How to request your client to give a testimonial?

What if someone told you, that requesting a testimonial from your client was as simple as dropping an email to them, and just literally asking for it in a really nice way?  Well, it actually is, if you pick the right client!

When it comes to making a testimonial video, the real efforts don’t lie in the actual ask… it’s about presenting a good enough reason for your chosen client to come to you and openly share his thoughts, without the slightest of hesitation.  You want your client to respond willingly, not out of some professional courtesy!  You want them to treat your testimonial video as if it truly mattered to them as it does to you!  For this to happen, you need to draft a strong proposal to your client.

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The Proposal!

To create a good proposal, you need to think beyond your own benefits and think about how this video can do good for your client’s brand and your brand together.  You shared an experience together and now; you see a great future ahead!

So, don’t be shy about it. Just pour your heart out and say what you feel. Now is the time to relish that unique bond you have. You will be using the video to connect to the world and tell them about your achievements together, not just about your brand.

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But where to begin? How to start writing the proposal? 

Think as naturally as you can.  What comes to your mind first?  The experience you shared together, followed by the achievements you made and finally, helping each other’s brand succeed.  Your client thinks in the same way. You just need to refresh those memories, be articulate about your ideas and convince them that this video is bound to help them as much as it will help you, by following a simple and natural flow!

The Proposal Draft Flow!

1. The Experience! 

Start with writing about those times where you both trusted each other to help each other succeed in your own visions. Tell them what that experience meant to you, what it meant for your employees and how you both maintained a mutual respect for each other’s working styles and creative ideas. This will act as a pleasant surprise to your client, making them recall all those joyful moments! You relied on each other’s support and professional expertise time and again, and that lead you to creating something that was rewarding to both of you… A great professional relationship!

2. The Idea Behind The Video!

Now you have their attention! You’ve managed to put a smile on their faces. They are now thinking whether this proposal is an opportunity to extend the existing relationship. Yes, it is! And you need to tell them in the clearest manner possible!   The video you are about to make is an opportunity to connect to all kinds of people from their domain and your domain. It’s an opportunity to promote a brand, a relationship between brands and most importantly, a testimony about a success story created by those brands together. You need to convince them that this video is more of an initiative, to talk about how great understanding between brands or people can yield great results.  It’s not just about getting people to like your product, its also about letting your client create an exposure for themselves and their brand.

3. Respecting Their Time!

Even though this video has some benefits for them, they surely understand that the sole purpose of this video is to get you more sales, period.  And they may be okay with that, given the fact that you were so nice and polite about the whole experience you had with them. But it’s important not to press too much! You’ve just presented a big idea to them. And that is a lot to process for your client in one go. So, it’s best to end it here with some warm regards and not progress with further discussions about the questions you are planning to ask and the scheduling of shoots.   Leave them to it and thank them for taking the time out to read your correspondence! You can a add a line or 2 saying that you will get back to them regarding this, or maybe they can get back to you if they are ready to do this.

The Wait!

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Once you have sent your proposal, you will have to give your client some time to think about this, as they may not be comfortable in taking a decision right away because let’s face it, it’s a big commitment from their side! You will be asking them all sorts of questions and wanting them to just open up about their feelings. Think of it as a date! The more you persist, the worse are your chances of getting it! It takes time for someone to willingly respond to such things.   

Did they say Yes? 

Once they’ve said yes to your proposal, that means they are all ready to meet up and talk to you about their experience.  Call them up right away and speak to them personally to express your gratitude and show your appreciation for their efforts.  This is truly a great thing for the both of you. Your Testimonial video is about to come alive and is about to create another achievement milestone in the ongoing relationship with your client!

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**Pro Tip

To make things easier for your client and more effective for your testimonial video, prepare a rough outline for the interview/interaction and share it with your client, so that they know what to expect before they come in, and are comfortable with speaking about everything in detail, without any hesitation!