Why And How To Get Testimonials From Your Photography Clients
This Is Important For Your Photo Business
Starting out as a photographer, I never got testimonials. In fact, I never asked for them and this was a problem. This wasn’t a problem because I did not have them, it was a problem because I was afraid to ask for them.
Many times I’ve been told by clients that they had a great time working with me. I never asked them to put this in writing because probably I did not believe in my ability. I did not believe that I was good enough. I just thought I was a bad, bad photographer, and then nobody would want to hire me for their projects or services.
But then I thought wrong. People actually wanted my services, in fact, some needed them. I was just too afraid to ask. If I have come to learn anything during that short period, it is this: you only get what you ask for. People don’t give you a thing because it’s in your head. Nobody can read what’s on your mind. Life isn’t some Harry Potter game. You get what you ask for and even before that, you get what you deserve.
So what is this article about?
This article is about how to ask clients for testimonials. Now, before you ask clients for testimonials, I want you to have this in mind: clients love results. I mean prospects love results. When they see a product they like, they’re thinking about how is it going to make their lives easier and how is it going to make them survive, or make more money? Now when they are thinking about this, all they have in mind are the benefits of the products.
As a photographer, how are you going to share these benefits?
If you can share these benefits, you can land a dozen clients in a week or two. People tend to buy benefits first before they get the product, so the first question is always: what is this going to do for me?
Therefore, testimonials come in. They come to make your life easier as a photographer. How is this possible? When people or when prospects know what others are getting from your service, they will want to use it if it indeed has great value.
Testimonials are going to be talking about how great your services are. And this is the main thing. We do not live in an age where it’s all about the nicest photos. Almost every photographer today or most photographers today create some of the best and amazing photos even without using the latest camera on the market. Many photographers today are skillful and creative and only need a camera to make amazing images that will blow you away.
What you’re looking to do is to stand out from the market and not be like your competition. Not a lot of photographers like the idea of being in a competition, but then this is what the market does so far as you’re running a business — you’re in a competition with another person. Yes, the person might be your friend, but then if you’re losing the client or prospect, another person is winning them. Is a win-or-lose game, especially if you are in a crowded niche.
So how do you go about having clients you have worked with in the past write testimonials about your service?
1. You need to actually shoot people.
Without a portfolio, you cannot ask anyone for testimonial. This is more like a testimony; they are going to talk about what you have done for them and how you probably did it. So now you realise that photography isn’t just about making pictures but then how you make them feel when you are making the photos. It’s always come down to shooting. If you have never taken any photographs, you will not have a testimonial. It is what it is.
2. If they love your work, send them a text or email, whatever medium you can use to reach them, even call them and then ask them so they don’t feel like they are being ordered around; ask them — “can you please leave a testimonial on my website through the mail or a text on WhatsApp?” Testimonials are very important like I have made known when I started this article. If you want something, you ask for it. You don’t wait and wait. They say good things come to they that wait (patience), but also, nothing good comes to you when you take no action.
3. Follow up.
Follow up if you do not get the testimonial after you ask. It is a needed thing for your business. You’re running a business and your goal is always to land the next client. It’s not some charity event, and the testimonial gets you to the next step of winning the next gig. There was this one guy I asked three days straight for a testimonial. He did not know how to go about it. He had no idea what a testimonial was. I took some time during the week and taught him what it was all, how it could be written, and he did a great job. He left me one of the best reviews!
