176 | The Testimonial Mistake Coaches Keep Making

Stop waiting for the perfect client success story. If you think your testimonials aren't impressive enough, you could be making one of the biggest marketing mistakes coaches make. In this episode, Joanna shares why authenticity beats perfection, how prospects really evaluate testimonials, and why the results you take for granted may be exactly what your future clients need to see. Timestamps 01:20 - Two Real Client Examples 03:10 - The Movement Reframe 04:45 - Don’t Dismiss Small Wins 06:15 - Testimonials vs Case Studies 07:40 - Better Questions to Ask Clients 08:55 - Why Overclaiming Backfires 10:00 - Look for the Shift The strongest client stories don’t always end with a six-figure business, a dream job, or a dramatic breakthrough. Often, they simply show that something became possible that wasn’t possible before. Useful Links Coaching Onboarding & Retention Guide Learn about The Business of Coaching programme Signature Solution Course Download the Free Digital version of Coaches' Planner (NEW edition 2026) Free Essential AI Toolkit – 2 Must-Have Prompts for Coaches How to secure more coaching clients' free training Download the 12 ways to get clients now Connect with Jo on LinkedIn Rate and Review the Podcast If you found this episode of Women in the Coaching Arena helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you’re kind enough to leave a review, please do let Jo know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: joanna@joannalottcoaching.com Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Hit subscribe on your favourite podcast app to be notified each time a new episode of Women in the Coaching Arena.