How do I ask for quality testimonials

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I've have positive interactions with most of my customers, and whenever I ask for a testimonial they're happy to oblige.

But unfortunately what they write sounds so forced and phony. It's not that they're making stuff up. It's just that they're trying to write what they think a testimonial should sound like. Latest example:
I purchased the computer Consulting Kit 3 weeks ago and I am very happy I did. I am new at starting a computer consulting business and this kit has provided me with all the tools I need to become successful. I use the templates they provide to create a forms and service contracts as well as the supporting videos. This has been by far the best investment I ever made.
You have a customer for life in me.
How do I make my request so that the testimonials I receive are more genuine?

Thanks,
-Robert
#copywriting #quality #testimonials
  • If your clients had a great experience and quality product with business they will provide a quality testimonials if you ask them based on what they've got from your business.. .
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hi Robert!

    Be upfront with them when you ask for the testimonial. If you want them to mention timeliness, tell them. The fact that you gave them more than they thought they were getting? Throw it in there. Say something like "It doesn't have to be anything fancy or proper, just something you would say to a friend of yours if they were to ask you about it. Something YOU would be receptive to if you were to read it".

    They'll get it. And by now you've built a nice rapport with them and they're stoked with your work, so they're going to want to "return the favor" and give you precisely what you're looking for as well, especially if you over-delivered for them
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Ask if they'd be willing to give an endorsement. If yes, explain that you know they're busy and that you'd be glad to jot down a little something and they can approve or reject. It's worked for me many times in the past.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Sometimes you do have to ask for testimonials, but about the
    best ones you can get is a letter from a delighted customer
    which you can turn into a testimonial. When you ask you often
    get the canned responses as you mentioned.

    Sometimes you can get testimonials by surveying your
    customers and ask the questions you want answered
    in the testimonial.

    Example: Why did you buy this product? How has it
    changed your life? Would you recommend it to a
    friend? etc.

    -Ray Edwards
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Hi Robert,

      One way to accomplish what you're after is to NOT ask
      for testimonials. Like you said...

      When asking for a testimonial your customers feel
      obligated to "build-it-up" and thus, it sounds like a
      canned response.

      As Ray said:

      But, there is a way to get your customers to unwittingly
      provide you with great testimonials without directly asking
      for one. Let me explain...

      You want honest, hard hitting testimonials that are specific
      and glow with enthusiasm. A tall order. So how do you get
      all this without directly asking for it?
      Here's what you do...

      Send out an email to the customer list you want to target
      for testimonials.
      In this email say something along the lines of...

      -------------BEGIN-------------
      "Hi John,

      It's been a couple weeks and I thought I would write to see
      how you're enjoying the Computer Consulting Kit.

      I'm always looking for ways to improve the kit, and would love
      to get your feedback as a customer.

      So, I have three quick questions for you, and if you take the time
      to answer, I'll send you a copy of my yet unreleased special
      report titled "7 Ways to Double Your Computer Consultant Income
      in One Month or Less".

      Here are the questions:

      ---------
      Question #1

      How has the 'Computer Consultant Kit' helped your business?

      Question #2

      What do you love about the 'Computer Consultant Kit'

      Question #3

      What can be improved?

      ---------

      That's it, John. Send me your answers to the three questions
      above and I'll send you the "7 Ways to Double Your Computer
      Consultant Income in One Month or Less" report.

      Thanks again for purchasing the Computer Consultant Kit.
      I appreciate your business.

      Looking forward to hearing your answers.

      Sincerely,
      Me
      -------------END-------------

      OK, now you will obviously, get some great responses, as well
      as, some that are not so great. What your looking for are the
      gems amongst the coal.

      Because your customers are not trying to write a testimonial
      their answers will be honest and specific regarding your
      product. Pick the best responses to the first two questions
      and send those customers an email like the following...

      -------------BEGIN-------------
      Hi John,

      Thank you for filling out the feedback survey I sent out
      yesterday. I hope you received the special report I emailed
      to you entitled "7 Ways to Double Your Computer
      Consultant Income in One Month or Less"; if you didn't,
      let me know, and I'll send it out to you ASAP.

      I wanted to let you know that I thought your response to
      the survey questions was phenomenal and would like to ask
      your permission to use part of it as a testimonial on our website.

      I will, of course, also include a link back to your website or
      a reference to your business below the testimonial.

      Here's what your testimonial will look like:

      "...since receiving your kit 3 weeks ago I've booked 8 new
      clients, and that's with just one of the prospecting methods
      from the first chapter! ...I love the fact that you break down
      each method for creating customer-magnets, and turn them
      into easy to follow step-by-step instructions."
      John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt
      CEO, We've Got Big Bytes Consulting
      Thanks again for filling out the survey John.

      Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

      Sincerely,
      Me
      -------------END-------------


      Well that's it Rob, I hope your able to get some great
      testimonials for your computer consultant kit. This will
      also provide you with some very useful feedback
      regarding your product.

      Try it out and see if your testimonials don't improve
      drastically.

      Sincerely,
      Me
      • [ 3 ] Thanks
      • [2] replies
  • The best way is to have a conversation with them about what things were like:

    Before they hired you?
    After they hired you?
    What they thought of your expertise?
    What is the biggest benefit they have got from working with you?
    Would they recommend you?

    Then listen where needed drill for more specifics. Then you put it in writing for them using their words and send them an e-mail for signing off.

    If they need or want to change or add anything they can and send it back to you. When you are happy with it get them to print it out on their letter headed paper and sign it and send you two copies.

    You now have a legal document you can show if ever asked and you can take extracts or use the full testimonial anyway you wish.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Thank you all for some very useful advice. I think I'm going to try the guided route... asking for feedback on the specific areas that are most important to me. If I think my customer might have some difficulty with English or writing in general, I might put together a suggested testimonial for approval.

      Talk about wacky coincidences... check out the email I literally just got from a new customer...
      "I'm watching these videos, and wondering who did the great job with the camera, also I'd like to work on a video testimonial for you, or even a written one, what do you think?"

      Glad I asked you guys for help this morning. Now I know how to reply.

      Thanks again everyone!
      -Rob
  • Hi Robert,
    I think you are lucky to have such a customer. Sometimes you shouldn't order a $300 article to attract attention of potential consumers but have several real and true simple testimonials from real persons to make others believe.
    • [1] reply
    • Sorry... I have no idea what you're getting at.

      [edit]... Ok. I re-read your post several times and I think I get you. A few quality testimonials can be more valuable in attracting customers than an expensive article?

      Not sure if that's what you meant, but articles and testimonials are two completely different animals. The article isn't selling the product. The article is generating interest and driving traffic (at least that's how I use them).

      The testimonial is proof that my product does what I claim.

      We on the same page?
  • I guess it depends on your clients. I give good testimonials to any products or services I really had good experiences. And we cannot 'dictate' what a person should write we asked them a favor of giving us a testimonials. If they write that way, so be it. Maybe that's really how they write. As long as you are getting testimonials from your clients, good.
  • The sample testimonial that you have posted looks great. We are requesting testimonials to our clients and post it in our website. As long as they say good about our service, we would greatly appreciate their kind words.
  • I'm aware that this is a 4 year old thread but I just want to share that what "Iconik" shared is extremely valuable.

    I sent an email 12 hours ago to my students and QUALITY testimonials is now pouring in.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • I've heard some copywriters (Bob Bly comes to mind) write testimonials for their customers and essentially have them sign off on Bob's words.

    What do you think about this? I think it'd be the easiest way to get a testimonial that's exactly right, but it lacks authenticity.
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  • What was going on in the client's world BEFORE you arrived?

    What key problems did they hire you to solve?

    What was the experience like working with you?

    What is the client's world like NOW that the key problems have been solved?

    Get them to tell this story.


    Now, when prospects see this testimonial, they will be attracted because you solved key problems exactly like the ones they are experiencing...probably for a company just like theirs...and they will want to work with someone who works the way you do...and get the results the client received.

    It's not just a "Rah Rah!" comment...it's a filtering and sales tool.
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    How do I ask for quality testimonials

    I've have positive interactions with most of my customers, and whenever I ask for a testimonial they're happy to oblige. But unfortunately what they write sounds so forced and phony. It's not that they're making stuff up. It's just that they're trying to write what they think a testimonial should sound like. Latest example:I purchased the computer Consulting Kit 3 weeks ago and I am very happy I did. I am new at starting a computer consulting business and this kit has provided me with all the tools I need to become successful. I use the templates they provide to create a forms and service contracts as well as the supporting videos. This has been by far the best investment I ever made.