Interesting fact – every single testimonial on this website was volunteered by our clients. We do not seek out testimonials. Read on to find out why.
If you read a lot about marketing on the Internet, you will know how important it is to be seen as credible to website visitors. This is important to us, too; when you visit our website, we want you to feel assured that we are credible.
- That we know what we are doing.
- That we are honest.
- That we follow through with our commitments.
There are many ways to do this. Testimonials are one way, but there are others. Here are a few that we have used on this website.
We feature a “Get my free quote” button on the contact form, so that people know they are under no obligation just by contacting us.
We include “As seen in” logos at the bottom of all pages, to show that the media takes us seriously.
Why we value testimonials so highly
And we include testimonials. Dozens of them! In fact, we are a bit more enthusiastic about testimonials than most websites are. You will see a couple highlights at the bottom of all our pages, followed by a link to our testimonials page. We also include relevant testimonials on our business pages, such as our book writers page. 
Testimonials are recommendations from users – from people who have actually used our services. They are critical for credibility.
But why do we not seek out testimonials? Or, why don’t we do like so many businesses do – just make them up?
Oh, yes – that is exactly why. Because so many businesses make up their testimonials.
In fact, we have been asked on a number of occasions to write fake testimonials for businesses, and there is a thriving marketplace for writing fake reviews and testimonials for businesses. We don’t take that kind of business, by the way, just as we don’t write essays for students who should be doing their own homework. 
Can you trust reviews you read online? No.
Can you trust our testimonials? You bet!
And that is why we never ask for testimonials – so that we can truthfully say that the words you read on our website are the spontaneous comments of our clients, spoken from the heart without being prompted.
It’s a little thing, but it reflects our integrity in an area where far too many enterprises are willing to let theirs slip.
About David Leonhardt
Nice tips on Testimonials David! … I really agree that the best testimonials are from the people who really wants to let everyone know how great your product or service is.
The people are the ones who make a company successful. And pretty much anything. When you create something people love, and then you let them speak up and talk from experience, thats when a great testimonial is born!
Buying reviews and testimonials is a bit shady to do and of course it would not be an ethical thing to do online. I’m glad this type of information is out here to teach people online. Great topic!
Nice blog by the way!
I wish you the best!
Cheers! 😀
Hi David, I am a first time visitor to your site coming from Kingged.
Interesting perspective! Our goal is to creating raging fans!!! When tell our prospects are transitioning to new clients this, and we tell them when we have done a great job for them we would like a testimonial.
That works great and we get them many times without asking. However, some of our clients are really busy and that want to endorse us but they forget. So, we will ask for a LinkedIn recommendation and an email testimony. But, only if they are happy. Otherwise, we have more work to do to ensure they are happy.
I’m not personally opposed to asking, but I do appreciate and understand why you choose to do get them the way you do.
I look forward to more of your content.
Sincerely,
Don Purdum
I’m with you 100% on this, David… except that I am personally opposed to asking. Because I fear, then, it becomes an imposition.
David, what a great write-up.
And I’m totally with you re: the lack of integrity in making up testimonials.
I’ve gotten some unsolicited endorsements, but much of the time, people don’t think about
saying what they like as much as what they don’t like.
It’s music to our ears when someone volunteers their positive feedback.
It’s also music to our ears when a client volunteers what they’re unhappy about so that we can make it right and make them part of our lifetime!
All the best to you,
Paula
I really like that point of view David! It’s more natural and means so much more when people volunteer to give a testimonial. Awesome read!
Great!
Testimonials are powerful, especially when wooing your audience. Testimonials are proof that your business is indeed working well, and people like it. And as what you’ve said, it is important for your credibility.
If your readers voluntarily gave testimonials for your business, website or product, then it just means that you’re working great.
I agree with what your perspective is when it comes to testimonials. You didn’t ask for testimonials because you want it to be truthful. You want to receive honest testimonials coming from your audience naturally.
Good post indeed, David! 🙂
-Pauleen
P.S. I’ve found this blog post shared on Kingged.com and leave the same comment there.
You stated some good points in this article. Sometimes when you read a testimonial you cannot tell if it is genuine or someone that has been paid to do so. Some testimonials I take with a grain of salt.