I am a believer in testimonials, and I want you to become one too.
A testimonial, as I’m referring to it, is a comment by a patron about a library event or service.
I’ve become a believer in testimonials since we started collecting them after each Riverway Storytelling Festival event. Our form:
Riverway Storytelling Festival Comment Sheet
Your comments – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the life-changing:
Your Name_____________________________________________(optional)
May we use your name and comments on our web site or in a letter to a potential sponsor? Yes No
How did you learn about Riverway?______________________________________
Thank you! See you next year!
I am absolutely persuaded that collecting and strategically using these testimonials has helped us get thousands of dollars of support for Riverway. When funders “hear” the words of real customers about how much they liked or were positively impacted by a service, it’s a compelling argument for support. Testimonials are underused with funders. Stories are powerful.
The Riverway testimonials we collect are coded so that I know which event the testimonial came from. I use the testimonials in a photo collage that goes to all our funders with a thank you letter after the festival. I also use testimonials in letters requesting funding from previous and new funders for the next year. Linked are samples of these.
You’ll note on the form that we ask permission to use the person’s name. It’s an essential question. Usually, a person simply won’t fill in that line if they wish to remain anonymous. But we still need to show that we are conscientious about privacy by asking.
Also, think about where you do want to use the testimonials and include those specifics. Possibilities include requests to funders (covers presentations and printed material to funders at all levels), on your website, and in marketing materials. Be aware that the narrower you make the usage, the more testimonials with names you’ll get.
How can you use testimonials strategically? First, collect them. Make forms, and put them out at each program or event. You may want to track which program they came from. Have forms at your desk, and when someone makes a point to thank you for something or offers a compliment, ask the person to fill out a form.
Second, explain, during the program or at the desk, that these comments will help you show funders the value of the library and of this type of program or service. You will get more testimonials if people understand why you want their stories and how you will use them.
Third, use testimonials strategically. Share relevant testimonials with your director to support your requests for more youth services resources, or simply to reinforce the value of your work.
Periodically cull the best testimonials and send them to your director. Explain that you thought s/he might find them useful for funding presentations. If you are the director, work them into your presentation or letter to the funding body, as in this Riverway letter.
Testimonials are a strategy that require just a little advance work and a little ongoing support, and can reap great results. Not only will you gain truly useful support for library advocacy, but it’s a great feeling to have tangible proof that you make a positive difference!
If you currently do use or start using testimonials, I’d love to hear of your experiences.
