Starter questions for testimonials

Testimonials are one of the most effective marketing tools you can use, especially if you are promoting an intangible service like consulting or coaching, copywriting, design and more. But it's always a challenge to get clients to actually take time to give you those testimonials.

Well, I got this message recently from Deb Valle, a coach I worked with a while back. Her approach made it very easy for me to respond and provide what she was asking for in a very respectful way. And when I asked, she said I could pass it along. So here it is:

Dear Peleg,

I am developing new content for my Web site and other promotional materials and would love to include a testimonial from you. I value
the coaching work we did together and think others would benefit from hearing about your experience with me as well.

If you are comfortable talking about our coaching relationship in the form of a testimonial, please use the "Starter Questions" below to help craft your response. And don't worry about having to write a "book." Short testimonials of 100 words or less are often best!

If you don't feel comfortable writing a testimonial due to the confidential nature of our coaching work, that's OK. I understand 100% and I respect your wishes.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Debra Valle

Testimonial Starter Questions

1. What triggered your desire/need for coaching?
2. What was the nature of the work we did?
3. What’s changed for you as a result of our work together?

How about you? Have any other great approaches to soliciting testimonials?

Comments

[Lauren]

Thanks for sharing that. Currently all the testimonials on my site are unsolicited but there are times I would like to approach a client that hasn't offered one on their own and haven't been sure how to do so. Sometimes I've just said, "I'd love to feature you on the testimonial section of my site if you'd like to email me a short sentence or two". But i like the idea of putting the emphasis on helping others by saying "...and think others would benefit from hearing about your experience with me as well".

Lauren
www.lgphoto.com

[Kent Blumberg]

Great questions - thanks.

Turning it the other way 'round, when people ask me for a testimonial I ask them, "what would you love for me to say?" I'll take their ideas and - to the extent I agree with them - put them into my own words.

Kent

[Suzanne Quigley]

I just read about a method of soliciting client testimonials in Steve Slaunwhite's book "Start & Run a Copywriting Business." He suggested writing a short note to the client at the completion of a project. Tell the client you're collecting testimonials and would they like to share any feedback.

I just tried this approach myself and it worked!

[Janet Goldstein]

I suggest jotting down or saving noteworthy comments your clients make in the course of working together or in an email, especially when they've had an aha! moment or share something unique about their experience. Then it's easy to request a testimonial by prompting them with the comments they've already made. It makes it really easy for the person to respond with an ok, change, or preference not to be included, and it sometimes prompts some nice reflection and connection.