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Strategies for getting testimonials?

by ation
24 replies
Anyone have any strategies for getting some testimonials to display on your site?

Would a contest of some sort work?
Say "Win $50 PayPal if you submit a testimonial".. winner will be chosen out of everyone who submitted one on X/X/20XX. Or would running a sweepstakes (or whatever this would be considered) invoke to much possible legal complications?
#strategies #testimonials
  • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
    Originally Posted by ation View Post

    Anyone have any strategies for getting some testimonials to display on your site?

    Would a contest of some sort work?
    Say "Win $50 PayPal if you submit a testimonial".. winner will be chosen out of everyone who submitted one on X/X/20XX. Or would running a sweepstakes (or whatever this would be considered) invoke to much possible legal complications?
    This is tricky...but, perhaps begin a WSO, and offer a small handful of free review copies. Those who receive review copies would/should leave a testimonial or a review (even though, you can't always guarantee it...)
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  • Profile picture of the author MatthewM
    Originally Posted by ation View Post

    Anyone have any strategies for getting some testimonials to display on your site?

    Would a contest of some sort work?
    Say "Win $50 PayPal if you submit a testimonial".. winner will be chosen out of everyone who submitted one on X/X/20XX. Or would running a sweepstakes (or whatever this would be considered) invoke to much possible legal complications?
    I find just simply asking your list is the best approach for producing unbiased testimonials. Testimonials will come naturally for good products. Offering incentives for testimonials will only produce untruthful testimonies. If your product hasn't produced any sales offering review copies is another good way to get testimonials or unbiased reviews.
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  • Profile picture of the author khanhdom
    really depends on what you are providing. That award contest could work, and I don't think there's really any legal precautions you need to watch out, as there's really no proof you didn't select a winner. Or just send a mass emails asking for testimonials.

    Reviews is a good idea also if you haven't gotten a sale
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  • Profile picture of the author jawad
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by jawad View Post

      If you have a good products you get naturelly Testimonials
      Yes...but, you can have a good product....you could have a GREAT product....but, unfortunately, when one is just starting out, you need/should consider giving some away for FREE as review copies in order to help gain traction for the product. Dependent on the context/niche, products can have "lifespans"...and, sales can be directly attributable to the amount of momentum that you gain for the product, in terms of testimonials, reviews, and general publicity.

      The sad truth is, sometimes a GOOD...a GREAT....product just doesn't sell because, well, nowadays, there seems to be TONS of competition in just aboute very niche.

      One way I got some VERY strong testimonials for my product was: I spent months...months....consistently commenting bloggers blogs. I actually went so far as to strategically look at where the bloggers, themselves, were at in terms of traffic to their site, and ability to promote and brand themselves.You see, I didn't want just ANYONE to give me a review....I knew it would be hard to secure someone with selling power, like, say, Darren Rowse or Jeremy from Shoemoney....

      My strategy to overcome that hurdle was to find bloggers who were in their infancy of growth, but who's blogs were consistently showing an increase in readership (check comments, etc)....I commented consistently on their blogs, for a good 5-6 months. As I continually GAVE to them, I slipped in word of my product....in fact, I wrote up to 18 status updates about it, and kept the blogger(s) abreast of EVERYTHING I was doing, but, I also subtly propelled them into a position of being my 'mentor'.....

      I did need a bit of help....but, the Alpha male mentality kicked in insofar as I ensured that I made it clear that I had wanted to be a case study for just how effective their methods were. I believed in my ideas and strategies THAT much....I knew my book/course would succeed for a variety of reasons....and, having allies in the fight really helped.

      What ensued from all those months of networking and relationship building were real tangible testimonials of substance. Catch certain bloggers, in your niche, EARLY in their growth, if you can....and, those testimonials will be absolutely HUGE when they make it to the top....
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Bainbridge
    We give a free album to anyone who gives us permission to publish their testimonial - this works well for us - do you have an extras you can give away as a reward?

    Another way would be to ask for "feedback":

    Hi, I really want to make some improvements and offer more to you guys in the future, please help me out and let me know what you found useful, what worked for you, and what didn't...

    Then hopefully with this open approach people respond naturally, and you follow up the ones who could be used as reviews and ask them if they give permission..
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Deegan
    The best way is to simply ask for them...But you have to ask in a way that the client doesn't have to really think about how to answer. If you want the customer to be creative and write from scratch you're going to have a harder time getting testimonials.

    So what do you do?..ask specific questions for the customer to answer that will pretty much have the testimonial create it self...

    Sean D'Souze covers this really well in the brain audit. He gives 6 AWESOME question for your to ask to get a killer testimonial...I'll post the first 3 questions as I remember them but I don't feel right posting all 6...pick up the brain audit...it's worth it.

    1. What obstacle was holding you back from buying our product?

    2. What result did you get from buying our product?

    3. What feature did you like most about our product?

    Again there are 3 more questions that all come together to produce a rockin testimonial...

    Hope this helps,
    Daniel D.
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by Daniel Deegan View Post

      The best way is to simply ask for them...But you have to ask in a way that the client doesn't have to really think about how to answer. If you want the customer to be creative and write from scratch you're going to have a harder time getting testimonials.

      So what do you do?..ask specific questions for the customer to answer that will pretty much have the testimonial create it self...

      Sean D'Souze covers this really well in the brain audit. He gives 6 AWESOME question for your to ask to get a killer testimonial...I'll post the first 3 questions as I remember them but I don't feel right posting all 6...pick up the brain audit...it's worth it.

      1. What obstacle was holding you back from buying our product?

      2. What result did you get from buying our product?

      3. What feature did you like most about our product?

      Again there are 3 more questions that all come together to produce a rockin testimonial...

      Hope this helps,
      Daniel D.
      I don't know what the 3 remaining questions are, but, personally, I would also ask "How/to what extent do you believe you can apply the use of my product to your everyday business/work? Be specific."

      I know this is similar to asking, "What result did you get from buying our product"....

      ...the word choice, I believe, would cater to people who, in their busy schedules, may not have actually taken the time to dissect and apply your product. I know, the hope and expectation is that every would, but, based on what they have absorbed already, saying "do you believe" could elicit some powerful responses...

      "Based on what I've read so far, I believe that this product has the potential to greatly streamline my business, and make me more efficient and productive....ultimately saving me ALOT of money...."

      Get a testimonial like THAT...and, you could hit the ball out of the park....
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  • Profile picture of the author Online Bliss
    I like The Open Approach as mentioned above.

    If you are happy with this product please let us know,
    you are welcome to leave a testimonial.
    If you have any problems please click our help desk
    I would like to here from you and correct the problem as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author Marty S
      Recently, a Warrior sent out a rather shocking email that basically demanded his paying customers to write a testimonial. This was after his first request produced VERY few of the testimonials he was hoping for. It was a serious breach of trust and professionalism.

      Politely asking, is totally acceptable.

      Further, when I see a sales page full of one-sided testimonials, I tend to just find it unrealistic. I mean really, when was the last time you bought a product that you were 200% over-the-top-crazy-about that inspired legit comments like "He blew me away with all that he offered", "Outrageous this does not cost more", "First Lastname has changed the game forever".. etc etc.. When I read crap like this, I immediately suspect the testimonials are either staged for future affiliate relationships, or simply coerced as the Warrior above tried.

      Rather than feel YOU and YOUR product deserve testimonials, it is simply fine to ask for one, but in a humble way. I would so much more believe in a product if I read REALISTIC testimonials. So in order to ask in a humble way for testimonials, also invite your customers to ask as to how you can improve the product for future buyers. You will get more honest and gracious responses because they respect the fact that you really want to know, and are not simply using them to secure future sales.

      You can put these on your site too, explaining how you have taken such steps as a result of positive feedback. Now that is a IM rock star with solid testimonials IMHO.
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      • Profile picture of the author statelizard
        Politely asking for them is a great way to get some reviews, and one that I use fairly often.

        That being said, when you are seeking reviews you really should be looking for more than just "yes this is an awesome product/service". For most of the stuff I do, my reviews come from follow-up comments that I actively seek from customers. Generally, after someone has used my services or bought one of my products, I follow up by sending them a list of questions as to how they viewed the services, things they liked, things they didn't, and how their experience could have been improved. Not only does this provide a good way to get reviews, it also allows you to get feedback so you can continue to improve what you do.

        Josh
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        • Profile picture of the author Marty S
          Originally Posted by statelizard View Post

          Generally, after someone has used my services or bought one of my products, I follow up by sending them a list of questions as to how they viewed the services, things they liked, things they didn't, and how their experience could have been improved. Not only does this provide a good way to get reviews, it also allows you to get feedback so you can continue to improve what you do.
          I was going to mention questions as well. Very good for getting the dialogue going.
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        • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
          Originally Posted by statelizard View Post

          Politely asking for them is a great way to get some reviews, and one that I use fairly often.

          That being said, when you are seeking reviews you really should be looking for more than just "yes this is an awesome product/service". For most of the stuff I do, my reviews come from follow-up comments that I actively seek from customers. Generally, after someone has used my services or bought one of my products, I follow up by sending them a list of questions as to how they viewed the services, things they liked, things they didn't, and how their experience could have been improved. Not only does this provide a good way to get reviews, it also allows you to get feedback so you can continue to improve what you do.

          Josh
          Great approach, Josh....

          If you don't mind me asking, do you have a pre-made, generic, list of questions that you ask EVERY customer? Do you ask only certain customers? All of them?
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  • Profile picture of the author KevinYoung
    Don't be hesitant. If your stuff is good and people like you, they'll naturally want to give you testimonials.

    If you need to, go out on a limb and just ask them. There's nothing wrong with trying to collect a few good testimonials.

    Most people will think that if they write a good enough one, they'll get featured on your sales page/sales video and get free exposure. I don't really think you need to offer an extra incentive for them.
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      One strategy you can do, as well, is create a separate .PDF, available for download with your eBook/course, that serves as a separate document detailing things you would like to convey to your customers like:

      1) Affiliate program + how to sign up + strategies to SELL your product
      2) Expectations (how much money people could realistically expect to earn)
      3) A link to your WSO, along with a request to leave a testimonial/review, if people liked it or 'benefited' from the information you provided. It's all in the wording here...so try to motivate people, and maybe even present them with direct questions that they could think about integrating when they structure their answers/reviews. Do EVERYTHING you possibly can to help your customer leave a testimonial....don't just expect them to know what to write, even if they liked the product. Providing questions, like the OP said, can help to direct and focus their reviews....which can be extremely beneficial to you....
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  • Profile picture of the author TheDebtEliminator
    Hello Ation,

    To me your best course of action, is to start a WSO and offer some review copies.

    Best regards ... Ron
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  • Profile picture of the author The-English-Webmistress
    Just ASK your clients if they will be willing to send you a testimonial. I emailed clients within 2 days of completion of a successful project - whilst they were still exultant about the results.

    Nobody has ever said no.


    Andrea, The English Webmistress
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  • Profile picture of the author mm1
    legally to get testimonials the best way is to find other experts in your niche email them and ask them if they would be willing to review your product and give you a testimonial in exchange for the free review copy
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  • Profile picture of the author Online Bliss
    Politely asking for them is a great way to get some reviews, and one that I use fairly often.
    I would politely ask,
    however looking on the flip side.
    I am politely asked to fill in surveys all the time
    and I usually pass.
    When I open a letter with a $5 dollar bill sent in the mail
    I feel obligated and am happy to fill in the survey!
    Maybe not always ethical but bribes work!

    PS. I know the difference between a survey and a testimonial. LOL
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    • Profile picture of the author zuki
      I would just ask. People will usually be happy to give you testimonials if they're happy with your product/service.
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  • Profile picture of the author thebrewer
    If you want to give something away, you could offer a do follow link within the testimonial that someone gives to you. That would be of greater long term value to a person (even if your niche doesn't understand SEO, it can be 'sold' as another route to their site) than some sort of cash/product prize. You might even get some reciprocal links back to your site.

    Failing that, do what the other Warriors suggest and give away half a dozen copies for review. If your product is solid, you will get what you want. If you do decide on that approach, PM me, I'll take a copy
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