Testimonials are a great way to build trust and credibility with your audience. But sometimes! the term can seem a little ambiguous.
The word “testimonial” has multiple meanings depending on the context! and has close relatives in the field of marketing.
This blog explores the different meanings of the word “testimonial” and offers some synonyms for use in marketing.
Definitions of testimony
Here is a table showing different definitions of ebay database testimonies from different dictionaries.
Definition of testimony Dictionary
Here are some more words that are associated with testimonies. They come from the various categories and contexts mentioned above.
Synonyms for testimony according to the Thesaurus :
Reference
Judging by the list above! testimonials are a big thing!
We believe this too! which is why we have created an rethink your comparisons amazing tool to collect and use testimonials.
Why not take a look?
Alternatives to testimonials in marketing terms
We have explored the different meanings of testimonials. Ultimately! we want to focus on the marketing field.
The idea of testimonials is to show what your satisfied customers say about your business .
There are multiple alternatives to testimonies that fit the same purpose.
Let’s look at some examples.
Review
Not all reviews are testimonials! but some testimonials can be reviews.
We have a separate article exploring the difference between reviews and testimonials ! but in a nutshell:
Testimony Review
Exclusively positive An honest opinion! whether positive or negative
It is often posted and displayed on the company’s own channels. It can be found on external review sites such as Google! Yelp! Trustpilot! Facebook! etc.
Planned and intentional Spontaneous
What they have in common is that they are both user-generated content! yet they are valuable to the business.
Synonyms for to the Thesaurus :
As you can see! Jane’s positive review above could be considered a testimonial. The business owner could very well use Trustmary to import the review to her own website
Someone’s experience wasn’t great! and they weren’t afraid to tell us about it in their review. Bad reviews are inevitable! but it’s up to the company whether they try to fix the situation or not.
Case study
A case study or practical story is a more elaborate version of a testimonial.
In a case study! a customer (salesperson) talks about his or her positive experience with a company’s product or service.
The story can delve into the customer profile! pain points! and how collaboration has helped them overcome challenges and achieve tangible goals.
A case study can carry multiple media carriers! such as text! audio! video and images.
Check out this example from aTalent Recruiting .
It consists of an article with images and a video.
case study example
Reference
When you apply for a job! you may be asked for references – people who can attest to your character and abilities.
The same idea applies to marketing. A satisfied customer can act as a referral for a company’s product or service.