• Find copy of Elvis Contract or similar for me!

I get sales letters and flyers all the time with testimonials from alleged "satisfied customers" identified only by their initials. Just today, I saw a television advert with testimonials from folks identified with just names and generic titles such as "businesswoman" and "professional." "Professional what?" I wondered. Professional actor, most likely. Frankly, I don't put too much stock in these so-called testimonials. Maybe these people are real, and maybe they're qualified to give an opinion, but I don't buy it. I generally don't buy the products they're pitching either. For each testimonial you should include at a minimum the customer's full name and location. If they're speaking on behalf of a business, include the business name. Mention if they have any professional certifications or titles that would enhance their authority. If they have a website, a link to it will also help establish that this is a legitimate testimonial. Photographs can also help prove that these are real people. Just make sure that the pictures aren't too "professional". Oddly enough, photos that are too good may be perceived as generic stock photos, while those that have a slightly more amateur quality will seem genuine.

- Posted on 23 Jul 2009, St. Patric (United States)