How To Source Happy Customer Testimonials

​How many times do you research a product and look to the reviews for feedback? How many times have customer testimonials affected your decision to seek a provider or purchase a healthcare product or service? Customer testimonials impact purchasing decisions and are important resources when evaluating the overall consumer experience. 

The Importance of Good Testimonials

Customer testimonials are an important addition to any website. Not only are they sources of high praise, they also provide a positive experience for new consumers researching the site. Testimonials are tools that affirm confidence in moving forward with a product or service.

Forbes recently published the Top Seven Overlooked Benefits of Testimonials and the list includes some interesting points.

• Loyalty increases when your consumer feels honored by providing feedback
• Recommendations of other products or services will rise
• A natural use of customer language incorporated in website marketing copy—pending permission
• Negative feedback can be viewed as a learning opportunity.
• A great way to laud your staff members
• Easily shared on social media
• Boosts your SEO

Sourcing Customer Testimonials

​Now that we are on board with using customer testimonials, how do you source them?  

Start every outreach for a customer testimonial with someone who has actually used your product or service. Healthcare consumers are looking to feel an emotional connection from customer feedback. If the testimonial isn’t genuine, you will lose new consumer trust. In contrast, customer testimonials that are persuasive can convince a doubting consumer to go ahead with the purchase or procedure.

Which Team Member Should Send the Request?

​Account managers and territory sales representatives are the best people to request healthcare customer testimonials as they are the ones in front of the client most often. But the bottom line comes down to relationships. The person that has the strongest relationship with the one requested to provide feedback should approach the conversation. In this respect, the feedback will feel genuine and comfortable. Make sure you are prepared with follow-up questions if the answer is yes. Here's an example of a testimonial request:

Hi [CUSTOMER],

We’re working on sourcing testimonials for our products and given our strong partnership we’d love it if you could jump on a quick 10-15 minute call to talk about your experience with our product. If you don’t have time for that, would you be willing to fill out a quick survey?

​Thanks as always for your business, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Who Should Review the Request?

​It is important to reach out to loyal customers as well as those that see value in your product or service. In healthcare these personas could include physicians, purchasing agents, nurses/P.A.’s, front-end staff, hospital administration​, and potentially even patients if HIPPA and all applicable laws are observed. 

If a product is discussed, make sure to include testimonials that speak to how the product was serviced before and after it was purchased. It is another way of showing consumers that they will not be forgotten after the big buy.

Testimonials as Solutions

​Customer testimonials should tell a story or solve a problem. Remember that the outcome does not have to always be positive. Reviews are seeking to invoke confidence in future consumers. All responses should be concise. The following example shares a story while indicating two benefits—a great surgery and a successful recovery. Try to incorporate images of your customer and, at minimum, a first name and last initial included in the testimonial.

Here's an excellent testimonial given to CareRev, a healthcare staffing software provider.

Customer testimonials are an integral part of selling emotional confidence when promoting healthcare products. Place them on your homepage website, brochures, and product literature where patients can review product information. Consumers feel comforted when listening to others who have purchased or implanted products and services for similar reasons. 

Customer testimonials will strengthen your relationships. Physicians, hospitals and surgery centers will receive free publicity and healthcare companies will gain recognition with their support. In the world of healthcare sales where relationships and trust are cornerstones to most purchases, requesting and sharing customer testimonials is a win-win for all.

About the Author

Carevoyance contributor Sarah Pike, M.B.A., is a freelance marketing copywriter based in San Diego. She enjoys writing about business, fashion, food, healthcare, leadership, motivation and technology.