Today, I want to talk about something that can truly make a difference in your online course success – student testimonials!

Because when it comes to convincing potential students to join your course, there’s nothing quite as powerful as social proof, and testimonials are the perfect way to provide it (and don’t worry if you don’t have students yet…keep reading as I’ve got you covered 😉

So, why are testimonials so important?

Well, they give your potential students an insight into the experiences of others who have already taken your course, which builds trust and credibility.

When people see that others have benefited from your course, they’re more likely to believe they will too.

But how do you go about collecting and showcasing testimonials effectively?

Here are some tips to help you:

• Ask for testimonials at the right time: The ideal moment to ask for a testimonial is when your students have just completed your course and feel accomplished.

They’re more likely to share their positive experiences and achievements at this point.

Here’s an example of a new testimonial request I have just put in place for students of my Course Creation Academy – click here for an example of video feedback request

I’ve kept it simple to make it easy for my students to give me their feedback.

Which leads me to:

• Make it easy for students to submit testimonials – Create a simple feedback form or provide a direct link to a review platform where students can share their thoughts with minimum hassle.

There are some amazing tools you can use, which are often free!

I like to test out new platforms so I can report back to my students on whether it’s worth trying – so I got a bit fancy with my latest testimonial set-up (the video one)

But in the past, I’ve successfully used Typeform which is so simple and actually beautiful to use, and I highly recommend it.

I’ve set a simple one up here for you to look at, and if you are feeling in a good mood, I’d love it if you take just a few moments to give me some feedback on this very eletter: Click here

• Be specific in your request: Instead of asking for general feedback, encourage students to share specific results or breakthroughs they achieved through your course. This will make their testimonials more convincing and relatable.

• Showcase your testimonials prominently: Display your testimonials on your course sales page, in your marketing emails, and on your social media channels.

You want potential students to see these glowing reviews at every touchpoint of their decision-making journey.

• Don’t be afraid to use different formats While written testimonials are great, consider including video testimonials or even sharing success stories through interviews, podcasts, or blog posts. This variety can make your testimonials even more compelling.

[Important Caveat!] I may be generalising hugely here, but when I’ve worked with US audiences, they are much more willing to provide video testimonials.

Until recently, it’s been much harder to ask my UK-based customers to do the same, so I always advise you to give a choice rather than insisting on video testimonials! I totally understand this reticence as I’m camera shy too!

I’ll let you know how my test with my new (and much easier to use) video testimonial request form works. I’ve kept it short and simple but will add some additional questions in future versions.

So, what if you haven’t created your course yet? How are you going to get testimonials?

No need to worry!

If you’re coaching, training, or working with clients in the same subject area as your future course, you can still gather testimonials.

These individuals can provide credible proof that you know what you’re talking about and have the expertise to teach others.

Ask your current or past clients for testimonials about their experience working with you. Make sure to highlight the skills and knowledge they gained, as well as any positive outcomes they achieved. This will demonstrate the value of your expertise to potential course students.

Another fantastic way to generate testimonials is by running a beta launch of your course, which I teach you how to do in my Course Creation Academy (email me for details if you aren’t already a student).

A beta launch is a limited release of your course to a select group of students at a reduced price or for free.

This allows you to test and refine your course content while also validating demand (so it’s a win-win!)

I’ve found that Beta launches are invaluable for collecting testimonials and case studies.

Your beta students will have firsthand experience with your course, and their feedback will not only help you improve your course but also create a solid foundation of social proof for your official course launch.

Download Your Free Testimonial Resource!

To help you get started on your testimonial journey (whatever stage of course creation you are at), I’ve put together a fantastic (and free) downloadable resource that will guide you through the process of collecting and showcasing testimonials for maximum impact. Click here to download it instantly.

I hope you find these tips and the resource helpful in leveraging the power of testimonials for your online course success.

Remember, social proof is essential, and testimonials can be the secret sauce that attracts more students to your course.