My Digital Farmer Podcast: Episode 332

Quick Tip – How to Get Your First Farm Testimonials
Host: Corinna Bench
Release Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

Corinna Bench, CSA farmer and farm marketing strategist, tackles a challenge many new farm businesses face: capturing those all-important first customer testimonials. She explains the importance of social proof for farm sales, why most beginners get stuck in a “testimonial catch-22”, and provides actionable steps—using her signature warm, encouraging style—for generating your first powerful reviews even if no one has bought your product yet. Corinna shares creative testimonial formats, scripts, and tips for maximizing the value of every review to boost trust and conversions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Social Proof for Farm Sales

• Customer hesitation comes from uncertainty—people want proof that others have tried and loved a product before they buy, especially when it’s food.
  • “Social proof is the deciding factor in whether or not a new customer is going to take a chance on you.” (08:45)
• Lack of testimonials is a major blocker for new farm sales funnels (“like a billboard with no lights on it”—08:55).
• Selling food is both emotional and risky; prospective customers need reassurance.

The Catch-22 of Starting Out

• Most beginning farms wait for testimonials to arrive organically, but without any on your website or socials, few customers will take the leap.
• “If you don’t have any testimonials, you’re going to have fewer customers. And if you have fewer customers, well, you’re going to have no testimonials.” (12:20)

Solution: Give Product in Exchange for Testimonials

• Offer your product for free (to 5-10 people who fit your ideal customer) in exchange for a testimonial.
• Target friends, family, or acquaintances who suit your customer profile for this initial outreach.
  • “You tell them up front what you’re trying to do... ‘I’d love to give you this product for free in exchange for a testimonial. I’m going to use it publicly... Are you willing to do that?’” (13:40)
• Guiding questions dramatically improve the quality of testimonials:
  • What did you like about it?
  • How did you use it?
  • How did it compare to other options?

Maximizing the Testimonial’s Value

• Use testimonials everywhere (“for the next, like, year or two, you’re going to repurpose those five to ten testimonials over and over and over again”—17:30):

  • Website home page and product pages
  • Email nurture sequences
  • Social media posts/carousels
  • Sales pages and product descriptions
  • Booth signage at markets

• Don’t just rely on general praise; coach for specifics:

  • Detailed stories and usage tips amplify value.

Testimonial Formats & Creative Collection

• Written quotes are classic, but Corinna encourages asking for more:

  • Photos (of customer with the product, cooking, etc.)
  • Video testimonials (30–60 seconds, great for reels or embedding)
  • Social media shout-outs (especially effective with local micro-influencers)
  • Google or online reviews for SEO
  • Usage stories and before/after comparisons (“We used to buy beef at the store. Now we can’t go back.” —27:00)

• “You could negotiate a package: not just a classic testimonial, but a picture too, maybe a social shout-out.” (26:40)

Testimonials are a Marketing Asset, Not a Compliment

• “A testimonial is not just like a nice little compliment to show you’re on the right track. It is an asset, and so we want to treat it like gold.” (31:10)
• The cost of a few free products is dwarfed by their return in trust, conversions, and customer snowballing.
• Place testimonials close to “Buy” buttons online to maximize conversions.

Actionable Step: This Week’s Challenge

• Identify 5 ideal customers.

• Handpick a product (doesn’t have to be expensive).

• Offer it in exchange for feedback using Corinna’s script/guiding questions.

• Set a deadline for replies and start sprinkling those testimonials everywhere.

  • “Don’t overthink it. Just ask. Keep it casual. Once you’ve got a handful, give them a deadline… sprinkle them everywhere.” (34:10)

• Early testimonial recipients may become regular paying customers too—don’t forget to follow up!

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the importance of testimonials:
  “Social proof is the deciding factor in whether or not a new customer is going to take a chance on you.” (08:45)

• On breaking the cycle:
  “If you don’t have any testimonials, you’re going to have fewer customers. And if you have fewer customers, well, you’re going to have no testimonials.” (12:20)

• On proactive outreach:
  “You tell them up front what you’re trying to do... ‘I’d love to give you this product for free in exchange for a testimonial. I’m going to use it publicly... Are you willing to do that?’” (13:40)

• On coaching for specifics:
  “Sometimes giving them some guiding questions gives you a really, really good testimonial.” (15:05)

• On testimonial placement:
  “Wherever your buttons are, try to have a testimonial nearby. A lot of times once they’ve read the testimonial, they're ready to buy.” (31:50)

• On seeing testimonials as valuable assets:
  “A testimonial is not just like a nice little compliment to show you that you’re on the right track. It is an asset, and so we want to treat it like gold.” (31:10)

Important Timestamps

• 08:45 — Social proof as the deciding factor in farm product sales
• 12:20 — Explaining the testimonial catch-22
• 13:40 — Corinna’s script for asking for testimonials in exchange for free product
• 15:05 — Guiding questions for better testimonials
• 17:30, 31:10 — Where and how to reuse testimonials for maximum effect
• 26:30–29:00 — Creative testimonial types: video, photo, before/after, social shout-outs
• 34:10 — Corinna’s challenge: action steps for getting your first testimonials

Final Takeaways

• Don’t wait for testimonials to appear—go create them through strategic, proactive outreach.
• See testimonials as reusable marketing gold: a powerful trust-builder and sales closer.
• Use guiding questions and ask for creative assets beyond standard quotes.
• Place testimonials wherever your customers make buying decisions, not just your “testimonials” page.
• Act on Corinna’s challenge: get 5 testimonials in exchange for your product this week, and lay the foundation for stronger, faster farm sales growth.

Want more? Download Corinna’s full testimonial marketing project at mydigitalfarmer.com/fms and check out the episode show notes at mydigitalfarmer.com/332.