The Secret to Adding Credibility to Your Business ? Testimonials!

You may not realize it, but you already have a gold mine of endorsements waiting to be created. Everyone who is serious about building a business and creating credibility uses this idea. What is it? Testimonials from your satisfied clients.

Whether you are just starting out or have been in business for years, testimonials are a proven way to communicate the value your business delivers. Think about it, don't you want to know what other people think about a product/service before you buy? I do!

The reason testimonials are so powerful is because they come from someone, other than you, who has used your products/services and knows how fabulous they are. This is great news if you don't feel comfortable 'blowing your own horn' because the words come from your clients. You are simply sharing what others have said about you. Even better, testimonials don't have to cost you a cent.

HOW TO GET TESTIMONIALS

All you have to do is ask. You can write your request in an e-mail or ask verbally. Just ask, "Would you be willing to help me?" In my experience satisfied clients are more than willing to write testimonials.

If you want to give clients an incentive to give you testimonials you can offer them something of value in return for their time and effort. In exchange for the testimonial you can offer a discount, create a drawing for a prize, or provide them with additional information.

You can also incorporate asking for testimonials into your business process. One way to do this is to ask for them in an evaluation or survey. Another way is to let clients know up front that once they become a client that you plan to ask what they thought about your products/services.

In addition to asking for testimonials you can 'listen' and 'watch' for them by paying attention to what clients tell you verbally and write to you in e-mails or letters. If you hear or see a compliment ask the person if you can quote them on what they said and include it in your marketing materials. Think about it, you may even have a powerful testimonial sitting in one of your e-mail folders right now just waiting to get permission for use.

Another approach is to ask someone else to interview your clients (a reporter or writer). This is a more involved process and can be worth it if your product/service is complicated or if you want to create a case study.

No matter what, always ask for permission to use the person's name and/or company with their testimonial. You can give the options of using initials or first names only if people do not want their full name used. Keep in mind, a full name is the most credible. You can also use pictures of the people who write testimonials to make an even stronger impact (again, ask for permission).

FORMAT FOR TESTIMONIALS

Written testimonials are the most common and easiest to create. There are other options that engage additional senses, the ears and eyes. Audio testimonials are becoming more popular (often accompanied by a photograph) as are video testimonials, which allow you to see and hear someone speaking about your products/services.

WHAT TO ASK FOR IN A TESTIMONIAL

If you're like me, you want some guidance when asked to provide information. Help your clients out by being clear about what you are looking for in a testimonial, specific information.

Ask them to describe the situation before they used your products/services and then ask them to describe the situation now, the benefits that they experienced and how they feel as a result of this.

WHERE TO USE TESTIMONIALS

Once you have your raving testimonials, and permission to use them, you can put them to use in multitude of ways. Include them on your website mixed in throughout your text. Add testimonials to your brochures and flyers. You can even put them in your newsletters.

Are you beginning to see how powerful testimonials are and what they can mean for your business? Choose the approach that feels right for you and get into action today!

(c) Stephanie Ward 2005

Life & Business Coach Stephanie Ward helps business owners set their profits on fire! Get your free monthly profit tips plus bonus report at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com

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Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:51:10 GMT Obama Gains in States Such as Iowa, Florida Give National Boost - Bloomberg BBC News Obama Gains in States Such as Iowa, Florida Give National Boost Bloomberg - 1 hour ago By James Rowley and Kristin Jensen Oct. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is moving ahead in a series of new polls from Florida to Iowa, gains that are helping him maintain a national lead over Republican John McCain. Video: Kids Vote On Campaign '08 CBS Newsday poll: Obama has double-digit lead on Long Island Newsday Orlando Sentinel - New York Times - Reuters - Detroit Free Press all 2,708 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:51:54 GMT US-POLITICS Summary - Washington Post USA Today US-POLITICS Summary Washington Post - 2 hours ago WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama has opened a 6-point lead over Republican rival John McCain in the US presidential race, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Sunday. John McCain and Sarah Palin try new tactics Los Angeles Times Pittsburgh Paper Picks Obama, Pans on McCain/Palin Ticket FOXNews Dallas Morning News - Seattle Times - KXMC - San Francisco Chronicle all 1,680 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:22:18 GMT Spotlight on Apple notebooks: 1989 to 2008 - CNNMoney.com Washington Post Spotlight on Apple notebooks: 1989 to 2008 CNNMoney.com - 2 hours ago On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Apple will unveil the latest addition to a long line of portable computers that dates back nearly 20 years - to the ungainly, 15.8-pound “Macintosh Portableâ€� that PC World named the 17th worst technology product of all time. This week in Apple: New notebooks, new writers, and more Woz Ars Technica Don't Buy A Mac Laptop* Washington Post New York Times - eFluxMedia - CRN - Wall Street Journal all 185 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:23:15 GMT "Chihuahua" bites Crowe, DiCaprio at box office - Reuters "Chihuahua" bites Crowe, DiCaprio at box office Reuters - 1 hour ago LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The new terrorism thriller "Body of Lies" failed to take the top spot at the weekend box office in North America on Sunday, becoming the latest victim of moviegoer aversion to movies dealing with Middle East intrigue. 'Chihuahua' still has bite in second weekend at box office USA Today ‘Body’ Talk, Baby Talk Business Mirror Fort Wayne Journal Gazette all 21 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:19:10 GMT Stem cell promises, obstacles remain four years after bill's approval - San Jose Mercury News Stem cell promises, obstacles remain four years after bill's approval San Jose Mercury News - 1 hour ago EDITOR'S NOTE: This is first of a two-part series examining the progress and potential pitfalls in California's $3 billion stem cell research program. Researchers find easier way to make stem cells Reuters India New method generates stem cells safely from mice Reuters Chicago Tribune - Bloomberg - Houston Chronicle - The Daily Yomiuri all 68 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:34:39 GMT Lisa Marie Presley delivers twins: report - Reuters Reuters Lisa Marie Presley delivers twins: report Reuters - Oct 11, 2008 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley's only child, gave birth to twin baby girls on October 7, celebrity news TV show "Entertainment Tonight" said on its website on Saturday. Twin girls for Lisa Marie Presley BBC News Lisa Marie Presley Welcomes Twin Girls E! Online eFluxMedia - People Magazine - Associated Content - USA Today all 652 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:17:01 GMT Texas new No. 1 in coaches poll after wild college football weekend - USA Today News 8 Austin Texas new No. 1 in coaches poll after wild college football weekend USA Today - 32 minutes ago By Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY The date won't quite live in infamy, but college football followers should remember Oct. 11, 2008, for a long time. Kansas fails to move up in polls KUsports Texas grabs top ranking in AP Poll Louisville Courier-Journal The Huntsville Times - al.com - Austin American-Statesman - The Birmingham News - al.com - Nittany Lines all 13 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:18:35 GMT Blogging Software RSS Software

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