How to Collect Tons of Testimonials with the Secret “SPURF” System

How to Collect Tons of Testimonials with the Secret “SPURF” System

Reader Comments (31)

  1. Very nice. Testimonials are easily one of those things that one only thinks of all too late. Luckily, with most projects, it’s not too hard to acquire them a bit late.

    Thanks for the tips.

  2. As important as testimonials are, I’m surprised more WordPress bloggers have not created separate Testimonial pages where the comments section to that page can act as a central storage location for later use.

    Buck

  3. note to self: testimonial page addition to wordpress project….What a great idea, Buck…isn’t this sort of like a press page, or the blurbs on a book jacket?

  4. Dean,

    Thanks for making the point that real customer testimonials are much stronger than words you put in a customer’s mouth and get them to approve. I constantly struggle with getting companies to actually ask customers versus making them up. There’s a huge difference, and it gives you true insight into the customer’s mind.

    Casey

  5. Thanks. The way I see it; might as well let WordPress do all the work. Besides that, offline affiliate material can have the testimonial page link on it, which people can research (and once they do, not only do they see the testimonial, they see the site of the commenter, and once they visit the commenter’s site, their testimonial will have even more weight and credibility behind it.)

  6. I’m starting to use a variation of this method. I’m getting clients to write a nice little letter of recommendation. In my industry it matters, and I’m putting the letters into pdf format for my website, so that other attorneys can see which attorneys I’ve done work for. It helps if you can get a marque firm to write a letter.

  7. Thanks for the tips on getting testimonials. The idea of doing is on a schedule seems to make it much more manageable than scrambling to get them all before some kind of marketing push.

  8. This is terrific, Dean. I get a little squirrely about asking for testimonials, but this is a system I can follow without feeling squeamish.

    Highly useful, thank you!

  9. Dean,

    Great article. Glad to see that there are others that believe in the power of great testimonials. I wouldn’t dream of putting together a site that sells a product or service without testimonials to support it.

  10. You know, it used to be a pain for me to ask for testimonials, and I think it’s because I was going about it the wrong way. I appreciate directness, so I would email past clients and basically say, “Hi, can you write me a testimonial?” Honest, certainly, but not exactly persuasive. But ever since I’ve changed the way I asked to a more client-centric question, I’ve been getting much more enthusiastic responses. Here is how I asked for the last one, for a project that I’ve just wrapped up and will be showcasing on my site soon:

    “… I’m also very interested in your feedback on how you perceive the value you received from my services to you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to share your feedback on my website with other potential customers, so they can make an informed decision about your dealings with me. Would you be able to help me with it?”

    I know the language is a bit stiff in that one, but you get my drift. The client replied back that they were flattered and would love to give their opinion for public viewing. 🙂

  11. Testimonials are very important, but I have to admit I am lazy about getting them. Of course, if in the regular course of business I get a testimonial I save it and find a place to use it.

    I think I’m going to take your advice and make this an active part of my business plan… since testimonials are very important.

    Thanks for reminding me that the things that are important need to put into my schedule.

  12. Thanks for this. Amazingly we’ve never asked our clients for testimonials but it’s one of the things that I check for on websites that I’m buying from.

    Thanks for opening my eyes!

  13. I am thrilled to see you contiune to expand on this topic.

    I am working on a site for a client and have created a section just for testimonials. I think these a very important in converting new customers.

  14. Thanks for the tips. I’d like to get a few audio testimonials. Any suggestion, Dean?

    In my ecourse, I ask the participants near the end of the module about what they think (and the result) the course has brought to them.

    I provide a live email so they can press the reply button, type and press the send button. I encourage them to ask question(s).

    When I see something good, I ask for permission to use it. Works like charm. I collect the testimonials in my notetaking program, OneNote in a separate section.

  15. I have just about started asking for testimonials from my clients but I’m focusing on the newer clients because the experience of working with me is still fresh in their minds (and hopefully they have had a pleasant experience 🙂 ).

    Most of the time I offer to write the testimonials myself and then ask for their approval and they too find it more convenient because as being my clients they anyway find it difficult to write down their thoughts. The clients who have just launched their websites find the prospect of publishing the testimonial on my website more appealing because this gives them an incoming link. Thanks for this great blog post because recently it had slipped out of my mind that I should continuously ask for testimonials from eager clients.

  16. Don’t know if this would work for all markets but I ask clients to email or text as soon as they have watched our films through so we have their go-ahead to archive their film. I also explain that we are keen to know their views – which is totally true.

    The bonus has been that most couples email while they are really excited about their wedding film … and we have a testimonial to copy and paste straight away to our testimonials page, with a still image of the couple taken from their film! I’ve even used complimentary text messages in the same way – all with their permission, of course.

  17. Timing has a lot to do with whether or not you’ll receive a testimonial. Most everyone you ask will usually say yes, but not everyone will deliver.

    I’ve found it best to ask for a testimonial is shortly before you finish the work. When the work is nearly finished your client or customer usually sees you in the best light. They can see the light at the end of the tunnel in regards to the project, which naturally makes them happy.

    But since the project is not quite finished they are much more inclined to respond to your request. They know the project is nearing completion, but they do still want you to finish.

    Once the work is done your chances of getting a testimonial fall off significantly. People will tell you they’ll send one, but out of sight out of mind.

    The above is based on my experience. Your mileage may vary.

  18. I love your work! It’s some of the most invaluable reading I’ve done on the internet. You provide a very valuable service to folks like me. Thanks again! I’m off to get some testimonials from my members right now for the revamp of our website.

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