We know that word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful tools for building trust with a new customer base. By sharing your customers’ positive experiences in their own words, you provide potential customers with an independent and honest appraisal of your product or service. Why not make it easier for them to hear it straight from your loyal fans?

What Are Customer Testimonials?

Let's start with the basics. What are customer testimonials and why should you care about them? Simply put, customer testimonials are the real experiences and opinions from your customers about your products or services. 

They're incredibly valuable because they offer social proof, build trust, and persuade potential customers to choose your brand over others. While customer reviews are usually the result of a formal survey process, testimonials tend to be more informal, but still just as impactful.

They can be in any format—text, audio, video—but should always feature real people describing their unique experiences with your product or service.

Why Customer Testimonials Matter

Imagine being a prospective customer browsing through a brand’s website. You see glowing testimonials from happy clients who've had their business transformed by the company's services. Wouldn't you be tempted to give them a try? That's exactly how customer testimonials work. They provide a powerful word-of-mouth marketing strategy that can attract new customers and drive more business. 

The Key to Winning Testimonials

Now, let's talk about authenticity. Among fake news and misleading ads, honesty is truly the best policy. Authentic testimonials reflect the true experiences of your customers, making them more relatable and credible to the everyday consumer. To obtain honest reviews, follow up with customers post-purchase or service delivery, asking for their feedback about their experience. Always ask for permission to share it. This not only gives you insight to your overall brand experience, but builds a trustworthy and dependable brand image.

3 Tips to Request Customer Testimonials

Here are three tips to help you obtain winning customer testimonials.

1. Ask at the Right Time. Timing is essential when asking for a testimonial. Don’t ask too early or too late; make sure you are in the customer's good books and they have had enough time to experience your product or service.
2. Reach Out Via Email. An email is perfect for requesting testimonials because it gives your customers the option to respond at their own convenience. Make sure your email is concise, polite, and professional. Take care to explain why you’re writing, provide clear instructions on how customers can leave a review, and make it easy for them to do so.
3. Use Social Media. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great for obtaining customer testimonials. Make it as easy as possible for customers to leave reviews by providing them with a direct link to your page, or even let them create a video testimonial for your accounts. 

Respond quickly and positively to any customer feedback you receive, thank everyone who does take the time to leave a review, and don’t be afraid to reach out again if you don’t get that testimonial the first time.

Boost Your Brand Reputation

So, you have these great customer testimonials. Now what? It's time to showcase them! Strategically featuring customer testimonials on your website and social media platforms can significantly boost your brand’s image and reputation. Consider highlighting them on your homepage or creating a dedicated 'Testimonials' page on your website. Sharing them on social media also helps reach a larger audience and reinforces your brand's credibility.

Customer testimonials are not just reviews; they're powerful marketing tools that can attract new customers, build trust, and boost your brand's reputation. Start showcasing those testimonials today and watch your business grow.