Differences Between Client Reviews and Testimonials

Building your brand is essential for independent insurance agents. Having a brand that people recognize and that resonates in a positive way helps to attract new clients and retain existing ones.  With so many choices for consumers today when it comes to insurance products, the determining factor in who they choose to work with often comes down to trust. That’s why building that trust, and showing people you’re trustworthy is so important.  A big part of building that trust is client reviews and testimonials, as they can serve as a vital tool for communicating your value to others. But, what are the differences between client reviews and testimonials, and how can you use them to your advantage?  Let’s discuss that topic below. 

What Are Client Reviews? 

Client reviews are often an informal and short synopsis of a client’s experience with a product, service or particular employee of a company. There are many review sites online today that consumers turn to when they are researching information on products or services.  Many of these reviews are accompanied by a star rating, which gives viewers a quick look at other clients’ overall satisfaction. Below the star rating is a short description of why the person gave that particular rating.  The description could include some of the advantages of the product or service they’re reviewing, what they liked and didn’t like about it, as well as a suggestion for others.   For example, a five-star rating for an independent insurance agent might be accompanied by a headline that says “Definitely recommend working with John,” as well as text that reads:  “John answered every one of our questions and addressed all of our needs. He provided us with outstanding insurance solutions for us. I definitely recommend working with him.” 

What Are Client Testimonials? 

By contrast, client testimonials are much longer and more in-depth than reviews are. Many times, client testimonials are curated by the business itself, requesting that satisfied customers discuss the product or service at greater length to help the business.  Not only are testimonials more long-form than reviews are, but they’re also much more structured. They typically include personal anecdotes from the person that speak to why they had an excellent experience with the business, and these often include emotional aspects that other people can connect to.  Testimonials include personal stories about … 

• Their background: Why they were searching for insurance products or what specific products they were searching for 

• Their experience: Why the particular agent served them well, how they stood out and/or how they made a difference for them 

• Their results: How the insurance agent connected them with a particular insurance product that helped them 

In addition to these three main aspects, testimonials also include some sort of proof to back up the claims that the person is making. For service-related testimonials such as those for insurance agents, it could include information about pricing and how the agent helped them bundle services and save hundreds of dollars per month in the process, for example. 

How Can Insurance Agents Use Both Client Reviews and Testimonials? 

There are distinct differences between client reviews and testimonials, but they can both be very valuable for independent insurance agents. In fact, agents should harness the power of both to propel their business forward.  While many people associate client reviews with products — such as those left on Amazon or other ecommerce sites — they serve an important purpose for service-based businesses, too.  Client reviews can provide quick feedback on your insurance agency, and also give prospective clients a taste of what they’ll get when they work with you. For example, a client may leave a review with some photos that show how clean and inviting your office is.  Another may take photos or even a short video of you and your agents helping them as they search for the best insurance products.  Client testimonials, meanwhile, are great marketing tools that you can use to expand your footprint. They can be posted to your website and linked to from your social media platforms. You can even use snippets from them in other marketing materials, such as digital advertisements and mailers.  When used in conjunction, client reviews and testimonials can be valuable ways to engender trust among prospective clients so you can build your business.

Discover the Good Life

At Good Life Insurance Associates, our experienced insurance sales associates are here to provide support and training for both new and experienced agents. To learn more about us, remember to explore our business support services. Or, to speak with a member of our team about your journey to becoming an independent agent, contact us today!