Three Alternative Methods On Getting Quality Testimonials with Bonus

Here are three alternatives to increase your testimonial numbers or their quality. Create an online diary or blog, use an auto responder method, set up a form on your web site or set up a survey.

1 -- Set up an Online Diary

Usually an online website diary is a fun way to keep friends and family up to date on what is going on in your life. Online diaries can also be used for testimonial submission with conversational style recommendations about your product/service. Online diaries are offered on many web sites, even famous persons like Oprah, Dr. Phil, or Tony Robbins.

You set it up on their site and paste the page link into your "thank you for purchase" auto responder, on your web site or into other marketing materials. Include a 1-2-3 learning experience on what is included in a good testimonial with various examples. People will appreciate the learning opportunity by taking the time to complete the process. In addition, their quality will increase.

Online diaries are updated frequently, thus giving a higher perceived value. They also have a warmer conversational style that increases reader connection. Because a diary is considered "private", it increases curiosity and they will read longer.

Two additional blessings are that you will save transfer time and others will read the other comments.

The offside is that you will want to monitor the entries to avoid some kids having fun.

You can also enter regularly updated customer comments received through other means on the product/service improved their life.

You can increase credibility by including the customer's profile. Include their picture or audio testimonial or a video segment of them using the product. You can also scan in and include handwritten letters or notes you receive.

A blog is an upgrade of the online diary with additional controls.

There was online diary software available to help you set up your own online diary, however, blog software replaced it.

Resources:

Set up your own diary at: http://www.diaryland.com/. They provide a personalized URL: your-name.diaryland.com. I recommend this resource because I like the personalization capability.

Here is a course on how to set up an online diary at:
http://personalweb.about.c om/cs/htmltutorials/a/310emailcourse.htm

Here is some great startup information on blogs:
http://www.creativity-portal.com /howto/writing/blogging.html

2 -- Auto responder Method

After they make a purchase or receive a freebie set up an automatic auto responder requesting a testimonial. You can include a link to the online diary as the only choice or as part of multiple submission options.

If you offer an ecourse, forward them a progress report request. This can easily be set up in the auto responder system for easier production. Ask them no more than 3-5 questions that don't encourage yes/ no answers. Ask them to rate their learning experience or make suggestions too.

Resources:

All about auto responders: http://marketing-of-training.com/expert_advisors/ask_massimo/2002-03-23 .htm

How to Write a High-Profit Auto responder Series http://javafaq.nu /article232.html

How to Use an Automatic Responder for Effective Prospect Follow-up http://www.isitebuild.com/automatic_respond er.htm

3 -- Fill-in-the-Blank or Multiple Choice Form

You can design a "fill in the blank" or "multiple choice" form in HTML or in text. HTML is easier to complete yet can take too long to down load if long or in some international browsers.

You can send the form through an auto responder system before or after completing something. They make the purchase you automatically send them the form. The form makes submission easier for them to complete and will increase the response rate.

There are software packages and vendors who will set up this form and track the results for you.

Resources:

How to Write HTML forms: http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/forms/
http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/in teract/forms.html#h-17.1

3. Web Survey Collecting

Use web surveys to gather their recommendations. There is software to help you create surveys and track the results. Survey hosting can be an online based or PC-based product.

Web Survey Software

Perseus Software: Free trial offered, several versions available, price range $495-$995 http://www.perseusdevelopment.com/softwareprod/download.html Archived Copy Downloads may not work!

Survey-Said software http://www.surveysaid.com/survey-software-introduction.html

Hosted Software http://www.hostedsurvey.com/ Survey Pro http://apian.com/

Survey Vendors

SurveyMonkey.com http://www.surveymonkey.com. Basic is free, upgrade is available. They offer a great comparison chart that I found very interesting.

Free White Papers, Articles, and ebooks on Survey How-tos.

How to conduct a web survey: http://www.vovici.com

Top-10 Web Survey Issues and How to Address Them http://www.digitalbiz.com/pages/library/research/top_10.html

Set Your Web Survey Goals http://www.workz.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl_page.html,template=1&content=1326&nav 1=1&

Perseus offers seven different white papers that will expand your knowledge on taking surveys. http://www.perseusdevelopment.com/surveytips/whitepapers.html

*** BONUS ON AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE ***

Four areas that will increase the quality of your testimonials:

1. Ask them what their goal was for using the product/service

2. What positive emotions did they experience by using the product/service?

3. Did they experience any reduction in fears and concerns after using the product/service? What worries were removed from their lives? (Before and after picture)

4. How did _______ help other people in their lives?

Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Marketing & Writing Coach, specializes in product development, Internet writing and marketing, nonfiction, training. Newsletters and articles available at: http://www.abundanc ecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs. com

---

The Advantages of Full Color Brochure Printing

A brochure can be a great promotional tool, whether it... Read More

So You Want To Cut The Crap And Get Into The Money?

So, you´ve been around for a while, and maybe even... Read More

Network Your Way to Success- 12 Tips to Jumpstart Your Business

Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of... Read More

How Important is Your Marketing?

Bob called last week from Phoenix, Arizona with some stunning... Read More

Creating And Maintaining A Mailing List

Starting to collect proper information to create a... Read More

The Value of a Good Sales Letter!

Regardless of how many forms of promotional material you create,... Read More

Non-Aggressive Marketing Ideas for Enterpreneurs

Do you cringe at the thought of trying to promote... Read More

Eight Advantages of Fundraising Letters Over Other Methods

1. Personal Fundraising letters are about as personal as you... Read More

Marketing to the Affluent - with Wine

With its association to an affluent, sophisticated lifestyle, wine can... Read More

Determining Marketing Effectiveness Even If You Didnt Track

What if you've done a variety of marketing activities over... Read More

Mobile Marketing a New Age Strategy

More and more companies seem to be looking for new... Read More

4 Steps To Increase Your Job Sign Marketing

It's no secret that using a job site sign can... Read More

What to Look for in Display Graphics and Trade Show Graphics

Display graphics are graphic images used for illustration or "display"... Read More

Get Results: Start with Your Marketing Message and Objective

Recently I was talking with a very bright traditional marketer... Read More

Direct Mail Response Rates Low? Eliminate These Mistakes

Are your direct mail response rates lower than you expect?... Read More

How Gratitude Works

Want to know what the highest-impact, lowest-cost tool is in... Read More

Do You Really Know Your Prospect?

I'd like to introduce you to someone. I don't actually... Read More

The Top 10 The Top Ten Signs That Your Marketing Message Needs a Facelift

Is your marketing plan dull, flat, and downright boring? Is... Read More

So What Do You Do?

Once you have the attention of a business prospect, at... Read More

To Swag or Not to Swag: Tip to Brand Your Tchotchkes on a Shoestring

It's interesting to see how resourceful people become when starting... Read More

Direct Mail Response Devices and How to Craft Them

Successful direct mail packages contain three things: an attractive offer,... Read More

Marketing For Just Cause

Cause marketing is a relationship between a for-profit and a... Read More

4 Sales Strategies with Your Trade Show Exhibition Booth

Trade show booths can act as an excellent source for... Read More

If You Do No Other Preparation

Far too often we see small businesses rush into doing... Read More

Digital Printing vs. Press Printing ? A Comparison Guide

When it comes time to print your brand identity materials,... Read More

How to Turn Your Marketing Into a Money-Making Machine - Preparing for Marketing That Yields Results

The usual complaint from companies is that Marketing simply does... Read More

Take The Test: Does Your Marketing Copy Sell?

Your marketing materials must grab your prospect's attention long enough... Read More

5 Tips for Getting the Most out of Exhibiting at Trade Shows

Exhibiting at trade shows can be a cost-effective way to... Read More

Marketers VS Consumers Predators VS Prey

The distance between marketing consultants and the real world can... Read More

5 Steps to Success: A Surefire Way to Achieve Your Goals

No doubt you started this year with some big ideas... Read More

Do I Need an RSS Feed?

RSS has been around for more than 10 years but... Read More

Small Business Bonzai Marketing

Do you own a small business? Do you wish to... Read More

Fundraisers - How to Raise Twice the Money With Half the Sweat

If your members, parents or donors wear clothes, watch t.v.... Read More