Increase The Power Of Your Testemonials

Posted Tuesday, March 18, 2003

Are you using testimonials in your marketing? If not, you are missing one of the most successful forms of marketing ever used. Adding a testimonial to your current marketing material can not only increase your sales but more importantly increase your credibility!

Adding testimonials can greatly increase the power of your marketing program if done correctly. Done correctly? How hard can it be to add a testimonial you say? Read on and learn how you can increase the power of your testimonial by ten fold and avoid the most common marketing mistake many top on-line sites make.

Browse around some of your favorite web sites and see how many testimonials from satisfied customers are prominently displayed. I bet many of them are lacking the most important part. Contact! How many times have you come across a page full of testimonials that are listed like the following example:

Great products and services! I will recommend you to everyone I know. Your services are fantastic.
D.S. - Wilkes Barre, PA

Wow that's believable...Not! Who is D.S. and why should I believe this person? When you are using a testimonial on your site or for any form of marketing for that matter include as much information about the person as you can.

How much more credible do you think the above testimonial would be if it had the full name, email and URL if available of the author? 10 times or more! If you are concerned about people blasting your customers with email asking about your business, don't. Most people will not bother emailing them. Just the fact that they could is all the support your testimonial needs.

When you receive a testimonial from your customers or a happy visitor, respond and thank them! Ask them if it would be ok to use their kind words on your site. Be sure to tell them you will give them full credit for their testimonial with a link.

Leery about asking for your customers permission?

Most people will be glad to let you post their testimonial. In fact I bet most will appreciate the link. Always ask before posting comments on your site or including them in your marketing material.

You will be surprised at how far a testimonial can go in the eyes of your prospects. One great bonus is the fact that there is absolutely no cost! Nothing beats a personal recommendation.

I hope you re-evaluate your use of testimonials and if you never used them, start. It could make you rich!