Get Life Coaching Client Testimonials That Rock...
Knowing how to get life coaching client testimonials easily from your delighted clients will transform the way your prospective clients view your credibility.
It's not what you way about yourself that often matters, it's what other people (in this case your clients) say about your coaching that may convince prospective clients that you are the coach for them.
Prospective clients will see your life coaching client testimonials as proof that you do actually get results and are not all spin.
So read on for help on how to get testimonials and use them effectively in your marketing.
Four Easy, Elegant Ways To Get Life Coaching Testimonials
There are a couple of things that may get in the way of your getting testimonials from your clients:
- You may be reluctant and even a little embarrassed to ask for one.
- The client may find it difficult to put the benefits into words, even if they are delighted.
Ways to gather your life coach client testimonials easily
- If you have an intake questionnaire for new clients you could ask something like, “At the end of our coaching session/series, if you are happy with the outcome would you be willing to give me a testimonial describing the benefits you received?”
- As a completion for each session ask the client what they got from that particular session. Keep notes, especially anything they say that compliments your coaching skills.
- At the end of a cycle of sessions, you could use a series of coaching evaluation questions to get quality feedback from your client. Use this list to ask the client about how they experienced your coaching and what they have achieved. You can send out the questions but I have had much better results from asking them personally and informally at the final session.
- If the client who is willing to give a testimonial seems stuck on what to say, ask if they would like you to put something together from your notes. Then use complimentary remarks to create the testimonial.
Video: Testimonials Are About The Client's Journey
I am a great fan of expert marketer Cindy Schulson's work. This short video introduces a little about the value of testimonials to your successful life coaching marketing strategy and makes a special offer to attend her free webinar and free coaching testimonial template to help you collect and use these invaluable marketing gem from your clients.
It looks like you are using a mobile and so you may not be able to see the in-video linking. You can also join Cindy's webinar "3 Steps to Create an Authentic Message" and take advantage of her free coaching testimonial template, by clicking here.
Watch the full interview with Cindy as she talks with Wendy Buckingham. They cover niche marketing, branding and getting your marketing message right. The interview also makes available other free templates to build your life coaching business.
Guidelines For Using Testimonials On Your Website
Having a page of testimonials on your website or relevantly scattering among your content is a great way to back up your coaching services offered to prospective clients.
However one thing I would advise against is letting your website person talk you into having them as a moving graphic in the header of your site, whether video or text, that changes after a just a couple of seconds.
Personally I find it most annoying if I am trying to read a testimonial and the screen moves on to the next one before I have time to even take in the first couple of sentences. Either keep them short enough to be read in a second or two or pause long enough to at least get the full essence of the testimonial.
Write the life coaching client testimonial for them but ask for their approval
After they have agreed you can put something together from your notes, send what you have written to the client saying how much you have enjoyed working with them and “This is what I have put together from my notes on our sessions. Do feel free to correct or edit it in any way”. Rarely have I found the client makes any alterations. They are just pleased to have you do it for them.
Ask permission to include their name and profession
The client may have a business website and, with permission, that should be included. If the client is an employee or executive coach a company name is wonderful but the client may balk at that for privacy reasons.
At least get some initials and a location to identify the source of the testimonial. A testimonial without any identification at all useless and has no credibility (it can even look as if you have written it yourself).
What to do with a very long life coaching client testimonial
Yes, I've had some of these and they are wonderful. Pick a sentence or two of the most relevant bits and then have a link “to read this full testimonial” on your website or say “the full testimonial is available on request”.
What to do if a prospect wants to contact a past client
Make sure you get permission from that client. Even though the past client has provided a testimonial, it is not OK to pass on their contact details to the prospective client without permission and preferably a little information about who is likely to contact them.
Why Quid Pro Quo Testimonials Do Not Rock
I have noticed a trend among some new coaches to offer free coaching, either a single session or a series, in exchange for a testimonial. Even to offer to play swapsies on this basis with other new coaches. It's called quid pro quo which literally translated means something given in exchange for something else.
This is NOT the way to get a testimonial and in my view is actually out of integrity in a profession that is about integrity. Someone who is offered a session for free with this condition is not going to give a completely honest or negative review. Much better to wait until they show their appreciation for your good work and then ask.
Many of my tips on getting testimonials come from my own experiences over 20 years coaching.
Click to subscribe to my monthly Coaching Accelerators for more tried and true coaching hints.
4 Tips For Creating Quality Life Coaching Testimonials Using Video
Video testimonials are comparatively new but, believe me, properly done, they can be very powerful. Here are four vital things to be aware of if you go down video testimonial path.
- Keep it short – around a minute is plenty – and the words from your client should be energetic and to the point. The best way to do this is to ask questions and then be prepared to do some editing so it all flows together.
- Make sure the sound is clear. Your client's voice shouldn't sound as if it had been recorded in the bathroom. Also check out general background noise.
- Keep the background simple and uncluttered. Watch out for things like plants looking as if they are growing out of your subjects head.
- Check that lighting is flattering. No shadows on your client's face and no reflections from glasses.
Some Coaching Testimonials Examples
As you can see, mastering how to get life coaching client testimonials needn't be a drama.
Here
are a few examples from my files and a short description on the process of getting them. Read each one and you will get the picture on how you can help your clients to help you.
Example 1
This was a spontaneous testimonial in answer to a question on the coaching evaluation form. I could have shortened it easily if necessary.
Coaching with Wendy has been one of the most powerful experiences
of my life. It is not often, in fact sometimes ever, that you can sit
down and get completely present with yourself, and have someone be there
to LISTEN to everything your thinking and feeling. And then in addition
to just listening, help to equip you with the tools that you need to
deal with the challenges life throws your way and work out what you
really want and need from a situation. Wendy coached me through two of
the biggest decisions I have made in my life so far, and it was because
of her guidance and support that I felt I had the confidence to make
these decisions. I am now living a bold life that I love and will
continue to use what I have learned from my coaching for years to come.
Kyla Raby, Team Leader, World Youth International
Example 2
I wrote this one for the client to who was willing but needed hep in writing a
testimonial. He then edited minimally. As I said, don’t be shy, be
willing to own how well you have coached.
When I started working with Wendy my life was pretty out of
control both personally and financially. I was in overwhelm! With
Wendy’s help and support I cleaned up my act and set some specific
goals. As a result I am now managing my finances more effectively, feel
in control of my work and home environment and even my dating
techniques have improved. Coaching with Wendy has definitely been a
worthwhile investment.
Alex Smith, Actuary
Example 3
This one was extracted from a longer testimonial letter:
Originally I approached Wendy for help with goal setting. As I worked
with her and got to know her strengths better, Wendy's role broadened to
one of a business coach and mentor, a role she fills very well. I have
found Wendy professional, perceptive, practical and a real asset to my
business direction. Catherine Saxelby Consultant Nutritionist and Food Writer.
So you see even if your clients are not that articulate in
expressing their appreciation for your coaching, there are lots of ways to
help them along.
I hope this has helped you learn how to get testimonials. And finally let me tell you again - credible testimonials are the most powerful, fabulous and free marketing tool.