How do you balance the authenticity and credibility of testimonials with the need to edit and polish them?

Editing testimonials is like taking a rough draft of The Lion King and polishing it to make sure every scene hits just right. You wouldn’t change Simba’s story, but you might tighten up the dialogue or remove unnecessary scenes to keep the focus on his journey. Similarly, when editing testimonials, we’re not changing the heart of what the customer is saying—we’re just making sure it’s clear, impactful, and resonates with the audience. By cleaning up the details, we ensure the message shines without distractions, just like how every frame in The Lion King serves the story.

Editing testimonials ethically is like working with a Toy Story character—you’re not changing who they are, just making sure they’re in the right spotlight. Think of Buzz Lightyear: you wouldn’t take away his iconic line “To infinity and beyond!” but you might trim a bit of extra fluff around it for clarity. Same with testimonials—you preserve the essence, but make sure the message is clean and clear. Always get the customer’s permission before editing, and keep them in the loop, letting them approve the final version. Use markers like brackets or ellipses to show any changes, ensuring the integrity of their story stays intact. It’s all about respecting the original while enhancing the delivery.

Pour éditer un témoignage de manière éthique, la première étape consiste à valider avec l’interviewé le ressenti qu’il souhaite transmettre. Cette ligne directrice devient la boussole qui justifie chaque modification pour atteindre le message cible. Pourquoi éditer un témoignage ? Faites une petite expérience : placez-vous devant un miroir et parlez d’un sujet qui vous tient à c?ur. Vous remarquerez sans doute des "euuuuh", des hésitations, des répétitions ou des phrases inutiles. éditer un témoignage de manière éthique ne signifie pas déformer le propos, mais simplement éliminer les éléments superflus qui pourraient détourner l’attention du message principal. C’est un travail de précision au service de l’authenticité.

In my experience of gathering testimonials, I ask the person providing the testimonial three questions: 1. How did their company benefit from the services we provided? 2. How does our company compare with others used in the past? 3. What advice would you give to someone on the fence about choosing our service? The answers are put together in a complete statement that reflects the view of the person, without compromising their point of view. The statement can then be approved by them before being shared with the public. That way we get a statement that reflects what we're looking for, but still from the point of view of the person giving it.

Here’s my take on polishing testimonials for impact—think of it like Beauty and the Beast: ? Before and After: Show where the customer started (like the Beast) and how your product made a real change. ?? Specific Results: Use numbers or details, like “saved X amount” or “improved Y.” ?? Diverse Voices: Include testimonials from experts or influencers—think of the enchanted objects in the castle, each with their own unique take. ?? Address Doubts: Use testimonials to answer common questions or concerns, just like Belle helped the Beast see things differently. It’s all about making the transformation clear and memorable!

For millennia, we have been storytellers. And although we no longer sit around a camp fire every evening, this remains one of the most effective ways to get a message across. With this in mind, it might be helpful to add some context to a testimonial, eg "Jane came to [name of company] when she was having some issues with [her problem]. We swiftly provided a cost effective solution that met her needs. This is what she told us afterwards: "[Jane's testimonial]", [Jane's name, title and organisation].

Here’s how to use testimonials like a pro: ?? Place Them Right: Put them where your audience will notice—website, social media, email. ?? Test & Tweak: See what works and adjust as needed. ?? Keep It Fresh: Update testimonials to match your current offerings. ?? Mix It Up: Use text, video, or images for variety. Make your testimonials work for you—strategic and stylish!