Getting testimonials can be challenging for many business owners, including fitness trainers. This is because most customers are yet to grasp the importance testimonials hold for the service provider.
So, instead of giving specific benefits about their experiences with your training services, they opt for vague comments or compliments devoid of any emotion.
However, you can help your happy clients inject some emotion and specifics into the success stories they leave about your fitness services. In this article we look at why it's crucial you keep collecting testimonials and advise on when and how best to ask for them.
A good testimonial offers immense benefits to any personal trainer. First of all, it provides proof that you deliver on your promises. This makes it easier to build trust and credibility with your audience members.
Secondly, a client testimonial will give a potential customer enough confidence that you can help them reach their fitness goals. Furthermore, a testimonial is an indirect or subtle way of advertising without saying a word. Everyone wants to sign up with a proven and credible personal trainer.
Many personal trainers make a mistake when asking for testimonials. They wait until their clients leave their services before asking for a review. It makes sense to give your client the chance to experience your full service before asking them to say something nice. However, this approach is often less effective.
A client may choose to leave for various reasons, including expenses, time, other responsibilities, or even unmet expectations. In this case, it's not ideal to wait until that time, as you may not get the desired review since their mind is now focused on other things. If you don't have regular contact with a client any more, it can create an awkward situation if you need to keep chasing after a testimonial.
The best time to ask for a review is right after you have helped your client reach a set goal or achieve a significant milestone in their training. It's easier this way, as they'll likely be in the mood to praise your efforts.
As mentioned earlier, many clients only end up leaving vague reviews that lack emotion when you ask them to. You can change this by helping them to restructure their views with direct questions. When they are focused on particular areas you'd like to hear, they will more likely go into detail on how you helped them. You can set up a custom form in PT Distinction to make the process smooth for both you and your clients.
Furthermore, you can rewrite the answers given into a coherent client success story with their permission. Ensure you ask for consent so their words can be used across your online marketing channels, including your website, social media or adverts. If they're happy for you to use a picture, that's even better for social proof.
According to some experts, it's best to ask for the review in person, giving you the chance to explain the importance of the testimonial to your business. In most cases, that's not a viable option for online personal trainers. However, if you have regular coaching calls or live video sessions with your client, you can pitch the idea there then follow up with a message within the day.
You can also choose to have a video recording instead of a written testimonial to post on your website. Video content tends to offer even more credible proof than written quoted reviews. Be honest with your client about your need for a testimonial. Explain how it makes a massive difference in continuing to provide and grow your services for everyone's benefit.
You want the reviews to be in the proper context to persuade new clients to sign up for your services, which is why you need to ask precise questions. These should focus on how you helped your client reach their goals and all the milestones they achieved with your help.
The following questions are good examples to consider.
- What issues did you have before beginning your training with me?
- How did you feel about those issues?
- Why did you choose to work with me?
- What were you sceptical about before signing up for personal training?
- What changes have you experienced since you started working with me?
- Do you mind sharing before and after images or other specific results of your outstanding efforts?
- What advice will you give anyone considering signing up for a personal training service?
You can also include a disclaimer and a checkbox to receive permission from your client to rewrite their answers into a story and use the information for marketing purposes.
Also, find out if a client prefers to be anonymous. Be sure to note specifics like age, gender, location, and other demographics to help with targeted marketing. By all means, avoid posting your clients' feedback without permission to prevent reputational damage and credibility loss.
You can incorporate the testimonials you receive into your marketing strategy. To have the best effect, make them available at the places where you expect your target client to go looking for information about your services.
Some of the best places to display your testimonials include the following:
- Your business website
- In your business directories
- On your social media platforms
- On review platforms or sites
- In the gym where you operate
- On advertising or marketing leaflets
- In your Google My Business page
The goal here is to ensure that these reviews or testimonials are available in areas where potential clients considering personal training services from you can be redirected to follow the needed call-to-action.
Asking for testimonials doesn't have to be awkward for either you or your client. The best way to approach it is to set the expectations right at the beginning of working together. You can mention on your consultation call that at some point, you will ask for a testimonial so they won't be surprised when you do. The rest will all depend on the when and how you do it.
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