The Value of Customer Testimonials - Both Giving & Receiving

We all know how important Customer Testimonials are to our businesses - particularly small businesses. Most indie businesses benefit from word-of-mouth advertising more than any other - and flattering reviews, positive feedback and satisfied customer testimonials are incredibly valuable and often translate into sales.

We at Bellissima are profoundly grateful for our own favorable reviews and are accustomed to asking permission to reprint complimentary comments for our own marketing purposes. And with appreciation, we're always glad to offer them up for products and companies we truly believe in.

I recently blogged about sending out Bellissima's first email newsletter (better late than never!) and my experience with http://www.hostway.com/ 's new Newsletter Broadcast.

I was so impressed with Hostway's simple set-up, ease of use and attractive designs - and was so proud of myself for finally getting our Newsletter issue under control - that I had written a glowing review on my blog, never giving it a second thought.

But shockingly (as most things tend to happen to me - & Bellissima), I received a phone call the next day from Hostway. They were making a customer service call, asking if I knew about or had used their new Newsletter Broadcast service. I let them know that I did, and had - and they asked for my opinion. I directed them to my blog post - since it was all right there in black and white for all the world to see - why shouldn't they?

It was funny really, and quite serendipitous.

Hostway was working on promoting their Newsletter Broadcast, including details in their own monthly email newsletter, and thought a customer testimonial fit in perfectly with their plans. I gladly approved excerpts from my blog post for a quote and gave my permission for them to use.

I received their Newsletter just yesterday - and was thrilled to see my quote published on the page! But even more thrilling was clicking the link and seeing my full product review - with a screenshot of Bellissima's Newsletter - right on their website!

I'm flattered to have been chosen to represent Hostway's customers, but even more than that, I'm thrilled to endorse a product that I truly believe in - and one that's helping me build my business and making it more successful!

Oh, and if you'd like to subscribe to Bellissima's monthly Newsletter, you may do so here!

Are Online Reviews Important For Your Business?

They are for mine.

And I'm not completely sure that 'important' is the right word.

'Crucial', 'Essential', 'Vital' and 'Critical' might be better words to describe the effect that online reviews of my products have on my business. It may have a lot to do with the fact that my products are cosmetics and spa, bath & body products - things that are best experienced in person. Texture, color, consistency, scent and appearance all stimulate the senses and contribute to the overall impression of the product.

But buying online, which is becoming more and more a way of life for many people, is prohibitive toward the aestetic impact of my products. And while I do offer assorted opportunities in a variety of different price ranges (including free! - see http://www.bellissimamineralmakeup.com/) to get my products into the hands of prospective buyers, these options are limited to the number of people who see them. So the next best thing, if they can't try the product themselves, is to read independent evaluations by people who have.

There's no better sales tool, as far as I'm concerned, than the unbiased, fair and balanced testimonial of a person with first-hand knowledge of my product. As much as I (and my friends and my family) enjoy using my products, it does little but boost my self esteem. And while that's important too, it doesn't help much with sales. Online reviews allow me to direct potential buyers to a judgement that's not my own, where they can acquire more details and information from a different point of view and they may be able to learn via someone else's experiences, whether something might be right for them.

An impartial, objective and completely unsolicited review is the best advertising my business can get. Someone who gains nothing (nor loses anything, either) by offering their opinion is someone who earns respect and gains an audience who will listen to their advice, suggestions and guidance.

I've been very fortunate to have had Bellissima reviewed online a few times. In each instance, I had no prior knowledge of the slant or status of the opinions that would be given - and in several cases, I was completely unaware that a review would even be published.


Amy's wearing Bellissima
Bali Lagoon EyeShadow



One was published just today by Amy of Chicy Creations on her blog:

http://chicy-creations.blogspot.com/2009/04/bellissima-trucco-minerale-make-up.html

Bellissima's very first review was published back in June of '08 by Sarah of the E-Tailer's Mall:

http://www.etailersmall.com/blog/2008/06/03/bellissima-trucco-minerale-review/

I am unbelieveably honored and beyond thrilled to have such professional and incredibly knowledgeable women take the time to review Bellissima - and publish such detailed, in-depth reviews, at that. Please be sure to post a comment and say hello if you drop by their sites!

There's an old adage that says 'If they like it, they'll tell 10 people; if they don't like it, they'll tell 100'. If you don't believe it, think about the last movie you saw and walked out on or the last restaurant you went to and got bad service. Then think about how many friends you told about your experiences.

Take a moment out today and think about a product you really like (preferably handmade!) - and then tell as many people as you can! It will most definitely be important - and mean the world - to that business owner!