Thanks

Jermayn Parker’s last blog post..Does owning a gun make you a cop?

Sorry to learn of your prior hiring experience where the designer wasn’t responsible for the work he claimed. I’m sure it’s not doing said designer any favours at all.

Julian,

Why not add some testimonials to your ‘read more’ sections in each portfolio piece? You could always add one or two to the homepage as well (something I’ve thought about, although I’m not sure it’d be the right fit for my homepage.

Sean,

You certainly can’t rely on word of mouth if you’re doing a bad job! ;)

Brian,

Sickener for those people to get caught out like that. You missed that I mentioned one of the examples in my article.

Andrew,

I’m not sure who was saying that testimonials can’t be faked, but you’re right that you need to be wary. Doing your research is a great suggestion, I’m sure everyone would agree.

Ptah,

Great news that you’re not questionning my credibility. ;)

Regan,

The design niche certainly helps, especially as the majority of my work nowadays is displayed online in some shape or form. Perhaps one day I’ll add video testimonials into the mix.

A well written testimonial, good quality picture and a live link to the client’s site showing the new design in use is probably the bext case scenario of most niches. I’m not able to do that with mine.

Regan’s last blog post..vintage Leslie 122 speaker for sale

Your totally right.. I’ve seen hundreds of websites boasting client testimonials for their products, not just logos.. the most prevalent of them all are landing pages trying to sell some bogus product. For some odd reason though, I love laughing at those kinds of people trying so hard but its so obvious their fake.

And because of the massive amounts of dishonestly on the web, it’s going to be harder for legitimate people like David for example to have client testimonials too. But what he’s doing with his testimonials in addition to his popularity status for logo designs and his blog, I think his credibility is far from questionable.

There are some of you stating that testimonials can’t be made up? Of coarse they can. Some folks may even search the net for testimonials to copy and paste. I can’t prove this, but look at this example - i’ve seen a fair few logo design sites out there boasting portfolios containing hundreds of logo designs (no sites mentioned) , making out there are professionals because of this. But, if you go to the web sites of these alleged client customer logos are from, you’ll find not their design, but some other! Why—because the logo portfolios are full of failed design concepts that clients actually rejected from logo design contests at SitePoint, etc (just google the company names).

So, the next time you want to enlist the services of a company based on testimonials, I think it’s a good idea to be prudent and do a little research first.

Andrew Kelsall’s last blog post..There’s No Feeling for the Cub Scouts’ Album Art

http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/how-not-to-post-testimonials-dvddropship-example/
http://www.thewholesaleforums.co.uk/forum/dropshipping-discussion/17066-dropshipland-com.html#post145683!

Sean’s last blog post..Quick Photoshop CS3 Trick – Duplicating Layer Masks

As everyone agreed on your post, testimonials pays a major part in selecting a individual or company for any kind of work. Even though this sounds obvious …lot of us miss out on this (including me)  anyway its time to get started!

Julian

When someone comes to your web site with the intent of hiring you… they’ve got all kinds of WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) questions running through their head.

While you can try to “answer” those questions (and you should), it’s always nice when a satisfied customer can provide support for the answers you’re giving.

I once hired a designer who gave me an impressive list of his “work”. When he presented the assigned project to me, it was OBVIOUS he hadn’t done the work listed on his web site.

As for testimonial presentation…. I recommend that clients “sprinkle” those THROUGHOUT their web presence in addition to giving them their own page.

When people are considering hiring you, they’re certain to go to your testimonials page. However, people who are “in process” of researching need to see those testimonials as well.

In other words, as you’re creating a post, slip in your own little “testimonial” ad for your own service in addition to listing them on your testimonial page.

A huge problem with featuring testimonials is that the shysters have seen their “power” and have no problem creating fictitious ones. I think that’s why the pictures help to “authenticate” the testimonials.

I have a client who features video of his client’s testimonials. It’s painfully obvious that these are NOT rehearsed and are NOT professionally produced… and personally, I think it adds to the “validity” of them. There’s no doubt these are “real”.

Kathy’s last blog post..Customers can’t measure quality….

I’m glad you approve. You’re right about the screen captures, and Nate Whitehill’s photo in particular was lifted from one of his YouTube video podcasts. Not ideal, but I think it’s more effective than text only.

Tammy,

I agree that the testimonials seem more real with an accompanying picture, and thanks again for your very kind endorsement.

Jacob,

Looking forward to reading your own client testimonials, and you’re very welcome for the reminder.

Didik,

No worries buddy.

Ptah,

I think the ideal way to present your testimonials is to show them on a separate page and within your portfolio, as I mention above.