Why is it critical to have Social Proof on your website or blog? According to the latest Nielsen survey, 78% of people around the world trust the word of another customer, someone who is 'just like them' more than any form of advertising! Step 2 shows you how to capture Social Proof to show your visitors without ever having to ask for a testimonial… Step 2. Ask your customer if you can ‘quote them’ when they call or email you - goal: create a lasting bond with your customer
a. sometimes a testimonial just falls into your lap when a customer calls or emails you
• if you are very lucky, you may have a potential testimonial fall into your lap just in the course of doing everyday business
• count your blessings when this happens – you have a golden opportunity
b. when your customer calls or emails to tell you that they are happy with your service or product, ask if you can quote them
• most people are delighted to do you this favor – you have sold them something of value and it makes them feel great when they can reciprocate and do something nice for you
• if they have emailed you, reply to their email and ask if you can quote them
• if they have phoned you, ask them while they are still on the phone if you may quote them. Then follow up with an email that summarizes what they said and ask them to ‘proof’ the comments they made to you.
c. thank your customer when they give you permission to quote them
• when you receive their permission to quote them, 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)
d. 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!
e. 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 ExtremeTestimonialGenerator.com and put the power of testimonials on your website today!
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! See you next time for Part 3 of Capturing Social Proof Without Ever Having to Ask For a Testimonial! If you'd like to use the actual survey template that I email to my customers... sign up for my free newsletter Capturing Social Proof! and I’ll share with you the actual template that I use to email my customers! Beth Gabriel is a successful Webmaster 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!
