Social Proof | Solo Mompreneur

Warning! Don’t Visit Jeanne Kolenda’s Blog Today

Unless, of course, you’d enjoy spending some worthwhile time being enamored and mesmerized by all the wonderful stories she writes! Fascinating, provocative, hits-you-in-the-gut, heart-centered kind of stuff.

But I’m giving you fair warning. So don’t make me say, “I told you so.”

Don’t go over there unless you’ve got a tall mug of coffee or your favorite beverage and a snack at hand. You’re gonna get stranded, so you better have your rations ready.

Plant yourself firmly in your seat, buckle up, and don’t plan to be departing none too soon.

Remember that old Lays Potato Chip commercial, “Bet you can’t eat just one”? Well, bet you can’t read just ONE of Jeanne’s posts!

If you choose not to heed my warning, then you better reserve some extra time to meet up with Jeanne’s blogging friends, too. And she’s got plenty!

Reading all the comments her friends write should keep you from doing at least three loads of laundry or washing your car and mowing the lawn.

Go ahead. Get on out of here. I can sense you’re itching to leave and I know exactly where you’re going.

No one ever listens to me.

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Filed Under: Authors, Blogging, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Storytelling Tagged With: Blogging, Internet business success, Social Proof, Third Party Validation

A Quick Way To Gather Testimonials From Gurus

By Melanie Kissell 14 Comments

Drum roll please …

ASK!

Even if you’ve been involved in online marketing for just a short time, I’m sure you understand the value and importance of testimonials, especially those that come from recognized experts in your niche.

Testimonials are oftentimes referred to as “Third-party validation” or “Social proof”.

When a prospective client or customer is trying to make the decision to invest with you or not, the one biggest determining factor is what others have to say about you.

What you say about yourself really doesn’t matter.

Sorry if that hurts your feelings.

Here’s a quick Action Plan for gathering testimonials from V.I.P.’s (Gurus):

Identify 5 people whom you plan to ask.
Decide if you will call or email them.
Plan out “how” and “where” you’ll use their testimonial.
Determine what you will offer them in exchange for their testimonial.
Draft a phone script or email letter.
Just DO it!

If someone you plan to ask does not have firsthand experience with your business, send along a free copy of your information product for review, a free subscription to your membership site, or free samples of your products and an offer for future discounts.

Be generous! Testimonials from V.I.P.’s are priceless and they can make ALL the difference in moving your business forward.

Your turn …

Do you use testimonials in your business?
How has “social proof” helped you to grow your business?
What are some creative ways you’ve gathered testimonials?

Filed Under: Testimonials Tagged With: Business, E-mail, gurus, Internet marketing, Marketing, Marketing your services online, Social Proof, Testimonial

Nothing Tops A Toot Of The Horn To Validate You As An Expert

By Melanie Kissell Leave a Comment

What do you think is one of the biggest factors for someone making the decision to join your list, download your free offer, or purchase your products and services? WHY do people consider you to be an expert in your niche and choose to work with you? Well, I’ll tell you what it’s NOT.

Your prospects, clients, and customers don’t think of you as an expert because you’ve built a better mouse trap, drive the fanciest car, or sell an invention that scrubs their toilet while they sleep!

It’s sometimes a hard pill to swallow as a small business owner, but people don’t really care about YOU. Ouch.

So what do people care about? What do they look for that will absolutely cement you in as an expert in their eyes?

Third-party endorsements – oftentimes referred to as Testimonials or Social Proof. People put a lot of weight on what OTHER people have to say about you. They need to know that people JUST LIKE THEM are coming to you to find solutions to their problems.

If you’re just getting your new business off the ground and you don’t have any testimonials yet, don’t worry. Start by asking your friends, colleagues, and subscribers to your list to provide you with “A Toot Of The Horn”.

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