How to Get and Use Testimonials

In 30 seconds

Make one testimonial from one real client's words.
Use this after a win, call, workshop or completed programme.
Keep their words true and get their OK before anything goes public.
Follow three steps: ask, capture Before, During, After and Takeaways, then shape and share one approved piece.

How to use this page

Tap Copy in each step.
Paste it into your AI (ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini) and send it. Use the same chat each time.
Answer one question at a time. Tell your AI what to change, then keep the result.

Step 1: Ask one client, the easy way

You get: One short testimonial request in your own voice.

Write your ask message

Scroll to read the whole box. Copy includes all the text.

TESTIMONIALS STEP 1 OF 3: Write one short message asking one of my clients for a testimonial, the easy way. Ask me one question at a time. BEFORE YOU START (read this first, then follow everything below the line) 1. Check what you already know about me. Look in your memory, in this project's files or my second brain if you can see one, and at anything earlier in this chat. Use what you find. Tell me in two or three lines what you found, then ask me only for what is still missing. 2. Tell me I can talk my answers instead of typing them, by voice note or the microphone on my keyboard. Long, messy answers are fine. Pull out what you need. 3. Use only what is true about me. Never make up numbers, results, prices or testimonials about me. If you need something I have not given you, ask me. 4. If this chat gets so long that you start losing track of my details, say so. Then give me a short summary of my details that I can paste into a new chat. 5. When you give me the finished piece, end with one short question asking what I would like to change. If I tell you, make the change and give me the full new version. No long dashes in anything I will use. Put the message in its own code block, the grey box with a Copy button, so I can copy it in one tap. If you find notes about a business, check with me that they are about my own business before you use them. Call my client by a nickname in this chat. In the message, write [name] where their name goes, so I can add it when I send it. Leave out phone numbers, emails and private information. If I say I don't know, not sure, maybe or I haven't decided, do not ask again, not even in other words. Suggest one answer built only from my words, mark it (suggested), and move on. A suggestion is never a decided fact. Never suggest a result, a number or a time frame for my client: leave a [blank] for those. ---------- [PURPOSE] We are writing one short message that asks one of my clients for a testimonial, in the way that fits the moment. The finished piece is one message I can send today. This box does not interview my client, sort their words or write the testimonial itself. Those come in Steps 2 and 3. It takes about four short questions, fewer if you already know my answers. [ROLE] You are a warm, practical coach who knows my coach Marc Teo's way of asking for testimonials. You are not Marc. A good ask is short, sounds like me texting this person, makes the favour feel small, and leaves my client free to edit it, change it or say no. A bad ask is long, formal or pushy, puts words in my client's mouth, or mentions a result they never told me. The four ways to ask, and the moment each one fits: 1. QUICK QUOTE: I draft a one-line quote from what my client has already told me, and ask them to edit or approve it. It fits any client, for example when I am updating my website. 2. SHARE YOUR WIN: my client has just told me about a win. I congratulate them and ask them to share it, for example in my group. 3. REVIEW: right after a call or workshop, I ask for a short review on a review site, with the four BDAT questions as a simple guide: one short line each for Before, During, After and Takeaways. 4. INTERVIEW: I invite my client to a short video interview about their story. Below are Marc's own messages, word for word, for their shape only. His name, his link, his SOP and his YouTube channel are his, never mine. Marc's quick quote draft (the letters are blanks to fill): hey xxx, hope all's been well! i was refreshing my site and would love to ask for a quick quote from you about our time together. something like this: "e.g., in xxx days, zzz helped me to zzzz, aaa & yyy. i highly recommend". please feel free to edit or approve: thanks in advance xx Marc's win nudge, two short messages: nice!! well done bro / share your win! haha Marc's review request. First he asked: okay to do a small favour for me? After the person said yes, he sent this (emoji left out): Thanks [name]!! Hahah it's just share a very quick experience from our call! About what to share in the testimonial, really no specific stuff i am looking out but here's a simple guideline (BDAT): Before (challenges/situation before the call) During (how was your experience like) After (takeaways, growth) Takeways (any final words of your time with us) Here's the link: [his review link] 2-3 mins can already! Haha Thanks so much!! Marc's interview invite: Hey [name]! Wondering if you could do me a small favour, and also for me to feature you on my YouTube channel as well? Haha In short, it's simply for me to do a quick testimonial interview (10-15 mins) with you where you can also share & promote what you do, which I'll be sharing on my socials & emails as well! There, I can also share with you my SOP & how you can potentially use it for yourself too haha. The whole thing will just take 30 mins max! Let me know if you're interested k! :) I'd GREATLY appreciate it man haha STEP 1. Ask: "Who would you like to ask? Give me a nickname, tell me what you helped them with, and tell me the moment: a fresh win, right after a call or workshop, the end of your programme, or something else." STEP 2. Ask: "Which way would you like to ask: 1 a quick quote, 2 share your win, 3 a review, or 4 a video interview? Type not sure and I will suggest one." If I am not sure, suggest the way that fits my moment, mark it (suggested), and go on. STEP 3. Ask only the one question for the way chosen: QUICK QUOTE: "What has [nickname] already told you about what changed for them, and over how long? Paste their own words if you have them." SHARE YOUR WIN: "What was the win, in their words if you have them, and where would you like them to share it?" REVIEW: "Paste the link to your review page, or type none." INTERVIEW: "Tell me what you have decided about the interview: how long it will take, where you will share it, and anything you can honestly offer them in return, such as a chance to talk about their own work. Type none for anything you have not decided." STEP 4. Ask: "How do you usually text [nickname]? Paste a message you sent them before, or describe it in a few words, for example casual, a little formal, or with emojis. Type skip if you are not sure." Before every question, check whether my earlier answers or this chat already tell you. If they do, use them and do not ask. If I paste a link or name a file, only claim you read it if you can actually open it in this chat. If you cannot, ask me to paste the part you need. RULES Write it in my voice, the way I text, never in Marc's. Keep it short enough to read on a phone screen without scrolling. QUICK QUOTE: put the draft quote inside the message, then invite my client to edit or approve it. The quote uses only what my client already told me, in their words, with the time they gave. Where I gave no result or no time, write [their result] or [how long] as a blank for them to fill. A result they hoped for is not a result they got. If they said a change came after working with me, never write that I caused it. If they put a limit on a result, such as early days or not measured yet, keep that limit in the quote. REVIEW: include the four BDAT questions, one short line each, in my words, and my link. If I typed none, write [your review link]. INTERVIEW: mention the length, where I will share it and anything they get in return only if I told you. Make the favour feel small and easy to say no to. Give a time only if I gave one. Never add a reward, gift, discount or deadline I did not mention. Use quotation marks only around the draft quote and around words my client actually said or wrote. Do not write interview questions or the testimonial itself. If I ask for them, say they come in Steps 2 and 3, and give me this first. If I say stop, end without another question. FINAL OUTPUT Give me one code block, the grey box with a Copy button, with only the message inside, ready to send, with [name] where my client's name goes and any [blank] I still need to fill. Outside the box, say in one line which way you used and why it fits the moment. For a review or an interview, add one line saying I can first send a short "okay to do a small favour for me?" and send this message after they say yes, the way Marc does. Then ask the short question from BEFORE YOU START about what I would like to change, and stop. If I ask for a change, give me the whole message again in one new code block.

You're done when:

You sent one request in your voice, using only results your client actually told you.

Why this works

Ask one person after a win, call, workshop or programme. Choose what fits:

When a client has a fresh win, congratulate them and ask them to share it.

After a call or workshop, ask for a review using BDAT. My request said 2 to 3 minutes.

For their full story, invite them to a video interview. My invite offered space to promote their work and said 30 minutes max.

For a quick quote, send a draft to edit or approve, using only results they told you. Leave unknown results blank.

Ask permission before sending review details. Keep the favour small and write like you text this person.

See my example

Step 2: Get the whole story with BDAT

You get: BDAT interview questions or their words sorted into BDAT, with questions for any missing parts.

Get the whole story with BDAT

Scroll to read the whole box. Copy includes all the text.

TESTIMONIALS STEP 2 OF 3: Get my client's whole story with BDAT (Before, During, After, Takeaways). Ask me one question at a time. BEFORE YOU START (read this first, then follow everything below the line) 1. Check what you already know about me. Look in your memory, in this project's files or my second brain if you can see one, and at anything earlier in this chat. Use what you find. Tell me in two or three lines what you found, then ask me only for what is still missing. 2. Tell me I can talk my answers instead of typing them, by voice note or the microphone on my keyboard. Long, messy answers are fine. Pull out what you need. 3. Use only what is true about me. Never make up numbers, results, prices or testimonials about me. If you need something I have not given you, ask me. 4. If this chat gets so long that you start losing track of my details, say so. Then give me a short summary of my details that I can paste into a new chat. 5. When you give me the finished piece, end with one short question asking what I would like to change. If I tell you, make the change and give me the full new version. No long dashes in anything I will use. Put the finished piece in its own code block, the grey box with a Copy button, so I can copy it in one tap. If you find notes about a business, check with me that they are about my own business before you use them. Call my client by a nickname. Leave out phone numbers, emails and private information, and any mix of details that would tell a stranger who they are. If I say I don't know, not sure, maybe or I haven't decided, do not ask again, not even in other words. Suggest one answer built only from my words, mark it (suggested), and move on. A suggestion is never a decided fact. Never suggest a result, a number or a time frame for my client: leave a [blank] for those. ---------- [PURPOSE] A testimonial that only praises me leaves out the story. BDAT captures the whole story people want to see: Before (the struggle they recognise), During (the journey), After (the results) and Takeaways (the lesson). This box gives me ONE of two things: questions to ask my client, or my client's own words sorted into the four parts. It does not write the finished testimonial, a post or a message asking for approval. Those come in Step 3. It takes about three short questions. [ROLE] You are a warm, practical coach who knows my coach Marc Teo's BDAT method. You are not Marc. Good questions are open and simple, fit the person, and never assume a result. Good sorting keeps my client's exact words, puts each line under the part it belongs to, and shows plainly what is missing. Bad work puts words in my client's mouth, tidies their words into advertising, or fills a missing part with a guess. Marc's BDAT question bank, word for word from his Testimonials playbook. Choose from these and put them in plain words that fit my client. Leave out Marc's own program words. BEFORE, which sets the stage and shows I understand their challenges: What specifically were you struggling with before we worked together? What solutions had you tried before, and why didn't they work? How was this challenge affecting your business/life? What made you finally decide to get help? DURING, which builds trust by showing my process and approach: What was your experience like working together? What surprised you most about our approach? Can you share a specific moment when things 'clicked'? How did our support help you overcome challenges? AFTER, which shows the results: What specific results have you achieved? How has this impacted your business overall? What's different about how you work now? What unexpected benefits have you experienced? TAKEAWAYS, which helps future clients see themselves in the journey: What's the biggest lesson you've learned? What would you tell someone considering this program? If you could go back, what would you tell yourself? Who do you think would benefit most from this? How Marc opens an interview, in short: before he presses record, he tells the person it will be a very quick interview, gives a rough length, and says it goes through before, during, after, and then any last words for people who might be thinking of joining. Marc's short written version, the four BDAT questions from a review request he sent (his spelling of Takeaways fixed): Before (challenges/situation before the call) During (how was your experience like) After (takeaways, growth) Takeaways (any final words of your time with us) STEP 1. If my client's words are already in this chat, or I paste them, go to SORT. Otherwise ask: "Would you like 1, questions to ask your client, or 2, to sort words they have already sent you? If you have their words, paste them now." QUESTIONS, if I choose 1: STEP 2. Ask: "Who are the questions for? Give me a nickname, what you helped them with, and who they are in a few words, for example a business owner, a parent or a child." STEP 3. Ask: "Will you ask them on a call, in person or by message? And is there anything you already know about their story, such as where they started? Type skip if not." Then give me the INTERVIEW SHEET. SORT, if I choose 2: STEP 2. Ask: "Paste everything your client sent you, as it is: messages, a review, a voice note written out, or your notes from a call. Tell me their nickname, and which parts are your own notes." Then give me THEIR STORY. Before every question, check whether my earlier answers or this chat already tell you. If they do, use them and do not ask. If I paste a link or name a file, only claim you read it if you can actually open it in this chat. If you cannot, ask me to paste the part you need. RULES Questions: pick one or two from each part of Marc's bank, or just one each if I will ask by message, and keep them in BDAT order. Put them in simple words that fit the person. A child will not say "I am more confident", so for a child ask what they enjoyed, what their favourite part was, and whether they would want to keep going. Never write a question that assumes a result I have not told you. Sorting: use my client's exact words, never reworded. You may cut a passage into the part it fits, leave out repeats, private details and words that are not about their story, and mark a cut inside a sentence with [...]. Keep each line under the part it belongs to, and keep any limit they put on a result, such as early days or not measured yet, right beside that result. Put quotation marks only around my client's own words. My notes about them are not their words: put them under MY NOTES, never in quotation marks. If a part is empty, write [missing] and add one simple question for it under TO ASK. Use only what I give you. Never invent a result, a feeling, a quote or a detail. Do not write the finished testimonial, a post or an approval message. If I ask, say they come in Step 3, and give me this first. If I say stop, end without another question. FINAL OUTPUT Give me ONE of these two in one code block, the grey box with a Copy button, with nothing else inside the box. The INTERVIEW SHEET: BDAT QUESTIONS FOR [nickname] HOW I OPEN: two or three lines I can say or send first: what it is for, how long it takes if I told you, and that it goes through Before, During, After and Takeaways BEFORE: DURING: AFTER: TAKEAWAYS: Or THEIR STORY: [nickname]'S STORY, IN THEIR WORDS BEFORE: DURING: AFTER: TAKEAWAYS: MY NOTES: (only if there are any) TO ASK: one question for each part marked [missing] Outside the box, say in one line what to do next: with the interview sheet, ask my client the questions and paste their answers back here to sort them; with their story, paste it at the start of Step 3. Then ask the short question from BEFORE YOU START about what I would like to change, and stop. If I ask for a change, give me the whole sheet or story again in one new code block.

You're done when:

You have BDAT questions to ask, or their exact story with questions for missing parts.

Why this works

Use BDAT in order:

Before covers their struggles, what they tried and why they sought help.

During covers the experience, surprises, moments when things clicked and how your support helped.

After covers results, time frames, and changes in mindset, confidence and lifestyle. Takeaways covers lessons, advice and who would benefit.

For interviews, explain the plan before recording and ask a question or two per part.

For existing messages, reviews or voice notes, sort their exact words. Ask about missing parts.

Never fill them in yourself.

See my interview questions for each BDAT part

See my example

Step 3: Shape it, get their OK, and put it in one place

You get: One piece of proof for your chosen place and a message asking your client to approve it.

Shape it and ask for their OK

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TESTIMONIALS STEP 3 OF 3: Shape my client's words into one proof piece for one place, and write the message asking them to approve it. Ask me one question at a time. BEFORE YOU START (read this first, then follow everything below the line) 1. Check what you already know about me. Look in your memory, in this project's files or my second brain if you can see one, and at anything earlier in this chat. Use what you find. Tell me in two or three lines what you found, then ask me only for what is still missing. 2. Tell me I can talk my answers instead of typing them, by voice note or the microphone on my keyboard. Long, messy answers are fine. Pull out what you need. 3. Use only what is true about me. Never make up numbers, results, prices or testimonials about me. If you need something I have not given you, ask me. 4. If this chat gets so long that you start losing track of my details, say so. Then give me a short summary of my details that I can paste into a new chat. 5. When you give me the finished piece, end with one short question asking what I would like to change. If I tell you, make the change and give me the full new version. No long dashes in anything I will use. Put the proof piece in its own code block and the approval message in its own code block, the grey boxes with a Copy button, so I can copy each one in one tap. If you find notes about a business, check with me that they are about my own business before you use them. Call my client by a nickname in this chat. In the approval message, write [name] where their name goes. Leave out phone numbers, emails and private information. If I say I don't know, not sure, maybe or I haven't decided, do not ask again, not even in other words. Suggest one answer built only from my words, mark it (suggested), and move on. A suggestion is never a decided fact. Never suggest a result, a number or a time frame for my client: leave a [blank] for those. ---------- [PURPOSE] We turn my client's real words into one short proof piece for one place: a Story, a post, a slide, my offer page or my website. Then we write a short message asking my client to approve it, because nothing goes public without their OK. The finished piece is the proof piece plus that approval message. This box does not ask for the testimonial or interview my client. Those are Steps 1 and 2. It does not write a full case-study post either. It takes about four short questions. [ROLE] You are a warm, practical coach who knows my coach Marc Teo's way of using testimonials. You are not Marc. A good proof piece uses only my client's words, picks the strongest true lines, keeps the order of their story and fits the place. A bad one adds praise, results or feelings they never gave, turns "came after" into "because of", drops a limit they put on a result, or reads like an advert. The five places Marc uses testimonials, and what each one needs: 1. STORIES: one short line from my client that can stand on its own, plus one line of mine saying what it is. 2. POST: a short version of their story in Before, During, After, Takeaways order, with one or two lines of mine to introduce it. 3. SLIDE: one short quote that sits beside the point it supports, with who said it, as they allowed. 4. OFFER PAGE: a short Before and After in their words, placed next to the worry or the part of my offer it speaks to. 5. WEBSITE: one entry with who they are, as they allowed, a short title taken from their own words, their story in BDAT order, and the month they gave it, if I told you. Marc's own approval words, for their shape: please feel free to edit or approve STEP 1. If my client's words are already in this chat, for example their story sorted in Step 2, use them. Otherwise ask: "Paste your client's words as they are: their sorted story from Step 2, or their message, review or interview notes. Give me their nickname and what you helped them with." STEP 2. Ask: "Where will you put it first: 1 Stories, 2 a post, 3 a slide, 4 your offer page, or 5 your website? For a slide or your offer page, tell me the point or the worry it sits next to. Type not sure and I will suggest one." STEP 3. Ask: "How may you show who they are: no name, first name only, or first name and what they do? If you have not asked them yet, type not asked." If I type not asked or not sure, use no name in the piece, and ask about the name in the approval message. STEP 4. Ask: "Did they ask you to keep anything private, or say a result is early, not measured yet or only one case? Type none." Before every question, check whether my earlier answers or this chat already tell you. If they do, use them and do not ask. If I paste a link or name a file, only claim you read it if you can actually open it in this chat. If you cannot, ask me to paste the part you need. RULES Use only my client's words. Choose the strongest true lines. You may leave words out, mark a cut inside a quote with [...], and fix small spelling slips, but never add or swap a word in a way that changes what they meant. Never add a result, number, time frame, feeling or praise my client did not give, or a name, job or date I did not give you. A result they hoped for is not a result they got. If they said a change came after working with me, never write that I caused it. A limit they put on a result stays right beside that result in every version, even the shortest. Keep each line under the part of their story it belongs to. Put quotation marks only around my client's own words. My lines of introduction are mine, never in quotation marks, and they say only what I told you. If the place needs a part they did not give, leave that part out instead of filling it, and tell me outside the box. The approval message is short and friendly, in my texting voice if you know it. It shows the full proof piece, says where I would like to put it and how their name will appear, and asks them to edit or approve it. It makes saying no or asking for changes easy. Do not write a full case-study post. If I ask for one, say Marc's Attractive Transformation Post playbook does that, and give me this first. If I say stop, end without another question. FINAL OUTPUT Final check: keep an unchosen place marked (suggested) outside the usable blocks; qualify any title with the result's scope or omit the title. Keep the existing naming-permission request in the approval message, including anonymous use; explain missing During or Takeaways outside the blocks. Give me two code blocks, the grey boxes with a Copy button, with nothing inside them except the words to use. Above each box, outside it, put a short label. First box, labelled PROOF PIECE FOR [the place]: the piece, ready to use once my client approves it. Second box, labelled MESSAGE ASKING [nickname] TO APPROVE IT: the approval message, ready to send, with [name] where their name goes. Outside the boxes, say in one line that I use the piece only after they say yes, and that if they edit it, their version is the one I use, word for word. Then ask the short question from BEFORE YOU START about what I would like to change, and stop. If I ask for a change, give me both boxes again in full.

You're done when:

Your client approved the piece and how their name appears. Their final wording is published in one place.

Why this works

Pick one place. For Stories, share a short win with your line above it.

Put it on a plain background or photo.

For posts, share full client stories. For slides, put short reviews under one heading.

On offer slides, use client messages showing that part works. On your website, keep a page showing who you worked with.

Keep their words and story order. Leave missing parts out.

Show the exact piece, place and how their name will appear before asking for approval. Publish only after their OK, using their edits word for word.

For slides, use Step 6: https://goldenoffer.marcteo.com/#step-offer-slides. For Stories, follow https://dailyleadmachine.marcteo.com.

For a full case-study post, use https://transformationpost.marcteo.com.

See my example

Want the thinking behind it?

Read first

Real proof builds trust, and trust leads to more sign-ups and sales.

Good testimonials also boost your confidence in the value you offer.

This works with clients, customers and people you have helped.

Start with one person and one place to share their story. Let them approve the exact piece before it goes up.

BDAT: the whole story, not just praise

BDAT follows a story: struggle builds connection, the journey brings hope, results provide proof, and lasting impact builds credibility.

I use it for interviews and short reviews after calls.

Fit questions to the person. A child may not say they feel more confident.

I suggested asking a music school's students whether they wanted to keep performing.

Their yes would show that they enjoyed and appreciated the work.

Five ways to collect, five places to use it

I collect testimonials through personal DMs, sharing wins, online review sites, social media shares tagging me, and video interviews.

I use them in Stories, posts, slides, my offer and my website.

How you ask depends on the moment. Where you use it depends on what you need.

These are separate choices. One approved story can appear in more than one place over time.

The real reason you have not asked yet

I rarely asked for testimonials because I wanted clients to spend their time implementing.

When I did ask, many shared, but watching their videos felt uncomfortable.

I felt I always had to do more. Pausing to acknowledge myself felt hard.

I was thinking about myself, afraid of looking braggy.

Sharing those stories could inspire others, whether they worked with me or someone else.

Ask yourself: am I thinking about myself or others? Hiding success stories doesn't serve anyone.

Make it easy, and keep it honest

Send a draft your client can edit or approve. They avoid starting from nothing and stay in control of their words.

Use only what they actually said. Never add a result, number or feeling they did not give you.

Get their OK before anything goes public.

I waited about a year before sharing one private client's story. I waited until she gave me the green light.

Library

My interview questions for each BDAT part

From my Testimonials playbook, word for word, except that I completed one heading that was cut off and changed one word in the Before list. Under each part are the areas to cover, the questions I ask and the example structure I use. If you use an example structure, fill each blank only with what your client actually said, then show it to them to edit or approve.

Before: Setting the Stage

The "Before" section establishes credibility by showing you understand your client's challenges. Focus on: Key Areas to Cover: Initial Situation - Their role and business context - Specific challenges they faced - Previous solutions they tried - What finally made them seek help Interview Questions: - "What specifically were you struggling with before we worked together?" - "What solutions had you tried before, and why didn't they work?" - "How was this challenge affecting your business/life?" - "What made you finally decide to get help?" Example Structure: Before working with [Your Name], I was struggling with [specific challenge]. I tried [previous solutions] but [why they didn't work]. The biggest impact this had on my business was [specific pain point].

During: The Journey

This section builds trust by showing your process and approach. Focus on: Key Areas to Cover: First Impressions - Initial experience working with you - Key "aha" moments - Unexpected positive surprises The Process - How you helped them overcome challenges - Specific tools or strategies that worked - Support and guidance provided Interview Questions: - "What was your experience like working together?" - "What surprised you most about our approach?" - "Can you share a specific moment when things 'clicked'?" - "How did our support help you overcome challenges?" Example Structure: Working with [Your Name] was different because [unique approach]. One thing that really surprised me was [unexpected positive]. The most valuable part of the process was [specific aspect].

After: The Transformation

This section provides concrete proof of results. Focus on: Key Areas to Cover: Tangible Results - Specific metrics and numbers - Time frames of achievement - Return on investment Intangible Benefits - Mindset shifts - Confidence gains - Lifestyle improvements Interview Questions: - "What specific results have you achieved?" - "How has this impacted your business overall?" - "What's different about how you work now?" - "What unexpected benefits have you experienced?" Example Structure: Since working together, I've achieved [specific results] in just [timeframe]. Beyond the numbers, I've also gained [intangible benefits]. This has allowed me to [broader impact].

Takeaways: The Lasting Impact

This section helps future clients see themselves in the journey. Focus on: Key Areas to Cover: Key Lessons - Most valuable insights gained - Biggest mindset shifts - Critical success factors Recommendations - Advice for others considering your service - What they wish they knew earlier - Why they'd recommend you Interview Questions: - "What's the biggest lesson you've learned?" - "What would you tell someone considering this program?" - "If you could go back, what would you tell yourself?" - "Who do you think would benefit most from this?" Example Structure: The biggest lesson I learned was [key insight]. For anyone considering working with [Your Name], I would say [advice]. This is perfect for [ideal client description] who want to [desired outcome].

Original examples

My simplest testimonial message in the world, as I first wrote it down15 August 2026

Back to Step 1

hey xxx, hope all's been well! i was refreshing my site and would love to ask for a quick quote from you about our time together. something like this: "e.g., in xxx days, zzz helped me to zzzz, aaa & yyy. i highly recommend". please feel free to edit or approve: thanks in advance xx

Word for word, lowercase and all, the way I first typed it out when I added it to this playbook. The letters are blanks to fill: the first xxx is your client's name and the second is the number of days, zzz is your name, and zzzz, aaa and yyy are up to three results your client has already told you about.

What to notice

It hands your client a draft, so all they have to do is edit or approve it. They stay in control of what is said about them.

My nudge when a client tells me about a winDate not recorded

nice!! well done bro share your win! haha

Two short messages I sent a client after he told me about a win, word for word. From my Testimonials playbook, which I last updated in April 2025. No exact date was recorded.

My review request after a call, with the four BDAT questionsDate not recorded

Back to Step 2

Np!! Hahah btw right, okay to do a small favour for me? [They replied: yes] Thanks [name]!! Hahah it's just share a very quick experience from our call! About what to share in the testimonial, really no specific stuff i am looking out but here's a simple guideline (BDAT): Before (challenges/situation before the call) During (how was your experience like) After (takeaways, growth) Takeways (any final words of your time with us) Here’s the link: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/masterimplementers.co 2-3 mins can already! Haha Thanks so much!! 💙

Two messages I sent someone after a call with me, word for word, with their name taken out. The line in square brackets is their reply. "Takeways" is my typo for Takeaways. The link is my own review page, so yours goes in its place. From my Testimonials playbook, which I last updated in April 2025. No exact date was recorded.

What to notice

I asked if it was okay first, and sent the details only after they said yes. The four BDAT questions are one short line each, and I told them how small the favour was.

My invite to a short client video interviewDate not recorded

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Hey [name]! Wondering if you could do me a small favour, and also for me to feature you on my YouTube channel as well? Haha In short, it's simply for me to do a quick testimonial interview (10-15 mins) with you where you can also share & promote what you do, which I'll be sharing on my socials & emails as well! There, I can also share with you my SOP & how you can potentially use it for yourself too haha. The whole thing will just take 30 mins max! Let me know if you're interested k! :) I'd GREATLY appreciate it man haha

A message I sent a client, word for word, with his name taken out. From my Testimonials playbook, which I last updated in April 2025. No exact date was recorded.

What to notice

It says what the interview is, how long it takes, where I would share it and what they get back, and it leaves them free to say no.

How I open a BDAT interview before I press record, from a call4 March 2025

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[00:01:44] Marc T: um, how I'm gonna go is, uh, I'll just do a very quick, like very quick interview for about 15-20 minutes Can I? [00:01:51] Marc T: again, this is for you, right? [00:01:53] Marc T: Potentially when you want to ask people Testimonial, uh, it will go through what we call the before, during, after So, uh, [...] [00:02:11] Marc T: What's the situation right there? [00:02:12] Marc T: And what may you ultimately decide to want to come on? [00:02:14] Marc T: So that's the before right? [...] [00:02:25] Marc T: How's your progress was some of your things that you liked some results that you've got some of progress So that's the during portion of okay, bro. [...] [00:02:51] Marc T: So after right and how is life change for you after the program or as now that? [...] [00:03:02] Marc T: it's BDAT, right? [00:03:03] Marc T: BDAT can write it down, I'll give you playbook, right? [00:03:06] Marc T: So T, right? [00:03:07] Marc T: It's testimonial, which is, hey, with that, any last words or any words you have for people who might be continuing join Ma, right, before we end off the interview. [...] [00:03:20] Marc T: Okay, so let me press recorder, then we get started.

My lines only, from a call where I interviewed a client for a testimonial. The client stays anonymous. The recording garbled many of my words, and I have kept them as recorded. Where you see [...], I left out the client's lines and some of mine in between.

On this call I called the T "testimonial". My playbook calls it Takeaways, and so does this page.

A finished BDAT testimonial, from a client's video interview27 November 2023

Back to Step 3

BEFORE "So some struggles that I had previously, I have been into this whole self-development productivity space since 17, 18 around there, but the thing is I just kept on consuming information. I never had like the clarity that I've received from MI so far. I was just consuming all this information and I didn't know what to do with them." DURING "I felt very supported by Marc and his team, in a sense of like, it gives me the safe space to actually like do all this trial and error. [...] I met a lot of good friends through there, like all my accountability buddies. They were the one that helped me stick through all the so-called challenges that I could go through." AFTER "Definitely I gain clarity on what I wanted to do, and also like to how to create like a sales offer, and you know, to how to do a sales pitch, and also how to create like, you know, digital assets and resources. [...] From like properly launching it in November until now, within one and a half months, I managed to have seven to eight people on board already. What I've achieved with them so far, they definitely were able to seek clarity. So like whatever Marc shared with me about clarity earlier, I was able to translate to them." TAKEAWAYS "Honestly I think everyone should just go for it [...]"

A client of mine, kept anonymous, in her own words from a video interview. The date is when I published the video. The words come from the video's automatic captions, so I added punctuation, fixed the words the captions misheard (Marc, MI, trial and error, and 17, 18), and took out "um" and one doubled "and". The part headings are mine.

I also left out some of her lines: her name and what she does at the start, another person she named, and, where you see [...], a few lines in between and the rest of her Takeaways, which recommends a free call I offered back then and gives numbers from that time.

What to notice

Her Before is what makes her After mean something. Her result is her own number, in her own words, and nobody wrote any of it for her.

Why asking felt uncomfortable for me, from my email "My clients started making me feel uncomfortable."29 August 2025

Earlier this month, I made an unusual request: I asked my clients to share a testimonial for me. I hardly do that because I’d rather they spend their time implementing instead. But as part of my mission to impact more people, I decided to go for the ask anyway. Grateful many of them did. However, here’s why I was uncomfortable despite having clients who made additional 5-6 figures: It felt REALLY difficult for me to watch their videos. Upon reflection, I found out why: I had limiting beliefs about pausing to acknowledge myself because I always “had to do more.” When one of my latest clients [name] shared his results just days after joining, I felt weird receiving those compliments too. But here’s what I learned. That limiting belief was because I was thinking about myself, not others. What if sharing these testimonials could actually help inspire more people, whether they work with me or someone else? That’s when I was reminded of something I share: Whenever you feel afraid, nervous, or uncomfortable about something, ask yourself: “Am I thinking about myself or others?” For me, thinking about helping others has always helped me win in the long term. The discomfort wasn’t really about the testimonials. It was my ego being afraid of looking “braggy.” But hiding these success stories doesn’t serve anyone.

Word for word from my email, apart from my client's name, which I took out. I left out the rest of the email, which talks about an older programme of mine.

Takeaways

Real proof builds trust and helps people decide.
Make the ask small and easy to answer.
Capture Before, During, After and Takeaways in their own words.
Never add results, numbers or feelings they did not give you.
Before publishing, get approval for the exact piece, where it will appear and how their name will appear.

Start today

Run Step 1 in one AI chat and send one message today.

When their words come back, run Steps 2 and 3 there. Send the approval message, then share their story in one place after they say yes.

AI Implementation Toolkit

Download the AI Implementation Toolkit. Open your AI (ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini), attach the file, then type start and send it.

Download AI Implementation Toolkit (.md)