Testimonials are great. Not only are they key when prospective customers or clients are checking us out, but they are an important reminder that we’re not, actually, complete losers. (This is my primary use case for LinkedIn.)
And they can serve another critical purpose — reminding us what the hell we’re here for.
Take a moment and try this:
Write yourself the perfect testimonial. Right now. Grab a pen and paper, or pull up your laptop, and write the testimonial that would totally make your day.
Include everything that would make you happiest to hear, from an imaginary someone who really REALLY loves you for you are and what you do.
This is the testimonial you’d send to your parents to show them how awesome you are. So go ahead — GUSH about yourself, your work and your impact on a single human being.
Write it now.
Done? Ok.
Now — read it. And as you do, ask yourself these questions:
Who wrote it?
Who IS this person? What do they do, what kind of things do they struggle with and how do they face these challenges? What would they be like if you came across them in a coffee shop or at a business function?
How did they find you?
Did they stumble across you, or did someone/something point them in your direction? What were they trying to find when they found you? What problem were they trying to solve?
Where did they find you?
Did they hear you speak, or see your website, or hear about you from a friend? Did they read one of your posts or see you on the news?
When did they realize that you were going to provide the solution they needed?
What about you or your stuff gave them that lightbulb moment when they figured out that YOU were going to be the one who could really help them? What did they read on your site, or hear you say, or hear about you?
What did you do that made them so happy they’d not only PAY YOU, but also go out of their way to write a testimonial?
What really sent them over the top into true devotion, where they want to share your brilliance with everyone? What did you provide that no one else did? What do they absolutely love about you?
Now, stick that sucker up on the wall next to your desk and remember that THIS IS WHY YOU’RE HERE.
THIS is the work that fulfills you.
THIS is the person you’re trying to help.
THIS is how you need to reach them.
THIS is what you need to say to them.
THIS is why they’ll say, “Where have you been all my life?”
THIS is why you’re working so hard.