What about testimonials?

Friend of the list Genevieve Hayes came back with a question after yesterday’s email on one thing you don’t need to build your authority: a personal brand. (shared with permission)

Here are some thoughts to consider.

She’s right. You don’t *need* testimonials.

1.
The difference with a “personal brand” is that you know some testimonials might be fake/made up. With a personal brand, you get to believe (and convince) yourself that you are a product and need to be treated like one. Which you can’t because… well, you’re human.

2.
While testimonials are a good way to propel your social proof, you don’t really need them either. ‘Cause, let’s be honest, most of it is cherry picking. Nothing wrong with that. It just is. Just as case studies.

You go and pick the ones who are delighted with you and put them on your site. Which is good. Biased, but still, trying to control the controllables. 🙂 [good system]

On the other side of the spectrum, you could go full David C. Baker and not give referrals (which i find fascinating). [Paraphrasing him]:
​“I don’t give referrals of my past clients“ → Meaning, you trust me or not. If you do, we’re good to work together. If you don’t, the relationship won’t be fruitful and at its best, so it’s ok not to work together.

The middle ground would be a “more balanced” system, like a rating. Think Amazon, booking.com or others platforms, where everyone needs to give their feedback and you show a rating of it, both good and bad. And still —you can always frind ways to turn it around.
.
While testimonials are helpful and could accelerate your trust-building with your prospects, you don’t need them.

There’s something more important:

Doing the work.

Owning the fuck ups.

Showing up.

Putting your thinking out there. Not for the sakes of saying something, but to say something that will lead your clients and you to a better place.

Hence, your thinking will lead.

​