How to Get and Use Customer Testimonials

If you watch the television or read magazines, you will see that most advertisements have some sort of customer testimonial or endorsement. Celebrity or professional endorsements are great, but the positive opinions of people that have used the product or service are better. They help convince other people that your product is worthwhile. But how do you get customer testimonials? And what is the best way to use them for maximum sales?

What Are Customer Testimonials?

The simplest definition of a customer testimonial is a statement from a customer that says what they do or do not like about your product or service. For online businesses, they most often come in the form of emails. These are also the most useable form since telephone conversations are difficult, and sometimes illegal, to record and use.

Of course, you want to use only positive customer testimonials. If you are quoting someone, you must identify him or her in some way. Usually, customers are identified by their first name and the state they come from. You do not want to divulge personal information.

How Can You Get Them?

There are several good ways to get positive customer testimonials. One is simply by quoting emails that are sent from customers in response to their purchase. Many people will email the retailer to say, "I got the product and it is great!" after receipt. These emails can be turned easily into customer testimonials.

You can also solicit testimonials from your customers. In your follow up email to their order you can simply state, "We would love to know what you thought of our product and service! Please email us and let us know!" Not only will that generate customer testimonials for your, it will help you improve your business.

Soliciting testimonials can be facilitated by offering a reward of some type for them. "Write us an email saying what you did and did not like about our product and service and get 10% off your next order!" Send out a coupon code to the customer after they respond.

What Are They Good For?