How to Get Testomonials?

I recently started avidly collecting email templates for all manor of things relating to IM.

Here's a template that I haven't used yet but I will for my new IM product launch that's coming real soon...

Hi (NAME),


My name is (YOUR NAME) and I'm contacting you because I'm just now finishing up a new product you might be interested in and I would like your feedback on it.

You can see the sales letter here:
http://www.yourdomain.com

I subscribe to your newsletter and noticed that much of the information you write about fits in with the theme of my new product and that's why you instantly came to mind when I decided to seek the opinion of a few of my peers.

Feel free to give me your honest opinion. I would like your honest opinion about my work so I welcome any constructive criticism you might have.

If you would be interested in reviewing ("Product Name") let me know and I'll send you a username and password to download everything from the site.

Please note that if you send a testimonial for my product after you've had a chance to review it and like what you see that I would like your permission to use your feedback on my sales letter for everyone who visits the page to see.


Thank you for your time (NAME).


(YOUR NAME)
(YOUR WEBSITE)


It's for sending out to people whose mailing lists you are subscribed too. You could tinker with it and send it to blogs with high pagerank in your niche too.

Here's another one written for your customers that you need to send out 3-5 days after they have ordered while the product is still fresh in their minds:

Hi (CUSTOMER NAME),


I want to thank you for purchasing (PRODUCT NAME) a few days ago from (http://www.yourwebsite.com).

It's always my pleasure to email customers and thank them for their purchase because I do realize that you could have chosen to do business with someone else so again, Thank You for giving me the opportunity to serve you.

The other reason I'm writing you today is to ask if you had any feedback about your experience with (PRODUCT NAME). I generally use this feedback as a testimonial in my marketing material.

With that in mind (CUSTOMER NAME), could I ask you to send me your feedback about (PRODUCT NAME) so that I could use it on my website for others to see and in other marketing material?

If you'd be willing to do that please make sure you include a link to your site I can display along with your feedback.

Keep in mind that I'm also open to constructive criticism so if there's something you feel is missing from my product please let me know and I'll do my best to correct the issue.

You have two options:

1. You can send me your written feedback.

1. You can send me audio feedback through our toll-free number listed here: 1-888-123-4567

I realize that you're busy so just for taking the time to send me your feedback I'd like to give you a copy of (THE FREE BONUS OFFER) as soon as I hear back from you.

Just to give you a little information about the report I'm sending you in exchange for your feedback.

(Describe The Bonus Offer In Enough Detail To Make Sure People Understand The Value Of Your Feedback Incentive)

This is one of my personal resources and I generally don't share it with any other than people like you who have shown a willingness to take action towards their goals.

If you're willing to send me your audio feedback for possible use in our marketing material, on top of (THE FIRST BONUS OFFER)
I'll also send you (DESCRIBE ANOTHER BONUS OFFER).

Once again...

1. You can either send me your written feedback by replying to this email or here: http://www.yourwebsite.com/feedback.html

Or...

1. You can send me audio feedback through our toll-free number listed here: 1-888-123-4567

If you were going to send me your audio feedback, would you mind also sending a written copy of it as well? This is so that I'll be able to use your feedback in a variety of marketing material.

After all, it's kind of hard to put an audio testimonial on a postcard or a sales letter sent through the mail. ;-)

Thank you for your time (NAME) and if you have any questions at all please feel free to let me know.

(YOUR NAME)
(YOUR WEBSITE)

The two products on my sig links although having customers do not have testimonials. But this is SOMETHING I WILL be implementing for my next product launch. If you do or anyone else decides to use these templates then do keep in touch (PM me) and let me know how you get on.

Cheers for now.

Garry.

Exchanging testimonials is completely unethical in my book. Giving away free copies for reviews is better but is still not ideal. You want testimonials from real customers who paid full price for your product or service.

It can be tough to get these when you're starting out. Lots of people (many, in fact) use fake testimonials or those passed among cronies. Avoid this at all cost. I had a customer who was so suspicious they researched the testimonial provider until finding contact details. Lucky thing it was legit.

One tactic you can use is "third party" testimonials. That is, look for quotes from experts or other big names in your niche about what your product does or the concept behind it. These quotes will not name your brand specifically but they can add credibility and you can make them sound like testimonials.

Example: Weight-loss secrets ebook: "Cutting hydrogenated fats from your diet is an absolute must for losing weight safely." John D. Drew, M.D.

The idea is that this "testimonial" backs up one of the benefits you list for your ebook.

It's not as good as a customer testimonial but it can help. With some good research you can come up with expert quotes that support your copy and can almost pass for support for your product itself.

Combine a couple of these with your existing testimonials until more arrive.

To help them on their way you must give good customer support and follow up with them. If somebody gives even faint praise thank them and ask them for a full testimonial. It can go two ways: some people will withdraw but others will even amplify their feelings when they know they're contributing to your success. And don't be shy about asking for a photo.

what about offering something free to your excisiting clients in return for a testimonial