Client testimonials are such an important part of any business.

While this was touched on in my last post, one of my strongest beliefs for promoting my coaching practice is the utilization of client testimonials. They are not only listed on my website but can be easily found in the website's main navigation. The list is updated with recent clients. About once a quarter I make it a point to request a few more and ensure they are posted.

In addition to listing them on my website, my testimonials or recommendations are incorporated in my LinkedIn account. I seem to get recommendations freely there (it's easy for people to post them) and I also give many recommendations to others. In fact, I have a couple more that I've drafted and will post over the next week or so.

So what are you doing in your business?

• Are you asking for client testimonials?
• Are you making sure that this is part of your ongoing marketing efforts?
• Are you set up on LinkedIn to make it easy for others to say wonderful things about you?
• Are you getting permission from your clients to post their stories and results on your website?

This may be a small piece of advice that I give to my business coaching clients, but the power of testimonials can't be underestimated. If your customers or clients can't tell others that you provide a valuable product or service to them, then there's something wrong with the way you're conducting business and you may benefit from working with an experienced and reputable Business Coach. If you just haven't made asking for and utilizing testimonials a key part of your marketing efforts, then that can be relatively easily solved.

In either case, feel free to call me so that I can quickly help you achieve your business and marketing goals. My Fast Coach confidential office line is 804.288.0099.

~ Carroll King Schuller, Business & Life Coach for Fast Thinking Adults

P.S. When I check my Google Analytics account, my website's testimonial page is always the most visited.

Make your small business unforgettable.

How to Make Your Message Stick - AOL Small Business

Making your message unforgettable, whether starting a business or promoting your own personal brand, is so important. As Entrepreneur.com clarifies in this article, memorable marketing leads to sales. Evoking emotions, getting personal recommendations and testimonials, creating ah-hah moments and offering unforgettable value (or savings) can help your small business be memorable and stand out from the rest.

For me, a continual flow of testimonials that I add to my website is what brings me the most clients and helps me rather easily close referrals. Find out what works best for you to make YOUR message stick in the minds of your customers.

There's a great book by Chip Heath and Dan Heath entitled Made to Stick: Why some ideas survive and others die, which is along the same lines. A great read as an addition to the article above.