Tried and Tested: Testimonials to Turn Retreat Attendees into Ambassadors
More than ever before, online shoppers are relying on testimonials to help them decide whether or not to make a purchase, with some sources claiming up to 95% of potential customers are reading the reviews before clicking “buy”. In the experience-driven world of retreats, social proof is even more crucial. Potential attendees aren't just buying a product; they're investing in a transformative journey. Keep reading for some simple steps to harness the power of testimonials and encourage past attendees to become enthusiastic ambassadors for your retreat too.
How do testimonials help my retreat business?
Build trust. Testimonials are a sure-fire way to build trust and credibility in your business. In a market filled with promises, genuine experiences from past attendees stand out, offering authenticity and relatability that directly appeals to the desires of potential participants.
Address concerns. Testimonials can also help to address potential concerns. If someone is hesitant about the location, the activities or the impact of your retreat, a favourable testimonial can provide reassurance. They can even highlight benefits that potential customers had not previously considered themselves, adding another layer of attraction to the experience.
Boost conversion. Ultimately, honest and positive testimonials help to increase conversion rates, providing the social proof and reassurance needed to push someone from "interested" to "booked."
How can I gather retreat testimonials effectively?
Timing is key. Strike while the iron is hot! Gathering feedback shortly after the retreat is often most effective, while the positive effects of the experience and the physical details are still fresh in attendees' minds.
Ask specific questions. Rather than asking vague and wide-reaching questions such as "Did you enjoy the retreat?”, try more targeted questions such as "What was your most transformative moment?" or "How has this retreat impacted your daily life?" to encourage more detailed and creative answers from participants.
Use multiple formats. Written testimonials are great, but gathering reviews using a mixture of media types means that they can be accessed in a number of ways. Try recording video and audio testimonials for a more personal touch.
Always obtain consent. To save any future headaches, always ensure attendees are comfortable sharing their experiences and that you have their permission to use their testimonials in your marketing materials.
How can I turn retreat attendees into ambassadors?
Create a referral programme. Incentivise past attendees to refer new participants. Offer discounts, perks or exclusive experiences in return for sign ups via recommendations.
Encourage social sharing. Take the hassle out of content creation by providing easy-to-use templates and hashtags for attendees to share their experiences on social media, sharing their posts to your followers in return.
Build a retreat community. Foster a sense of belonging by creating online groups or alumni networks. You can encourage discussions and offer exclusive online events for members to further boost a sense of community too.
Provide resources. Make it easy for your ambassadors to generate reviews, testimonials and promotional content by providing tools and templates for simple testimonial creation and sharing.
Remember there is power in community, so don't underestimate the impact that your past attendees can have on the success of your retreat. Start gathering and utilising their testimonials today and watch the trust and credibility of your business grow.
Check out our Retreat templates below, perfect for creating all the tools, resources and marketing materials your business needs!
