Get the perfect reference

Nothing is quite as good at winning more work as a recommendation from a happy customer. A job well done is an opportunity for your business to grow, so don’t miss the chance to get a reference or testimonial.

Final flourish

The usual end of a job is the invoice, but including a small gift leaves a lasting impression. How about a sample pot in the colour of the project for little touch-ups, or a few small paintbrushes with your contact details printed on them? Little touches can help your business stand out from the competition.

Face-to-face

A happy client will be even more enthusiastic if they feel they know and trust you. This makes it important that you ask for a testimonial in person. It shows that your client’s opinions matter to you and you’re more likely to get a positive response.

Follow up

Make it easy for a client by following your request with an email or letter that offers a few leading questions, such as “How did you find the service?” or “How useful did you find the advice on colours and finishes?”. Direct questions tend to work better than a blank piece of paper.

Be an editor

People don’t tend to talk in perfect, quotable sentences. If a client has complimented your work, ask if you can quote them, and send them an email confirming what the quote will say.

Offer details

Testimonials have more power if they can be credited to someone and include a little detail about the job and location. Most clients won’t want to share their full name, but a little extra detail (‘John, London, four-bedroom house’) can make a big difference.

Add images

Testimonials are much stronger if they come with pictures. Be sure to ask for permission to use images of your finished work, especially if you plan to send those images to new customers. And make sure you remove anything that could identify the owner or the address ¬– such as family photos or mail. The Showcasing tool is a great way to show off your work.

Be in reach

Make sure your full contact details are on everything you share with clients, including business cards, invoices and emails, so your clients know where to send feedback. These details should include all your social media information too, so clients can tag you on their social channels.

Discover how to organise your showcase.