Our 60-second info-mercials are a quick reminder that we use to jog each member’s memory about us and our products or services every other week.

Here’s another way we can help each other recommend us more confidently: offer “social proof” about you in the form of client testimonials. A properly worded and formatted testimonial is a great way you can say: “Here’s what others think about me and my business.”

A good testimonial must have the person’s real name as a minimum, because those “B.M. from Oakville” really don’t cut it anymore in today’s cynical world. If it’s from a client, ask them if you can also include their business name as well – this will also work for them as a small advertisement.

How to collect testimonials:

1. handwritten/typed letters or cards
2. voice mail or recorded audio testimonials
3. emails of praise you receive – ask the sender for their permission to use as a testimonial
4. some online networking sites have a “Recommend” feature, such as these on Linkedin, if you’re a member, ask your contacts and clients to endorse you.
5. regardless of the original form of the testimonial, you can post in to your blog site, or web site

Once you have testimonials organized on your web site or blog, give us the link to them so we can include it when communicating with someone who we think might be a good referral for you. For example, to recommend Boris, the Email Marketing guy, you can send an email with a link to all of Boris’ testimonials or just the one , like this recent one.

If you have any ideas, please enter them as comments to this article!