5 Reasons Customer Testimonials Matter for Freelancers

As a freelancer, you must do everything possible to promote yourself and attract new clients.

An effective way to do this is by collecting and sharing customer testimonials – either through customer testimonial templates or original writing. 

Customer testimonials are reviews or recommendations from past clients that describe their experience working with you and the value you provided. These can be customer video testimonials, too.

Whether you are just starting as a freelancer or have been in the industry for a while, customer testimonials can be a great tool to gain new clients and grow your business. So, collecting testimonials from satisfied customers is always a good idea.

Five Reasons Why Testimonials Matter

Freelancing, like many businesses, can benefit significantly from advertisement and promotion. However, one of the most cost-effective advertising methods for freelancers comes from simple testimonials.

Testimonials allow potential clients to see what people like about your work and services. Multiple, well-written testimonials highlighting your services and talent can make for a strong introduction. 

Here are five reasons why testimonials matter. Keep these in mind and consider what you may want out of a customer testimonial template.

1. Build trust and credibility with potential clients 

When potential clients see positive reviews from past customers during the customer journey, they are more likely to trust that you can deliver high-quality work.

Reviews and testimonials can be especially important for freelancers with different brand recognition than a larger company or more well-known freelancer. With 56.7 million freelancers in the US, it is essential to set oneself apart.

2. Testimonials can help to differentiate you from your competitors 

Having several positive reviews from satisfied customers can set you apart from other freelancers on websites like Upwork who may have fewer (or any) testimonials. 

A collection of testimonials, such as customer text, video, and audio testimonials, can be crucial in convincing potential clients to choose you over someone else.

3. Testimonials can help demonstrate the value you provide to your clients 

By sharing specific examples of how you have helped your clients to solve problems or achieve their goals, you can give potential clients a better understanding of the value you can bring to their projects.

4. Customer testimonials can serve as social proof, influencing potential clients’ decisions 

When people see that others have had positive experiences working with you, they are more likely to believe they will have a positive experience. 

This proof can be compelling if the testimonials come from people in a similar industry or have similar needs to the potential client; with over 15 million freelancers being occasional freelancers, you want to strive to appear as the professional choice.

5. Testimonials can provide valuable insights into what clients value most about your work

By reading through several different testimonials, you can identify common themes or patterns in what clients appreciate most about your work. 

Knowing what clients think can help you understand your strengths as a freelancer and focus on the areas where you can provide the most value to your clients.

What Should Your Testimonials Include?

A freelancer testimonial should be specific, detailed, and authentic. It should provide examples of the value the freelancer supplied to the client rather than stating that the freelancer did a good job. 

Clients should also write testimonials in their own words. Generally, originality and organic flow are best achieved through customer testimonials.

A good testimonial should be well-written and easy to understand, with clear and concise language that effectively conveys the client’s experience and perspective. It should be positive and enthusiastic without being overly promotional or exaggerated.

It can also be helpful for a testimonial to include some context about the client’s industry or the project the freelancer worked on. These inclusions help potential clients to understand how the freelancer’s work may be relevant to their needs and goals.

Finally, a good testimonial should be genuine and sincere, with the client feeling positive about their experience working with the freelancer. 

If a client is willing to take the time to write a testimonial, they will likely feel strongly about the value the freelancer provides. Sincerity is vital since word-of-mouth is the top way that 46% of full-time freelancers find work.

Customer Testimonials Templates

One way to make the testimonial process easier for clients is to develop templates or scripts that clients can use. 

For example, the following script can be adjusted by the client for their needs:

I recently had the pleasure of working with [Freelancer’s Name] on a [project type] project. [Freelancer’s Name] was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. They were professional, responsive, and highly knowledgeable in their field.

One of the things that stood out to me most about working with [Freelancer’s Name] was their ability to [specific example of how the freelancer added value to the project]. They made a massive difference in the project’s success, and I am highly grateful for their contributions.

I highly recommend [Freelancer’s Name] to anyone needing [freelancer’s area of expertise]. They are truly skilled at what they do, and I do not doubt that they would not be an asset to any team.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Company (if applicable)]

Remember that you should always first ask if the client is willing to give a testimonial. If their answer is positive, you can then ask if they would like your help in the process, and provide this template.

Designing a Customer Testimonial Template Survey

Designing a client testimonial survey can be a great way to gather valuable feedback and showcase your skills to potential clients. You can use this feedback to share what sets you apart. 

Here are some aspects to consider when designing a client testimonial survey:

• Determine the purpose of your survey: Before designing the survey, you need to consider your purpose. Do you want to gather feedback on your services? Do you want to showcase your skills and abilities to potential clients? Are you looking for quotes to share or a numerical value, such as a score?
• Choose the proper format: There are a few different formats you can use for your testimonial survey, including online surveys, phone interviews, or in-person interviews. Consider which format will be most convenient for your clients. A simple web form can be powerful here.
• Write clear and concise questions: It’s important to ask clear and concise questions to help you gather information. Avoid asking too many open-ended questions, as they can be difficult for clients to answer and may not provide the specific feedback you’re looking for. Instead, ask specific, targeted questions to understand what clients liked and disliked about your services.
• Offer multiple choice options: Multiple choice options can make it easier for clients to provide feedback and help you gather more consistent data. Consider including options such as “strongly agree,” “agree,” “neutral,” “disagree,” and “strongly disagree” to give clients a range of responses to choose from.
• Keep it short: No one wants to spend much time completing a survey, so it’s essential to keep your testimonial survey as straightforward as possible. Aim for around 10-15 questions and ensure each is relevant and necessary.
• Test your survey: Before sending your survey out to clients, test it with a few people to ensure it’s easy to understand. This will help you identify any issues or areas for improvement before you send the survey to a larger group.
• Follow up with clients: After you’ve collected your testimonials, it’s a good idea to follow up with clients to thank them for their feedback and to address any concerns they may have raised. This can help build trust and strengthen your relationship with your clients.

Show Good Judgment

While getting every client to fill out a testimonial using such an exact template is not advisable, it can help motivate them to write their thoughts down. More than likely, simply asking for a testimonial is enough to get compelling explanations of why clients love to work with you.

Generally, having a couple of points you ask a client to address during a customer video testimonial or written explanation is not asking very much, and most are perfectly willing to help you in that regard.

Your best option might be to have a general request based on the type of work you do and use that template to ask clients for responses rather than giving them a response they can edit.

Gathering Testimonials FAQ

Whether you have an existing customer testimonial template for your client to use for their convenience or you are asking for a customer video testimonial, it can be awkward to ask for them to put their experiences on the record.

However, don’t be discouraged, as almost half of businesses employ freelancers, meaning there are many opportunities for testimonials.

Next Steps

If you are looking to collect testimonials from your clients, one of the easiest ways to do it is employ a testimonial software like Trustmary.

You can send testimonial and video testimonial requests, store and manage them on one easy platform, and quickly add them to your website or share them on social media.

Written in collaboration with Bazaar Expert.

FAQ on Freelancer Testimonials