Client testimonials are a lot like Uber ratings: when they’re good, they help both parties. Marketing is all about building relationships. Between the brand and the consumer. Between one consumer and another, in the form of communities. Between the brand’s “ambassador” and its loyalists.

But, first of all, a relationship needs to be forged between the client and the marketer. We’ve been doing this for years and finally decided to trade in on it. We work best with clients that treat us as true partners, an integral component of their marketing plan. Sure, we’ll take on projects, act as a design shop or do a one-off website here and there, but we do our best work when we’re immersed in the client’s brand, business model and goals.

If the concept of client testimonials comes off as self-serving, so be it. But it’s only because we’ve served our clients so well over the years that we can even begin to serve ourselves.