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Congratulations on making the decision to get testimonials. So many people try to sell goods or services (particularly online) without any at all. This is a huge mistake and means they’re probably losing out on many sales. But you already know that, which is why you’re reading this article.

Here are the top 7 techniques to getting some:

1) Ask – there really is no harm in simply asking for a testimonial. If you never ask, you may never get one. You may believe that testimonials should always be unsolicited, but the reality is that 90% of testimonials have been solicited in some way. If you don’t like the idea of asking, then why not request some feedback?

2) Give away some free review copies. When you have a new product that no-one has bought or used before, this can be a great way to get testimonials. Strictly speaking this would give you a review, rather than a testimonial as testimonials usually come from paying customers but to start with you have little choice. You shouldn’t then use the word ‘testimonial’ in your marketingjust say “here’s what people are saying about”

3) Just make it part of the agreement. If you make it clear that you need feedback from all your customers, once they buy, then you don’t even need to ask. If it’s a great product they will be more than willing to provide positive feedback. You should tell them why you want their comments of course and then there will be no misunderstandings.

4) Offer a bonus. Let’s make something perfectly clear right hereyou should never bribe anyone for their testimonial. It’s just not ethical and could get you into a lot of trouble. There are certain lines that you should never cross is this is one of them. Offering a complimentary bonus for anyone who completes a ‘feedback’ form can be extremely effective, however and won’t get you into any trouble.

5) Ask for beta testers. How come a just launched, brand new product still has testimonials? The answer of course is the product owner will have contacted his existing customers to beta test the latest one. If he already has a relationship with these clients, it’s easier to get their feedback. They get something brand new to try at zero cost in return he gets some great testimonials.

6) Try a pay-per-click ad. If you have no clients to beta test your latest product try a small targeted pay-per-click advertising campaign. It’s simple to offer a complimentary copy of your new product in return for their feedback. Word the advert carefully to avoid the timewasters and for perhaps just 5 cents a click, you get some great new web traffic who will be delighted to take you up on your kind offer.

7) Hold a competition. My favorite method for getting great testimonials and one I have seen used by many other successful marketers – hold a competition. If you had a weight-loss product and held a regular competition, every month or year for the customer who lost the most weight, do you think you’d get some great testimonials? Every month you’re going to get fantastic results and people just love to include photos of what they used to look like and the much slimmer version!

Now you know how to get testimonials there should be nothing stopping you. Add them to your site and see your online sales improve.

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