What's in a Word? The Power of Personal Testimonials

If we have similar taste in food and I tell you that the new restaurant in town has some of the best food I have ever tasted, chances are that you will try it. However, if I tell you that same restaurant has lousy service and the wait staff is rude, you are highly unlikely to visit the establishment. Whichever comment I made has been nothing less than my personal testimonial, yet it has already influenced your opinion of the place and its food. Nothing is quite as powerful as a personal testimonial; especially when it comes from a person you know and trust.

Consequently, the most compelling marketing tool you have at your disposal is your own personal experience with a product and/or service. When you share this with others, it comes across as sincere, honest and caring. The same holds true with introducing a business opportunity to others. You must believe in what you are offering. Belief is one of the most important aspects of success in life and is a major factor in whether people will be interested in both you and your products. In the network marketing business, the first lesson you should learn is that you cannot sell the product unless you use the product. You must become a product of the product. Only then will you be able to introduce it to others with conviction and confidence.

If you have not already created your personal testimonial because you do not know where to begin, it isn't that complicated. Think about how you would answer the following questions:

− What was it about the business opportunity that made you want to become a distributor?
− What product(s) or service(s) do you like best and why?
− Has the use of the products affected you or someone you know?
− Has being a distributor allowed you to earn an extra income?
− Have you developed an extended circle of friends through your affiliation with the company?

The questions go on and on . . . you will discover the ones that are most pertinent to your business by talking with other professionals in your company.

The following guidelines will help you include important pieces of information as you begin to develop your personal testimonial. Include:

• Your favorite product or service and the reason it is your favorite
• Tell them how a particular product changed or impacted your life or someone close to you
• Share the story of how you were introduced to the company
• Tell them why you feel that being a distributor was a good choice for you
• List the benefits resulting from being an independent distributor

You may decide that having a group of testimonials available is more effective. A recruiting testimonial is not going to be effective for a product user and a product testimonial is not going to be as effective for a business prospect as a good recruiting testimonial. Refer to the answers you created from the tips above and begin writing your personal testimonials. Simply begin by stating your name and:

1) I became a distributor because . . .
2) I love being an independent distributor with this company because . . .
3) I love this product because . . .
4) This is the best company in the industry because . . .

Your testimonial helps to validate that it is okay to do business with you and your company. Keep it short and to the point and you will be amazed at the power of your words.