Customer Testimonials Tell Your Story

One of the most effective marketing tools is customer testimonials like:

In addition to doing the work, our handyman explained why the damage to the deck occurred and what the necessary repairs were. He also explained how we could prevent the same problem from recurring. At the same time, our handyman pointed out other areas that need work and advised what he felt was the best solution for fixing them. (Learn more about link).

Satisfied Home Owner, Anywhere USA

Testimonials can tell people who you are, what you do,  how you helped them. If you ask your clients to share testimonials like this, covering all different aspects of your business, you would have some really good copy to use in your marketing materials.

Here are some of the messages that testimonials can communicate effectively:

• Testimonials can be full of keywords
• Testimonials describe what you do, i.e. home repairs
• Testimonials illustrate who you do work for, i.e. home owners
• Testimonials show the value, appreciation and impact for the customer, i.e. how to prevent the same problem from reccuring
• Testimonials can show how the results affect the customer, i.e. can now enjoy our deck
• Testimonials provide insight into how you work, i.e. explained things

You can enhance your testimonials by including one/more of the following:

• Share insight into the relationship with the customer
• Include a “learn more link” which could expand on the testimonial with a case study, more photos or a video or provide a more complete description of the product or services provided
• Include the name of the consumer or business for greater credibility
• Include an address which enhances local search results

When customers take the time to provide feedback, take the opportunity to share it with others by including these testimonials in your marketing materials:

• Web sites should have an area to hilight customer testimonials, and software that moves these quotes around the site is even better
• Offer customers the opportunity to leave feedback on your blog
• Customer testimonials are great in company brochures
• Case studies (written or before and after photo stories) and other forms of marketing collateral are great pieces for customer mailings, business presentations, etc.