It has been said many times that someone will only buy from you when they know you, like you and trust you.
It takes time for a customer to go through that process but testimonials are a great way to help create a shortcut in the customer journey. Having someone else vouch for you and what you can deliver helps to build that trust in others and help them along the path to buying from you.
Have you ever read a product review on Amazon or any other website for that matter? Ever seen a quote from a Journo about a show used as part of the advertising by a company?
These are all forms of testimonials and play a part in building trust.
One of the most compelling ways I have found to generate testimonials is by doing follow up surveys as part of the purchasing experience.
However, I don’t just ask for a testimonial because that puts the person in the mindset of thinking how good they think I am and searching for nice things to say about me.
I send them a follow up survey asking for their thoughts on the product or service (for me that might be a show, coaching, a sonnet I have written for them) and each survey asks a few simple questions about how the work affected them, how it was received or what impact it has made.
I want them in the frame of mind where they are talking about their results, transformation or whatever I have helped them with has made things better, easier, or whatever, for them. That persons story is going to be is going to be much more compelling to someone else in building confidence that I can deliver what I say I can.
As creators it may seem a bit odd to think about it in this context but what are the questions you could ask that will lead to comments about the results of your art in the hearts and minds of your customers?
If you are wanting some help in achieving the next step in your business book in for a consultation and I can help you.