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Boost Credibility & Sales with Social Testimonials

Testimonials and reviews from clients and customers have been effectively used in marketing since the beginning of time. They are the most basic form of “word of mouth” marketing that a business can use to build credibility and trust from prospects. Testimonials have proven to be one of the easiest, low cost and most effective ways for a business to boost credibility and trust with prospects.

One of the most innovative ways is using customer- generated content, especially the use of customer testimonials and stories to drive consumer behavior and increase revenue. Testimonials are powerful marketing tools. While Amazon.com has long been the gold standard of driving consumer behavior through testimonials and user recommendations, the authenticity of such online recommendations have come into question.

Online consumers don’t want to be sold to and have become increasingly cynical about the authenticity of the type of user-generated testimonial that we see being demonstrated on Amazon.com and other e-commerce sites. Consumers don’t know f a good review is truly a reflection of a good product or simply a falsified comment meant to boost sales. For this reason, the traditional testimonial or recommendation is harder to trust.

Social media testimonials, i.e. someone posting a positive review about a brand or product as a random tweet or status update, on the other hand, are harder to fake because they are backed-up by a real person’s social profile and history. The social media testimonial is much more credible and may actually help search results for a brand and promote a company’s biggest brand ambassadors.

Collecting, curating and promoting positive social testimonials like these can significantly boost a company’s reputation and increase revenues. Social media testimonials are more credible, authentic and allow companies to cultivate better relationships by promoting their best brand ambassadors. The challenge for companies will be determining the best ways to sort and leverage these positive social reviews.

Here are 3 ways you can boost credibility and sales by leveraging online customer testimonials:

Use the social testimonials you already have. Source and collect positive reviews and testimonials posted by your clients or customers on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Linked, Pinterest, etc. For example, you can use Twitter’s “favorite button” to star and instantly save any tweet that mentions your brand in a positive review. Then re-tweet the testimonials to your followers. It’s instant social proof that boosts credibility and ultimately, can boost your sales.
Get more social testimonials. Gather more social testimonials by Linked In’s recommendation tool or just post an update or tweet asking your fans or customers for instant feedback on one of your products or services. Filter out the not-so-desirable reviews and re-post the great ones!
Display most effective testimonials. Take the best social testimonials and display them on your website, blog, sales page, email newsletter or simply re-tweet or share them with your fans and followers.

How to Handle Debt As You Grow Your Business

As debt is something that I have struggled with justifying in by business, as have many of my clients, I wanted to share this great article from entrepreneur extraordinaire Ali Brown.

This article helped me re-frame my negative feelings about my debt and stop feeling so guilty. Debt is simply a tool to get you to where you want to be in business. The only shame is in acquiring debt without a plan to implement marketing strategies, grow your business and pay off your debt. Enjoy!

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One of the most daunting four-letter words for entrepreneurs—particularly women entrepreneurs—is the word D-E-B-T.

Most of us have had debt, or are in it right now and desperately trying to get out of it. We want to grow our businesses, but we cower under “tough love” financial advice from advisors like Suze Orman.

I love Suze’s advice on investing, and I’ve had the pleasure of speaking on stage with her. But she got my goat when she recommended that aspiring entrepreneurs should build impeccable credit first, and save TWELVE months of operating expenses… BEFORE starting a business at all!

I surely didn’t wait to have all my ducks in a row before I started my business…

When I started my first little venture back in New York City in 1999, I was not only broke but in TONS of debt. My last job paid, but I realized it was a fixed income and I had no possibility of making more money until I went off on my own. I had no cash and no Plan B and my credit stunk. There surely was a bumpy period, and I was living day to day, but for me I knew I had to do this with my back against the wall. No other way out. Otherwise I’d still be right where I was!

And I’d still be right where I was if I focused all on my debt and saving.

What I did was create a plan to get myself out of debt, while focusing on growing my business. You need to do BOTH if you want to be successful, and the great news is, you don’t have to wait at all. Here’s how to get started today…

Key 1: Let go of guilt about your debt

If you want to take ownership of your debt, you have to come to terms with your current circumstance, and that means getting past the guilt and shame around it. Think of the time-tested weight loss advice that says to not beat yourself up if you fall off your workout or diet plan. This is because trying to make change from these low-energy places is usually a recipe for disaster. If you simply accept with no judgement that you are where you are, and you’re working to move yourself to a better place, it’s not only more motivating, but it’s more effective.

We can’t always control our circumstances. But we can very well control how we respond to them. Remember, you have a choice: YOU can stew in your mistakes and feel terrible, or you can take in the lesson that you’re being presented with, and honor it by responding in a productive way. Which sounds better to you?

Key 2: Get clear on the debt you have

This is usually the most difficult step, but getting clear on exactly how much debt you are in can be liberating! And, as crazy as it sounds, once this step is done, the fun begins. Because here’s where you step into a place of power.

Ignoring your bills won’t help you achieve wealth. When you take ownership, you stop blaming others, and you stop blaming yourself. So just face the numbers head on. The money is spent. You’re just getting clear on how MUCH was spent.

If you can’t manage the money you have, it’s unlikely the universe will bring you more. Your money management system doesn’t have to be complicated—a notebook, pen, and calculator can even get you started. I created a simple spreadsheet that listed my debts and used it to track paying them down.

Don’t be afraid to get help in this area if you need it. I used a credit counseling company in my 20s and early 30s, and it was a huge help in getting me back on my feet. If you need a good starting place, check out The National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Key 3: Focus on your business while paying it down

What you focus on expands, so again I don’t want you to focus on your debt!

Set up and honor a plan to pay off your debts and bills, but put your focus on creating a positive and healthy net worth.

For starters, take yourself as a business owner seriously and pay yourself first. Write yourself a set paycheck every 2 weeks, as if you’re on the payroll. If extra sums of cash come your way—a tax return, affiliate commission check, some windfall—then use that to pay off your debt, or reinvest it in your business, like buying a course, or coaching program.

When you shift your focus to growing your business, and paying yourself first, magic starts to happen…

Remember money is simply energy that you give and receive. So don’t forget to allow yourself to RECEIVE the blessings of money that you’re earning for yourself. Receiving allows you to grow your business and grow your wealth.

Key 4: Use debt as a smart tool

When you are growing a business, there are certain opportunities that are worth the investment, and often worth some debt. BUT, here is the #1 condition where this makes sense: A good debt is when you invest in something that will give a return on your investment.

Remember, I was pretty much broke when I started my first business, and I was also in debt. After reviewing my options though, it still made sense to put my initial expenses on a credit card I did have some room on. It got me what I needed to start making money—business cards, a basic website, a printer/fax, and one good suit and a pair of shoes. I used an old computer that my younger brother gave me—it was a clunker, but got the job done for the time being. From there, I had to hustle.

Note: This isn’t about running around to 20 different seminars, buying a pair of $300 stilettos, and a new iMac and not implementing anything. You have to IMPLEMENT on your good investments.

If you sign up to work with a coach, be prepared to work. If you buy a new computer, use it to snag two new clients asap—make sure that what you invest in pays you back. That’s using debt as a smart tool to grow.

Question: how have you gotten out of debt while growing your business? And what do you use debt for in your business? I’d love to hear your comments below!

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“Entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow profitable businesses that make a positive impact. Get her FREE CD “Top 10 Secrets for Entrepreneurial Women” at www.AliBrown.com“

What an Online Marketing Manager Can Do For You

You are an expert in your niche. You have a burning desire to contribute, share your message, your knowledge and have massive impact on the world.

You are an author, expert, small business owner, entrepreneur, consultant, coach, speaker or professional and most likely you have been selling your time as a professional for 5, 10, 20 or even 30 years. Maybe it’s been rewarding but you want to get paid more for your knowledge, know-how, expertise and experience. You want and need leverage, freedom, control and more financial independence.

Here’s where you might need a little help. I know exactly why you are struggling to get seen, found, discovered or make more money. You need a PLATFORM online and no one can help you do that better than an online marketing manager.

Here are just a few of the reasons small business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, experts, speakers, consultants and coaches find online marketing managers invaluable:

1. There is just too much work for one person

So many professionals, experts, authors, consultants have businesses to run and they don’t have time to do all the tasks to market themselves, nor is it their area of expertise.

2. An online marketing manager has special expertise

An online marketing manager has training and experience in doing what you need to have done. Trained online marketing managers understand the industry, the technology and have already established resources and connections.

3. The cost is greater when you do it for yourself

There is a high learning curve for anyone who has never marketed products and services online. Whether the expert is paid $75 an hour or $270 an hour as a coach, therapist, attorney or entrepreneur, the online marketing manager is a tremendous value at a much lower per-hour cost. With an online marketing manager, the business owner has time and freedom to concentrate on those things only he or she can do.

4. There is synergy in a collaborative effort

An online marketing manager is there to help you take each step so precious little time is wasted in building your expert platform. If you set the timetable and budget, the online marketing manager will be there to give you the confidence you are heading in the right directions.

An online marketing manager can help you with any part of the platform-building process – positioning, writing, publishing or marketing. Where do you need professional assistance? Check out our new Done-For-You Spotlight Marketing Programs. We are ready to work with you!

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