Getting client testimonials is really hard for some freelance writers. Maybe they are too shy to ask, or they feel not confident enough, but if you are in this business or want to be at all you need testimonials. If you have missed my previous posts on how to become a freelance writer, I suggest you take some time and read them in the order they are posted. I have tried to keep it in an organized matter to help you move ahead step by step.
Today is my next installment and I’m going to talk about client testimonials. You’d be surprised to see how many freelancers don’t use testimonials on their portfolio sites. To me this is a major crime. Why? Because now that you have the opportunity to shine you miss out.
I mean, hellouu… is there anybody in there?
Why we need client testimonials as freelance writers
In a world that is full of competition, distraction and potential clients who need us, it is hard to compete with others if you are relying on yourself and your brand only, especially when you are new in the field.
Getting your name out there into the right niches, crannies and nooks requires a lot of time and hard work for it to seed eventually.
In those early days, when nobody knows you to be any different from Bill, Bob and Ted down the road you will need a license for major weaponry and that very license will be your client testimonials. Some writers say that they are afraid of asking since the feedback might be bad.
Let’s face it, if a client isn’t happy with you he won’t give you any feedback that is good will he. So why worry. We can learn from those clients to be better next time and although this isn’t good feedback, it is constructive.
Personally I rather have bad feedback than a past client who lies to me just because he wants to be nice. In those instances I don’t do nice. I believe into honesty and by getting the right feedback I can better myself for the next client that comes along. After all I run a business and not a friendship member club. If I happen to make friends with a client, then all the better as it is a nice bonus.
Testimonials and feedback from past clients will:
- help you to stand out from the masses
- allow new clients to see that you are indeed capable to do the job
- save new clients the uncertainty of whether to call in references or not
- inform your potential clients about you, your company and your services
You know, having testimonials on your website or blog go a long way to getting chosen for new jobs. I’ve had many a client come to me saying it was the testimonials that converted them to trust me in the end.
People, this is POWERFUL!
How to approach your clients for a testimonial
So now you are convinced to finally go and ask for a testimonial, how do you do that? For starters, I don’t ask every client about a testimonial. I’m not even sure why I don’t do this either. I guess when I was new I was more concerned about those than I am now.
But thinking that I would stop to require them now would be stupid on my behalf too. I suppose to me it matters what connection I have with my clients. Even though I treat them all with respect, care and love (yes they do need our love) we don’t always click with each other.
Unless I feel that the person is connected with me on some level I won’t even bother them with my requests. Maybe that is wrong and you would be the judge of that but to be honest, I don’t really care since this works for me and serves its purpose, namely to…
… attract more clients.
Yes, I can unabashedly admit that the purpose of using client testimonials is our advertising platform, a further way to brand ourselves.
The simplest way to approach your clients is to just ask them for a testimonial via email. Make it short and sweet. Offer them a link back for taking the time to write a testimonial for you. It doesn’t have to be long at all.
I also always offer them to keep their name private if they so wish, but so far every single person has happily agreed for me to give them a link back for their time. Fair is fair. Oh, did I mention it is fair?
That’s it, short and sweet.
Monika
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Good points, Monika. I always ask for testimonials as soon as I’ve completed a job, and most of the time I get them. Sometimes, if a client sends an email that’s positive, I simply ask if I can quote that on my site. It’s been really useful in attracting new clients. My policy is that it never hurts to ask.
@ Sharon: thank you. You are certainly correct in what you said. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Funny enough your name was just dropped to me by a friend in an email conversation (don’t worry, it was all good)
I’ll have to get in touch with you now even more, since you just commented on my site. Must be karma.
I’ve been meaning to drop by for a while, having followed some of your comments over on MenwithPens. Glad to hear to conversation was positive.
Hi Monika!
Not completely relevant, but when I’ve run creativity workshops in the past, I’ve frequently asked for testimonials/feedback and put those on my website & CV. It all helps. Not only do I find them encouraging, but like you said, it shows you areas where you could improve.
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