Your Testimonials Aren’t Working

Why Your Testimonials Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them)
Client testimonials are gold. They build trust, establish credibility, and when done right become your most powerful marketing tool. But let’s be real for a second: most entrepreneurs are doing testimonials all wrong.
A vague “She was amazing to work with!” isn’t moving the needle. If your testimonials aren’t helping you attract clients or grow your business, it’s time to change the game.
Here’s how to collect, use, and maximize testimonials so they work as hard as you do (without the grind).
The Problem with Most Testimonials
Too many testimonials are:
Generic: “Loved working with her!” Okay, but why?
Missing specifics: What did the client achieve? How did you help them?
Hidden: Buried on a website page no one visits.
A bland testimonial is a missed opportunity. If your testimonials aren’t telling a story, they’re not doing their job.
Step 1: How to Collect Testimonials That Sell
Great testimonials don’t happen by accident. You have to guide your clients to give you the good stuff.
Ask the Right Questions: When requesting testimonials, include prompts like:
What specific challenge were you facing before working with me?
What made you choose my service/product?
What results did you achieve, and how did it impact your business or life?
What would you say to someone considering working with me?
Ask for testimonials right after delivering results. That’s when clients are most excited and specific about their experience.
Step 2: What to Do If You Don’t Have Many Testimonials Yet
If you’re just starting out or don’t have a lot of testimonials, don’t panic. Here’s how to build credibility even without a long client list:
Offer a Beta Experience: Provide your service at a discounted rate or for free in exchange for detailed feedback and testimonials. Make it clear this is a one-time offer to help build your portfolio.
Leverage Social Proof: Use positive comments from emails, DMs, or casual conversations as mini-testimonials. Screenshot a kind word and share it on your platforms.
Create Case Studies: Highlight your own journey or the results you’ve achieved for yourself as a way to showcase your expertise. People love seeing proof of concept.
Ask for Reviews Early: If someone mentions how much they loved working with you in passing, politely ask them to put it in writing as a testimonial.
Use Testimonials from Other Work: If you’ve done similar work in a different context or role, use those as placeholders while building your current client base.
Step 3: Make Testimonials Work for You
Once you have great testimonials, don’t just slap them on a “Reviews” page and call it a day. Here’s how to leverage them:
Turn Them Into Stories
People connect with stories, not just stats. Frame your testimonials as success stories: “Meet [Client Name], who [achieved specific result] by working with us.”
Use Them Everywhere
Website: Feature testimonials on your homepage, sales pages, and about page.
Social Media: Share them in posts, reels, or stories. A screenshot of a glowing DM can be as powerful as a polished quote.
Email Campaigns: Include testimonials in your sales sequences to build trust.
Show, Don’t Just Tell
Pair testimonials with visuals like before-and-after photos, screenshots, or videos. Seeing is believing.
Example: Instead of just saying, “I helped Sarah grow her business,” show a screenshot of Sarah’s email where she hit her first $10K month.
Step 4: Use Testimonials to Build Credibility
Testimonials aren’t just about making you look good—they’re about helping potential clients see themselves in the success of others.
Here’s How:
Highlight Specific Results: The more detailed the testimonial, the more credible it feels. “She helped me grow my Instagram following by 40% in three months” hits harder than “She’s great at social media.”
Show Diversity: Feature testimonials from clients with different backgrounds, industries, or goals to appeal to a broader audience.
Emphasize Transformation: Focus on the “before and after” story. What was the client struggling with, and how did you help them overcome it?
Step 5: How Testimonials Fuel Growth
You don’t have to sell yourself. Let your testimonials do it for you.
Testimonials Help You:
Attract Aligned Clients: The right testimonials speak directly to your ideal audience, making them feel like, “She gets me.”
Shorten the Sales Cycle: A powerful testimonial can address objections and hesitations, so your leads are already sold before the discovery call.
Increase Conversion Rates: Whether it’s a sales page or an Instagram DM, testimonials build trust, making it easier for people to say yes.
The Madeherselfaboss Way: Keep It Real
Fake, overly polished testimonials scream inauthenticity. Keep it real by:
Sharing both wins and challenges. A client saying, “The process wasn’t easy, but it was worth it” feels relatable and honest.
Using their words. Don’t rewrite testimonials to make them sound perfect. Authenticity builds trust.
Your Client’s Voice Is Your Secret Weapon
When you learn to collect and use testimonials effectively, they become more than nice words they become a growth tool. So, boss, it’s time to stop playing small with vague praise and start leveraging testimonials that showcase your impact.
Action Step: Reach out to 3 past clients today and ask for a testimonial using the prompts we shared. Then, put those testimonials to work.
Head to GrowthWithoutGrind.com for more tools to grow your business with ease and authenticity.