Testimonial Collector

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

A user wants to systematically collect testimonials from clients or customers
Someone needs social proof for a website, sales page, or marketing materials
A business owner has happy customers but no documented testimonials
A user wants to turn client results into case studies

DO NOT use for writing fake testimonials, reputation management, third-party platform reviews (Google, Yelp), or NPS/survey systems.

TESTIMONIALS THAT TELL A STORY OUTSELL TESTIMONIALS THAT GIVE PRAISE. "THEY WERE GREAT!" IS WORTHLESS. "I WAS STUCK AT $5K/MONTH, TRIED THREE OTHER COACHES, AND HIT $15K WITHIN 90 DAYS" IS PROOF.

Testimonial Prompt Framework

#	Question	Extracts
1	What was your situation before working with us?	"Before" state — pain, frustration
2	What had you already tried that was not working?	Failed alternatives — you as the solution
3	What specific results have you seen?	Concrete outcomes — numbers, timelines
4	What surprised you most about the experience?	Emotional detail — feels real
5	Who would you recommend this to, and why?	Reader self-identifies

DEFAULT: All 5 questions. If fewer requested, keep 1, 3, and 5 at minimum.

Step 1: Understand

Business type — what they sell and to whom
Testimonial types — written, video, case study, screenshot (default: written)
Where used — homepage, sales page, email, social, proposals, ads
Current state — existing testimonials? Clients served?
Communication channel — email, Slack, DM, in-person
Client results — measurable outcomes they deliver

If the user provides 1 and 3, proceed with defaults for the rest.

GATE: Do not proceed until you have: business type, placement, and client results.

Step 2: Build

2A: Request Email Templates

Email 1 — Initial Ask (1-3 days after milestone or praise): Lead with gratitude. Include all 5 prompt questions. Offer reply or form option. Under 150 words before questions.

Email 2 — Follow-Up (5-7 days later, no response): Acknowledge they are busy. Include only questions 1, 3, 5. Add one example of a good testimonial.

Email 3 — Thank You (after receiving): Thank specifically. Explain where it will be used. Ask permission for name/photo. Offer to share final version before publishing.

2B: Capture Format

## Your Experience with [Business Name]

1. What was your situation before working with us?
2. What had you already tried that was not working?
3. What specific results have you seen since working with us?
4. What surprised you most about the experience?
5. Who would you recommend this to, and why?

- May we use your full name? [ ] Yes [ ] First name only [ ] Anonymous
- May we use your photo/logo? [ ] Yes [ ] No
- Open to a 5-min video call? [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe later [ ] No

2C: Timing Guide

Trigger	Ask Within
Client hits a measurable result	1-3 days
Unsolicited praise (email, DM)	Same day
Project delivery or completion	1-5 days
Repeat purchase or renewal	Within 1 week
Client refers someone to you	Same day

DEFAULT: Strongest trigger is unsolicited praise. Respond immediately: "That means a lot — would you mind if I shared that?"

2D: Follow-Up Sequence

Day 1:  Email 1 (Initial Ask)
Day 7:  No response → Email 2 (Follow-Up, questions 1/3/5 only)
Day 14: No response → Short DM: "No pressure — just bumping this."
Day 21: No response → Stop. Re-ask after next milestone.

NEVER more than 3 touchpoints per request.

Step 3: Present

Show the complete system for approval: all three email templates, capture format, timing guide, and follow-up sequence — all customized with the user's business details.

GATE: Do not write files until the user approves.

Step 4: Deliver

Write to testimonial-system/ (or user-specified path):

testimonial-system/
├── request-emails.md        # 3 email templates
├── capture-format.md        # 5-question form
├── timing-and-followup.md   # Timing triggers + follow-up cadence
└── placement-guide.md       # Where to display testimonials

Placement guide contents:

Placement	What Works Best
Homepage	2-3 short quotes with names/photos near hero CTA
Sales page	Full story testimonials near pricing section
Email	One-line quotes in P.S. lines of nurture sequences
Social media	Screenshot testimonials or quote graphics
Proposals	1-2 testimonials from similar-industry clients
Ads	Video clips or short quotes overlaid on imagery

Suggest: "Send Email 1 to your 3-5 happiest clients this week."

Example 1: Leadership Coach

User says: "I coach mid-level managers. 40 past clients, only 2 testimonials. Need more for my sales page and proposals."

Step 1: Business: leadership coaching. Where: sales page, proposals. Results: clients promoted within 6-12 months.

Step 2 (Email 1 excerpt):

Subject: Quick favor — your experience matters

Hi [first name],

I have been reflecting on our work together, and seeing you
step into that director role was a highlight of my year.

I would love to feature your story on my website — takes
about 5 minutes:

1. What was your situation before we started coaching?
2. What had you already tried that was not working?
3. What specific results have you seen since our work together?
4. What surprised you most about the coaching experience?
5. Who would you recommend this type of coaching to?

Reply here or use this form: [form link]

Step 4: Four files saved to testimonial-system/.

Example 2: Skincare Brand

User says: "I sell natural skincare on Shopify. 200 orders/month, barely any reviews. Need social proof for product pages and Instagram."

Step 1: Business: skincare e-commerce. Where: product pages, Instagram. Results: clearer skin, fewer breakouts.

Step 2 (Capture format adapted):

1. What was your skin like before trying this product?
2. What other products had you tried that did not work?
3. What changes have you noticed? (Timeline helps.)
4. What surprised you most about this product?
5. Who would you recommend this to? (Skin type, concern.)

Timing adapted: Email 14 days post-delivery. Same-day DM on praise or brand tags. Email on reorder.