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Smart Business, Smart Marketing

Offering testimonials is really a win for both parties. It obviously helps them to get an unsolicited third party recommendation for their product or service.

But what about you, how does it help you?

For one thing, your name will be included with your testimonial. People see that. It's a subtle form of indirect marketing. The other business owner can't promote your testimonial without promoting your name along with it.

Sometimes they'll include your website address, although they'll rarely link to your site, but that's to be expected. Even if they don't include your website address it's still name recognition for you or your business, however you promote it.

Another benefit is that of association. If the marketer is known and has a good reputation, and he or she uses your testimonial, a little of that good reputation rubs off on you through the power of association.

Another plus is that it's a good way to start building a relationship with others. Make no mistake about it, the network of associates you build can be a very powerful asset to your bottom line. This very website is a testament to the power of networking.

You now know why offering a testimonial is good for your own business, what you need to know next is how to write a good testimonial. The better it is, the more likely it will be used and the more prominent it will be featured.

Here are a few keys to writing a good testimonial:

• Be specific. Just saying things like "Great Product" doesn't really tell a prospective buyer anything. Lame testimonials are a dime a dozen. Take your time to write something really great—it's a reflection on YOU as well as the product.
• Never sell out. Only offer testimonials for products you really believe in. Offering testimonials for bad products will do more harm than good.
• Write like you're writing a personal note to the vendor. Personal endorsements are more believable than endorsements that seem to be written to the audience to increase sales. Fewer people do it this way, which makes your testimonial more believeable. This can give you a BIG advantage over other testimonial givers as far as having your endorsement featured more prominently.
• A good testimonial doesn't have to be lengthy. What you say is more important than how much you say.

If you take the time to write the kind of testimonial that is informative and enthusiastic it will appeal to both the vendor and the prospective customer.

If you really do a bang up job, you know what might happen next?

The vendor, being well-pleased with your personal endorsement, may contact you when he or she develops a new product and offer you a free review copy.