The Silent Avatar Speaks

Today I listened to an audio from a woman called Sharon (didn’t catch he last name) who interviewed Mike Filsaime on the use of testimionials.

Online business is essentially a faceless medium where you want the site visitor to buy from your site (whether it’s a product or service). Remember, they have not transacted business with you before. When your site visitor hasn’t used your service or product, then they need to be reassured of your credibility.

Mike Filsaime goes on to say he likes to uses case studies as testimionials, which he outlines by the following 1,2,3 method:
1. How was their life before (the product)
2. Immediately after starting to use the product (or service)
3. Life now

You can never have too many testimonials. Ask people for testimonials. Have somewhere on your site where you can get unsolicited testimonials, and rotate your testimionials. Mike recommends URL Rotator to use on your site

Testimonials can be used on your sign up page, inside members area, even a “click here to see more testimonials”.

The more information you can get from a person the more real it is.

What information do you want for your testimonial?
Mike belives the more information the better. He likes to get their:

• First name
• last name
• city, state,
• phone number (with permission),
• email address (with permission),
• website address

Even better, get a photo of the person, and if you can, an audio from them also so visitors can listen to their testimonial. (Mike’s recommendation for an audio generator click here)

Even better still – use video testimonials. (check out marketingtips.com for using video testimonials)

It’s also good to include the testimonial text under the audio link as some visitors will scan the text and others will listen to audio, and others will watch video.

Overcome objections in your testimonials – for example, if you are in the market of selling funerals, then it’s obvious that you need testimonials which give positive feedback to your service. At a time when you are dealing with those who are mourning the loss of their loved one, a testimonial about how caring, gentle and helpful the process was would go a long way to overcoming some of the objections about dealing with your company.

If you mail out products, your testimonial could include a piece about how prompt your company responded to an exchange.

If you offer a service, say like making jewellery, your testimonial could include words about the quality and value of your product.

The best way to use testimonials

• Firstly to be conscious of testmonials as you go about your business.
• If you have an ebook, include alink to how they can give a testimionial about the book.
• Add a link – “Would you like to share your story?” Click here.Let them know what makes a good testiminial. Ask them to review the testimonials already on the website and give them the idea of formulating their testimonial by the 1,2,3 method.
• Call up your customers and ask them for a testimonial.
• Offer something to give away in return for thier testimionial (if you use it).
• Never use fake testimonials

People really like to do business with people they like, know, and trust, and testimonials are a great way to establish credibility for your product or service.

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