7 Simple Ways to Capture Client Testimonials
A client testimonial is an appreciation from a satisfied client. It helps a brand to project that its clients are happy with its products and services. This can be used very effectively to convert leads. Marketers can use testimonials to convince potential customers about the benefits of the product and the credibility of the brand. This can help in improving conversion rates and increasing sales of the product.
It is important to get testimonials from clients having feedback that can create a powerful impact on potential customers. Businesses need to try to get reviews and testimonials from every customer. They can then select the testimonials that highlight the benefits of the product and prove that the customer has had a great experience. These testimonials can be used in marketing efforts.
If you have a business and want to know how to capture client testimonials, you can consider the following seven simple ways of getting testimonials.
7 Simple Ways to Capture Client Testimonials
# Contact Customers for Reviews Immediately after every Sale/Order
The best way to get a testimonial is to contact the customer immediately after a sale is completed or an order is fulfilled. A feedback form can be sent with the product or an email/SMS sent with a link to a webpage where the client can share his/her testimonial. The feedback form for the same needs to be simple and easy to fill. It must not have too many details and should allow the customer to fill it within a minute or two. The customer must be asked to provide a rating on the services. The customer should be given an option to write his detailed feedback in the form of a testimonial.
# Contact Customers a few weeks/months after Purchase
The customer would understand the benefits of a product only after using it fully. This may take a couple of weeks or months. After the stipulated period, an email/SMS/letter can be sent to the customer thanking him/her for buying the product. The customer should be requested to give feedback with his experience using the product and how it helped him. The customer should be encouraged to give detailed feedback, as this would help your business.Â
Your message to the customer must highlight how helpful the feedback of the customer would be for you to improve your services and how it would help other customers. Where the order value from a customer is significant, a telephonic call can be made to the customer to take the feedback. The customer feedback can even be taken on the phone and recorded. The customer’s permission must be obtained to use the feedback.
# Incentivize the Customer for Providing the Testimonial.
One of the best ways to get customers to provide a testimonial is to incentivize it by offering them a gift or a discount voucher. Offering money for a positive testimonial may not be considered ethical. Instead, the customer can be sent a message saying gifts/discount vouchers offered for the first 100 persons submitting a review or testimonial. Alternately, after the feedback is submitted, an option can be given to claim a gift.
The gift must be something useful for the customer and related to the product. Free samples of another product offered by the company or a substantial discount for future purchases are good incentives that can be given. Some companies have a points system, where customers get points for purchases made and for reviews submitted. Points can then be redeemed for gifts. Trustmary is a good way to motivate customers to create testimonials.
# Capture them from Review Sites
If your product were on offer on Amazon and other such online shopping websites, there would already be reviews of your product. You can use the same reviews as a testimonial. You can look for positive testimonials from the various reviews on Amazon, Google, and other such websites. You can take quotes from these online reviews and use them on your website and other promotional material. Make sure you give credit to the website from where you have taken the testimonial.
There are specialized websites for reviews and for specific products. For instance, if you are in the travel and hospitality sector, reviews on Trip advisor are considered highly credible. You can link Trip advisor review to your website or quote from these reviews. There are other such specialized review sites. You can monitor these sites and get testimonials from there. In case a customer has given a negative review, make it a point to contact the customer and resolve the problem.
# Get it from Social Media
People share everything on social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They also share information on products they purchased and their experiences using the product. Look out for such reviews and you can use them as testimonials. If you have a social media page, then your customers may post reviews. You can use them as a testimonial.
# Invite Reviews on your Website
You can provide an option on the home page of your website inviting reviews and testimonials from customers. Links to this page can be sent by email/SMS. You can offer freebies to customers to get them to visit the page and submit a testimonial. It is easier for you to then use the testimonial on your website.Â
# Request a Video Testimonial
A video testimonial is the most effective form of testimonial. The power of the visual medium and the fact that the identity of the customer can be seen makes it more credible. You can request customers to share their experiences in the form of a video. You can allow them to send in their videos. It is better to record the video yourself so it can be done professionally.Â
You can use any of the above ways to capture client testimonials. You can then use these testimonials on your website, in promotional materials, and in marketing messages. This will help you in your effort to convert leads and increase your business performance.
