 |
Testimonials - FREE Quality Advertising FOR YOU!
Every business person who has any kind of product or service, and the merest
beginning of marketing sense, invites TESTIMONIALS.
These might be called "reviews" or "peer reviews" or "customer comments" but
they are all testimonials - a third party endorsement as to the merits of a
product which helps another potential customer decide whether they wish to
engage with this product or service.
Customer testimonials are a wonderful thing for the merchant/marketer, because
customers often pick up on benefits the marketer hadn't thought of, and their
use of personal words and phrasings can bring the product/service to life in a
whole new way.
Whenever I am asked by someone to submit a testimonial, I am always delighted.
If I like the product or the person involved, this is a wonderful opportunity
for me to pay back in kind whenever I can.
Because I always heed a call and have written many reviews and testimonials, I
learned that there are AMAZING BENEFITS in testimonials - you actually get much,
much more that you give on this occasion!
Here's what YOU get out of it:
The first benefit is peer-to-peer lifting.
If you comment meta on an expert's products, or review it, or give a
testimonial for it, it puts YOU on a par with the peer you are reviewing and
raises YOUR status.
A real testimonial is signed with full name and contact details; that is
absolutely a perfect "mini advertisement" for you, right there!
Next, we have the marketing challenge of writing a GOOD testimonial for print,
and to create one for audio, or voice recording, with the onset of audio
testimonials you can now hear on many commercial websites.
For a lot of beginners in marketing, to get away from their own products and to
consider things from the CUSTOMER'S point of view for a change for someone else
is just what the doctor ordered to get some new perspective ON THEIR OWN
products and marketing efforts and wordings.
So this is also a great learning exercise as well.
Wherever the testimonial goes (and some of our most used testimonials from
peers are on more than a dozen websites, on stationary, catalogues, products,
advertisements, print brochures - everywhere!) there goes YOUR name, YOUR web
address - that's the REAL PAYMENT for a USEFUL testimonial from the person who
asked for it.
And that's FREE QUALITY ADVERTISING!
What is a useful testimonial?
Useful testimonials contain:
- good soundbites (no third party waffle, in other words),
- congruency and enthusiasm,
- no self advertising,
- GIVING to the thing you're testifying to with all your heart and soul;
- short and concise;
- clearly highlighting BENEFITS YOU have really received from the product
or service;
- HONEST.
Useless testimonials, ones that will NOT get printed, used, displayed on the
other hand are those which:
- try to sell yourself on the back of the other or their products,
- convoluted ambiguous waffle,
- going on about some hobby horse of self instead of focussing on THE
BENEFITS OF THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE;
- sounding arrogant,
- trying to be cleverer than the product you're reviewing or commenting
upon.
So, and to sum up, this is what you get for under ten minutes of your time
when you choose to write and submit a star testimonial.
- Status.
- Valuable learning experience.
- FREE and possibly LONG TERM HIGH QUALITY advertising for yourself.
- Your chance to reach a new and different audience.
- Finding out about giving leading to receiving in actuality.
All for ABSOLUTELY FREE!
And here's the last tip.
When you see a product or service that uses testimonials, which you also use and
where you are aware of the benefits, stop and send in your testimonial
immediately.
If you support it by a picture of your beautiful self, it is even more likely
that the recipients will be delighted to display it for them AND for you - and
this is advertising exposure of the highest quality indeed.
For an example of a much viewed testimonials page, take a look at Enchanted World Testimonals page here.
For a great book on Wealth Creation, check out The MindMillion Wealth Creator by Silvia Hartmann.
 |
More resources:
|
|
 |
 |
 |
RELATED ARTICLES
Take the Logo Litmus Test
Here is your C.I.
Advertising Campaigns That Get Results
"Advertising doesn't work." I hear it from my clients all the time.
Custom Lanyards - The Perfect Solution for Promotion, Branding, and Marketing
Lanyards are fast becoming the new "must have" promotional item.Events organisers in the UK are realising the potential that custom printed lanyards can have in brand awareness.
Youre Halfway There!...Or Not Part 2
Now that you have had a chance to create a
game plan for accomplishing your business goals
during the third quarter of this year, let's focus
on the fourth quarter of this year.These last three months of the year are not only crucial
for meeting business goals for this year, they are also
crucial for making sure you head into the next year on track
towards meeting and exceeding future business goals.
Marketing Manual Sample Outline
The key to success in any business relies a large part in your ability to market your product or service. Often MBA students spend years studying marketing as it encompasses and relates to nearly all business operations.
There Are Benefits... And Then There Are Benefits
Not all benefits are created equal. Knowing which ones to use when can make a big difference in the credibility -- and success -- of your marketing campaigns.
What Can Star Wars Teach You About Creating a Buzz for Your Business?
Many people think marketing is some type of mystery that only a few select people know the secret too. In fact if you look at the entertainment industry you will find some of the best models to follow.
Marketing Lessons from Santa
If a nonexistent man can change the world and millions of people with a message of joy then his marketing plan surely works. Right? Then what has Santa been doing right all these years that we can learn from?
Santa's message is short--joy.
Profitable Marketing Programs (Part 1)
Deciding whether a particular marketing program is profitable to your business is often more subjective than the accountants would have you believe. You should not only consider the direct revenue and costs associated with a marketing program, but you should also think about the long term impact on your business.
Costly Web Copy Pitfalls
One secret to a site that sells: Look at your site from your customer's perspective. Another secret: Watch out for these common web copy pitfalls.
Increase Sales With Travel Incentives
Today's business environment has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, it can be a tough task to make a sale. Just being aggressive doesn't cut it any longer.
Standing Above The Crowd
In today's highly competitive business environment it is critical to find ways to separate yourself from the other companies who sell the same - or similar - product and/or service. Here are several strategies that can help you accomplish this:Help your clients achieve their goals.
Writing Marketing Copy That Sells
When your prospects see your marketing materials, your brochure, your web site or your ads you want them to read them. You want prospects to read not just the first sentence but the majority of your copy.
Your Ideal Client
A lot of small businesses make the mistake of thinking that their product or service is good for just about anyone. The logic is "why should I limit my market to a smaller segment of the whole and sacrifice a sale.
Customizing Booklets By Industry or By Company
Customizing booklets can be done by industry or by company."110 Ideas for Organizing Your Travel Business Office" or "110 Ideas for Organizing Your Beauty Salon" or "110 Ways for Organizing Your Fitness Center" are examples of customizing a generic booklet about organizing your business life according to specific industries.
A Point in Every Direction is the Same As No Point At All
Ever try to be something for everyone and find no one wants it? Do you have trouble
finding the time to focus on your business? Do you do so much for so many that
you find it's difficult to make any financial progress in your business; much less
make an indelible mark in the mind of your potential customers? I found myself on
that road so many times, that I could be a tour guide for Please-want-me-ville.Where did this come from and how can you get it to stop?It starts publicly when we're very young.
5 Ways to Upgrade Your Existing Marketing Materials for Practically Nothing!
In addition to direct marketing strategies you want to be
sure your existing passive, or indirect, marketing activities
are as effective as possible. When is the last time you took
a good look at your existing marketing activities?Here are some fast, easy (and free to inexpensive) ways to
update and upgrade your existing marketing activities.
Burnout
Today I want to share a question from a reader who writes:How do I keep from being burned out while cold calling? My job is to call current customers and also call new business prospects. I have a quota of 60-80 calls to make per day, but it seems as though I cannot stay focused long enough to make even 50 phone calls.
Knock, knock. Whos There? Your Target Market, Are You Listening?
Have you ever had a conversation with a person who wasn't listening to anything you said?
This one-way communication experience is a big turn-off and many times frustrating to cope with at the time.
Is this occurring in your marketing? Oops, no one wants to think of their business as turning a deaf ear to their market.
20 Power Marketing Tips
Use these powerful yet simple tips from the national best-seller, "Secrets of Power Marketing: Promote Brand You" - the first guide to personal marketing for non-marketers.Create and grant an annual award.
|