Brand & Reputation Building: Share a Testimonial or a Brand Tip

Picture this:

You’re hunting online for a course. Every website claims they're “the best.” It all starts to sound the same. Then you land on a page with a testimonial that feels like it’s speaking straight to you:

“Honestly, there are so many sites saying they offer the best training. But when I read a testimonial on your website, it clicked. I felt the same as that person; grateful to finally find something real. That’s when I knew I was in the right place.”

That’s the magic of testimonials. They don’t sound like sales pitches. They sound like people talking.

Another example: a client was searching for a grant course. She scrolled through Activ8’s Google reviews and saw all the stories people had shared. Her words? “After reading those reviews, I didn’t have to think twice. I knew I’d found the right spot.”

Simple, everyday words. But they built trust instantly.

Brand Building Is Big (So Let’s Start Small)

Your brand isn’t just your logo or tagline. It’s the way people describe you to a friend. Every email, every class, every impression, it all adds up.

Because brand building is such a huge topic, we’re breaking it down into small, doable steps. Today we’re talking about two of the easiest (and most powerful):

• Testimonials – voices from people who’ve already worked with you.

• Tips – little nuggets of know-how that prove you care.

We’ll cover other ways in future posts. For now, these two are a simple place to begin.

Why Testimonials Work

Testimonials answer the one big question people always have: “Can I really trust you?”

And the answer doesn’t come from you; it comes from someone who’s already taken the leap. That’s why even a casual comment like, “They kept things simple and had my back the whole way,” can carry more weight than a page of polished marketing copy.

Why Tips Work

Not sitting on a pile of reviews yet? No worries. Tips are another way to show people you know your stuff.

They’re like little gifts. Easy to share, easy to use, and they stick in people’s minds. Over time, being “the one who always shares something helpful” becomes part of your reputation.

How to Start (The Easy Way)

Here’s how to put this into practice:

1. Ask right after the win. When someone’s happy, ask: “What part of this helped you the most?” Don’t script it, real talk makes the best testimonials.

2. Put those words to work. Don’t hide testimonials on a dusty page. Drop them next to your service descriptions, share them on social, or include them in proposals. Make them visible where decisions happen.

3. Make tips part of your routine. Pick one day a week and share something short and useful. Think one or two sentences; something a friend could use right away.

4. Tie it to your values. Whenever you post a testimonial or tip, connect it to your bigger story. For example: “We share tips like this because small businesses deserve tools that actually work.”

5. Keep at it: One testimonial is nice. Ten make an impression. One tip is helpful. Fifty tips make you unforgettable. Consistency is where the magic happens.

The Bottom Line

Your reputation is built in small, human moments. A few honest words from a client. A short piece of advice that makes someone’s day easier. Those add up, and they shape how people see you.

This is just the first piece. In upcoming blogs, we’ll dive into more ways to strengthen your brand. But for now, start simple: share a testimonial or offer a tip. Small steps, big impact.