Testimonials. Endorsements. Recommendations. Kudos. Accolades. Social Proof.

Featuring people who have written you to say that YOU ROCK is phenomenal for your business.
Use these testimonials on your website, in your marketing material etc.

Here’s why:

If someone is new to who you are and are wondering why should they hire you over the next business, an endorsement from someone else may be just what they need to help them make that decision.

This is even more powerful if that endorsement comes from someone who is influential.

Remember “Oprah’s Favorite Things”?

What business didn’t want Oprah to endorse their product/service? It was a sure-fire way to get lots of business – fast.

Now we all can’t get Oprah to endorse our business but we can get our current clients to say nice things about us.

Here are a few tips on how you can get people to say nice things about you (and how to leverage them):

1) Write nice things about them & their business.
LinkedIn has a great feature that allows you to endorse a person and/or a business.
What I like about this feature is that LinkedIn encourages the recipient to reciprocate.
Be mindful that you only want to endorse people you’d stake your professional career on!

2) Ask!
Some of us are more bold than others. Simply ask someone who has been happy with your product/service to provide you with a testimonial.
If you have to, paraphrase what they’ve said, write it down and ask them to OK it.
Once again, LinkedIn’s Recommendations function is a great resource to prompt people to endorse you.

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linkedin recommendations

3)  Use full names and pictures when possible.
When people see there is an ACTUAL person who has endorsed you, they are more likely to believe it.
As opposed to Suzie Q or John Doe.

4) Show ’em if you’ve got ’em.
As I mentioned, do “screen grabs” of the actual testimonial and put them on your website so people can see the real thing.
The closer in demographics to your target audience, the better (Gee, that person is just like ME and they bought from this company!). Or, if that person is a celebrity or thought-leader in your industry, this goes a long way as well.

 

 

I capture images by “favoriting” them  Twitter. I’ve done screen grabs of LinkedIn Testimonials:

I’ve also seen them designed beautifully by a graphic designer and included in a “sales piece”/marketing material.

Do you use “social proof” to show that YOU rock? What’s worked for you?

Leslie

P.S. Please be sure to sign up to our monthly newsletter https://punchmedia.ca/email.html

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Posted in Content Tips

About Leslie Hughes

Leslie Hughes is a LinkedIn Optimization Specialist, LinkedIn Top Voice, and Corporate Trainer with over 25 years of experience in digital marketing and LinkedIn profile writing. As the Principal of PUNCH!media and author of "CREATE. CONNECT. CONVERT," Leslie helps executives and professionals optimize their LinkedIn profiles, generate leads, and attract higher-paying clients. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice—an exclusive honor from LinkedIn—Leslie is a trusted authority on LinkedIn profile optimization, AI-driven marketing strategies, and digital identity management. Her expertise has been featured on CBC Radio, where she was called a "Social Media Guru," and on CTV’s "The Social," where she shared strategies for managing digital identity. Leslie empowers professionals to leverage generative AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance marketing strategies, boost efficiency, and create impactful content that converts. She helps businesses understand how to use LinkedIn for lead generation and how AI can revolutionize their digital marketing efforts. Leslie has worked with top organizations like Investment Planning Counsel, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, JLL, and Franklin Templeton, optimizing LinkedIn profiles and providing corporate training that delivers measurable results. Leslie is a former college professor and co-lead instructor for Ontario Tech University’s Social Media Marketing and Digital Management Certificate. Whether you need a LinkedIn profile writer, corporate trainer, or AI marketing specialist, Leslie Hughes can help you elevate your digital presence and transform your marketing strategy. Ready to take your LinkedIn profile and corporate training to the next level? Learn more at www.punchmedia.ca.