McKinsey has a great article out on measuring word of mouth markting.

See it here: http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/A_new_way_to_measure_word-of-mouth_marketing_2567

Client testimonials software

1. Request Testimonials : Most people want to do the right thing but are just too busy to stop and think to give proper recognition. So you must request testimonials if you expect to receive any. So go ahead and ask for it, you’ll be surprised at the results!

2. Transparency: Get as much information about the person giving you the testimonial. Name, company, photo, bio, location all contribute to increasing the credibility of a testimonial.

3. Do Unto Others: The best way to RECEIVE testimonials is to GIVE testimonials . Be sure to take time to give someone or some company the recognition they deserve.

4. Leverage Employees Relationships: How many times have we heard a company owner or executive say “our employees are what make this company”. Your employees have the special relationships with your customers, leverage these relationships by having them ask customers personally for testimonials.

5. Promote Everywhere: You never know what page your potential customers are going to land on or visit on your website so be sure to place a few testimonials on every page of your site. Try to match up the testimonial topic to the topic of the page you put them on. Your testimonials are a great conversion tool so make sure to have them showing in places your prospects are considering doing business with your company.

6. Systematically Request Testimonials : It’s best to have a process for systematically request testimonials from your customers. This creates a habit and becomes part of your everyday business practices. Be sure to ask for them after every project completion or after every trouble ticket closed etc.

7. Testimonial Page : It doesn’t do any good to collect customer testimonials and never share them. Create a testimonial page on your website and put a “Testimonials” tab on your navigation bar.

8. Sales Tool: Your customer testimonials make great references when you’re trying to close business. Make sure to include some testimonials in your proposals, brochures or any other sales literature.

strong>9. Spread The Word: Twitter & Facebook are great places to spread the great comments your customers are making about your company. This creates word-of-mouth and buzz and can not only lead visitors to your website, but some of your prospects might just be listening.

10. Offer Incentives: As much as we’d all like to think our loyal customers are ready and willing to praise us for our hard work, they may need a little incentive. Here are some ways to offer an incentive; discount on their next purchase, free shipping, membership into your VIP customer club where they get advanced offers etc., percentage off their next monthly invoice. Another great idea is to send out an email to all of your customers telling them you’re looking for some positive feedback on your company/products/services…offer a free iPod Touch for the most meaningful testimonial. Put “Win A Free iPod Touch” in the subject line. Remember, you’re not rewarding them for the testimonial, your compensating them for their “time” to give you a testimonial.

“Turn Your Testimonials Into A Powerful SEO Tool…FREE!”
www.propadoo.com

According to a study by eMarketer “consumer opinions posted online” is the second most tactic/advertising method that online consumers trust with 72% of users trusting.

See the survey here:

http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007510

Propadoo has now launched a testimonials affiliate program! Check it out here: http://testimonials.propadoo.com/testimonials-affiliate-program/