do things the easy way and they will recognise their own words. Hey presto, what do you think you get back? A story testimonial that has real connection with people who are in the same position that they were in. The only problem I have with formula testimonials is that they can start to appear too alike if you have many customers starting from the same place. That's why it is a good idea to get permission to use all or part of the testimonial in your promotion. I really am going to have to blog about this or all my ideas on testimonial building will be in your blog. Cheers Paul Simister Your Profit Coach http://businesscoaching.typepad.com Hi Shawn

Fist, the second point is right – cover half of them and you are on the way to having a really specific testimonial that means so much more than “Paul is great”

I see no problem about leading a client through a testimonial process, starting off with a check that they are delighted with the service being provided.

Then ask them if they would would prepare atestimonial for you as it will help people like them and help you.

[most people by this stage will want to do both]

Third check that it’s OK to ask a few questions to help them think about their experiences.

Ask the questions, write their responses on the form, highlight and key phrases that you’d love to have included.

Thank them, say that you have been taking a few notes as you talked and would they like you to send them your notes so that they can remember some of the great things they said.

People like to do things the easy way and they will recognise their own words.

Hey presto, what do you think you get back? A story testimonial that has real connection with people who are in the same position that they were in.

The only problem I have with formula testimonials is that they can start to appear too alike if you have many customers starting from the same place.

That’s why it is a good idea to get permission to use all or part of the testimonial in your promotion.

I really am going to have to blog about this or all my ideas on testimonial building will be in your blog.

Cheers

Paul Simister
Your Profit Coach
http://businesscoaching.typepad.com

]]> By: Shawn Kinkade http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Shawn Kinkade Tue, 08 Jan 2008 02:15:07 +0000 http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/#comment-44 Paul - great model flow, the question is can you get your clients to address all of those points (although even if they only touch on half of them you're still in good shape). Thanks for the response. Shawn Paul – great model flow, the question is can you get your clients to address all of those points (although even if they only touch on half of them you’re still in good shape).

Thanks for the response.

Shawn

]]> By: Paul Simister http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Paul Simister Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:54:14 +0000 http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/#comment-42 Great article on testimonials. You have reminded me that this isn't a topic that I have written about on the Business Coaching Blog yet although I have elsewhere. I like testimonials that move through the prospect's buying decision and are relevant to the buyer Below is first the testimonial and secondly what I want the prospective buyer to be thinking. 1 - I had this problem - yes me too 2 - I tried X and Y and it didn't work - same here 3 - I heard about this company and I was initially sceptical - me too, I've been ripped off before. 4 - My problem was bad. I needed to do something - I hear you man 5 - This company offers a strong risk reversal, what had I got to lose - that's right I can get my money back if it doesn't go right. 6 - It worked for me, it was easy and fast - that's what I want to hear 7 - Now two years later, my problems are still cured and I've almost forgotten just how much I was suffering - If it worked for you, and you are so much like me, it should work for me. I want it. Where do I sign up Great article on testimonials.

You have reminded me that this isn’t a topic that I have written about on the Business Coaching Blog yet although I have elsewhere.

I like testimonials that move through the prospect’s buying decision and are relevant to the buyer

Below is first the testimonial and secondly what I want the prospective buyer to be thinking.

1 – I had this problem – yes me too

2 – I tried X and Y and it didn’t work – same here

3 – I heard about this company and I was initially sceptical – me too, I’ve been ripped off before.

4 – My problem was bad. I needed to do something – I hear you man

5 – This company offers a strong risk reversal, what had I got to lose – that’s right I can get my money back if it doesn’t go right.

6 – It worked for me, it was easy and fast – that’s what I want to hear

7 – Now two years later, my problems are still cured and I’ve almost forgotten just how much I was suffering – If it worked for you, and you are so much like me, it should work for me. I want it. Where do I sign up

]]> By: How to NOT use a Sales Letter | Aspiring Business http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/comment-page-1/#comment-37 How to NOT use a Sales Letter | Aspiring Business Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:36:45 +0000 http://www.aspirekc.com/Blog/2007/12/28/testimonials-good-vs-bad-and-how-to-get-them/#comment-37 [...] Testimonials - Good vs. Bad and how to get them. [...] [...] Testimonials – Good vs. Bad and how to get them. [...]

]]>