Get the testimonial AFTER you've given and demonstrated real value.

The testimonial would add more weight if they explain what the problem was they had, how you helped, and what the direct result was in applying your advice (or you executing your recommendations.)

You could of course ASK them for 2 referrals, after you've gotten your testimonial too and thus create a perpetual sales pipeline....

regards


Fraser

Ask several times. But the best time to ask is when they are the most euphoric about you.

Sure, you can ask right after your consultation. Why didn't they buy though if they love what you've shared?

Could be a good lead-in to finding out the answer to that question.

Ask for testimonials as often as you can. You can never have too many, too fresh or too glowing reviews.

I think it is always best to wait after a little while. I sometimes don't ask for referrals or any reviews up until I really have built trust and have given them what they wanted.

Certain services that are offered that take a little while for them to see results may require for you to wait before you ever ask for a testimonial for them to benefit.

I am going to address your question from a different angle then everyone else.

Put yourself in their shoes for a minute. You had a conversation with them.
They have no real idea if what your telling them works, or will work.

I would not give you one. We talked, it appeared like you were intelligent
and had some great ideas. ... Ideas.

At this point nothing has been done. I have no proof of anything.
What exactly am i giving you a testimonial for?

Also, something for you to think about, if you and I had a really good
conversation and you did not even attempt to get a commitment for us
to work together, I would find that suspect. It might even make me
decide not to work with you.

Just my thought on the subject.

I think you should ask for a testimonial once you finish their job for which they are going to pay you.. Because after only the consultation it doesn't sounds reasonable to give testimonial.. my 2 cents.

Paul if the only things you were doing was a free consultation and they seem satisfied that is great. I've done that a few times on here with minor sales training and advice.

Beyond that you need to focus on selling though getting them to write down in a testimonial how you helped them could be used to promote the sale. But it's a method I have never personally tried. Though I understand the psychology behind it enough to believe it could work.

it's very similar to how you might have them tell you what they loved about _____ as a way of closing. Putting it on paper (Ben Franklin is a variation of this) reenforces it more because not only are they telling themselves but they are writing and reading it. Thus it hits all 4 learning styles, Visual, Auditory (have them read it out loud),Reading/Writing and Kinesthetic (aka Doing).

If he were me, those would be the ones with whom I use the consult to sell.

@Paul: What no one's touched on is that there are different types of testimonials. I classify them into 3 categories.

I think you can ask for a testimonial after a consult, and it works best if you go into the consult with that agreement that if the prospect felt it was worthwhile, you'll get a testimonial as your payment.

That kind of testimonial is what I call the "exit door" type, where people feel good about what they've just experienced, not having done anything with it or know if it's any good or not, and so that's about all they can talk about.

Like when they attend a seminar and are enthusiastic about all the content they've just heard. They haven't tried it or seen any results yet, but they can talk about how valuable the information seems, the quality of it compared to others, how excellent and clear the speaker was in imparting information and how they can't wait to impliment it and what they expect will happen when they do and how it'll help them.

And those are the points you'd want them to cover in that testimonial.

It's not the best form of testimonial but thankfully, a lot of people don't comprehend the difference.

Anytime you've added value to customer/person, you should ask for a testimonial. Just have them explain how you helped them, and what they learned from you.

It's perfectly reasonable to ask for a referral ANY time.

But the way you ask and what you ask for has to be in
the context of the relationship you have if you want some
success doing this.

In other words if you did a gift consultation and it's obvious
your prospect got a lot out of it then you need to be asking
for the referral in that context.

eg. "You can see that even this gift consultation has tremendous
value to a business like yours. And I'm sure it would also have
tremendous value to other business owners you know.

"Because I know you I'd be willing to give a gift consultation
to a couple of the business owners you know...perhaps you
know an accountant or a business broker who might benefit
from some internet marketing advice..."

In context done well at the right time you can get a referral
in any stage of the process.

I've got them talking to people I've never met on the phone,
talking to people I've just met in the street.

It can be done and the more confidence you have and the
more at your core you realize what you have is of enormous
value the more success you're likely to experience with it.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

Personally, I like asking for testimonials AFTER enough time has passed where the buyer could have gotten a specific result.

In other words, after they started using what they bought, and hopefully got a specific result.

Then, with permission, you can use that specific result in future marketing.

If you ask for a testimonial too soon, in a lot of cases, you will only get generalities.

"Mark is a great guy and offers a ton of value" is not a great testimonial.

Sure, you can ask someone to give you their thoughts on the quality of the product, or the perceived value.. .but it's FAR more powerful to use specific results in your testimonials.

What holds more weight... "Mark was great, he spent an hour with me and showed me some stuff, and helped me out a lot, very valuable.

Or...

"In one hour, Mark showed me 3 things and when I did them, I made over $3,000 in that time period"

"John helped me lose weight, he really kept me motivated"
or... "John helped me lose 18 pounds in the past 30 days, and i didn't
have to diet or do a ton of exercise."

For me, I'll always ask for testimonials in a certain way, I want them to
give me specifics and results, so that when i go to use them, they are more
believable.

Many newbie marketers use testimonials that are weak... the ones that say "Gee, John was great"

but try being as specific as possible, so when you ask for a testimonial, lead them down the path you want and ask them for specific results... which will help your future marketing.

[DELETED]

Every time you spend time consulting with somebody you should ask for a testimonial

If you have provided real value, it is not only allowable to request a testimonial; it is advisable!

Are your free consultations giving them specific things they can implement?

If so, how long are you waiting to ask for the testimonial? Have they had time to implement and measure the results of your input?

If it is clear ahead of time that a testimonial is expected, then have they had time to implement?

In other words, what is the content of your free consult? What is the structure of your whole "free consult for testimonial" process?

I'm thinking you want to get something like, "Paul gave me three great ideas for
marketing my dealership. We have had time to implement two and have closed
x more deals from the first idea, and have increased floor traffic by x per weekend
from his second suggestion."

Dan