12.2 Testimonials
One of the most powerful ways for clients, program participants or event attendees to show support for your program or organization is through the writing or verbalization of a testimonial.
A testimonial is a formal statement shared with the public that recommends, pays tribute to, or expresses gratitude for a program, a service, or an event. Sometimes testimonials come to the programmer or agency unexpectedly in the form of a thank-you card, an appreciative email, or a written letter. Testimonials are fantastic, deeply personal ways for individuals to lend credibility to a recreation program or agency and are a terrific way to encourage others to participate in the future.
If a particular recreation program or event has been a resounding success, it is quite appropriate to respectfully ask a couple of the program or event participants to write a testimonial. Individuals who don’t know how to begin writing one can follow these guidelines:
Testimonial-Writing Guidelines
- Before the writer begins creating their testimonial, let them know how you, as a recreation professional, plan to share their story. Will it be shared in a closed-door meeting? In writing on your agency website? As a video testimonial on social media channels? Other?
- If the writer is comfortable, have them attach their full name to the testimonial, as this lends credibility to the testimonial and has more impact than one that is written anonymously
- Have the writer begin by explaining their relationship to the program or event (participant, family member, volunteer…)
- Encourage the writer to then paint a picture detailing what specifically happened during the program or event that was particularly meaningful, special or significant to them and the positive impact it had
- However long or short, testimonials should be personal and heartfelt
- Control the narrative: Wherever possible, in the interest of quality control, have the writer send you their testimonial before it goes public. Seeing it ahead of time allows you to detect and correct issues, such as cleaning up spelling errors, correcting the name of the program or event, or adjusting someone’s personal pronouns. It allows you to (tactfully) detect and correct grammar errors/ typos, remove the names of participants who have not expressly granted permission for their names to be used, etc.
Example Testimonial
Hi Jack,
I had to write to let you know what a difference Camp Aspenside has made to our son and to our family.
Before attending camp this past summer, our son was bullying kids at school. After the summer at camp, he is no longer doing this.
The July Leader-in-Training program gave him the responsibility of helping support another LIT in his group who had disabilities. For the first time, our son was forced to think about someone other than himself. At first, he was uncomfortable (and his Dad and I were frankly quite worried!), but he quickly learned kindness.
Our son’s attitude has changed because of the positive influence and leadership of the LIT program. Glenn and I are grateful for the patience your leadership team demonstrated when our boy was not at his best. You had faith he would become a good leader (more faith than Glenn and me if I’m being honest!), and because you had faith in him, our son now has faith in himself. We’ll be back next year for the Counsellor-in-Training program! Thank you for everything.
– Renata Andersen, 2023
