I don’t know about you, but I grew up sort of Calvinist.
I say sort of because my father — a Dutch Reformed minister — was excommunicated from the church before I was born.
He went full Pentecostal after that.
Speaking in tongues — that was the alcohol, I’m sure. Prophecy — also the alcohol. Healing — well, he once poured brandy on a cut. And exorcism — yup, he actually made money out of that.
I have spooky stories. Bring alcohol, and I’ll tell you.
But Uncle John was still strong in him. Boasting was frowned upon. Children were seen and not heard. And if your parents wanted your opinion, they’d give it to you — usually after a few dops on Christmas Day or at a braai.
The opinion was either a harsh word or a klap. It was a different world then. I don’t miss it at all.
So asking for testimonials was anathema to me. Boasting. Arrogance. Pride. All an abomination.
I hid my light under the bushel. I became a bit like Ray Kinsella — the Field of Dreams guy. Build it and they will come. Do an excellent job and they’ll praise you from the rooftops… and on Google… and LinkedIn… and Instagram.
They never did.
Not because the work wasn’t good. But because that’s not how the world works anymore.
The quiet ones don’t get found.
Social proof isn’t vanity — it’s validation.
In a world overflowing with lies, people don’t believe what you say about yourself. They believe what someone like them says about you.
A testimonial. A Google review. A LinkedIn recommendation.
Tiny pieces of proof that travel farther than your own voice ever could.
They don’t just say you’re good. They say you can be trusted.
Why So Few Have Them
The average LinkedIn user has four recommendations. Four! Nee man. You can do better.
Not because we’re unremarkable — but because we were raised to believe that asking is boasting. That if we keep our heads down and deliver excellence, recognition will magically appear.
Except it doesn’t.
Not because people don’t appreciate you. They’re busy, that’s all. And because asking still feels a little, what’s the word? … needy?
But excellence, left unspoken, is invisible. And invisible doesn’t feed your business. Ask my father. The exorcism gig wasn’t paying so well, so he became a spy as one does after being a dominee. He trained to be invisible, and when he came in from the cold and tried his hand at business, he, a creature of habit, was still invisible. His endeavours never really took off.
The Clumsy Ask
Most of us stumble when we finally try:
“If you liked my work, could you give me a testimonial?” “Your review would help my marketing.”
It’s polite. Predictable. Forgettable.
And beneath the surface, it’s self-serving. That’s why it feels wrong, because it is all about us.
The Shift
Reframe the ask.
Stop making it about you. Start making it about helping someone else.
What if you said:
“Your experience might help someone else choose the right partner.” “Your feedback could light the way for others trying to solve the same problem.”
That’s not self-promotion. That’s service.
It’s no longer “help me grow.” It’s “let’s help others win.”
Here’s how I recently did it after my Overcoming Objections webinar:
Subject: Did you get value from the webinar?
I’m so glad you joined the Overcoming Objections webinar (or caught up with the replay).
If you found it useful — even one idea that helped shift your thinking — could I ask a small favour?
Would you mind leaving a quick Google review? It helps others decide whether it’s worth their time too.
👉 Leave a quick review here
It’ll take less than a minute — and it really does help me keep offering these kinds of sessions.
Thank you again for being part of this journey.
Stay persuasive, Jacques
It’s friendly. Human. Low-pressure. And it shifts the energy from asking for praise to inviting participation.
That’s how you make people want to respond — not because they owe you, but because they want to help others like them.
Phrases With Pulse
💡 “Help Others Make Better Decisions — Share Your Takeaway.”
💡 “Your Insight Could Help Someone Else Close Their Next Deal.”
💡 “What You Learned Might Be Exactly What Someone Else Needs.”
💡 “Your Feedback Lights the Way for Others.”
💡 “Share What Worked for You — It Might Help Another Sales Pro Win.”
See the shift? It’s not begging. It’s beaconing.
Why Social Proof Still Rules the Room
Social proof isn’t about showing off — it’s about building trust.
It answers three unspoken questions every buyer has:
- Can I trust you?
- Will it work for me?
- What happens if it doesn’t?
A testimonial turns hesitation into belief. It’s less about ego, more about reassurance.
Every review echoes a truth:
“You’re not shouting. You’re being believed.”
Think On This
If you were raised to stay quiet, asking for a testimonial will feel unnatural. But remember: you’re not asking for applause. You’re inviting your clients to join a story worth telling.
You’re not boasting — you’re belonging.
Because when your clients tell your story, they aren’t just validating you. They’re helping someone else find their footing. They’re lighting the way.
And that’s not pride. That’s purpose.
So here’s the question: What would happen if you stopped hiding your light — and let others help you shine it a little further?
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