How often do you ask someone for a review or testimonial?
The other day I ran into my friend George in the lobby of our local theater. I had just seen Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. I enjoy a good mystery tale. I told George that the movie was a little different from the true Sherlock Holmes tales that have been done before and that there was also some comedy to the tale as well as the usual boy meets girl situation but I didn't dare tell him how it ended.
George had just seen the new James Cameron movie, Avatar. He was blown away. He was impressed with how lifelike the computer generated scenes were. The theater was packed and everyone was mesmerized. He was speaking so fast he was stumbling over his words.
As I was driving home I thought about what George had said. Avatar may not be what I would normally go see but my friend George spoke so highly of it, I have to go see for myself.
What just happened here?.......We both gave a review of someone else's work.
How often do you ask someone for a review or testimonial?
Any business is built on people and their experience with that business. Satisfied customers will keep coming back. A satisfied customer will tell other people about you. People today will not hesitate to tell there friends, family and co workers if they like your product or services. They want to share their good experience with others.
Many web sites offer the option for you to leave a comment. And what about those annoying phone calls asking you to fill out a survey? Everyone wants to know if you are a satisfied consumer. They want to hear from you. There is a lot of value in those comments and surveys.
If someone eats at one location from a chain of restaurants and then says " I ate at the ABC restaurant and the food was terrible", anyone listening may think that the whole chain is bad rather than the one location having a bad cook or that the food just didn't suit their taste.
Remember the last time you went to a restaurant and then told people "I just ate at the ABC restaurant and the food was GREAT. You should try them sometime".
You just gave a review.
How often do you ask someone for a review or testimonial?
More than once I have asked someone, "Where's the best place to find the latest gadget?" I want to know where to go so I don't waste my time dealing with a business that can't give me what I need. I am getting a review from them. Do you shop on line for the latest camera, laptop, desktop, LCD TV, car or house? Do you ever read the reviews from other people?
When I shop on line I always read the reviews that other people have left. There may be only three reviews or there might be ten. If two out of three are bad, I wouldn't even think twice about the product, but if only two out of ten are bad, I may be more inclined to purchase the product. Do those reviews help me make a decision which product is good or bad? ABSOLUTLELY.
How often do you ask someone for a review or testimonial?
After you have provided a service to a client don't hesitate to find out what they thought. If you have provided them with a positive experience, they will be happy to share that with you. You need to know what people think of you and your business.
The sooner you contact them the better. You are still fresh in their mind.
How often do you ask someone for a review or testimonial?
Create your own review and testimonial form. Use your company letterhead.
Thank them for their business.
Consider these points when you ask someone to give you a review or testimonial:
- How did you hear about us
- Were you satisfied or dissatisfied with the services received
- Do we need to add any services
- Did you find our services easy to use
- Were all your questions answered
- Were all of your concerns addressed
- Did our representatives conduct themselves in a professional, courteous manner
- Would you use our services again
- Would you recommend our services to your family and friends
I am certain that you can add more points that are specific to your business.
Include language that gives you permission to use their comments and name in your advertising. Have them sign the form. You cannot use their information without their written consent.
How often do you ask someone for a review or testimonial?
Your answer should be "ALL THE TIME"........
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