Testimonial – Most under-utilized business tool

Reputation matters when it comes to selling, whether it is a product or service. Credibility stands as a strong yardstick for customers to easily formulate the decision of moving their hands to reach for their wallet from the deep pockets with multilevel of security.

Testimonials, believe it or not, are the most ignored and unused business tool that can change the face of your business within a short span of time.

Have you heard of a double-edged sword? Testimonials are like that. They create the credibility for both the person who is being endorsed as well as the person who is endorsing – a fact generally everyone forgets.

Asking for testimonial is a nightmare for majority of people. Why?

1. Fear of Rejection
What if my client says “No”? What if he says, “Look Joe, I like you and all. But giving testimonial is not my cup of tea.”

2. Criticism
A common thought process before asking for a testimonial from a client. “I think I have not given this guy my 100%. My gut feeling is that this guy is not totally satisfied. He is going to give me a twisted remark for my customer support. Let me not invite trouble.”

3. What will the client think?
I am sure, my client will be thinking, “I paid this guy for the service. I worked with you for getting this done. Now you want me to put my effort to help you in your marketing by writing a testimonial about the whole thing? Take a walk, big guy.”

4. My client has no time 
I know my client. He is the busiest person I have ever known, writing me emails at the weirdest possible time from the weirdest possible locations. He doesn’t even have time for himself, how can he possibly spend time writing a testimonial for me. Forget it.

5. Does anybody even look at this?
You know what, testimonials are a fad – a nicely concocted term by some business scholar after he had consumed a truckload of Scotch whisky. The testimonial page on my website is still covered with dust and cobwebs and not even a single soul who stumbled in there ever asked me clean it once in a while. So why bother?


If asking was tough, giving a testimonial is tougher. You don’t believe me. Be sincere and tell me, when was the last time you felt so excited that you were worried you were having a heart attack before giving a testimonial. Why people think it is hard?

1. Needs creativity
I hated writing while I was in school. It makes me think. I will have to tap on to that slow working, creative side of my brain to write this testimonial. When I write something here, it should be brilliant. It should sound professional with the collection of business jargon that should make a Harvard professor blush with envy.

2. What others will think
Others are going to read this. Possibly my clients, competitors and even that 10-year-old schoolgirl who is researching her school project about testimonials. I don’t want to make that grammatical mistake and enjoy the time-out like long back.

3. This is going to take time
I don’t have time. It’s been three months since I had time to brush my teeth properly. My hair has grown so thick that birds are now trying to build their nests there. Come on, in the middle of this, you want me to write a testimonial for you!

4. Will I make this guy feel bad
I like this guy. He always reminds me of that brother I wish I had, the one who would give one of his kidneys if mine stops working. I don’t want to hurt him by saying something he did not expect, on the testimonial.

5. Others will know about me
You don’t know me. I live in the shadows of the online world. I hide myself behind the obscurity walls of online privacy. I am the lone ranger. Giving a testimonial would expose me from where I have been hiding all these years.

ALL THE REASONS ABOVE ARE TOTALLY, COMPLETELY, UNEQUIVOCALLY FALSE.

All are excuses that hide the power of such a simple, straightforward business tool that people fail to use properly. Start using testimonials today to see how fast this wonderful tool can propel you and your business towards your business goals.


Article by Invouch
Invouch is a business social network for collecting, storing, managing and broadcasting testimonials and referrals.

www.invouch.com