Thursday, July 3, 2008
Social Proof, Step 3 - How to Grab It Without Ever Having to Ask For a Testimonial!
Step 3. Ask your customer if they would like to be featured on your website - goal: create excitement using exclusivity
a. Send your customer a personalized e-mail after buying your product. Thank them again for buying your product and let them know they have a chance to be featured on your website.
The timing of your email is critical here - allow enough time for your customer to have used your product or service (remember that the timing would be different for your customer taking a health supplement vs. reading an ebook on Google Adsense)
Most people are delighted to have been 'chosen' for a chance to be featured on your website
Include sample, fill in the blank phrases that they could use (trust me - for some customers, it's easier for them to have some suggestions than to come up with the right words on their own).
Make sure that your sample phrases use 'action oriented' words, show measurable results and how it has helped to improve their life (saved time, saved money, etc.)
Your phrases should be specific to your product or service.
b. If your customer doesn't respond to your first email after 3 to 5 days, send a second email. (goal: create urgency) Let your customer know that you will have to extend your offer to someone else.
c. Give your customer more than one way to send their testimonial back to you (mail, fax, email). (goal: make it easy for them)
d. thank your customer when they reply to your email and agree to be featured on your website
when you receive their permission to feature them on your website along with the phrases they have given you, thank your customer by sending a hand written, hand addressed letter in mail. Yes, I know that you're thinking; "this is a lot of work!" BUT, this will mean more to your customers than anything else that you do! Hire someone else to write the letters if you don't have the time. (goal: create a personal bond to have them become your customer for life)
send them a small gift (something small that cost's you very little - a short ebook that complements your product, a bumper sticker that advertises your product, something that makes them remember you)
e. Critical point: put reciprocity to use for you
you did something nice for your customer, sold them your product or service
they did something nice for you, gave you their testimonial
you did something nice for them, sent them a free gift to thank them for their testimonial
now who's turn is it? Theirs!
and the next time you have something to sell to them, they will remember your gesture of kindness and feel the need to reciprocate
see how easy it is? Rinse and repeat with every product or service that you sell them!
f.AND THAT'S YOUR TESTIMONIAL! Now what do you do with it?
Upload it to your website immediately, of course! If you don't know how to upload your testimonial to your website or you're looking for an fast and easy solution to creating and maintaining all of your testimonials without needing to be a HTML webmaster, check out Extreme Testimonial Generator and put the power of testimonials on your website today!
Congratulations! You made it! You've graduated from 'Social Proof - How to Grab It Without Ever Having to Ask For a Testimonial'! You joined a small elite crowd when you made the decision to invest your time and energy into your future!
You have learned 3 fail proof methods for capturing testimonials from your customers without ever asking for a testimonial! You've learned to:
1. Send a 'product evaluation' survey to your customers that turns into a testimonial
2. Ask 'can I quote you?' when a testimonial 'falls into your lap'
3. Ask your customer if they would like to be 'featured' on your website that turns into a testimonial
CAUTION: These powerful methods only work if you put them to use!
I encourage you to be among the 1% that takes immediate and bold action! That will put you head and shoulders above everyone else who takes no action and wonders why they aren't successful!
If you missed Part 1 or Part 2 of Capturing Social Proof Without Ever Having to Ask For a Testimonial...
visit me at Capturing Social Proof! and I'll share with you the easiest, proven method to put more money in your pocket. Lots more money! Beth Gabriel, The Testimonial Queen, is a successful Webmaster who provides more tips on gathering customer testimonials at ExtremeTestimonialGenerator.com that you can read on her website from the comfort of your home at 2:00 am!
