| "Which is your best CD?" | | | | shaking your hand when they meet you. |
| Ever get that question? My band has five CDs that | | | | 3. Great testimonials evoke a feeling. |
| we sell at shows, and I get that question all the time. | | | | They should touch an emotion inside, whether it's |
| People rely on the suggestions of others to | | | | joy, sadness, anger, tranquility, energy, excitement, |
| determine what they are going to buy. They trust | | | | nervousness, or whatever. That feeling should come |
| the opinions of others to help them make decisions. | | | | across in the testimonial to connect with other fans. |
| So having great testimonials to sell your CDs is | | | | 4. Great testimonials create a positive atmosphere. |
| essential. | | | | Not only will you sell more CDs, but your fans will also |
| The trouble is most fans email you something like | | | | get a better feeling about your band. You want |
| this: "You rock! -Joe." They don't explain how your | | | | something that will connect to people, adding energy, |
| music affected them or why they came to that | | | | excitement and goodwill to all around you. |
| conclusion, and you don't bother to ask. | | | | Here are a few guidelines for creating testimonials |
| But if you want great testimonials, you have to ask | | | | that will make people take notice. |
| for them. You can't be passive and wait for those | | | | 1. Keep it short. Cut the quote down to three |
| one in a thousand great testimonials to come in. | | | | sentences that really shine. You want it to grab them |
| Instead, educate your fans. | | | | quickly, not something that is difficult to read. |
| That's one of the secrets to the success of the | | | | 2. Be specific. Fans can go on and on that "you rock" |
| Brobdingnagian Bards. We have a lot of fans who are | | | | or "you're awesome," but those phrases don't |
| passionate about our music. Steven Hahn is so | | | | personalize it. Instead, have them describe what is |
| gung-ho about our music that he called a television | | | | awesome about you or your CD. "The way you |
| station to tell them about a gig we had. And a | | | | sang, 'The Bridge' on your CD 'Soul of a Harper' gave |
| camera crew showed up! | | | | me goosebumps." |
| That kind of enthusiasm is contagious. But it's also | | | | 3. Keep it positive. If a quote is written with a |
| been taught. You see, we educate our fans on how | | | | negative connotation like, "I can't believe how cool |
| to help us. | | | | you are!" Ask them if you can rewrite it in a more |
| That's also what you have to do when gathering | | | | positive manner, like "I love how cool you are!" It will |
| testimonials. Educate your fans how to write them. | | | | energize your site all the more. |
| Guide them step-by-step. Ask questions that will get | | | | 4. Include a name. The most-powerful quotes include |
| you your desired response. They know they love | | | | your fan's name, city and state (sometimes job or |
| your music. Now you have to get that into a format | | | | career can also been effective). Get permission to |
| that will help you sell more CDs. | | | | use as much information about the person as they |
| To write a testimonial, you need to know what | | | | are willing to give. |
| makes a killer testimonial? | | | | 5. Clarify the situation. Get the five W's from your |
| 1. Great testimonials focus on benefits. | | | | fan: who, what, where, when, why, and how. Weave |
| How did your music affect them? Have them tell a | | | | that info into the testimonial. It will add personality to |
| story about the drive home as they were | | | | the testimonial and let the reader know there's a |
| headbanging in the car when a cop pulled up next to | | | | person behind it. |
| them on a motorcycle and gave them a disapproving | | | | Of course, if fans don't really want to share more |
| glance. | | | | than "you rock," accept it happily. Sometimes even |
| 2. Great testimonials are visual. | | | | something that simple can be effective. If you're fans |
| Could you see that cop in the statement above? | | | | are writing from the heart, that enthusiasm will |
| That's the type of short story that will make your | | | | bubble over to their friends and your word-of-mouth |
| fans feel like they're back at the club nervously | | | | will continue to spread. |
