I need to talk about testimonials for a second, because I keep seeing genuinely beautiful client reviews that say the exact thing a future client needs to hear before they trust you with the biggest purchase or sale of their life… displayed on a slide or IG post in one giant block of text like it’s the back of a shampoo bottle:

I get it. Someone took time out of their day to say lovely things about you on the internet, which, in 2026, when people are apparently too busy to brush their teeth twice a day, can basically be considered an act of public service.

But in a buyer or seller consultation, a giant testimonial paragraph is not something anyone is going to read. And let’s get really real for a second…

Your potential client is not sitting across from you thinking,
I cannot wait until she gets to the testimonial slide!

What they ARE doing…

👉 Trying to figure out if they trust you.
👉 If you know what you’re doing.
👉 If you understand what they’re nervous about.
👉 If you can guide them through the parts of the process they don’t even know enough to be worried about yet.

Which means your testimonials need to do more than sit there looking wholesome.

They need to prove something.

So how do you do that?

Use them to show why they should hire you. Incorporate them at strategic points in your presentation to support what you’re educating them on.

In the section for example,  we’re talking about why your client 100% needs an agent, which, to someone who isn’t fully convinced yet, can feel a little like your hairstylist telling you that you absolutely need the extra treatment before you leave the salon. (Only $275 plus tax. For the perfect hair health. Obviously.)

You want to trust them, you want to believe they have your best interest at heart but your BS meter is in overdrive…

Here’s where the magic comes into play:

When you pair bold statements with a story from a client who experienced said claim first-hand, suddenly they perk up. It starts to feel less like a pitch and more like proof. The testimonial proves your point AND shows there are real humans out there who trust you.

That’s the move:

weave the testimonial directly into the conversation, right where it supports the point you’re making, instead of quarantining your best proof at the end like an ineffective afterthought.

The goal isn’t to have a prettier presentation.

I mean, yes. Obviously pretty is good. Pretty slides are lovely. We love pretty slides. May they live long, have excellent margins, and never contain a stock photo of a woman holding keys.

But the real goal is to walk into the room with something that helps your clients understand why your process matters, why your guidance is valuable, and why hiring you feels like the next obvious step.

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behind the bLOG

Melanie Grey

@Themelaniegrey

For the past 14 years, I’ve been building a multi-six-figure business (mostly alone) and making approximately every mistake imaginable along the way. This space is where I’m sharing what I’ve learned — the pivots, the messes, the failures, and the stories behind all of it. If you’ve ever felt like you were doing it all wrong or doing it all alone, pull up a chair. I have a feeling you’ll like it here.

(solopreneur, creative, educator, and dog mom)

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