Testimonials are important to coaches. They help establish credibility by endorsing your coaching services and providing potential clients insight into their experience. Testimonials can be used in a variety of ways to market your business, and they “speak” on your behalf. Here are a few ideas on how to gain more testimonials for your coaching practice:
The easiest was to gain more testimonials is to… ASK!
Ask!
The easiest way to gain more testimonials is to ask for them! Clients who have successfully completed your workshop or coaching package are usually eager to help you by providing public comments on what your coaching has meant to them. The best time to ask is immediately after they finish an engagement. The next best time to ask a former client for a good report is now!
Be Specific
When inviting a coaching client to provide a testimonial, be specific about what you want highlighted. Ask them to refer to a milestone they achieved or some other benefit they received. The best testimonials will shine a light on the features of your programs and provide details about positive outcomes. Potential clients want to know about the success others have had before they hire you.
Variety
Getting a testimony from those with diverse backgrounds and experiences will provide a good variety. However, if your ideal client is in a specific industry, then testimonials from a variety of voices within that industry will prove impactful.
Consider getting testimonials in a variety of formats, too. Some people are visual and like to see written reviews. Others are auditory and audio clips will be impactful. Video testimonials are becoming more popular and it’s easy to record one on a phone.
A “thank you” is always appreciated. So are incentives.
Appreciation
When receiving a testimonial, be sure to say, “Thanks!” and remind them that you intend to use their feedback in your future marketing. You might incentivize past clients with an extra resource, just for providing their endorsement. People appreciate being appreciated!
Testimonials are powerful marketing assets for coaches. Our challenge for you is to write down the names of five past clients and send off a request for a testimonial. You may be surprised at how quickly they respond! Showcase these on your website, create memes for your social media and use them in your email campaigns. Go get more!
Check out The Coach Business Guide: The Path to Launch and Grow your Coaching Practice, Chapter 24 – Referrals and Testimonials for more information and help.
