Whatever your line of work, if you are in business for yourself, a surefire way to secure new clients is through recommendations from existing clients. Therefore you shouldn’t underestimate the role good client reviews can play in the success of your business. Whether you are a contract worker, sole trader or running a small business, testimonials show that you have a proven track record in your field and that you are serious about client satisfaction. Lee Woodman, Digital Director at Boox says, "Without positive client reviews freelancers on sites such as Upwork would simply not get any work; the entire ecosystem is driven by good reviews."

Getting great testimonials

Positive feedback from happy customers can certainly help land new projects, but most freelance professionals are unsure about how to go about getting it, or are reluctant to do so.

Here are a few tips:

  • Do a good job! If your work isn’t up to scratch, you can’t expect your client to recommend your services to others. Over-delivering on projects is one way to ensure glowing client reviews.
  • Request feedback as a matter of course Ask every client to give feedback on your work every time you finish a job or contract. If a client expresses satisfaction, ask if you can use their comments as a testimonial.
  • Just ask! Many freelancers are too modest or scared of criticism to ask for testimonials. Just because a client doesn’t outrightly compliment your work doesn’t mean they are not happy. As the saying goes, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Where to use testimonials

Once you have got some great testimonials, and your clients’ permission to use them (very important this), how can you use them to promote your business? There are a number of ways:
  • Your online profile If you have a professional website, put your best testimonials on the front page, or on a side bar so that they are visible on every page. You can manage reviews on Facebook through the settings on your company page and, as mentioned above, you can ask for endorsements from your LinkedIn network.
  • Your CV or portfolio Including a few well chosen references on your CV or adding a testimonials page to your freelance portfolio goes a long way to showing your worth to potential clients.
  • Your marketing material When using testimonials in your brochure, flyers and other printed material, give as much detail as possible for maximum credibility. Include a photograph, full name and location. Again, make sure you have the permission of your client to do so.
  • Job bids or tenders When you are tendering for a contract or project, putting a couple of concise, relevant testimonials at the bottom of the proposal document will add weight to your bid.

It works both ways…

Be reciprocal with testimonials. If you hire subcontractors into your business or work within a team, you should be willing to give testimonials if you have a had a good experience. Doing this builds up good will and will ultimately enhance your own professional reputation. What do Boox clients say about us? Watch video  
Some freelancers exclusively work from home, whereas others are office based and work on the client's premises. There are also some independent workers who enjoy the best of both worlds, but what's the most suitable option for you? Choosing where you work is an important decision that some contractors have to make, here are a number of things you may consider. (more…)
In the modern age of the internet, the value of a good brand is essential. For a contractor or freelance worker, building your own brand is very important - after all, you are the face of that brand. Brands are an important way for a company to connect with its audience. This is also true for freelancers, as it allows you to market yourself effectively as well as build credibility. These are things that may help you secure future contracts or open doors for new work opportunities. (more…)