So you haven’t sold a single thing yet. Total silent tumbleweed in your inbox, right? But you’re smart. You know that people trust people, and testimonials are the trust currency of the internet.

The good news? You don’t need actual buyers to start collecting those golden quotes. Here’s how to get testimonials before you make a sale, and actually make it feel fun, not grossly salesy.

Ready? Let’s roll.

Let’s face it. Your parents might not be your ideal clients, but they can still give great feedback, especially if you say “pinky promise this is just for your eyes.” Send a quick, casual invite: “Hey, got a new [product/offering]. Would love your honest take, what worked, what felt meh? Totally safe to roast.”

Action step: Jot down a friendly invite and send it to 5–10 people who might actually get what you’re going for. Real, honest feedback can yield quotes like, “Clarity is next‑level,” which can be stitched into a testimonial later.

Offer a few free coaching slots or discovery calls to people who fit your ideal client vibe. It doesn’t need to be long, 20 minutes tops. After your chat, follow up with something like: “Hey! Hope that helped. Could you drop a sentence or two about what felt most helpful for you?”

Those snippets like, “Helped me nail my content framework” are tiny testimonial treasures.

Set up a quick form with prompts like: “What stuck with you?” or “One sentence on how this helped you.” Send it to testers. That’s it. Form responses are easy to quote. Example: “Helped me draft my first affiliate email, no sweat.”

Freelancer groups on Slack, Facebook, or Discord, places where folks love to swap projects. Ping someone: “Want to swap feedback? I’ll test yours if you test mine.”

Often – with a little reciprocity, someone says: “Your title made me stop scrolling,” which you can rephrase as a quick testimonial. Boom.

Host a 3‑day free challenge (e.g., “Plan Your First Week of Content Smash”). Spread your invite through your network. End with a quick feedback form: ask, “What’s the biggest win?” or “What would you tell a friend?” You’ll end up with quotes like, “Finally feel focused,” which is great social proof.

Post something like: “Here’s a sneak preview of what I’m brewing. What vibes with you? What confuses you? Real feedback helps!” Comments like, “Love the clarity, so simple!” can be turned into testimonials (with permission, obviously).

Offer a small group early‑bird rate, maybe 50% off, in exchange for a short post-experience quote. You might say: “Grab early access at half price, just ask for one line after you’ve used it a week. No pressure.” People love saving cash, and a sweet line like: “Felt seen and supported” is golden.

If someone downloads a free tool (like a planner or cheat‑sheet), follow up with email asking: “Was it helpful? I’d love a quote for my homepage if you're cool with that.” Even something like, “Saved me hours planning” is legit social proof.

Invite a tester to a 10‑minute video call. Ask: “What surprised you?” or “How do you feel now?” Transcribe or paraphrase: “Made writing way faster” is a punchy, human testimonial.

What Others Say (Because Social Proof Is for Everyone)

As one savvy Redditor put it when sharing their launch strategy: “My plan was to get my friends and family to try my product… in exchange for a detailed review/testimonial.” Way to live that tip!
Jennifer Bourn

Experts also remind us:

• Ask while excitement is fresh, that “hit of inspiration” vibe usually brings glowing words.
Better Marketing

• And asking open‑ended questions? They’re the secret sauce. Not, “Was it good?” but “What was the most interesting part of this for you?” That’s how you get real quotes, without flat-out asking for them.

Channel your inner SEO geek. Weave get testimonials before you make a sale into your headings and body. Google loves that long-tail realness that aligns with user intent, because people are searching for this exact phrase. Use it in your intro, a subheading, maybe a call‑to‑action. It’s like hitting two birds, sorry, two goals, with one stone: trust and traffic.

• Ask right after someone’s excited, still buzzing? That’s prime testimonial time.
Jenna Kutcher

• Keep it real, don’t fake quotes. Always ask permission to publish, and use real names or initials if possible.
Jennifer Bourn

• For extra oomph, add a headshot or initials (with permission). Real people = real credibility.
• If someone is extra glowing, ask if they'd mind doing a 30‑second video. Visual proof?         Chef’s kiss.

So there you have it, nine clever, down‑to‑earth ways to collect testimonials before you’ve made a dime. By offering early access, feedback swaps, mini‑challenges, sneak peeks, and follow‑ups, you’re turning nervousness into confidence, for both you and your future customers.

And remember, get testimonials before you make a sale isn’t just your SEO anchor, it’s your launch mindset. Build trust early, start conversations, and let your future fans speak into being.

Want help turning one of these into an email, a landing page, or even a social post? Holler, I’ve got your back.

You don’t need to wait for sales to start building credibility. Whether you’re offering coaching, launching a product, or growing your list, these testimonial tactics give you the trust boost you need now.

So here’s your next step:

Pick just one of the nine methods from this post.

Try it today.

Get that first quote.

Use it on your sales page, social media, or even in your bio.

Need help turning your testimonial into a killer quote, email, or Facebook post?

Shout and I’ll back you up, because no one launches alone.

Let’s get you that early buzz. Your future fans are waiting.