4 Ways To Get Testimonials

When I ask bookkeepers to ask their clients for a testimonial that they can use in their marketing, invariably I see them squirm in their chair a bit.

It's not in our nature to be so bold it seems.

But more than that, this is a time when imposter syndrome can make an appearance. Because what often comes up is the fear that you're not really any good at what you do, and what if your clients take this opportunity to tell you so!

What if your clients say no, that they're not comfortable referring you to others?!

The reality is that in all my years of my own bookkeeping business and my clients' bookkeeping businesses, we've never once had a client do anything remotely like that.

What usually happens is that they say, sure, I'd be delighted to.

What happens after that can vary.

A common scenario is that they're only too happy to write one for you, but despite their best intentions they never seem to get around to it. This is usually because they want to do right by you and make it good but they're not great with words and it feels like a big task that they need to give their full attention to.

We have to make it easy for them.

Here are 4 ways you can do that:

Use their words

Often our clients will say something as part of a bigger email to us that we can use as a testimonial. In that case what I do is reply with a thank you and ask if I can use their words in my marketing. Like this:

"I just want to say THANK YOU! 🙂 for your patience with me and helping me with my business and keeping me accountable. Your input is invaluable 🙂 I am inspired, so thank you."
- Stella Vockins - Count Me In

I love that you're inspired!! Thank you so much for saying, you are welcome. By the way, this is an awesome testimonial thank you. Are you OK if I use it in my marketing??
- Stephanie

Sometimes it's how you ask

You don't want your clients to feel that it's a big task so sometimes wording is important. I recently sent out a few emails asking for testimonials and the wording I used made it clear that I didn't want them to take a lot of time with this. Feel free to copy this and use it yourself:

"I was wondering if you would mind writing a sentence or two for me as a testimonial as I launch my online course for bookkeepers. I would really appreciate it.

Doesn’t have to be long, but something that speaks to the transformation that my coaching has meant for you and your business so far, and that you wouldn’t mind me quoting with a photo of you.

Would you mind? Just hit reply to this email and say what’s off the top of your head."
- Stephanie 

"Stephanie did more than change my business, she changed my life and I could never thank her enough. Because of her my business is booming, my family life is happier, and my confidence in myself has never been higher. Working with her has been the best decision I've ever made and I highly recommend her to anyone looking to turn their bookkeeping business into their dream life!"
- Please feel free to use this anywhere it can be helpful for you and with any picture you can find of me."
- Tasha Glasman, Mint and Honey Bookkeeping

Are they better speaking than writing?

Next time you're meeting your client face to face (in person or on Zoom), you can ask them some specific questions that they can answer off the cuff. Ask them beforehand obviously if you can record their response and turn it into a testimonial.

Audio may be better sometimes as some people can get nervous on camera. Use the voice recorder on your phone.

You can also upload the video or audio file to otter.ai or rev.com and it will transcribe it for you.

Here are some that I recorded at the last bookkeeping conference I was at, as it was a rare chance for us to meet in person when we are usually on Zoom.

Write it for them

Sometimes the best way to get this done is to write it for them. Usually this comes at the request of a client who you have been working with for a while, and they just want you to write something and they will approve it.

Even though they are more than happy to refer you, they are grateful that this is another task that you can do for them.

So don't be afraid to ask for testimonials from your clients. What they reply with will often bring you almost to tears, in a good way, and reassure you that you are valued, and it's brilliant marketing collateral.

Is it time for you to update your testimonials? You could also check out testimonials about me.

PS: Get in touch if you're ready to start collecting testimonials so that you can grow your business and create a life you love.