Collecting testimonials and developing case studies about your work are great confidence boosters.
If you haven't been asking for testimonials up to now, it's time to get started! When you're working with new clients you don't need to wait till the work is completed to ask for a testimonial.
People will be full of enthusiasm as they start working with you and results can occur early on.
So when your client says something is amazing, ask to write down what they've said.
Get permission to use it on your website and in your marketing materials.
The best testimonials will have the real name, business and location of the person.
A great format for testimonials is: present the problem or issue that the client came to see you about, explain what has changed as a result - being very clear on what the new outcomes were.
Maybe they have saved time or money, or they have learned a new skill, got new clients or are less stressed.
It's not enough to just say how great it's been to work with you.
Include some kind of measure or list of changes.
If you already have some testimonials gather them up and decide what you are going to do with them.
Do you need to add more to your website? And here's a useful tip - don't just put up a page saying "testimonials" - scatter them throughout your website too.
You never know which page people are going to land on first.
If you are starting from scratch do this exercise:

• List current clients who have had great results
• Write down a draft of what they might say based on feedback they've given you so far
• Ask permission to use it once they have had a chance to comment or edit what you've written.
  Ask if you can use their name
• With new clients ask for feedback early and whenever they have something great to say ask if you can use it
• List past clients who said really good things
• Get in touch again and ask if they would be happy to provide feedback
• Remind them of the results they got working with you
• Turn it into a testimonial and get approval
• Make it a habit to get and use positive feedback from your clients

It's usually better to ask for "feedback" and "results" rather than for a "testimonial.
" People can get stuck in the formality of a testimonial but are usually more than happy to chat on the phone and give you feedback that you can then turn into a testimonial for their approval.
The added bonus of doing this is that you get a huge confidence boost when you are reminded of the difference you have made for your clients.
The testimonials are evidence of just how good you are! (c) Shona Partridge, Women Mean Business