An Encouraging Word Makes the Heart Glad – Power of Reviews and Testimonials: Bookselling Strategies - Impacting lives with Christian Literature

What’s the Power of Reviews and Testimonials

A review is an evaluation or assessment of a product, service, or experience. It can be written or verbal and is often shared publicly on platforms such as social media, review websites, or forums. Reviews can be helpful for both businesses and consumers in making informed decisions.

A testimonial is a statement or endorsement from a satisfied customer or client about their positive experience with a product, service, or business. Testimonials can also be shared publicly on various platforms and are often used by businesses as a marketing tool to build trust and credibility with potential customers.

1. Reviews and Testimonials help you showcase the positive experiences and opinions of satisfied customers.
2. They provide valuable insights into the specific benefits and features of your book and/or programs, helping potential customers make informed purchasing decisions.
3. Featuring diverse testimonials and reviews from different demographics can demonstrate inclusivity and broaden the appeal of your book and offerings. For instance, a teens book can also be beneficial to parents, teen Church workers and other youth workers.
4. They build trust and credibility among potential customers by providing social proof of the quality and effectiveness of your book or book programs and thus increase customer loyalty.
5. They enable you and your book to be discoverable by the Search Engines. The more the reviews and testimonials, the higher you will be ranked and recommended when people search for something close to what you offer.

In conclusion, testimonials and reviews increase conversions and encourage more people to purchase your book or participate in your book programs.

How Do You Get Started?

1. Sow by Leaving a Review for Your Fellow Authors

The phrase “what you sow you shall reap” is a Biblical principle that emphasises the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions. It means that the consequences of our actions, whether good or bad, will eventually catch up with us. Knowing that we will ultimately receive what we give out to others, we are reminded to be mindful of our choices and to act with kindness and compassion towards others.

Coupled with “do to others what you want done to you,” Scripture teaches us a valuable lesson that it is up to us to choose wisely and make a positive impact on those around us, creating a ripple effect of kindness and positivity in the world.

We encourage you to go to the nominees page, nominees journeys page (both on africanauthors.net) or on a specific author’s website or social media links and leave them a word of encouragement. Give yourself a target of ten authors every year! That way, you become a part of a ripple effect for Christian authorship in Africa.

Also leave a review for CLC Kenya and ACABA on the website or on social media.

2. After Sale Requests

Asking for testimonials can be as simple as sending a follow-up email after a successful book sale or program completion. One effective way is to reach out to satisfied customers and ask them directly for their feedback. It’s important to make the request personal and specific, asking for feedback on certain aspects of the book or program.

3. Offer Incentive

In addition, you can encourage customers to leave a testimonial for your business by giving them an incentive, such as a discount on any future purchases they make of your book or give freebies.

Offering a free sample or preview of your book, maybe a chapter or section can entice potential customers to make a purchase by giving them a taste of what they can expect from your content. This can lead to increased sales and positive word-of-mouth marketing.

Learn how to include a request for testimonials on your website’s review section

1. Start by creating a dedicated page on your website where customers can submit their testimonials and reviews. CLC Kenya/ACABA has created that page for you so you can share with as many people in your networks as possible.

2. Make it easy for customers to leave a review by including a call-to-action button on your homepage or product pages. This can encourage more people to share their positive experiences with your book.

3. Encourage customers to leave feedback by providing clear instructions on how to do so. As you share your link, make sure you let the people know what you exactly need them to do.

An example: I have been nominated for a book award for my book Too Busy for Worship. Please click the link below and leave a review or testimonial for me. Your review counts towards making my book successful.

4. Display your best reviews prominently on your website to encourage others to leave theirs.

How Can You Promote Your Reviews and Testimonials Section?

In addition to your website homepage, you can promote your reviews and testimonials section on:

On a product or service page
Social media platforms
In an email campaign
In a blog or case study.

How to Handle Negative Reviews in a Professional and Timely Manner

Negative reviews can be difficult to handle, but it’s important to learn how to deal with negative feedback. This is in consideration of the fact that:

(i) There will always be human errors and limitations in your delivery of products and services, on one part.

(ii) It is also not possible to please everyone, on the other hand.

For genuine negative feedback where you erred:

(i) Respond in a professional and timely manner.

(ii) Acknowledge the customer’s concerns and offer a solution or apology if necessary.

(iii) Take the feedback into consideration and make any necessary improvements to prevent similar issues in the future.

(iv) Take the conversation offline and continue the discussion privately to prevent further negative publicity.

(v) All the above can show that your business values customer feedback and is committed to providing effective solutions for that situation and in the future.

How to deal with malicious negative feedback:

It is important to address any false or misleading information in the negative feedback and provide factual evidence to support your response.

Additionally, consider reaching out to satisfied customers for positive reviews to counteract any negative impact. If you have 1 negative feedback in the midst of 9 positive ones, the negative one will be isolated and inconsequential.

When not to respond to negative or malicious comments online:

It’s important to remember that not all negative comments require a response. If the comment is clearly malicious, irrelevant, or inappropriate, it may be best to simply delete it, move on, and focus on engaging with positive feedback. It’s also important to avoid getting defensive or engaging in arguments with negative commenters, as this can often make the situation worse. Instead, focus on addressing any legitimate concerns and showing your commitment to customer satisfaction.