How to Get Testimonials When You’re Just Starting Out

There are several ways to make your business stand out from the crowd. One of those ways is through a collection of testimonials from previous clients. Testimonials provide an insight into your work ethic, your customer service skills, and the quality of your product. They also help new clients to get a feel for your business without risk.

However, gaining these testimonials can be intimidating because you’re essentially asking someone to brag about your skills, which is an uncomfortable request at the best of times and downright obnoxious at the worst of times. If you haven’t had any paying clients yet, finding those testimonials can be a real hassle.

Thankfully, I’m here to tell you that paying clients aren’t the only places you can find testimonials! Here are some other ways you can gain testimonials before paying clients.

Ask Your Immediate Circle

If you’ve ever used your expertise to benefit a friend or family member, ask them for a testimonial! It can be as simple as, “Hey, remember when I did X for you? Would you mind writing a testimonial about that for my business?”

More often than not, those in your inner circle will be happy to provide a testimonial, and you may even gain some paying clients out of it as well! Additionally, if you haven’t used your skills to benefit your immediate circle, ask them for testimonials on your character, work ethic, and attention to detail- that way, potential clients can see who you are as a person rather than a company.

Ask Previous Employers

Just because your business hasn’t had any clients doesn’t mean you’ve never worked for anyone. Check with previous employers or managers and ask them to write a small testimonial about your time working there, when you used your skills, and how they benefited from it. Just keep in mind that testimonials from a professional company may take a while to appear, but they’re worth the wait and can add some serious heft to your reputation.

Offer a Free Sample

One way to gain testimonials is to offer a free sample of your work. Pick a project you’re comfortable with and offer a free, two-hour trial in exchange for a testimonial. That way, interested clients can get a taste of your skills while you get a testimonial. You can use any of your services, as long as you remember to cap it at two hours- anything beyond that requires a contract. You can also offer free products and ask for testimonials after the client has used them. Either way, it gets you some much-needed exposure.

Prepare Your Own

No, I’m not saying you should make some up. That’s tacky and can do irreparable harm to your business. However, you can prepare testimonials based on experiences and have your family, friends, employers, and sample clients tweak it to their liking. That way, your testimonials are cohesive and reflect your business more professionally than a quick “Yeah, they’re great.”

If you do decide to go this route, there are a few things to consider. First, make sure you inform anyone involved. That way, they aren’t taken aback when a ready-made testimonial shows up in their inbox. Secondly, be careful not to make them exactly alike. A testimonial from your aunt will have a different tone than a testimonial from someone using a free sample. The best thing to do is to create a template with questions that can lead the testimonial in the direction you want it to go. These questions can include:

“How have my skills benefited your business?”

“How was my quality of work?”

“Was I professional and willing to compromise?”

“Was there anything I could do better?”

“Would you recommend my business to others?”

These questions can help your clients know what you’re looking for in a testimonial and will sound more authentic than if you wrote it out yourself.

Asking for testimonials is often a nerve-wracking task. It can feel like bragging, and there’s always the possibility of rejection, but they are essential if you want your business to get noticed. By using the tips above (and having a little courage), you’ll get those testimonials and be able to promote your business, which will land you your first paying client in no time!

Then, you can have every new client leave you a testimonial to help bulk up your reputation, gain exposure, and make your business thrive!