Have you ever been the recipient of complimentary services?  Did you get these services because people just love to throw fre.e things your way?  Or, did they want you to give them a testimonial endorsing their product or service?  Perhaps they wanted your honest feedback about all or part of the service? Or, maybe they were hoping you would tell everyone on Facebook about them?
 
I participated in a Small Business Bootcamp several years back on a complimentary basis knowing upfront that if I received benefit from the bootcamp, I'd be called upon to give a testimonial.  The bootcamp was a great benefit, and I gave a testimonial that is being used on their website.  But, it might have turned out differently.
 
Has anyone ever said to you, "We need to get together for lunch sometime..." and then you don't hear from them?  Just saying 'we need to get together for lunch' doesn't make it happen.  Someone has to take action to follow up, to schedule lunch.  (If you have an issue with this check out 7 Success Steps to Take Action NOW.)  While I knew a testimonial was expected, I relied on the business owner to follow up with me to ask for my feedback, which she did.
 
I have been given other complimentary services (thank you very much!) but with nothing said upfront of any expectation of referrals, evaluation or testimonial.  My passion is to help others succeed, so when I can offer feedback that would help businesses understand clients' needs and deliver a better product or service, I am anxious to do so.  But, not everyone is open to hearing honest feedback.  So, several months and years in some cases, I wait to be asked for my feedback or testimonial or whatever the owner had in mind when I was given those services.  The small business owner realizes no value from the complimentary service given unless their purpose was to be a non-profit entity.
 
So, don't give anything away unless you are very clear on your purpose for doing so, communicate that to your client or prospect, and most importantly, follow-up for the promised referral, feedback, and testimonial.

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