Pravin Shekar’s Post

The entire process of asking for testimonials is awkward, is it not? You feel confident asking the first time, but then life takes over, and it gets pushed down your client's priority list and it's a little awkward to keep chasing. It can seem needy, and that's not a good look. When they finally sit down to write, they don’t really know what to say, so the result is not very satisfactory. "Joe is great" is very nice for your ego, but it doesn't say very much about what it's like to work with Joe. How about I took the ickiness away? You set up a call with the person who will give the testimonial. I’ll conduct a quick 15-minute interview and write it up as a mini case study that you can use on your website or your socials. No awkward moments for you or your client and a professionally written testimonial you can be proud of. Is that some you’d be interested in? Link in the comments

The #1 question I get asked: I want to do fractional work, but how do I get started? 🤔 The temptation is to “play business,” thinking you need to worry about opening an LLC or business bank account, setting up a website, trying to define your services like a menu board. This “box checking” work can feel really good — it’s finite work that you can accomplish! But it won’t actually get you customers. Instead, the reality is a bit more uncomfortable: like a founder starting a company, you don’t have anything until you talk to your customers. And as a new fractional, you’ll find your first customers through people you already know. Full stop. Networks like Hello Generalist are sugar on top of this core work that you need to do. We’ll play connector for you, setting you up with interviews and meetings, and helping you grow your network of other fractional, but it’s highly probable you will find the majority of your clients through your immediate network. Call your old manager. Hit up your work bffs. Tell them what you want to do. Hello Generalist member Erin Winkler-McCue talks about “getting in the reps” with these conversations, holding 100s of calls with first and second degree connections. She’s doing it right. Others like Rob Laing, Kapil Khimdas and Mark Schindler get the word out through super high quality newsletters. ❓Independent folks reading this, what have you done to win your first customers?

Confession? I struggled a lot. Mainly with this one thing: → Speaking with super-senior business people. (During win-loss interviews) The part I hated the most: I felt like I wouldn't be able to match it with them in these conversations. And this gave me anxiety. But I've realised that it's not about me. It's about them. It’s eye-opening because people *love* speaking about themselves. And that's what win-loss analysis is. It's about: -the value THEY saw -the decisions THEY made -the journey THEY went on -the people THEY consulted I really don't have to do much talking at all. I just have to listen and probe. In a way, I become their business therapist they don't have to pay for. And when you flip the script, these conversations becomes...easier. Remember this next time you're feeling nervous about interacting with someone. ---------- P.S. Have you struggled engaging with senior stakeholders/prospects/customers? P.P.S. I'm Josh and I help B2B software companies identify *exactly* why they're winning and losing deals (and how to win more of them) in <30 days, through impartial win-loss interviews. DM me "Winning" to find out more.

Want High-Quality Client Testimonials? Try This! Unlock better client feedback today. How to get testimonials that impress: 1. Use Fill-in-the-Blanks: Provide your clients with a simple template. It makes it easier for them and ensures you get the details you need. 2. Write It for Them: Draft a testimonial based on their feedback and achievements. Then, ask for their approval to make it official. 3. Conduct Interviews: Hop on a call for a video testimonial. Ask questions to capture their genuine success story. Testimonials are powerful. They show future clients the success they can achieve. Try these strategies and watch your business grow!

Bill Cates’ newest book, The Language of Referrals, is your blueprint for financial professionals finding the right words and phrases to elevate your referability, confidently ask for introductions, address concerns and objections, and turn the willingness to refer into effective connections with your new prospects. Check it out at https://lnkd.in/g3ChkBpR. Never be at a loss for words again! The secret to generating referrals and transforming personal introductions into new clients boils down to two key traits: confidence and fluency. It’s all about mastering what you say – and how you say it – in a manner that inspires action while remaining completely natural and authentic to your personal communication style. Bill Cates, The Original Referral Coach #referrals #referralsarewelcome #referralsappreciated #introductions #Businessacceleration #businessownergrowth #Financialadvisorcoaching #financialadvisors #financialprofessionals #Accountabilitycoach #AccountabilityPitBull #Goalachievement #financialservices

When life gives you lemons, don't make a lemonade stand. For those of you day dreaming about a business, side hustle, or personal project, this is for you. Swipe through to read some tips to get to know your potential customers better, and design a customer interview that *actually* works. PS - Subscribe to The Grow Op, our bi-weekly newsletter here at Growclass. We'll send you insights to make you smarter, resources to make you faster, and job opportunities to make you more money. #growclass #jobinterview #interviewtips #meetingtips #jobtips #joboffer #jobopportunity #marketingtips #marketingjobs #marketingtrends #growthmarketing #growthmarketer #marketing #growth #onlinecourse #learnonline #marketingcourse

Ever tried getting customers on camera for a testimonial only to hear crickets? I've been there. After countless attempts (and failures), I've cracked the code on getting enthusiastic "yes" responses for video interviews. Here's what works. 🌟 Reframe it as a "customer spotlight" - Make them the star, not your product. 🎁 Offer valuable content in return - Give them clips they can use to boost their own brand. 💡 Incentivize smartly - Think beyond gift cards. Custom video kits or local treats can work wonders. 📝 Bake it into your contracts - Offer perks for participation upfront. ⏱️ Keep it quick and painless - Our process takes just 30-45 minute I've compiled these tactics (and more from all over the internet) into a cheat sheet for you. It's packed with specific email scripts and strategies I've personally tested. Grab your copy: Link in the comments What's your go-to method for securing customer interviews? Share below, I'm always looking to learn more!

You think it takes brains and guts to run a business? More than that. It takes integrity. The integrity to tell a client, "No, you can go with the cheaper package." The integrity to tell a prospect, "Your copy is great. Here are some ideas to freshen it up and you're good to go." The integrity to charge fairly when a client desperately needs a niched service or rush job. The integrity to give a referral gift even when they haven't heard of your latest offer. So that was my week. Less income, more integrity. But the more integrity I run my business with, the more blessing I see.

𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘆𝘀’ 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 for landing HIGH-END clients is what you need. Don't choose the wrong clients. Picture this: You're holding a sparkling glass slipper. A roomful of potential clients eagerly waits, but only one truly fits the shoe. The rest? They might look promising, but deep down, they’re not your match. Find your princess. Here’s why this matters: Working with the wrong clients drains your time, creativity, and enthusiasm, leaving you too burnt out to give your best to the 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 ones. The clients who fit the slipper are more likely to rave about you to others. A great fit means shared goals and seamless collaboration, which leads to better outcomes and fewer headaches. Now, what’s the downside of ignoring this principle? Misaligned clients = Misaligned results. No matter how skilled you are, working with someone who doesn’t fit your style or your dream client profile often ends in frustration, for both of you. You're wasting your energy and time. Delivering less-than-stellar results to a bad-fit client could hurt your credibility. Here’s how to implement this, What do you need in a client including budget, values, or communication style? Write it down. Remember it. Use discovery calls, pre-qualification forms, or even casual chats. Turning down the wrong clients isn’t a loss, learn to say 𝗻𝗼. You'll be more satisfied with your work this way too. P.S. What’s your #1 non-negotiable for a dream client?

HOW TO PRESENT THE TESTIMONIALS? How to maximise impact with every share? Read on. And share your thoughts. #testimonials #interview #marketingtips #customerfeedback #outliermarketing If you want to check out what’s been covered before in the TESTIMONIAL CAROUSEL: * Why Am I Not Getting Any Testimonials? https://lnkd.in/gvCSJn7c * How Do I Figure Out Who My Best Customers Are to Ask for Testimonials? https://lnkd.in/gSJWQbwY * When's the Best Time to Ask Customers for Testimonials? https://lnkd.in/gUfJpvWW * What’s an Effective Testimonial Request Template? https://lnkd.in/gyqtwdWx * My Testimonial Request was ignored - What’s my follow-up? https://lnkd.in/gsJGVTBC * How to Secure Powerful Customer Testimonials? https://lnkd.in/guYyK-ZD * What perks can I offer for a testimonial? https://lnkd.in/gmQdm-2T * What compelling offer for people to share testimonials? https://lnkd.in/e_rnJTNx