How to Write a Testimonial for an Entrepreneur

How much do you appreciate the amazing service you have received from your entrepreneur friend? Whether she is your corporate gifts and clothing supplier, accountant, or even the fridge repair man, the best gift we can give is by writing a testimonial.

And guess what? If you want to instantly win friends and influence people, start writing testimonials.

What is a testimonial?

A testimonial is a written or spoken account of your personal endorsement of a product, service or the individual who has assisted you.

There are multiple testimonial formats. It could be a one-liner written or spoken message, a couple of paragraphs, or a full-fledged account of how you have experienced the service.

For the purpose of the explanation below, we’ll assume that your testimonials for your entrepreneur friend will be in written format about the amazing service that you have received.

Who is your entrepreneur friend who needs your help

It might be worth explaining the concept of how I see who should be regarded as your ‘entrepreneur friend’.

Definitely not necessarily your chommie that you are having a beer or a glass of wine with once a week. It does not only have to be your best friend that you share all your secrets with or one of your siblings that you will move heaven and earth for. You might not even know your entrepreneur friend on a personal level.

I do believe we are all interconnected. My positive attitude can have a positive influence on you, and your positive attitude might have a positive influence on the next person. Or the positive vibes might just be reciprocated to me on a day when I really need them most. The more we connect on a positive level with each other, the better place the world will be.

No drinks or incessant WhatsApp quotes-of-the-day are required for this bond to form. You might not get to know each other on a personal level ever, but deep down inside you know that you have done the right thing.

The Testimonial Conundrum

I have seen over and over again that clients are generally keen to write testimonials until they have to write them. The general problem is that they often do not know where to start or how to word it. I often advise my clients to write testimonials on behalf of their clients and then get the actual appreciative client to make changes as they wish. I have even gone as far as choosing the photo I think will work the best from their social media platforms and then asking permission to use it.

The reality is that it is dramatically easier to change something than to come up with an idea from scratch! But here is the biggest conundrum of writing a testimonial on behalf of your client: you probably also need some creative inspiration to get going, so this is where we would love to add our two-cent.


The Recipe for Writing a Testimonial for Your Entrepreneur Friend

The ideal recipe for writing a compelling long-form testimonial for your entrepreneur friend involves several key ingredients:

  1. Set the Context
    Begin by describing your specific situation before using the service. Be clear about the problem you faced before using the service.

    For example, “I was struggling to generate leads for my small business” provides more impact than a vague statement. People buy how you make them feel and not what they have bought from you.
  2. Be Specific and Authentic
    Use concrete details and numbers when possible. Avoid generic praise.
    Write in a natural, conversational tone. Avoid the highly ambiguous words generally associated with AI copywriting apps. Whatever you do: be authentic!
  3. Highlight Unique Benefits
    Explain exactly how the service solved your problem. You could mention specific features, but focus on the benefits. For example: “Thanks to SUN Accounting Service, my SARS Tax Query was resolved within 21 days, which helped me to continue focusing on my own work on hand.”
  4. Keep It Concise
    Aim for 30-50 words. Use clear, impactful language.
    Ensure the testimonial is easy to read and understand.
  5. Pro Tips
  • Use your own voice. Do not try to emulate someone else.
  • Include personal details for authenticity.
  • Focus on the benefits of using the service and not the features.
  • Consider adding a visual element like a photo for credibility.

Remember, the best testimonials tell a story that potential customers can relate to, showing not just what the product does but how it genuinely made you feel.

How to fit a testimonial into an overpacked day

Your day is already falling to pieces from your overpacked schedule. How on earth are you expected to find the time to write a testimonial? Whatever good you do in this world will come back to you! Not that you write testimonials to receive rewards in return, but it helps to justify the time.

Your entrepreneur friend’s business relies on having genuinely authentic testimonials. What else can be more important than taking a few minutes out of your day to help your friend? Within reason, of course.
And yes, the emotional benefit of doing good will far outweigh the time investment.

By writing a testimonial, you will make a friend for life! Yes, your entrepreneur ‘friend’ might not have been a friend prior to you writing the testimonial, but trust me, there will be a bond between you which no money in the world can buy.

From here, the benefits will snowball to infinity and beyond. You’ll start building the confidence that you actually can write! Trust me, most people are insanely self-conscious about their writing abilities. The best way to become an expert in writing is to start writing. Get Grammerly if you have to. At least you will be assured that your is’s and are’s will be in a straight line.

Where to from here?

If you are keen to learn more about copywriting, building your brand and everything else to get your story out, I do suggest you join the club.

We want to help you thrive as an entrepreneur, but we also need your support to help more entrepreneurs thrive around us.

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