Do you have a hard time getting your clients and customers to write a testimonial for you, even when they have raved about your work?
When I first started working as a life coach, I had a hard time getting testimonials, even though my clients said they loved working with me! Way back in 2011, I implemented a new approach that allows me to easily get amazing testimonials from my favorite clients.
Today I’m going to give you my exact formula for getting stellar testimonials. You’ll learn the exact steps I take, the eight essential questions I ask, and everything else required to get those golden gems from your clients’ heads onto your website.
By establishing a consistent and professional approach to requesting and compiling feedback and by using the right questions, you’ll get exactly what you need from those clients who already love you.
Everything is in the video below.
Grab Your Free Scripts and Checklist
To make this even easier, I created a free download for you! You’ll get
- The step-by-step approach for getting testimonials from any client or customer — plus email scripts
- The 8 essential questions you must ask to get an amazing testimonial from your clients
- A checklist to ensure you don’t forget a single step scripts to help you get stellar testimonials from your clients and customers.
I Want to Hear From You
In the comments below, tell me…
1. What is one insight you had from watching this video?
2. Do you have any tips or tricks for getting great testimonials from your clients and customers?
Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video, please share it!
Click to TweetSuper helpful tips + checklist from Jenny Shih on how to get stellar testimonials. I’m all over it! You should be, too!
Got the video and it was worth the wait Jenny! This is incredibly helpful! Girl youre my hero! XO
Yay! I was so excited about this one, so it was a bummer that we had a technical glitch. So glad you were willing to wait!
Super helpful video Jenny! Practical and inspiring as always!
Thank you!
You are so very welcome!
Thank you! Super helpful! So much better to ask for feedback (and I already do) and use it for creating testemonials. 🙂
You’re welcome, Kirsi! Good to hear you find asking for feedback helpful for yourself, too!
Jenny, I love this. I use a post-engagement reflection questionnaire after each client engagement and get great material that way. I had not thought about doing it this way for strategy sessions. Great tip to request feedback instead of a testimonial! Love your energy and the way you think. 🙂
That’s a seriously fun name, Laurie! Always happy to provide business-improving tips to make your life easier. Glad you like it!
Jenny,
I especially appreciated your advice to ask for feedback and reflecting on it before considering the testimonial.
The intermediate steps will lead to a better business as well as a better testimonial from a more engaged client.
Thanks!
You got it, Trevor. It’s not just about “getting the testimonial” but also about improving your business. Glad you picked out that fine distinction!
Great video and thanks for sharing, Jenny! My biz partner and I will definitely use this as we seek our first testimonials for our site!
You’re welcome, Sara!
Thanks Jenny! As always, you rock! You have ingenious ideas and invaluable info for entrepreneurs. I will be sharing this 🙂
Glad it was helpful, and thanks for sharing it. Much appreciated!
Thanks Jenny!
Here’s the thing I really dug about this one: I hadn’t thought about compiling the testimonial myself, but it does make sense (as long as the customer approves it).
It was a wild idea the first time someone suggested it to me, too. My brain froze for a minute, but then it made total sense. It’s easier on my client and ensures that the testimonials on my site are articulating the messages I want them to.
so HOT Jenny! thank you ssoooooooo much! Just what I have been seeking! Gonna use it today!
You are sooo welcome, Kathleen! Happy to be of service, and I love a woman who takes immediate action. Rock on!
This is excellent, Jenny. And just in time. I have an ongoing coaching community with a few loyal members and I’d like to increase membership. The one thing I’m missing is the testimonials and I was just getting ready to send out the request for testimonials from members who keep enrolling in the program. Now I know that I’ll ask for feedback instead!
YOU are a superhero! I am loving the “Steal This” series. So clear and helpful. Many thanks!
Ooo, totally perfect timing, Elise! I can guarantee that you’ll get better testimonials this way than just by asking for testimonials, especially since you know you want to use them to increase membership.
Glad you’re loving the “Steal This!” series. I’m loving making them!
Hi, sounds great, but i wasn not able to download the check list. Could someone email it to me?
Thanks!
So sorry it’s not working for you. Try this link: https://jennyshih.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/simple-system-for-getting-killer-testimonials.pdf
Love this!
Another tip to go along with this…my graphic designer emails her clients a link to a testimonial page on her website (I like “feedback” better though). On that page she has a form that prompts her clients to write a testimonial. Makes it super easy.
She could kick that up a notch by using these 8 questions to help make it even easier for clients to give great write-ups.
A form is definitely one way to go. Thanks for sharing that idea here. It’s always about whatever is going to make it easiest for the client, esp if we are the ones who want the testimonial 🙂
Thanks Jenny! I knew this was here and I just came and grabbed it. Time for some feedback!
Great advice, Jenny! Thank you for sharing, especially the checklist and questions.
Thank you so much Jenny!
It is difficult for some of us to ask for testimonials. Your suggestions are very sequential and I appreciate that.
I recently used the 10 question survey from Survey Monkey to my great advantage. I had a lot of fill in the blank questions and from that was able to craft some fabulous testimonials.
What I didn’t think of though was asking each person permission to post them with their names, first and last and pic. That is strong! I love it and will implement before the day is out.
Thank you!
Rommy
It’s amazing how much the picture can add oomph to the testimonial. It really makes it REAL.
One thing to consider for your clients, Rommy, is whether Survey Monkey helps or hurts. I know some people feel like surveys are more work and they may be less likely to fill it out (though they are ideal for large-scale classes). Since we all email every day, asking the questions over email can often help overcome that “I’m too busy” barrier we can all run into. Though if your Survey Monkey system is working well, then of course don’t change it!
This couldn’t be easier! Super great questions. Thanks.
You rock, Jenny. I think everyone in business understand how important testimonials are, but are afraid to ask for them. Leveraging “feedback”, which is also key to your success to create those testimonials is a great approach.
I hope you don’t mind if I share this idea with my clients and readers!
Feel free to link right to this post for them to download the cheat sheet! Happy to spread the word about how easy it can be.
Thanks Jenny! I just saw this on Amy Won’s posting on bschool babes and I’ve been looking for something like this. One of the keys that you hit is to ask for the testimonial right away, although I’m thinking that it might be helpful to send it to some folks who I worked with years ago who are still thanking me and sending me updates.
You can totally go back to people you worked with year ago! We all remember the people we love – and if your clients were superfans, I’m sure they’d still be happy to give you feedback (or a testimonial!).
This is so helpful, thank you Jenny. I like question 5. “Would you recommend me and my services? If so, why and to whom?”
Asking people to WHOM they would refer you to already puts the idea of contacting that person in their head. Like they are making a note “I should email that person!” and then BAM! a referral on top of a testimonial! YAY!
Love when things click like that. Excited for you, Marinda!!
Jenny! I’ve used this in the last few days and it really does produce a killer testimonial (and it’s easy!) It works for my art classes. Question: would the 8 questions be slightly different for products testimonials (like oil paintings?) xoxo
Glad you’ve had great luck with the questions, Mic.
Yes, I’d recommend you tweak the questions depending on what the testimonial is for. You want to do what you can in the question-asking to pull out the types of testimonials you want to put along with the paintings. Have fun with them and over time you’ll learn which ones give you the killer testimonials. My questions above came from a lot of testing and eventually great results.
Thank you so much Jenny. Sharing it with some other coach friends as I know it will be super helpful to them, too.
Thanks, Jenny! It’s time for me to step up this process and this is what I’d had in mind – this just spells it out so nicely. Much appreciated!
Jenny-
Thank you SO much for this. I’ve used your process twice now and have received amazing and very helpful feedback. I’m sharing this with as many people as I can so they can all know about you. Thank you again!
xo, Katie
Awesome!! I keep hearing over and over that everyone who uses this gets phenomenal results. I’m thrilled to hear you’re seeing it, too. Congrats!
Jenny, as usual this is AWESOME! thanks for your generosity!
Hi Jenny,
This is brilliant! Thanks 🙂
Just wondering how do you normally word the email? My clients are always raving about the results they get in our sessions together but even so, some of them are not the best at getting a testimonial in to me. I’m not sure if its busy-ness, lack of motivation or they procrastinate because they are not sure what to say in it? Any tips on increasing my chances of getting one from the “less motivated” clients?
I usually tell the client at the end of a session that I’m sending them a feedback form and would they fill it out. Then the email is a natural extension of that conversation. I say that I’m always looking to improve my coaching and also want to hear about their successes…. Would they please share their feedback… That’s usually how the email goes.
As far as getting it back, I usually send friendly reminders. You could also offer an incentive. For my classes, I offer a bonus for submitting the feedback form. For 1-1 clients, I just gently ask a few times and then if they don’t do it, I let it go.
Jenny, thank you so much for sharing this. The biggest A-HA moment was framing the testimonial as FEEDBACK and using the 8 questions to allow the client to go deeper with their response.
Love it!
~Elena
Thanks Jenny!
Just what I am working on this morning. The cosmo’s are aligning
Farideh
I love this – I am about to design my website, and have lots of testimonials to post. My question is about the last step – posting testimonial with photos. Is there a good Word Press plug in that will format and post testimonial quotes with photos?
I don’t use a plugin. I add it in under each page. I had my web guy do a little custom coding for it, but no plugin. You don’t even need custom coding. Just add it like you add text for a page and put the photo next to it, and you’re good to go!
Thanks so much for your response, Jenny! Sometimes just having the simplest nuts and bolts clarified makes what at first seems complicated, easy! I’ll get to work…
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for this great post! I have implemented this system and sent quite a few emails out but I’m not getting any responses. Have you got any tips for ensuring you get a response? Maybe asking these questions at the last session while they are still there? Or making an offer so people have an incentive?
Thank you!
~Keri
Of course! Tips to getting them…
#1 (this one’s in the download PDF above) – During the last session, ask them if they would be willing to give you feedback and let them know they can expect an email from you that day.
#2 – Follow-up!
#3 – Offer an incentive, like a free download, class, or something else in return for taking the time to give feedback.
And even with those, not everyone will take the time to give you feedback.
Good luck!
Great video. I was wondering if clients always agree to send you a pictureof them? And do you have any template/example of the email you send them with their testimonial, permission to use their name and asking them for a picture?
Thanks:) Luisa
Yes, I always as permission to use their testimonial and ask them to send me their favorite photo.
As far as the email, it’s simply a kind reply thanking them for their feedback. If there was constructive feedback, I let them know that I take all of their feedback seriously. Then I say that I compiled a testimonial based on their input and would like to share it on my site. I ask them to review (and edit) the testimonial — if they’ll let me use it — and ask for a photo as well.
Thank you Jenny, you are a Star!:) Best of luck.
I totally stole this …and it totally worked! Thanks for sharing Jenny, now I’m off to compile my testimonials for client reviews. 😉
Jenny, This is awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jenny,
Nice job on this. Love your energy. My business has become successful because of testimonials and I have always found it awkward to ask for one. This was very insightful
Thank you
Danielle
Thanks, Jenny, for the great and useful information and your inspiring presentation of it. I will definitely do this! I’m going to try to adapt your process to use with a couple of clients from the past, as my projects last a while and I’ve missed the most timely window to request feedback. Do you have any suggestions?
There’s no wrong time window for asking for feedback. If they were a happy client and even if you worked with them 6 months or a year ago, definitely reach out!! The worst that can happen is that they say no or forget the specifics, and that’s no big deal. You’re losing out not to ask. So get to it!
Thanks for the encouragement. I will!
Thank you Jenny! Your video was so helpful. The one insight I had was to NOT ask for a testimonial but to ask for feedback instead. Brilliant!
Jenny,
Very interesting video. I believe this could be very useful for a physical therapy practice. I do have two questions though. 1) Exactly how do you ask the client’s permission to print their feedback? For example, on another site (gaebler.com) they include the following verbiage on the bottom of the testimonial form:
“Authorization and Release Information
I understand my testimonial as outlined above (the “Testimonial”) and made on behalf of [Company Name] (hereinafter called “The Company”) may be used in connection with publicizing and promoting The Company. I authorize The Company to use my name, brief biographical information, and the Testimonial as defined on this form.
I hereby irrevocably authorize The Company to copy, exhibit, publish or distribute the Testimonial for purposes of publicizing The Company’s programs or for any other lawful purpose. These statements may be used in printed publications, multimedia presentations, on websites or in any other distribution media. I agree that I will make no monetary or other claim against The Company for the use of the statement.
In addition, I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written copy, wherein my likeness or my testimonial appears.
I hereby hold harmless and release The Company from all claims, demands and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.
Signature: ______________________________________________________________
I have read the authorization and release information and give my consent for the use as indicated above. ”
From a legal perspecitive, is this necessary? I could see where a client might find this a bit intimidating. What text do you use in your emails?
2) Some clients–older ones–are not that comfortable with computers. So I’m assuming one could hand them a hard copy form. Correct?
Thanks much,
Gary
I ask for approval over email, though if your clients don’t use email or if you have other concerns, I’d suggest consulting an attorney.
Ok, so there is a lot of merit to this method. The only thing that slightly bothers me, is that you are asking for feedback, and then turning it into a testimonial. Maybe because, by nature, I tend to view things through my clients’ eyes, I am concerned that some people might be offended that I ask for feedback and then turn it into something self serving. I am wondering if this could be averted by telling them up front that I might like to use their words as a testimonial.
That’s a very fair point!
To clarify, when I get feedback (not positive comments), I also address those separately, and not all replies turn into testimonials. Sometimes I get nothing but 100% positive feedback and it’s perfect for a testimonial — and I always ask permission before using and offer them the chance to edit it (or decline to have it posted).
I’m not lying or being sneaky with this approach, nor am I encouraging you to be! I want you to take both the feedback and the positive and do what’s appropriate with each.
Excellent and straight to the point. Renaming ‘testimonial’ to ‘feedback’ is in itself an ingenious idea and will help banish the fear in them caused by the dreaded ‘T’ word! Thanks your sharing.
HI Jenny,
Many thanks for your time and sharing of tips for getting killer testimonials. I really was curious how to do that so I can post their comments to my website.
P.S Website yet to go live
Thanks Jenny for the tip. You’re so right!!! This was an AHA moment. I feel awkward asking people for testimonial but people are more likely to respond and be honest if I ask them for ‘feedback’ because it makes it about them not me. Many people give me positive feedback but I typically wait until they volunteerily say it and then I say ‘hey, can you put it into words?’. Thanks again!
Jenny,
Great recommendations and clear, strong presentation. Asking for feedback is such a good idea vs the testimonial. Then to further the relationship on another level is terrific. Who knows what that very process may lead to ~ with that client or her/his referrals! Love the valuing and respect that is conveyed to the client!
In Gratitude, Roxanna
Thank you, your system will really help me! I’ve been getting over the hump where people rave about my work, but are just too busy and intimidated to write a testimonial. Consider your ideas stolen and put to good use in the world; helping bring yoga to kids with special needs! Yay!
LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS Jenny! I’ve always felt kind of weird asking for testimonials and this is a great way to not only get a testimonial but to also improve our businesses through client’s feedback simple and effective gotta love that!
Great advice! And a brilliant set of questions! Well done!
Hi Jenny,
I found your video through Nikke Elledge Brown’s site.
Absolutely love it!
Thanks for sharing.
Liesje
So glad you loved it. I love Nikki — she’s awesome! Happy testimonial-gathering!
That is exactly what I went online for! Thank you.
Jenny, This was excellent. I am grateful to you for making this so easy as I am just starting to set up my EFT practice.
Great info! Usually I just ask when they are telling me or if they email about how excited they are and catch them “in the moment” of their excitement. But asking specific questions like this is brilliant! The other thing that is important is to follow up with them to find out their continued success. Like one of my clients going on to be nominated for multiple awards! These are additional things that can be added about the success our clients had and we can continue to celebrate with them… and get referrals.
I’ve used this system and got an amazing testimonial the very first time. 🙂
It’s Sunday and reading your blog. I finished working with an organization client on Friday. Immediately created an email draft and sent one to my client on Friday. Thank you for making such a simple point and inspiring me to take action. Thank you Jenny!
I did make a tweak. Narrowed down the questions to 3. See part of the email below…
—
Thank you for supporting Closet Refresh. I enjoyed working with you and feel that we made lots of great progress organizing your home!
Below I have a couple of questions for feedback to help me keep improving.
1. What did you like best about working with me?
2. Would you recommend my services to others and why?
3. What’s the most important thing people should know about working with me?
As always THANK you! I remembered this from way back and just came back to refresh my memory and share with my business/coaching friends.
Thank you for sharing these tips Jenny. I love the cheat sheet!
Thank you for sharing your tips! I really love your feedback questions, especially the ones concerning my personality as a coach and what other clients could expect from working with me. I will immediately add them to my questions. Thank you!
Thank you for some great ideas! Your video was very helpful. I’m unable to download the link in the email, however. I would love to look it over! Is there another way I can get this?
So happy it helped! I’ll ask my assistant to look into why you didn’t get the download, and she’ll personally reach out to get a copy to you. I think there were some web-wide outages today that may have affected deliverability. Either way, we’ll definitely make sure you get a copy.
Enjoy, and I’m so glad this video helped!
This is a great system! Quite ingenious. Thanks so much for putting this together and for making it available as a free download! The check-lists, feedback questions and templates are super helpful. Thank you, Jenny!
I just used some of your tips in a process to get a new testimonial. One thing that came up for me though is that I didn’t feel good about just asking for feedback and not letting the client know that I may want to ask to use some of their feedback answers for a testimonial (providing they would be ok with it). If I don’t let them know upfront but ask them if I can use their feedback for a testimonial after they already submitted their feedback, they’ll know that I’ve used the request for feedback with the intention to get a testimonial from them. They might feel that this betrays their trust, especially given how much coaching relationships are built on trust and confidentiality.
I wanted to just share this perspective in case it would be helpful. I still think that your approach is very helpful and valuable. I just think that it’s important to consider whether it might be better to be upfront with clients about wanting to use their feedback info for a testimonial at a later point. Thanks!
I can understand how you might feel that way, Alex. I think the difference here is that I TRULY want their feedback, and not every client feedback will turn into a testimonial.
It’s like how I teach clients to be of service on social media [https://jennyshih.com/2016/07/reason-youre-not-getting-clients-social-media-change-immediately/]. The rub is that if you go online to be of service but you actually are doing it only to get clients not to be 100% pure of service, then it backfires.
I believe this is the same for testimonials. If you’re only asking because you want a testimonial, then yes, its’ a little smarmy. But if you truly want feedback and you happen to get great content for a testimonial, then you can ask the client because, well, they’re thrilled with you work and would probably be happy to sing your praises.
In both cases, social media and feedback/testimonials, it’s all around your true intentions. In my perspective.
I hear what you’re saying, Jenny, and it makes sense the way you’re explaining it. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Thank you! Just put this into action over the last week. Awaiting awesome feedback from my clients.
Thanks again!
~ Vicki
Very helpful video and tips. I’m trying to contemplate how to best incorporate this into my work as a psychotherapist, shamanic medium and workshop leader. I think we could do a follow up call and ask permission about sending an email for feedback. That alone is so clever to ask specific questions and then build the testimonial for them.
I have also video taped students at the end of workshop, retreat or audience participants and used those for testimonials.
Thanks for referring us to this yesterday, Jenny but there is no video above.
Thanks for letting me know, Mira! It looks like our recent website update “hid” our videos! It’s fixed now. Enjoy!
Happy to be of help, Jenny! Thanks. 🙂
as a massage therapist would it be ethical or legal for me to ask for a photo and full name/ location of my clients for posting on my website?
If you don’t know, who would I ask to find out?
I can’t speak to legalities, but you always ask folks for permission to include their information, so that seems pretty ethical to me.
I also think that it’s completely okay for a business like yours to just include the testimonial without any identifying information. When I originally posted this video in 2012, targeted at online business owners, things like photo, name, city, were all helpful in showing potential customers that a testimonial was “real.” I think we’re all used to testimonials online nowadays, and people believe them or don’t (for their own reasons), so the identifying information is less critical, especially for in-person businesses.