Another Way to Enhance your Reputation & Credibility

Now that I am back from my summer leave, let's get the show on the road by giving you ways you can increase your profits and wealth through the power of referrals.

Last time, I talked about the written testimonial and how it can impact your business when done correctly. There is no doubt that this is a powerful form of leverage. It adds credibility to your publicity as third party endorsements are trusted more than you blowing your own trumpet.

There are two other ways you can supercharge your credibility through testimonials:

1. Audio testimonial
2. Video testimonial

So why go through all the trouble of using audio or video testimonials?

Here's why:

• If your customer goes through the effort of giving you a video testimonial, doesn't that say how much they value you?
• The visual medium paints a much prettier picture than the written word. Look at the popularity of television and radio compared to newspapers.
• How many of your competitors' customers give audio/video testimonials? Maybe none? So you will stand out from the competition.
• People trust a human face much more than they trust the written word.
• Many of your prospective customers are cynical. The third party visual image gives them a sense of confidence that you are what you say you are.
• Most people have the herd mentality: they follow what the Jone's are doing. Not many people are willing to take a risk into the unknown. This is especially important if you are selling a service or a new concept.

The audio testimonial is very simple. If you have a satisfied customer, get them to agree to to you recording them onto a mini-disc player. All they need to do is say how much they enjoyed working with you, what benefits they've gained from using your services and why listeners should use you in the future.

The video testimonial is exactly the same, except that you're that you are using video. Easy, huh?

Here's an example of a video testimonial I got from a client who attended the The Referral Explosion Summit™. Click here to see the video testimonial.

So how do you record a video or an audio file?
All you need to record is free software from www.accoustica.com and a simple microphone to record your audio testimonial. This software allows you to convert the recording onto an MP3 file. (In a future issue, I will share with you about how you can create an audio file and upload it onto your website.)

To record a video, you can use simple webcam technology to get your happy customer to give you a simple testimonial. It should last about 6 seconds and no more than 2 minutes. If you want to find out how to use this technology simply click here.

So how can you use this technology to enhance your reputation?
Here's three ideas that will get you going:

• Instead of sending long-winded emails, how about sending them a link to your video testimonial or an MP3 attachment?
• You can strategically place the video testimonials on your website.
• Instead sending heavy marketing brochures, you can send a single DVD/CD to your prospects to find out about you through happy customers.

Do what all great marketers do. Test the audio and video message. Measure it. Refine it. Make it better.

If you're enjoying the Persuader's Referral Supercharge, why don't you send the link to this site to friends, colleagues and loved ones who would value getting these simple tools and techniques. This work is too good to keep it to yourself, don't you think?

How to enhance your reputation with the written testimonial

In the next few blogs, you are going to get ideas on how you can increase your reputation throught customer referrals.

Third party endorsements have always been the single most effective way of increasing your attraction to prospective customers. I'm sure you already now this.

My question is how many of your customers have you asked to give you testimonials?

In this issue, let's focus on the quality of the testimonials you receive. Have you ever had a testimonial that says something like,

'She is a great coach'?

Or

'It was an enjoyable experience working with him'?

What do these testimonials mean to you? Other than a temporary boost to your ego, they mean nothing. When I first started collecting feedback forms for testimonials, I picked up hundreds of 'nice' testimonials. But then I realised that the tetimonials were only useful for therapeutic purposes to me. They mean squat to anyone else.

Think about it. Who are you really trying to impress with an endorsement? Prospective customers, I would think. Maybe even suppliers. So make the testimonials count.

When you ask your customer for testimonials, help them by structuring it for the benefit of future customers. Here's the structure that you can tailor to your own business. Yout customer will write the following:

1. What they enjoyed/liked about the product or service.

2. What was or will be the biggest impact on their business?

3. How does it affect profits or savings or confidence, etc

4. What they liked about doing business with you specifically.

5. That they strongly recommend your services to other prospective buyers.

Here are the reasons why you ask:

1. To give readers (of the testimonial) a specific example of one of your services.

2. To demonstrate that your product/service does what you say it does.

3. To give them a measurable and tangible result.

4. People buy from people they like, know and trust.

5. Readers are being asked to a call to action by the third party. Very powerful stuff!

Here's an example of a testimonial I received from an ecstatic client recently:

"I have just been to The Persuader's Referral Explosion where I discovered a system of generating sales leads with the least amount time and effort. I couldn't believe it. After less than 90 minutes of applying the Referral Explosion system with just one of my contacts, I received over 20 strongly qualified referrals. Each referral is worth the equivalent of 10 times the investment I made in attending this workshop. Thank you, Harun! Thank you!

Harun provoke's you to think beyond your capabilities and inspires you to achieve amazing results. If you are thinking of growing your profits quickly, you must attend the Persuader's Referral Explosion" (G Gill, Arthur Marsh Insurance Brokers)

So now you have no reason for not getting every single customer to give you a glowing testimonial. If they are not willing to do this, you may reconsider if they are a truly 'happy' customer.