What’s one of the first things you look for when deciding on a purchase? Reviews and testimonials, of course!
People are skeptical in the world of health and dieting—as they should be—but a relatable testimonial can validate you and your services as a health coach, softening that apprehension as you build the know, like, and trust factors that lead to eager new clients.
Below we’re sharing with you 30 ways to capture and utilize raving testimonials from your clients and followers, so you can build your reputation as a health coach and inspire others to work with you.
18 Ways to Capture Testimonials
🌱 = perfect for new coaches
1. Ask family and friends 🌱
“Tell me in a few sentences, ‘How would you describe my passion for health and wellness? How has my advice and support helped to improve your life?‘”
2. Feedback from workshops 🌱
Hosting a workshop or webinar? Use Zoom’s post-webinar survey, or provide a feedback form (see #5-10 for tips) for attendees to share comments and praise about your presentation.
3. Professional testimonials 🌱
Think: colleagues, mentors, even something like a guest blog post, or podcast interview. Help busy professionals put this together by providing an example version, AKA swipe copy, which also ensures you get what you’re looking for.
4. Happy clients? Just ask.
When a client or follower expresses gratitude for your work, that’s the perfect time to ask for a testimonial. “Wow, thank you! It would be a big help if you’d be willing to put that in a testimonial! I can send you a form so it’s quick and easy.” Have a form ready (see the next tips), and send it right over.
5. Provide questions with survey software
When a client agrees to provide a testimonial, try a free service (Google Forms, JotForm, Survey Monkey, or TypeForm) to send and collect answers in a professional, organized way.
Capture Testimonials With These Questions:
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- Describe what your health/wellness/mindset was like before we started working together.
- Describe what you liked or loved most about working with me as your coach.
- What are the 3 most significant outcomes/results you’ve experienced since working with me? (include specific details like how your feel, before and after weight, measurements, etc…)
- Describe the most eye-opening realizations or breakthrough moments you had. (e.g. patterns you noticed, what you learned about yourself, nutrition insights, etc…)
Tips: Keep it simple and limit the number of questions. Send the form immediately after they agree to help.
6. Embed the form on your website
Check your website for a form-builder, content block, or plugin to embed a feedback form into a page on your site. The tools listed in #5 usually offer an embed code to capture and paste it on your site, too. Make the page “unlisted” (with a “noindex” tag—hidden from Google/public, see more SEO best practices here), and share the link when you ask for a testimonial. How professional!
7. Scheduled email template
Does your coaching program have a certain end-date? Schedule a testimonial/feedback request email to go out near the end of your program. Using Gmail business email, you can create and store custom-email templates, and with one click you can auto-populate the message. Schedule it when you start a new client, and you’ll have plenty of testimonials in no time.
8. Automated feedback form
Similar to #7, here you’d combine the testimonial request into a feedback form. This is highly recommended near the end of your coaching program because it helps you learn what you can improve upon, from the client’s perspective, while getting testimonials, too.
9. Fill in the blank
Share a fill-in-the-blank option, like this:
“Before I came to Marisa I was ______[feeling, struggling with].
__________ [continue to describe what life was like before we started working together].
Marisa helped me by _________, and I really appreciated _________.
Now I can say I __________ [feel, think, look, know ____] thanks to her guidance.
I __________ [describe the transformation and changes you now experience after working together].
I highly recommend her for anyone who_________.”
10. Give deadlines and details
It’s common for clients to unintentionally forget to reply or submit the form. Try providing them with more specifics when you send the message, like, “I’m creating a new coaching page on my site, so, your testimonial comes at the perfect time! I can’t wait to share your amazing story this week. Thank you!”
11. Entice clients with a “Celebration Pack”
Coach Angie Brazzale came up with this idea that incentivizes the feedback form. “Once they submit the form, they’re redirected to a ‘Celebration’ page containing an E-Book, a completion certificate, a discount for their next program, plus, a summary of all they’ve learned.”
12. Video requests
Videos are the most impactful form of testimonials! Ask your extroverted clients if they’d be willing to record a short video, answering 3 questions you’ve provided, to help share their success story.
13. Interview format
The client might feel more comfortable if you ask for a short interview. You can use Zoom, record it on your podcast, or use any audio recorder as you interview the client about their triumphant experience and outcome.
14. Screenshot candid client messages
When clients praise you via text or tag you on social media, take a screenshot and get their permission to share it (with or without their name shown). These can be a powerful form of social proof because it’s the real deal.
15. Before-and-after photos
People love the side-by-side comparison, and it doesn’t have to be weight loss to represent a transformation!
16. Offer anonymity
Even photos can be shared anonymously if you add a smiley emoji or your logo to cover the client’s face. Always offer an option to remain anonymous, especially in before/after photos, but don’t hesitate to emphasize the value of sharing their name.
17. HIPAA-compliant testimonial release form
Coaches who operate under HIPAA privacy laws can create a testimonial release form, like this one, where you’d state their privacy rights, gain their consent, and ask for the testimonial, all in one form.
18. Ask for platform-specific reviews
When your client expresses gratitude, ask, “Would you mind putting that into a review on my Facebook page? That would be a big help!” Many coaching directories have reviews, too, because reviews help to build trust between strangers.
12 Ways to Use Testimonials in Your Biz
19. Showcase industry proof 🌱
Waiting to gain more clients and testimonials? Display images of you speaking at an event. Think: screenshot a zoom interview, event promo pages/flyers, guest blog posts you’ve written, etc.
20. Edit, then confirm
In most cases, you’ll want to edit the client’s testimonial. You’re writing it using their words, of course, but you’ll tweak the grammar, combine their answers into flowing statements, or rearrange things so it reads more clearly. Send the completed version back for their approval.
21. Quote graphics
Take one glowing statement from your client and turn it into a testimonial graphic. Try quote templates in a free app like Canva, and customize it to match your brand.
22. Consider supporting details
Opt for images or video, and the client’s full name, whenever possible. Consider adding more relevant details if it makes sense for your niche, like their age or job title.
23. Key pages on your website
The 2-3 essential places for testimonials on your website include:
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- A dedicated page—Success Stories or Testimonials
- Discovery Call and/or Coaching Services Page
- Product Sales Page
24. Add one below your email signature
Add this after your name and contact info, and keep it fresh by changing it whenever you get a new testimonial.
25. Rotate them into your content
Sprinkle one into your weekly content. Think: email newsletters, social media posts, blogs, wherever.
26. Interview on Facebook or Instagram Live
A standard testimonial is great, but an amazing transformation might be begging for a larger reach. Ask if you can interview this client, live, like a podcast, as you talk together about their riveting experience.
27. Infuse a sales sequence with your coach POV
If you send out automated emails, known as sales-sequences, it’s a great idea to share a client success story from your point of view. Drive it home with a quote from their testimonial, and your reader will naturally associate their life with the success of your client.
28. Enhance a webinar
When hosting a webinar, be sure to share a client’s before/after photo or testimonial in your presentation because it helps validate your work and build more trust.
29. Podcast intros
Do you host a podcast? Share some testimonials and shoutouts on the air, or in your intro or closing message, to help turn listeners into clients.
30. Boost client motivation
Refer back to your success stories whenever a client needs a boost of inspiration. When you choose a relatable example, it can be a powerful motivator that helps your client see themselves succeeding, too.
You can never have too many testimonials in your health coaching business. The next one could be the single factor that moves a dedicated follower into your current clientele.
