Why You Get As Much As You Give When It Comes to Testimonials

Most of the time, we give testimonials because we believe in the person who has solicited our recommendation and because it’s a nice thing to do.  But if that’s not enough incentive to give a testimonial, then consider this benefit:  testimonials can also make you look good!

For example, let’s say that you’ve used a virtual assistant who asks for a testimonial for her website.  To give a good testimonials, you’ll have to describe the matter that she helped you with, and in doing so, you’re letting others know about your skills as well.  Consider this hypothetical testimonial:

I’m a solo practioner who stepped into a complicated appeal two weeks before deadline.  I needed a reliable paralegal to assemble the 2500 page record, insert cites into the brief and proof and cite check the product.  Further, I needed someone who could work independently so that I could focus on drafting the brief.  At the recommendation of a colleague, I called [VA].  She took over preparation of the Appendix entirely on her own.  However, she sent me daily emails so that I could stay abreast of her progress.  On deadline day, I emailed the brief to [VA] who took care of preparing the Table of Authorities, Table of Contents and filing.  [VA] was so efficient that the final product came in several hundred dollars below my estimate to the client – and ultimately resulted in a precedent setting decision.  The client has since retained me for another matter, and I will surely be calling [VA] to help out on this one as well!

The testimonial shows that the VA is efficient, cost-effective and reliable.  But it also highlights the attorney’s skills as well – skills that will come to light where, for example, a client runs a search for an appellate lawyer.

So the next time someone asks you for a testimonial, you should jump at the chance.  After all,  it’s not often that you have the opportunity to do something good for someone else, while doing well for yourself.

Related post on guerilla marketing techniques: Go Forth and Comment.