Success Notes » Strategies

Testimonials are better than Ice Cream

Judy Baker — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:24:06 +0000

I posted my new business portrait on this site and other locations on the web. I was so pleased with my portrait, the photo session and my relationship with the photographer, Erin Hayes, Erin Hayes Photography, that I posted a recommendation for her on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. I got lots of positive comments on the portrait, which translates into lots of eyeballs who viewed my recommendation of Erin.

I shared my testimonial with the members of my business group, Sonoma Success Partners. My friends, family, and business contacts, read or heard my testimonial for Erin. In a few minutes, I had shared my positive experience with hundreds of people I know and through them, with thousands more. The people who commented on my portrait and recommendations, multiplied my message exponentially.

The power of social media

sharing what you know
sharing what you like
sharing what makes you mad
sharing what inspires you

It was easy to do. It took me a few minutes to compose my message and a few more to post it. Then the magic of sharing took over.

Want an easy way to promote your business?

Leverage testimonials from your clients by asking for them on social networking sites.

Ask for written testimonials that specify a service or challenge you helped to resolve.

Ask your clients to record a video or audio testimonial for you. You can upload videos to YouTube, embed them on your web site or blog posts. You can embed or link to audio files.

Give and Receive Testimonials

I got busy giving and and requesting testimonials. LinkedIn lets you review recommendations before they are posted. It also prompts you to give a recommendation when you received one. Reciprocity at its best.

Get them in writing. Then you can pepper your web site with endorsements from happy clients. The credibility of paid advertising has dropped to an all time low of 14% believability versus our faith in word-0f-mouth comments. Real people, real words, real solutions, translate into rapport and trust.

In a previous post, I commented on what is known as “The Oprah Effect” or the “Tim Ferris Effect.” Getting connected to someone who is famous, has a committed and engaged following, can turn your visibility super-nova bright. I worked for a graphic designer who was also an avid golfer. He invented “Loud-Mouth Golf,” fun and funny golf attire and accessories for golfers with a sense of humor and style. His strategy for promotion, give the pants to famous golfers who then endorsed them. He leveraged his way into a larger circle of buyers and fans. I visited his web site today and there is now world-wide distribution of his products. Not bad for a grass roots company with marketing smarts. This strategy works because humans take on the style, habits, attire and behavior of our heros, and people we like. It shows we belong.

What’s your next step?

See where you have a strong presence already and look at how you can increase your visibility through recommendations and testimonials. Here are some sites you might want to add to your list of cyber addresses. Most are free to join. Building your google juice depends on who knows you. Testimonials and recommendations are a proven way to expand your circle of influence and your profits.

Sites That Make It Easy to Capture Testimonials and Reviews

Testimonials are better than ice cream. Especially when they are shared.

The 10 Most Addictive Sounds in the World | Fast Company

Judy Baker — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:22:01 +0000

The 10 Most Addictive Sounds in the World | Fast Company.

I was listening to the radio this morning and heard that the most addictive sound is that of a baby giggling. It is one of 10 sounds that trigger our brains.

Martin Lindstrom, the noted market researcher and author of two outstanding books on customer behavior: buyology and brand sense, posted this article to Fast Company. It is all about the sounds we know, love and remember.

For years, I have encouraged clients to record memorable voice messages. I get comments on my voice mail greetings. The sound of your voice is part of your brand. How do you sound to the ears of your prospects and clients?

Most of us have five senses, yet over 80% of all marketing communication is aimed at our sense of sight.

What opportunities do you have to use sound to attract and engage your audience?

I recommend starting with your “audio logo” also known as a elevator pitch. It is a sound bite. If it is done right, it catches the attention of your intended audience and triggers their interest to know more about how you can help them.

Sounds good to me.

Meetup Magic

Judy Baker — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:12:01 +0000

I attended the kickoff meeting of the North Bay Webify Your Business Meetup, www.northbaywebify.com. The group follows a format and tips published by Patrick Schwerdtfeger in his book, Webify Your Business, Internet Marketing Secrets for the Self-Employed (available at www.Amazon.com). You can also get these tips as individual e-course by signing up for them at www.WebifyBook.com (if you are patient).

Meetups are great for connecting with people who share your interests. There are thousands of meetups and you can find one or more that matches your passion and geographical location. Visit www.meetup.com to find a meetup that fits you.

My friend, Karen Clark took on the leadership role for this meetup. It is a complement to her new business, My Business Presence,

Karen has been using social medial to build her business. She recognized that her knowledge was something of value and wanted to share this with others. I leader my own meetup focusing on marketing conversations and brainstorming.

The Webify meetup is a form of mastermind group. Time to network, share, and declare your goals for the coming week. The beauty of this format is that we are coming together with a focus. The structure is to have a face to face discussion on one aspect of the web each week. We work on small steps to build a big web presence.

The act of setting a goal is only half of the equation for success. Follow through is the place where most people fail, they make plans but don’t take action. Engaging in conversations with accountability partners can make the difference. Making a commitment in front of others strengthens our resolve to get it done.

Small steps lead to big wins.

Good Marketing in Bad Times

Judy Baker — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:48:04 +0000

During tough economic times, fear can stimulate behavior, Some business owners react by cutting their marketing budgets and efforts, succumbing to negative events and thoughts. The ones who intend to be here next year are looking for ways to stretch their resources.

An article in the October 20, 2008 business section of the Press Democrat focused on ways to use the internet for marketing. The information is timely. It offers innovative and effective ways to position your business with time as the biggest investment of your resources and a minimal amount of dollars.

The best of the ideas from this article are:

Create an online community. Check out how to do this at Meetup.com – you can become the guru of your audience and invite others who share your interests to join you in discussions online or in person. I have used meetups to attract new clients.
Add a blog to your web site. Blogs improve your “findability” by search engines.
Subscribe to local search sites. They are portals where local buyers can find business. Make sure your information is up-to-date and that links back to you are working properly. Some of these services are free, some a fee based.
Add media, such as audio and video files. This is an opportunity for people to see and hear you and increases the interaction between you and visitors to your site.
Collect contact information from visitors to your site. Be sure to follow up with visitors. You might offer them a free article, newsletter or ezine that has information they can use. Be respectful and offer value to your visitors. This will let them get to know you.

You don’t have to use all of these strategies to make a difference in your visibility. Pick one and get going.

It is hard to be in fear when you are in action.