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What if I told you that one of the most powerful tools for building trust is
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something you already have, but might not be using effectively?
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Today, we're talking about testimonials and why you should ask for them right now.
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You're listening to Referral Marketing Secrets, the podcast where we uncover
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the strategies for successful referral marketing, building powerful networks,
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and creating rewarding business relationships to fuel your growth.
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Now, here's your host, with nearly 20 years of expertise in network marketing, Bo Kaufman.
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Did you know that one of the most powerful marketing tools might already be at your fingertips?
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That's right. Today, we're talking about testimonials. They're incredibly valuable,
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but so many people feel a little unsure about asking for them.
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So, let's explore why testimonials matter, how to ask for them naturally,
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and how to make the most of them once you have them.
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Let's start with the why. Think of testimonials as social proof,
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a kind of endorsement that goes beyond your own words.
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Imagine you're considering hiring a contractor or a consultant.
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What's the first thing you do? You look up reviews, right? You want to see what
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other people have experienced.
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Testimonials work in the same way. They're like a stamp of approval from someone
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who's already gone through the process and come out happy on the other side.
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Now here's a quick example from my own experience. A few years back,
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I was working with a client who was over the moon with the service I had provided.
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They sent me a thank you email, really pouring out how pleased they were.
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I almost left it at that, a nice email, a job well done.
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But instead, I decided to gently ask if they'd be comfortable sharing their experience publicly.
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To my surprise, not only were they happy to do it, but they even added more
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detail to their testimonial than they had in the original email.
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That simple ask turned into a testimonial that brought in new clients over the
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next year. This stuff works.
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All right, let's talk about how to ask for testimonials in a way that feels
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natural and comfortable, both for you and the client. Timing is everything.
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Right after a project wraps up successfully or when you're already receiving
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positive feedback is ideal.
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One pro tip here, rather than saying, Could you write a testimonial?
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Try making it more specific. You might say, I'm so glad you're happy with the work.
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If you're comfortable, would you mind sharing what stood out for you or how
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this project made a difference for you?
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When you ask for specifics, it not only makes it easier for the client to share,
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but it also brings out the most meaningful parts of their experience.
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Another tip, let them know where it's going to go. People often feel better
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about giving testimonials if they understand how their words will be used.
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For example, you could say, It would be great to share your story on my website
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or in social media to help others get a sense of what it's like to work with me.
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This transparency can make clients feel valued and involved rather than just a means to an end.
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So once you have the testimonial, let's make sure you're getting the most out of it.
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There are so many places where testimonials can shine.
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Of course, the first spot is your website. Add them to your homepage,
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to your service pages, anywhere they make sense.
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But think beyond that. Do you have a LinkedIn profile? A testimonial could work well there too.
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And here's a pro tip. Add testimonials to your email signature or even in follow-up
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emails with new prospects.
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Imagine ending an email with a line like, Here's what one of my clients said
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about our work together.
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It's a subtle nudge of social proof without being too direct.
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One last thought on making testimonials work for you.
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Collect a variety of them. Each client may have a different perspective on your strengths.
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One might talk about your expertise, another about your communication,
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and someone else about your creativity.
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When potential clients see a range of testimonials, they're able to form a more
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complete picture of who you are and what it's like to work with you.
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It builds a well-rounded trust.
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So to wrap up, don't be afraid to ask for those testimonials.
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They're powerful tools that go beyond just words on a page. They're a bridge
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of trust between you and the next person who's considering your services.
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So here's a small action step for you today. Reach out to one client,
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just one, and ask for a testimonial.
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You might be surprised by how willing they are to help.
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Thank you for tuning in to Referral Marketing Secrets. If you found this episode
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helpful, please subscribe to the podcast.
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And if you haven't already, join our weekly newsletter for more tips and insights
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on growing your business through word-of-mouth marketing and referrals.
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You'll find us at the link in the show notes until next time keep those testimonials
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coming and keep building those connections and i thought this was going to be a dull day,
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thanks for joining us on this episode of referral marketing secrets make sure
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to subscribe so you've never miss an insight remember when you invest in your
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connections you invest in your success turn your network into your net worth
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until next time Thank you.
