As a freelancer, the pursuit of success and a thriving career is not just about talent and skills it's also about building a reputation that instills confidence in potential clients...
In the competitive world of freelancing, testimonials become a powerful tool that can help to elevate your freelancing journey. The glowing recommendations from satisfied clients hold immense potential to boost your credibility and attract new opportunities.
They are powerful and important!
That is why today's post will be exploring just how testimonials can be a game-changer for freelancers and how to effectively harness their potential so let's jump right into it beginning with why testimonials are so important for Freelancers...
The Importance of Testimonials for Freelancers:
There are four very good reasons why gathering testimonials for your freelancing career is important, those reasons are to establish credibility, build trust, staining out from the competition and showcase your results. Let's explore these reasons a little further below...
Establishing Credibility: Testimonials act as evidence or proof, showing that real clients have experienced positive outcomes from working with you! They can help establish your credibility, especially for those clients who might be hesitant at first to trust a new freelancer.
Building Trust: Trust is the foundation of successful client-freelancer relationships. Testimonials demonstrate that you are reliable, professional, and dedicated to delivering exceptional results, making potential clients more comfortable in choosing your services.
Standing Out from the Competition: In a highly saturated market, testimonials set you apart from the competition as they can highlight your unique strengths, expertise, and the value you can bring to your client's projects and assignments.
Showcasing Results: Testimonials offer tangible evidence of your ability to achieve desired outcomes. Clients want to see proof of your capabilities before making a decision, and testimonials effectively showcase your past successes.
So they were the main reasons behind the importance of testimonials- now the next part is knowing how to actually get them...
How to Get Testimonials:
Believe it or not, obtaining testimonials can be easier than you think, especially if you've had at least some experience working with others in a professional setting; that can be relevant to your freelancing journey...
Here are my top tips for getting testimonials:
Always ask for feedback from work assignments promptly - Reach out to clients shortly after project completion, when their positive experience is still fresh in their minds.
Make sure you personalize your requests - Customize your testimonial request to each client, showing that you value their input and that their feedback matters.
Consider offering a guideline - You can provide clients with a quick questionnaire or list of questions to make it easier for them to articulate their thoughts and experiences.
Don't forget to utilize different formats - Consider asking for a video testimonial if possible, as a video adds authenticity and a personal touch!
..."But, I'm completely new to freelancing and have no past clients yet..."
This was the same statement I had when I first started so I tried a few different things. I spoke to people I'd worked with before (via LinkedIn) and asked them for endorsements on my relevant business/work-related skills. Those who were willing even wrote me testimonials on my work performance, professionalism and even organisation skills. This is a great way to get some testimonials, before your freelance clients land; then you can begin talking with them for more 'relevant' testimonials.
Yes, it can help to be creative but try not to make things up or exaggerate too much! This may only end up putting potential clients off from working with you...
Testimonials are a great way to attract new clients, foster repeat business with clients, and boost your online presence as well as help you build a strong portfolio!