The rest of the story:
The point in this story is not that Mr. Author contacted me for bookkeeping services but rather that as a result of the trust I established with him on the first project he decided to discuss other services I offer.
Even more importantly he referred me to the independent coaches he trains for his marketing program.
One of his coaches did contact me for a similar project. His email started off with, “You were recommended by {name intentionally withheld} so I know you must be very reliable.”
Ironically that gentleman is one who I had spoken with several months back in regards to handling his bookkeeping but I didn’t “close that deal”.
In hindsight I believe when I spoke to him several months ago he didn’t trust me enough to hand over his bookkeeping. Now, when recommended to me by Mr. Author he has “social proof” that I am reliable and trustworthy.
As Brian Clark points out in this CopyBlogger post:
From a marketing standpoint, social proof is the basis of both buzz and large sales figures. Without it, there’d be no “grapevine” in the first place. It’s also why testimonials are so essential in direct marketing.
While I know it is unlikely that Mr. Author will ever publicly endorse me on Twitter (though it would be really cool if he did) I am more than content to have him refer me to the many coaches he has trained for his program. Who knows…maybe a public endorsement will come as I get his bookkeeping the way he wants it.
What grapes are you growing on your vine? Are you sharing the fruits of your labor on your Twitter favorites so that others who venture there can see live testimonials collected as social proof?
Photo Credit: davedufour
