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The Art and Science of Giving Reviews, Endorsements, And Recommendations: 7 Successful Strategies that Work!
Can you endorse me?
Nothing strikes fear like getting the subject line above in your mail box. After all, it means another item just got added to your “to do” list, you must figure out what to write, what you should highlight, and if you even really want to do it!
But, in this world of social credibility, it makes sense to both give and get shout outs of praise to others. BUT, how?
Here are 7 strategies issues to keep in mind:
It’s Easier to Get if you First Give – Want to get more recommendations? Give more! LinkedIn makes it easy for you to spontaneously praise a colleague or client. And, then they automatically ask if the recipient wants to return the favor.
Ask at the Height of Your Brilliance – Most folks ask for a testimonial after the completion of the project, but often, that’s not the apex. Think back to any of your long or arduous projects and you’ll often find that the “eureka” moment was somewhere in the middle.In a #testimonial, ask for it at the apex of your brilliance. The end is usually the low point. Click To Tweet
Write a Draft for Them – As much as we love our clients, getting a request for a letter of praise steals precious time away from our day. So, make it easy! Write a draft and ask for their approval.
Keep it Short – Given that we all now acknowledge that we have the attention span of a goldfish, write 1-2 killer-good sentences, that’s it!When it comes to #testimonials, speak like your peeps. In other words, use the words they use! Click To Tweet
Specifics Are Terrific – Instead of focusing on the general good, give advice on the specifics that were great. Example: “her meticulous planning on the annual conference translated into an on-time and on-budget event for the first time in 10 years! Wow!”
Add Personality – Don’t be afraid to write testimonials the way people really speak. Staid testimonials don’t add excitement…or value. Try speaking like your peeps.A #testimonial without attribution is like a great bottle of wine without a cork screw: great in theory, but leaving you thirsting for more. Instead, add the characteristics essential for your business. Click To Tweet
Give the Relatable Info – A testimonial without attribution is like a great bottle of wine without a cork screw: great in theory, but leaving you thirsting for more. Instead, add the characteristics essential for your business: age, gender, title, company, or problem might be more influential than just the company name and title.
Got ideas? Got questions? Wanna give an endorsement? Let me know! Comment below, drop me a line at Liz@RedFireBranding.com or give me a buzz at 858-550-7000.
To a sizzling 2018!
Liz