Testimonials are precious for any business to accumulate. They can highlight the positive experiences of existing customers and provide insight for prospective customers who look online before purchasing a product or service.
A well-put-together testimonial, whether video, written, or even audio, is a powerful tool, so you shouldn’t underestimate its impact on marketing yourself as a speaker.
Here are some of the best ways to gather testimonials from your next speaking gig:
Utilize LinkedIn
Many event coordinators and potential customers use LinkedIn to determine if they want to work with you in the future. LinkedIn is a great place to gather testimonials of your work and your presence on stage. You can generate your QR code from LinkedIn, connect with attendees, and send a request for a recommendation all through the app.
Request a video
When you’ve gotten off stage, it’s a great time to network with your audience and meet new and familiar faces. While connecting, you can ask them to film a short video sharing what they thought about the event and your talk.
Ask the event organizer
The event organizer will likely be very well-connected within the industry. Don’t hesitate to ask them for a video testimonial or another form of review. You can also create a speaking testimonial survey using Google Forms and send it immediately after your speaking engagement.
Connect via email
If possible, try to collect email addresses from attendees. Ask the organizer to share a sign-up sheet, or set up a meet-and-greet table where attendees can leave their details. You can then email them to request feedback, ask for a review, or invite them to tag you in a social media post. This is also a great way to build long-term connections.
Collect social media content
Check social media during and after the event using the event hashtag or your own to capture what your audience is posting. Even if they don’t tag you, this is an excellent way to collect organic testimonials. You can use screenshots to promote yourself as a speaker on your website. Often, unprompted content is the most authentic.
Because testimonials are such an important way of showcasing your work, it makes sense to make the most of every opportunity to collect them in different formats.
So, next time you book a speaking engagement, make sure you plan time to collect authentic and varied testimonials.