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5 Ways To Collect Great Testimonials From Your Customers
In this world of social media and connected devices, consumers have a vast amount of information they can access. This includes information about virtually any product and any business. We know it as the “World Wide Web,” and with the advent of mobile devices and connected devices, we can now access the Internet from virtually anywhere, even on the go. Many consumers, even when they are out shopping for something specific or at a specific retailers, will look up information such as the company's reputation, how good its customer service is, etc.
In addition, many reports have shown that people are influenced by what their friends and family buy. Many have said that they are influenced by what their friends and family post on Facebook, so much so that they often will go to that business' website itself and make a purchase of a recommended item.
This phenomenon is called “social proof.” It is a powerful psychological motivator that encourages people to act in a specific way because others they know and respect act in the same way. For online marketers, one of the best indicators of this social proof is in the form of testimonials.
Positive testimonials from people can go a long way toward convincing others that your products are worthy of purchasing and your company is worthy of purchasing from. People are more skeptical than ever because they have access to all of this information; the power is definitely in the hands of the consumer, now more than ever. Most people in all age categories and in all different target markets do a great deal of research to find out about a company's reputation, products, and more.
Having positive testimonials from people just like them will convince people to purchase from you much more so than if you just have your typical sales letter and/or email messages telling them how great a product is. They are much more inclined to believe a third party (the person who has bought a product) than a party who has a vested interest in that product (namely, you and your business selling your product).
Thus, it is vital to get positive testimonials about your products and your company. How do you go about doing this?
First, you MUST provide exceptional products and provide exceptional customer service. If you fail to do either of these, chances are that you will negative testimonials that can really damage your business and reputation. Thus, do everything possible to ensure they are satisfied.
Second, you need to follow up with your customers after they have purchased to make sure that the purchasing process was smooth, that they were satisfied, and to correct any problems that may have occurred. Even offering a gift or something of value in addition to your assistance of resolving the problem can go a long way toward the person looking upon your product and company favorably.
Third, you need to ask in a polite, unintrusive way for a testimonial. In other words, you should NOT require them or push them to submit a testimonial, but encourage them to do so. (Be careful about offering incentives, though, as this can go against FTC rules). Just mention that your company is appreciative of positive feedback it receives and that other people like them can benefit from your product if they would be willing to spread the word about your products and your company.
Fourth, you should give the customer many different ways to submit a testimonial. You can provide a form on your website, you can provide an email address that reaches you, you can provide your social media channel pages (including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Google+, etc.). In other words, make it easy for the customer to spread his/her good word- if you make it too difficult for the consumer to leave a good testimonial, it is VERY likely he/she won't do it.
Fifth, making that customer a valued customer will likely lead to repeat purchases and more good testimonials. Thus, consider adding that customer to a special email list where they get first notice of special offers, discounts, and more, features that prospects and others don't receive. This way, that person will feel valued by your company, making it more likely he/she will purchase again from you and leave more good testimonials for you and your company.
Click the link below for a software program that has a preset testimonials section configured so you can easily add the testimonials you get to your website to boost your social proof so that more people will purchase your products and services.
LINK GOES HERE
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