Last week, our Biz Tip suggested if people trust you they will probably do business with you. This week, let’s spend some time talking about the power of a testimonial.
There are many studies that show consumers place significant trust in testimonials. Some studies report that 92 percent of consumers trust a recommendation from someone they know. Just because someone is recommended does not mean they will do a good job. Let’s look at two examples.
I had lunch with a business consultant friend of mine. He mentioned one of his clients owned a bathroom remodeling company. He was impressed with their commitment to delivering quality service, at virtually any cost. He shared several examples which clearly illustrated this commitment.
During the next six months, a few friends needed recommendations for their bathroom remodel projects. I highly recommended the company my friend told me about. The feedback I received after the service was performed has been fantastic. I will continue to recommend this company to everyone I know.
When you have a sense of trust about a company, feel free to recommend them. Sometimes people make a recommendation just because they know someone. Unfortunately, these cases do not always end well.
Imagine a friend of yours needs a residential cleaning company. You recommend a company you recently met at a networking mixer. Three weeks later, your friend tells you the cleaning company stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. It turns out the company is not licensed, bonded or insured. Your friend is obviously upset and has no recourse. You probably regret making the recommendation.
When you make a recommendation, your reputation is on the line. Protect your reputation and only make recommendations to people you trust. It is better to make no recommendation at all, than to make a bad one. Testimonials are very powerful and they can be either good or bad.
