September has been such a busy month for me where I am living my passion! I had a fantastic group of women in my 5 day PRES course and launched my brand new PRES home staging home study course on September 22nd. I want to reach 1000s of women around the world so that I can be part of transforming their life. I know that when I connect a group of women we all learn so much and become more empowered from being together.

In all of my programs I ask my clients for testimonials that I can use in a variety of marketing strategies to promote my business. I like getting testimonials because 1) I feel good reading them and 2) whenever possible I can promote my clients in return. Along with testimonials I always ask for constructive feedback so that I can make changes if they make sense to me. As a small business owner like you, it's important to always be delivering quality work as well as continually improving what we have to offer.

I've included more than my usual amount of Raving Fan testimonials in this newsletter just to show you an example of how you can use them for marketing purposes.

Wishing you success in finding your 'Getting RAVING FAN Testimonials'



Dana J. Smithers
PRES Staging Resource Centre
Founder & Creative Director
Empowered Women In Business Coach

PS: There is still time to sign up for my brand new PRES Home Staging Home Study Course 2.0. You can learn from the comfort of your home and join me live on September 29^th. I'd love for you to join me so click here for more details.

PPS: If you would like to become an Affiliate for my existing and upcoming PRES programs and products, just click on this link. You will have an opportunity to earn some very nice commissions just by referring your 'tribe' to me!

Are your Getting Enough Testimonials for Your Marketing?

Make no doubt about it, what your clients have to say about you is important information. You can learn from it and you can make changes if you need to. Testimonials are valuable tools to use in many of your marketing strategies. Some marketing experts prefer to use Case Studies and they certainly have their value too.

When you request a testimonial from a client you are asking them to tell you about their experience using your services. It often has an emotional bent to it. A Case Study is more factual and usually provides more statistical information that supports someone's route to success. It might also be called a Success Story.

All of these are good to use in your numerous marketing strategies such as writing blog posts on social media sites, putting in flyers or post cards, using them on the back of your business card, providing a rotating selection on your website, using them throughout a presentation and on-and-on the list goes. I think you get the idea. Whichever one you prefer the Raving Fan testimonial, the Case Study or the Success Story use them often as many of your prospects are making their decision whether or not they want to buy from you based on what other people have said about you.

Here are some TIPS to Getting Great RAVING FAN Testimonials:

1. Timing - request your testimonial immediately after you have done the work.
2. If you haven't received a testimonial back after your first request write it for them and focus on what you would like the content to be about so that you are getting testimonials about different areas of your business.
3. If appropriate let your clients know they may be featured in your enewsletter/ezine or other marketing materials (see Julie Urquhart below) because this just might be a good incentive because they get more exposure too!
4. You can shorten your testimonials by using three dots like this...and then continue on. Keep the integrity of the comment though because that's not yours to change!
5. Since privacy is an issue in home staging, it's best just to use the first name of the client and put the location of where they live if that is important for your branding.
6. Thank your clients profusely for being kind enough to take time out of their busy schedule to write a testimonial for you.
7. Put them on your Send Out Card list to keep in touch periodically as well.

If you recently did some work for a client and you would love to have a Raving Fan testimonial then now is a great time to ask them for one. Write it for them if you need to. And if you wish you had asked a particular client awhile back for a testimonial - do it anyway. And perhaps when all is said and done, you send them a little Send Out Card thank you note, or a regular thank you note. Keeping in touch and building your relationships is what good business is all about.

Ask your clients for 'RAVING FAN TESTIMONIALS'
and stop being the best kept secret!

September PRES Graduates

	Dana's PRES home staging and redesign course offers the 'whole package'. A phenomenal experience that has transformed my life. I feel confident, empowered, energized and capable...I wanted this experience to go 'beyond' her book and I had no idea how much more she actually offered!...But it is her presentation, her approach, her willingness to share her wisdom with humor that educates. - Michela - Salmon Arm BC
	Dana is a wealth of information and a ball of creative and compassionate energy! Her enthusiasm and confidence exudes from every pore. What an inspiration to a creative person! - Marnie - Vancouver BC
	This course was more than I expected. I am truly ready to begin my own redesign and staging business after this course. Dana is an exceptional teacher who adds lots of fun, humor and provides an environment for learning. Her vast knowledge, her experience and contacts make this course worth every dollar! - Helen - Kamloops BC
	For people like me who are a little bit afraid of starting my own business at this stage in my life, this course gave me the knowledge that that 'Yes I can do this!'...I walked away with such an incredible high and with so much more than confidence that I expected believing in the saying by Leo Buscaglia that "the person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live." Your teaching is truly inspirational. - Victoria - Delta BC
	I first stumbled across Dana's website a few years ago and continued to procrastinate about all the reasons why I couldn't take the course then! I am SO HAPPY that I finally listened to my inner self! I will recommend this to anyone I meet so they can start enjoying their creative side & take that 'Leap of Faith'. - Robin - Burnaby BC
	For me this course was just the right thing at the right time in my life! Dana is very positive, professional and organized. Having on-going support is also a huge plus for me. I had fun and learned lots. - Geri - Langley BC

RAVING FAN TESTIMONIAL from REALTOR
Training Homes Needed For November 12th & 13th - click here to find out how to qualify - be first to be chosen!

Want to use this article in your next ezine or on your website? Please do! Here's what you need to include:

Dana Smithers is founder and creative director of the PRES Staging Resource Centre, a company devoted to teaching entrepreneurial women how to start and run their home staging business. Through her workshops, courses, mentoring programs, and products, Dana shows her students how to live their dream of becoming a home stager whether part time or full time.

It's not too late to sign up!

I am so excited to be offering my brand new PRES® Home Staging Home Study course that started just last week! You've only missed one call (You still have access to the recording) and it's not too late to sign up!

This course was created especially for women who want to learn the art of staging and redesign as well as seasoned staging professionals looking for an additional boost to their knowledgebase, this one-of-a-kind, 7-step program (plus tons of bonuses!) walks you through my entire PRES® Staging Training curriculum that I teach in a classroom setting . . . all from the comfort of your home!

You'll get MP3s and transcripts of each call plus a bonus call at the end where I'll be personally responding to your questions. You'll also get sample contracts, checklists, form letters and so much more - everything you need to run a successful staging business!

Learn the full details here: www.HomeStagingBusinessCourse.com

Professional Development: Client Colour Consultation Course Saturday October 29, 2011 - Vancouver & Victoria

NOTE DATE CHANGE & EARLY BIRD OFFER:

For VANCOUVER - Course Date Saturday October 29^th :

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Contact Janice@PresStaging.com by midnight October 7^th. For PRES Graduates $147 plus hst Other Professionals $197 plus hst

For VICTORIA - Course Date Saturday November 19^th :

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Contact Janice@PresStaging.com by midnight October 28^th. For PRES Graduates $147 plus hst Other Professionals $197 plus hst

Dana J. Smithers Professional Real Estate Staging (PRES®) offers accelerated learning opportunities for people in the interior decorating, interior styling and home staging businesses.

1-2-3 Paint Colour Selection - Client Colour Consultation Course

Learn how to conduct a professional colour consultation with your clients. You will be introduced to decorating guidelines for colour schemes and learn the latest colour trends and colour schemes that work best with the 4 design styles.

This course will boost your confidence in adding to your existing services list! Receive all the forms you need to professionally conduct your client colour consultation. Click here for more information and to register. Space is limited.

PRES 2011 COURSE SCHEDULE - LAST CLASS 5 DAY CLASS FOR 2011!

Our PRES Staging & Redesign Training Program offers accelerated learning techniques so that when you leave the course you can confidently start your home staging business. You will be given templates, no-fail staging formulas, a step-by-step business start up process and learn insider secrets shared by industry leader Dana J. Smithers. If you are serious about wanting to become a home stager this hands-on training course is for you. For more information about the PRES 5 Day Professional PRES Staging & Redesign click here.

LAST COURSE DATE: November 7^th - 11^th it's filling up!!!
Register Here

Check out PRES Staging Training to see our SPECIAL OFFERS

HOW TO START & RUN A HOME STAGING BUSINESS BOOK IS HERE!

Dana J. Smithers' NEW book How To Start & Run a Home Staging Business has finally hit the bookstores. This book is jam packed with home staging business tips and proven strategies to propel your business forward. Whether you are an existing home stager or a newbie or a want-to-be this book will guide you to success...
Click here to order

Dana Smithers is founder and creative director of the PRES Staging Resource Centre, a company devoted to teaching entrepreneurial women how to start and run their home staging business. Through her workshops, courses, mentoring programs, and products, Dana shows her students how to live their dream of becoming a home stager whether part time or full time.

Dana has launched her new website Empowered Women In Business. She has been mentoring women entrepreneurs for years and has now taken on a new client base in addition to the home stagers she has worked with. She says it's thrilling to see women move forward so quickly getting the results they are looking for whether it is setting up a marketing strategy, defining ideal clients or having a negative mindset shift into positive action. To get your 'Free' CD on her 7 Destinations Road Map to Success just go to the site and make sure you sign up for her Empowered Women In Business ezine.

Believe it. Pigs DO Fly!!!

You may absolutely share this newsletter with people you think may enjoy it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including our contact and copyright information. Thanks and enjoy!

The PRES® Entrepreneurs Newsletter is written by Dana J. Smithers of www.PresStaging.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to info@PresStaging.com.

405 - 170 West 1st Street
North Vancouver, BC V7M 3P2 Canada

www.presstaging.com