#1 Trust Building Success Tip: Share Proof

The online world has become less trusting and more inundated with content. Your testimonials need to be shared!

"There's gold in them thar hills!" Mark Twain didn't know what what 'social proof' was back then, but better than gold, testimonials and recommendations increase your value allowing you to cash in over and over.

Here's a nugget for you! Get, it? Nugget? Ha! Social proof is king (or queen as I prefer). Now more than ever, with so many Gurus, Experts and Number 1 resources out there, how do we know for sure these claims are accurate? Anyone can say what they want about themselves, make promises, wordsmith the heck out of their messaging on their website, but real influence and leverage comes from what others, who have interacted and worked with you have to say about your performance.

Who have you worked with or provided a product to? Are they willing to drop some love for you?

Imagine leveraging a simple testimonial to tip the scale enough for a potential client to work with you or customer to buy from you. You can share pages and pages of content, get all the certificates in the world, but if no proof exists of your clients' experience, good luck in converting visitors or followers to someone willing to pay for your products or services.

Oh, you have proof? You have testimonials? Well, what are you waiting for?! They are like the golden ticket in Willy Wonka!

The truth of building your success is simple: Your name and reputation is built on what others say, not what you offer, promise or your background.

It's not in what you know. It's not in your experience. It's in how you have helped someone. We are a society of "So, what do THEY think? I want to know what others have to say before I decide to buy/use/visit/eat at... etc."

Basically, you are not 'all that' until someone says you are. Sorry if that is a splash of cold water in your face. It is required to get letters of recommendation for school, jobs, etc. Why not offer up our testimonials before being asked? When it comes to getting your brand and business out there, the brand of YOU needs to be backed by proof.

"Being the founder of The Wellness Universe, along with my co-founder Shari Alyse, we support over 3000 WU World-Changers, who are professionals in the health and wellness fields to: Have an online presence, community of support, share their content and guide them with resources to grow their success. The Wellness Universe allows our members to be found by people seeking support in all areas of wellness on TheWellnessUniverse.com. My mission is to support the providers of wellness with visibility and offer real solutions to visitors for health, wellness and well-being walk away feeling better."

WOW! That was a mouthful. But wait! You may be saying "That's interesting" or "That's quite impressive." You also may be saying "So what Anna?" "Good for you.(slow clap)" and THAT is what I expect. That little blurb was informative but proves nothing. In a minute you will be introduced to some of my testimonials. Reading those graphics should raise an eyebrow and allow you, as a reader, to validate my value.

TAKE A SECOND TO ACKNOWLEDGE HOW YOU FEEL AFTER READING THAT PARAGRAPH. Then, note how you feel after reading the testimonials below.

This will serve as great example for you to take these tips to heart and take action to share what people have to say about you is a game-changer and perhaps a decision maker.

Got some great testimonials in hand! Now what? Share your testimonials and recommendations on:

1. Your Website

2. Your WU Profile

3. Social Media

4. Your Email Signature

Sharing testimonials and recommendations are the most powerful way to prove what you do and how you have helped someone. A personal testimonial is evidence that YOU are the person to work with!

• When someone writes about their experience and outcome of working with you, it speaks volumes about what a potential client can expect and runs circles around any self-promotion you can do or promises you make.
•  It builds trust and expresses how you can help someone, authentically and is the proof you must share to help build your reputation and clients.

While videos are the preferred way to share a testimonial, getting your clients to make a video can be a bit challenging. An easy and quick way to share testimonials is to make a graphic from the words (examples below) or share photos of before and after.

Here are a few of my testimonials that are visual and make sharing on social media a breeze:

First, I want to acknowledge these amazing WU World-Changers for sharing their heart with me and providing me with these testimonials. Thank you Rachel Fredrick, Jennifer Moore, Lynda Goldman, Erika Laszlo and Cristina Smith.

BONUS TIP: How do you get testimonials? Just ask! Your happy clients will be more than honored to write one. Also, going out on Linkedin and writing a recommendation for your client will likely get you a recommendation in return and it automatically posts to your LinkedIn profile.

So why not spread the good word? Nothing beats an old-fashioned testimonial from a raving fan or client! Put this on your to-do list and let the work you have done attract more clients. 

Hope this tip helps you to grow your business and help more people.

Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

Have a day to treasure!

Anna