Isn’t that a crazy question?

Testimonials and reviews are so important to your business. They are a tool that is often used to help people decide if they are going to use you or not! Lord knows, I read reviews on companies we are thinking of using for products/services we are going to buy all the time. So, if they are that important then why is it we don’t get enough of them and we why don’t ask for them?

There are business people, (more than less), who don’t like asking for testimonials. It is hard for them, whatever the reason. Trust me, business owners that are extroverts, still don’t like to ask for them. Can you imagine what it is like for an introvert? Don’t feel alone, no matter your personality type, if that is you, there are many who are in the same boat! Also, remember, sometimes it is harder for the person on the other side to fulfill your request for the testimonial. Let’s give them reasons to do so!

What is the best testimonial or review?

It is the ‘unsolicited’ one! Are you giving such great service that your clients WANT to give you a testimonial/review and seek out how to do it on their own? And, take a moment to think of the feeling you get when you are notified about a new testimonial/review that has been submitted and you didn’t even ask! It is truly amazing and can make you feel good for the whole day and remind you why you do what you do! Recently, we had a contractor in our home for some work, Jordan Adams of Adams General Contracting, LLC. It was amazing, the time, detail, he put into his work, and the patience he had with my many questions. I couldn’t wait to go and give him a review. He didn’t ask me to, I wanted to. That is what we should strive for in our service! Our clients want to let the world know how good we were! If you read my blog, ‘What Are People Saying About You?’, people tend to spread more bad news about you than good. For some reason, they find that energy is easier. Don’t give them that opportunity! Take a moment and reflect on your service, what can you do to make your clients want to give you that testimonial/review.

Let’s talk about ways to get that testimonial/review. One is to remind people that you would appreciate a review. And, if you can, make it easy for them to give you one, that is even better. Recently, I used the services of Emily Gleason, owner of M the Writer. She did a great job re-working the content of my website, (it isn’t updated yet look for it at the beginning of 2021). When she sent me a ‘Thank You’ email at the bottom she asked if I would be willing to give her a testimonial and provided the two links to pages to do this and I did. Think about it, how long does it actually take to write a review? Especially if you are excited about the service! Under 5 minutes!

Here are some ideas on what you can do:

You must be proactive and ask for them. (Get out of your comfort zone). Remember people like to help people. If they understand how this testimonial will help you, they may be more willing to do it.
Make it easy for them to do.
Provide the links that take them directly to the spot where they can leave them.
If they say, they don’t know what to write, ask them if it is OK to interview them and you write it. Make sure you write it in their voice and using the words they gave you. Email it to them to edit and for approval. That part is VERY important.
Give testimonials to get testimonials. If you give them out, you will get them back. Make time on your calendar each week, 15-minutes, and go out and write one or two testimonials for people who have given you great service. Some of those people will want to reciprocate.
Create a survey of your services and at the end ask for comments. Ask if you can use these as a testimonial. I used to do this when I was a mortgage loan officer. People did it for me all the time. The survey was short, 4 questions, and then a comment section.
Build a place on your website where people can leave you a review.
Give GREAT service! Make your people want to give them!

Remember to ‘Thank’ the person who gave you a testimonial/review. If the testimonial is not stellar, address it. Find out how you could have made their experience better. Show them you are willing to learn and improve.

Please share your ideas on how to get testimonials! We can all use new ideas!

Kind Words from Happy Clients

Jason Bayer

J MAN STUDIOS

Nanette Polito's coaching was very educational and a tremendous asset to my small business. I not only learned the value of creating and building strong networks, but it also provided me with a system to track my process. The program also exposed me to the VCP principal (visibility, credibility & profitability) and how to best utilize this practice to build lasting relationships that were created among participants and the support I received from meeting weekly with other small business owners. I highly recommend Nanette!

Michael White

Referral networking is where it's at for marketing your business in today's world. Nanette Polito's programs and coaching will jump-start your abilities to achieve referral success. The best aspects of this course are engaging your need to get organized, get the best partners, and staying committed to the process. If you focus on this process, you will succeed in building your network's visibility, credibility, and profitability for you and your partners. We owe this to each other, in order to maximize our growth.

Gwen Pietzuch

USANA Health Sciences

I would highly recommend Nanette Polito's coaching. The material was pertinent to all businesses and really opens your mind to think creatively. I count the class members as colleagues and friends and will remember as I meet people "that I am always standing in the middle of a referral", not necessarily for myself, but for all those that I interact with via BNI and fellow classmates.

Christine Luken

Financial Lifeguard, Word Nerd

I cannot say enough good things about Nanette Polito! I enrolled in her program five months ago and am amazed at the results I have seen already. This class came at the perfect time for me because I was in the process of merging two businesses and trying to determine what my focus should be. Through the one-on-one coaching sessions with Nanette, it became clear what I was passionate about and where I should focus my energy. The subjects covered in class and the homework assignments have practical applications for my business. Within sixty days, I started seeing tangible results – connections, leads, and closed deals. At this point, the class is more than paying for itself. I’m excited to see my return on investment by the time class is finished! If you’re considering coaching just do it! You’re leaving a lot of money on the table if you don’t.

Scott Warner

Allied Van Lines Interstate

Before working with Nanette, one of my biggest challenges was networking and speaking confidently in front of a group of people. I didn't know how to market my business to my sphere of referral partners. By learning and understanding my 'Why', the reason for which I am in this career, I have learned how to effectively market my business.

What made me decide to invest in the program was Nanette's passion for seeing me succeed and watching other people's success from her programs.

I am loving my business again. My job had become mundane. I have a new appreciation for my partners that I have been able to share with them.

The return on my investment in the class has been the confidence to network. Nanette helped me greatly with the play "It’s a Wonderful Life” this helped me with being heard from the back of the room.

Nanette taught me how to enjoy my weekly business meeting with my sales team. How to have a foundation for the passion in the business I am currently employed. Understanding how many people can be a referral partner's in your realm or sphere.

David Clegg

Social Sherpa

Over the last two years, my entire approach to sales and marketing has experienced a radical overhaul thanks in no small part to Nanette and her passionate teaching and coaching.

Through Nanette's curriculum and peppered with her own experience and wisdom, she has refined (and in some cases eliminated) the skills that I have developed over a 25-year career in sales and sales management.

If you had given me an examine and one of the questions read something such as, "Which are easier to close, referred leads or cold prospecting leads?" I knew the answer. However, I never knew how to get out of the cycle of HUNT | KILL | EAT. That may sound crude, but that is the sales process for most companies.

What Nanette taught, but more importantly, COACHED me to do was effectively build deeply committed referral partnerships. These partnerships have brought greater results than I could have ever achieved alone.

It's not rocket science, but it is a system that you can replicate over and over again. Then, once your referral partners start using the same system, you begin to experience the synergy of referral marketing.

Thank you Nanette for your investment in my business, but mostly for your investment in me.

RC Rogers

I have been in Nanette Polito's Class for the last 6 months. In the beginning, I couldn’t figure out why I do what I do for a living. After one personal coaching session, I now realize “WHY”. Finding out “WHY” completely changes the reason I wake up in the morning.
I encourage anyone looking to better themselves and make more money in less time, to contact Nanette.

Brian Arlinghaus

Arlinghaus Heating & Air

The mood at Arlinghaus Heating & Air Conditioning has changed from above average to “greatness.” Nanette made a huge impact on my business life which also affected my personal life. The changes are un-imaginable. I have applied the tools that I learned from Nanette Polito to the Arlinghaus team and we are able to set goals that are clear and achievable. I had never truly put together an in-depth business plan and now I have. It is our path to follow with purpose and direction. I have been able to polish our mission statement creating one that is true to the Arlinghaus values. It is mandatory that every time we have a team meeting the mission statement is read out loud. The team loves it, they believe in it and they want to be part of it. It is:

“Through Teamwork, we will achieve and exceed the expectations of our customers by providing the best quality solutions, products, and services provided by highly trained and integrity like-minded individuals. People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. Service is our passion.”

We now have weekly meetings with the installation and service departments. We are taking photos of all jobs and sharing them on a projector during the meeting. We then can collaborate to determine what we did correctly and what could have been done better. We refer to service manuals that are read aloud and encourage each team member to do some research at home. Arlinghaus has a standard to live up to and this tool helps us to achieve the best possible customer care.

Learning the skills to develop my company operating procedures and implementing them, has also affected my personal life. Because of the direction my business is now going, I have been able to enjoy much needed time at home with Heather and my kids with no stress. The payoff is tremendous!

So I am saying to you from the bottom of my heart, keep doing what you are doing because you have affected more than just my life, you have affected the lives of 26 Arlinghaus employees. They come to work with a purpose and they can go home in a great mood which affects their family life too. WAHOO!

Linda Austin, VanDyk Mortgage

Senior Loan Originator NMLS #1442497 OH MC #414969 KY

How quickly can you articulate to a lead or referral partner your “why” you are in business?
If it’s more than 60 seconds, Nanette Polito can help you communicate your passion clearly and effectively.

I have been fortunate that Nanette has coached me weekly. After only a few short weeks, small changes to my pattern of practice resulted in more leads, stronger referral relationships, and loans in the pipeline.
Nanette is genuine. She has a way to quickly establish rapport with her clients. Nanette relates to others based upon her various life experiences and helps them capture what’s best about themselves in order to monetize it and build a business.

I have attended several business meetings, workshops, and multi-session learning series that Nanette has held. She is an excellent teacher and an engaging speaker. Her classes are fun, full of practical tips and hacks that can be used immediately to get improved results.

I highly recommend hiring Nanette Polito as a business coach for your company and sales staff.

Nancy Piatt, IPR Group

Nanette builds relationships with you and your people to connect and communicate with them on their level (or personality)

Nanette teaches building relationships first and then work on the sale with potential clients.

Nanette helps me to get out of the comfort zone and make it so it's not so painful

Love my coaching sessions!!

Frank Littrell, ReMax

I cannot say enough good things about Nanette Polito. I have worked with her through some personal coaching as well as coaching with my Team and it has been great. Her desire to make everyone around her successful comes through her vibrant personality, but with a gentle touch. She's there for support, guidance, direction, tough-love, and a hug when it's needed. Okay, a hug even when it's not needed. If you're looking for a coach that understands human behavior and all personality styles and how to get along with them, you owe it to yourself to give Nanette a try. You will find a professional coach that will work hard to understand your business and guide you to greater success. Thanks, Nanette, for all you do for us!

Kirk Short, Wichita Home Team

Brian Adams, Seven Hills Technology

As someone from a non-sales background, a major concern of mine was finding the correct ways to talk about myself and my business. Nanette took a unique approach to work within my comfort zone and educate me regarding referral networking, quick "commercials", and targeted audiences. Working with Nanette has been a tremendous gain both personally and professionally, and her advice and expertise has helped in a variety of ways within my company, in areas completely unexpected at the time we began

We Will Work Our Way Through Together

Each Thursday at 3 p.m. a great group of entrepreneurs and business people gather to have great conversation, share ideas, and help each other grow their businesses. The only thing missing is you! Click on ‘Contact’ above and I will send you the link! This is not a sales pitch, it is just to let us help you!

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2 Comments

Dan Hammons on December 10, 2020 at 4:57 pm

Nanette, thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge with us.
This is great subject matter that I think pertains to many of us in the business world.
I know for me it is very hard to ask for a testimonial let alone any thing else.
This area has always been a weak spot in our business. The few times I have asked for a testimonial they always say sure! I know that I love to be asked for help and to give a testimonial or a review.
Your blog has given me some good ideas to go forth with.
Thank you again for sharing and keeping us in your thoughts. Dan
- Nanette Polito on December 15, 2020 at 3:42 pm
  
  You’re welcome! Remember it is one step at a time!

Testimonials/Reviews Are They Important For Your Business?