How To Get Convincing Coaching Testimonials
September 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: How To Get Convincing Coaching Testimonials
In order to convince prospective clients to pay you good money for your coaching services you’ll need to convince them that you can help them. Testimonials are perfect for this.
Why are they so important? It’s the power of the thirdperson perspective. In other words if you say you’re good at something great. But that’s what your prospect expects. If a real fleshandbones client says you are good however it actually means something. It’s also less biased and more authentic.
The point is that you can toot your own horn but it’s much louder if someone else toots it for you.
There are two challenges in getting good testimonials:
1 The act of actually getting them; and
2 Making sure the ones you get are juicy.
The first part of the challenge is to actually get them.
Simply put make the call.
Don’t send emails and hope people will get back to you. They often won’t. After all even the most wellintentioned clients have priorities greater than writing your testimonial. Instead get on the phone and ask if they have five minutes to talk right now.
At the beginning of the call tell them that you’d like to use their testimonial on your website; then say that you’ll write it as they speak and you’ll email it to them for their approval. Make sure to reiterate that you won’t use their testimonial without their permission.
Ask for constructive criticism first. This gives people a chance to air any grievances thus removing any hesitation that can prevent them from focusing on the really good things they have to say. Also as you know you can learn from their criticism to improve your skills.
Take notes as they talk. After the call shape their words into a readable testimonial and email it to them for approval.
What if you don’t have any clients?
If you are a new coach with no clients ask for testimonials from others you’ve coached during your training classes.
You can also take on probono or bartered clients to help you gain experience and testimonials.
You can also look at your previous careers. The chances are good that you’ve helped others with challenges that you can highlight.
The second part is to ensure that it’s juicy.
This happens with properly focused crystal clear questions and lots of good listening.
Your questions need to hone in on what you do from the client’s perspective including the before and after aspects of your coaching. Ask about the client’s challenges and situation before working with you and the results both immediate results and the associated feelings attached. This aspect of what you do is tangible; it’s the real value you provide.
Be clear.
Ask your clients to be specific. If you can in numbers measure their results. For example if weight loss is part of their intentions then obviously the amount lost is a clear specific figure.
Some questions to pose:
> What was the biggest challenge you faced before we started?
> What other challenges did you encounter?
> What did you like most about the work we did together? About my coaching style in general?
> What concrete improvements have you noticed?
> What else has improved?
Of course the answers that spark the “aha!“ feeling are useful to highlight in the testimonials.
For example: Productivity coach helping client with lack of focus.
“Before I began working with Coach Janet I had a hard time focusing on the truly important work. I would spend at least 2 hours on email organizing and browsing the Web. By the end of the day I’d feel terrible about what little I’d actually accomplished. So I’d eat an entire bag of MMs to feel better.
Janet coached me for the last two months. I especially like her ability to help me identify the important stay focused and feel empowered.
Now I’m eager to get the day started. I easily get into a productive groove and quickly focus on the truly important. I’m able to end my work day two hours earlier. I don’t crave MMs and I feel like a million bucks knowing I did the important. I can spend time helping my kids with homework and actually go out and see a movie now and then! It’s an amazing feeling and I’ve got Coach Janet to thank.
Jane Johnson
SelfEmployed Mom
Can you see how the content is focused on the before and after? Can you see the specific measurements? The feelings involved? Can you see what’s unique to this person that makes it real?
In conclusion remember to take control of the testimonial securing process make the call. And when you’re on the phone be sure to hone in on the before and after measurable specifics and feelings. Your juicy tangible real testimonials will motivate your prospective clients to call you for coaching.
About the writer: Kenn Schroder helps coaches who are struggling to attract clients. He provides web design web marketing and search engine optimization to help you build a clientattracting coaching website. Get your FREE report and FREE newsletter to help you build a practice full of clients. www.CoachingSitesThatWork.com
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