The guys in the sales dept of your business just love to use testimonials from happy customers, the ones that willingly tell how good the company and product was. In some cultures its hard to ask for a testimonial (or as I like to call them a Yestimonials!) The one thing that stands out to me as to why businesses do not have red hot testimonials is that they do not ask for them.

Maybe the person asking for the testimonial is not sure that the person is really happy with their service or product, perhaps they think its going to take up their precious time, or cause them undue stress. Whatever they think its a shame, because an opportunity to gather another red hot Yestimonial.

So here are a few ways to get one.

1. ASK! – Tell the customers you love to get testimonials as they make the marketing so much easier and if they provide you with one it would only be as an endorsement of the service they got today. “Hey I’m being open here, if you don’t like the service write that down too!” Be open and honest.

2. Put it in a survey – The survey reinforces in the customers mind the things they experienced with the sale, at the bottom of the survey ask for a comment, a short testimonial to be used in your marketing.

3. Prompt them – Okay the sales is done and you might say “Thanks for buying from us today… I would like to ask you what did I do today to earn your interest and for you to buy form us?” they tell you a few points. “Thanks for that its important for me to know as I want to be surrounded by happy customers and the more I get to remember that the better we get. I wish I could have that in writing it would be useful to add to our testimonial file…” then hand them a business card so they can address the letter to you personally. It may not be as obvious as the first two ideas but with some customers it may well be the only way to get one.

4. The advantage? – Once you have peole giving you testimonials you can probably ask for referrals with ease as well, especially if it’s been a multi part sales process and the prosepcts have taken a lot into considerationbefore buying from you. the level of trust has built along with the relationship.

Make a list of your own and search for ways to get real testimonials so your buisness can stand proud on the service it provides.

Steve Gray - Steve's clients are calling him "the leadership guy" for his focus and knowledge on leadership development. Steve is an avid business commentator, writer and a senior business consultant - Mentor - Coach - Trainer - Presenter (Steve Gray . biz). The info provided in these articles is for educational purposes only and is intended as a starting point for you to build your business from and not specific advice.
Visit Steve's Website