Not too long ago we talked about how to effectively display testimonials in WordPress. As I said before, it’s one thing for you to say you’re good at what you do and another thing when others say you’re good at what you do.
Collect a bushel (or even a couple) of good reviews from satisfied clients and you’re well on your way to building some testimonials that can make very powerful statements to potential clients. – Jay Thompson, The Phoenix Real Estate Guy
I agree with Jay 100%.
A well written testimonial goes a long way in converting “fence sitters” into buyers. That said, you should be doing your best to hi-light some of your best testimonials whether on a post or page of your site. In this following example, Jay Thompson even went so far as to create a website dedicated towards hi-lighting his Agent’s testimonials: reviewouragents.com
The idea is simple:
- Link to places clients have left reviews on (Yelp, Zillow, etc.)
- Showcase what some of their best clients are saying about Thompson’s Realty agents
- Make it easy for other people to submit reviews (there’s a dedicated page where you can submit your own review)
Personally, I think it’s a great idea. Not only are you making it easy for people to provide a review for you, but you’re hi-lighting some of your best work in the process.
What are you doing to showcase your work? Do you have a testimonials page? If not, does this give you some ideas of how to maybe create one?
what a great idea, I was just thinking of doing collecting testimonials, and now you’ve highlighted a best practice. Thank you so much!
Hi Janie,
I think it’s important and effective. I really love how Jay created a space for others to willingly submit reviews through that site. The easier you make it, the better. And he’s hi-lighting some of his (and his Agent’s) best work in the process.
Thanks for the comment and glad it inspired!
In addition to offering a link for clients to leave testimonials, agents should also get in the habit of asking clients for a short video testimonial – video helps to establish those emotional connections which are sometimes lost in the written word. I work with a lot of agents and always tell them to use those smart phones and grab a short video (a minute or 2) after closing, at the property when they are taking down signs, etc. Just be sure to drop your clients a courtesy email before taking the video so they have a bit of time to think about what they’ll say – then upload them to a custom YouTube Channel and use them on WP, in email marketing, etc.
Hi Valerie,
I agree with you 1,000%! Videos are very effective. Here’s one page that I like from real estate agent Cyndee Haydon: http://www.sandbarstosunsets.com/clients
She does a phenomenal job of collecting video testimonials from past clients. And these days, you don’t even need a video camera to record… You can shoot straight from your Blackberry or iPhone (thanks for making that point).