Testimonials are a popular marketing tool used by both small and large firms to promote their product or service to prospective customers or existing clients.
While testimonials may be less important for existing customers that have already developed a certain loyalty to your firm, for new customers, testimonials are the closest thing to a personal recommendation.
Twitter is a micro-blogging platform where users update their states or share new information in 140 characters or less. More and more businesses are devising create ways to use the twitter platform to market and promote their business and testimonials are a prime example.
Because of the limited space in which to write, testimonials must be brief and to the point. Below we outline a simple three-step process for how to use Twitter for testimonials:
Step 1: Understand your brand
Decide how you want your product or service to be perceived in the minds of your target audience. Be precise and stick with one message. If you wish to be known for excellent customer service, the testimonial should focus on that aspect of your business.
The testimonial should not mention that your firm excels in customer service and is affordable and is open 7 days. Most customers only pay attention to one message so make sure that the testimonial contains the most important to your firm. For example,
Testimonial #1 (Fast Service): I had a tough deadline to meet for a presentation. The staff of ABC Graphic Design was highly professional and worked with me through several mock-ups until I was satisfied with the final rendering. Had it delivered in 48 hours!
Testimonial #2 (Customer Service): When the manager of XYZ restaurant found out it was my birthday, he ordered a round of drinks for my table and had the waiter brings us a tray of desserts also on the house! We are now holding all family celebrations here!
Step 2: Use credible sources
Sure, your parents or uncles or best friend will say wonderful things about your business, but what you want are testimonials that will ring authentic to prospective customers. Obtaining testimonials from past customers, colleagues and recognized business professionals will increase respect for your brand.
For example, if you own a sporting goods store focused on running, a testimonial from a well-known runner or member of a well-known runner’s association will be very helpful. S/he may only be known to a select group of people who are interested in this sport but those people will take his testimonial very seriously.
Step 3: Post to your WordPress blog.
“Tweet-stimonials” is a plugin that posts tweets about your small business to your WordPress blog. Here are some simple steps to setting up a tweet-stimonial:
- Log on to Twitter and pick your favorite testimonial tweets that you want to post to your WordPress blog. If you are using Twitter on a regular basis, chances are that you have several tweets that provide favorable feedback on your business. Simply ask these people whether you may post their comment as a testimonial on your blog.
- Download the plugin from Tweet-stimonials site and follows the directions to install on your WordPress blog
- Configure the widget work with your blog. As per Chris W. Kilber, entrepreneur and SEO Content Syndication expert, the plugin allows users to configure the number of Tweet-stimonials that will appear on your blog and also whether you want a “follow-me” link on your blog that will take users to your Twitter account. Because of the ease with which you may configure this plugin, it can serve multiple purposes, such as “What’s New” tweets; or “Special Offers”—really almost any category you want.
- View the testimonials on your blog
There is almost no better marketing vehicle than word-of-mouth recommendations from trusted sources. Twitter testimonials provide just such an opportunity and the bonus is that they travel at light speed across the Internet to be read by a global audience!
Daniela Baker is a small business blogger at CreditDonkey, where she helps small business owners and entrepreneurs compare business credit card deals to jumpstart their social media advertising campaign.
