MI client training

How To Get Testimonials

Collect real client words with BDAT, then turn them into useful proof without making yourself the hero.

1

By the end, you will send one warm request or structure one existing testimonial, then choose one clear place to use it.

Why bother

Why most testimonials do not convince anyone.

01 / Why

Flat praise

It asks people to believe the claim.

AI can produce polished teaching quickly, so people are more careful about what they trust.

Useful proof

It shows the real story behind the change.

A client story explains what happened, how the change happened, and what the client learned.

Context Change Meaning

Sharing proof does not have to mean showing off. It can celebrate the client and help someone else see what is possible.

Before the steps

The real reason you have not asked yet.

02 / What

The question that moves it

Whenever you feel afraid, nervous, or uncomfortable about something, ask yourself this simple question: "Am I thinking about myself or others?"

1

It feels like showing off

So the message never gets sent, and the client story stays hidden.

2

Underneath is "I have not done enough"

Marc sat with this himself watching his own client testimonials.

3

Sharing it is a service

A story kept private helps nobody. Shared, it shows someone stuck that things can change.

It is almost never that you forgot. Handle the discomfort first and the rest of this becomes ordinary work.

Step 1 of 3

The 5 ways to ask for a testimonial.

02 / What

1

Personal DM

Ask after a clear client win while the details are still fresh.

2

Sharing wins

Invite the client to share a fresh win with the community.

3

Online review sites

Use this when searchable and lasting proof will be useful.

4

Social media share/tag

Invite the client to share with their network and tag the business.

5

Video interview

Use a short guided conversation when the fuller story matters.

The collection method is the way you capture the words. It does not decide where the finished proof must appear.

Five methods

Copy this, fill the blanks, send it

The simplest testimonial script in the world.

02 / What

Simplest ask

Hey [name], hope all has 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:
"In [time frame], [your name] helped me to [result one], [result two] and [result three]. I highly recommend."
Please feel free to edit or approve. Thanks in advance!

1

Use only real results

Fill the blanks with what the client has already told you. Never guess a number or a time frame.

2

Send it as a suggestion

Edit or approve is the whole point. The client stays in control of what is said about their result.

3

Use what comes back

If they change the wording, their version is now the real quote. Do not tidy it back towards your draft.

A draft turns writing into editing, and editing takes about thirty seconds. If the reply runs longer than one line, ask BDAT and the quick quote becomes a case study.

Step 2 of 3

The 5 places to put a testimonial.

02 / What

1

Stories

Share short proof regularly while the win still feels current.

2

Posts

Teach a useful point through the client's real case study.

3

Slides

Use proof to support one relevant point or explanation.

4

Offer page

Place proof near the concern or decision it helps explain.

5

Website/dedicated proof page

Give people one place to explore several real client stories.

A personal DM can become a Story, post, slide, offer-page section, or website entry. Collecting it and choosing where to put it are two separate choices.

Five locations

Step 3 of 3

The BDAT Framework: the 4 parts of a strong testimonial.

03 / How

B

Before

Set the starting situation and the problem that mattered.

D

During

Show the experience, useful moments, and support that helped.

A

After

Describe the results and wider changes the client actually stated.

T

Takeaways

Close with the client's insight, advice, and lasting meaning.

Source rule

Keep the client's raw words intact beside any structured version, and never fill a gap with invented wording.

BDAT part 1 of 4

Before: where the client was stuck.

03 / How

B

What was happening before the change?

Set the scene through the client's starting situation, earlier attempts, and reason for seeking help.

1

What specifically were you struggling with before we worked together?

2

What solutions had you tried before, and why did they not work?

3

How was this challenge affecting your business or life?

4

What made you finally decide to get help?

Structure template

Before working with [name or business], I was struggling with [specific challenge]. I tried [previous solutions], but [why they did not work]. The biggest impact this had was [specific pain or effect].

BDAT part 2 of 4

During: what the work was actually like.

03 / How

D

What made the experience useful or different?

Look for a surprise, a moment when something clicked, or support that helped the client move forward.

1

What was your experience like while we worked together?

2

What surprised you most about the approach?

3

Can you share a specific moment when things clicked?

4

How did the support help you move through the challenge?

Structure template

Working with [name or business] was different because [specific part of the approach]. One thing that surprised me was [unexpected positive]. The most valuable part of the process was [specific aspect].

BDAT part 3 of 4

After: what changed, in their own words.

03 / How

A

What changed after the work?

Capture the result, wider effect, and unexpected benefits exactly as the client described them.

1

What specific results have you achieved?

2

How has this affected your business overall?

3

What is different about how you work now?

4

What unexpected benefits have you experienced?

Accuracy rule

Never add a number, result, time frame, or benefit that the client did not state.

Structure template

Since working together, I have achieved [client-stated result] in [client-stated time frame]. Beyond that result, I have also gained [client-stated benefit]. This has allowed me to [client-stated wider impact].

BDAT part 4 of 4

Takeaways: what they would tell someone else.

03 / How

T

What would the client pass on?

This is where the client's insight helps another person understand what mattered most.

1

What is the biggest thing you learned?

2

What would you tell someone considering this kind of support?

3

If you could go back, what would you tell yourself?

4

Who do you think would benefit most?

Structure template

The biggest thing I learned was [key insight]. For someone considering this kind of support, I would say [client's advice]. This would suit [client description] who want to [desired outcome stated by the client].

A real one, not a made-up one

What a finished BDAT testimonial looks like.

03 / How

B

Before

"I just kept on consuming information. I never had the clarity. I didn't know what to do with them."

D

During

"It gives me the safe space to actually do all this trial and error. My accountability buddies helped me stick through all the challenges."

A

After

"From properly launching it in November until now, within one and a half months, I managed to have seven to eight people on board already."

T

Takeaways

"Honestly I think everyone should just go for it, even if it's just the first 45 minute clarity call."

A real client, kept anonymous, in her own words. She never says the programme is excellent. The story does that job instead.

Optional, only after you have their words

The 5R Framework: turning a testimonial into a case study.

04 / Optional

Result

Open with the outcome the client actually described.

Resistance

Explain what stood in the way before that result.

Reason

Explain why the change mattered enough to keep going.

Resolve

Show what the client did and what support helped.

Reflect

Close with what the client learned and would pass on.

Lead with the result, then rewind through the real story. If the source cannot support one part, ask the client instead of filling the gap.

After capture

Why this is worth the awkward ask

Proof is what lets you charge more and chase less.

05 / Now

A business with real client stories does not have to argue for its price, and it does not have to chase. The stories do the convincing before you ever speak to someone. That is the whole return on one uncomfortable message.

Do this now

Pick one thing to do in the next 48 hours.

05 / Now

Use a warm request to collect new words.

Send one warm request after a clear client win, then guide the reply through BDAT.

Use BDAT to structure existing words.

Keep the raw source intact, then place supported parts under Before, During, After, and Takeaways.

Your If-Then

If I encounter a real client win or a raw testimonial, then I will [one specific proof action] by [time inside the next 24 to 48 hours].

Pause here and try this step with your own testimonial request or raw client words. Choose Stories, posts, slides, offer page, or website before you move on.

Copy and paste

Scripts you can send and questions you can ask.

06 / Wow

Warm ask

Congrats again on achieving [win]. Would you be open to a short interview so I can capture what changed in your own words? I will guide you through four parts, so you do not need to prepare anything.

The request feels easier when the client knows you will guide the conversation and protect their wording.

B

Before

Start with the challenge, earlier attempts, and wider impact.

D

During

Move to the experience, useful surprise, and what helped.

A

After

Capture the stated result, wider change, and unexpected benefits.

T

Takeaways

Close with the client's insight, advice, and lasting meaning.

Ask in this order so the client can tell the story naturally, then keep their raw words beside the structured version.

Resources

The teaching page with the scripts and questions.

Use the client's real words, protect their meaning, and choose one clear place to use the story.

testimonials.marcteo.com