Thread: Collecting Testimonials for Your Site

Once in awhile I see a dancer-website with tons of rave reviews from satisfied clients, and feel a twinge of jealousy! I need more blurbs for my website.

How do you guys collect "sound bytes" from your clients? I've always felt a little bit tacky coming right out and soliciting positive feedback, though I've done it in the past. Is there a better system?

How about sending a very short customer satisfaction survey with a thank-you e-mail after the gig? Just a couple of multiple choice questions plus a place to add a comment (and an opt-in for permission to post it on your site).

Not a bad idea and something I've actually thought about doing. Thanks for the reminder! ..g.:

Repeat customers will give you the highest-quality and most convincing reviews, so concentrate on them! If they call you back, they know why they liked you! And don't be in a hurry... we have a nice collection now after FIVE YEARS of soliciting them.
PS Soliciting repeat customers feels a 'lot less tacky' , so that helps :)

Just ask for them.

But please make sure you don't use 200 of them, including those from Uncle Bob's cousin, Joe Schmoe. Purpose of testimonials (if you feel the need to use them at all) is to build credibility. If the people giving testimonials have no credentials of their own (ask yourself who are you trying to convince?), it just looks like a desperate and self-serving act.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Just ask for them.

But please make sure you don't use 200 of them, including those from Uncle Bob's cousin, Joe Schmoe. Purpose of testimonials (if you feel the need to use them at all) is to build credibility. If the people giving testimonials have no credentials of their own (ask yourself who are you trying to convince?), it just looks like a desperate and self-serving act.

Yes. Totally agreed!

If I get a juicy testimonial (read: sincere, compelling, descriptive), I will use it. Testimonials can be a great way to build trust and defray the appearance of tooting one's own horn - if done correctly. But I always kind of hate to go on dancer-sites and see testimonials like "You looked great out there! Nice job! - Uncle Jim".

This wouldn't necessarily help a performer to gain testimonials, but it might be something for a teacher to consider.

At our studio we had a testimonial contest and gave away free private lessons to the best ones. I think we gave 3 private lessons out. We had the forms & pens ready at the front desk and it helped us get a lot of good stuff. Tacky? Maybe. Fun? Definitely.

OMG, for the longest time when DaVid first came over to the states, he got (in all sincerety) the "Your'e so cute" comment again and again, the comment was offered by some very well know and again sincere in their complement dancers. We posted them on the website kinda tounge in cheek. I think really all you need if want to use something is phrase or a few words that you feel were sincerley spoken. Most people dont mind and are even flattered if you ask "May I quote you on that?" and you can then use it on your site. If its not from a well know dancer, use a tag something like , "Patron ME dance scene" or A.Jones, at San Francisco party.

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

At our studio we had a testimonial contest and gave away free private lessons to the best ones. I think we gave 3 private lessons out.

I dunno, maybe a bit too much like astroturfing. Well, at least you had a good time!

Originally Posted by maurazebra

I dunno, maybe a bit too much like astroturfing. Well, at least you had a good time!

I think it just depends how how you approach it. We were in our annual sales contest (which is an international Arthur Murray contest), so there were all sorts of fun promotional things going on. Bonus classes, point systems, extra parties, etc.

Some clients will send a thank you after their event- and often it has great little quotes in it- I ask them for permission.
Sometimes I will send a thank you to a client- for hiring me. In their response is often wonderful reviews to use. Again, for which I ask permission to post.
I think the most sincere responses are the best to include. You don't necessarily have to ask for a testimonial- just send a thank you and the ones who really have something to gleefully shout about will do so. :)

When I get nice comments I file them, but only use a handful - if I use them I ask permission for sure. I don't actually solicit any for my dancing though, just use what comes naturally. For my music, it's a different story - I'll definitely 'ho' myself out