Do ERG Testimonials BETTER

Let’s talk testimonials—because ERGs are sleeping on them.

Right now, the most common approach to gathering testimonials in the ERG world is asking, “What did you think of this event?” Sometimes. Or maybe there’s a once-a-year member survey that sort of touches on value… if it happens at all. And it’s inconsistent across the board.

If we’re going to treat ERGs like real programs that drive real impact, we need to start learning from how businesses handle testimonials—and yes, there’s a framework for this.

Businesses typically collect two types of testimonials:

1. Product-Level Testimonials

   Think: “This item was amazing” or “This one broke after two uses.” These are specific to an offering.

2. Business/Brand-Level Testimonials

   Think: “I love this company. Great customer service. I’ll always shop here.” These speak to the overall experience.

Both serve a purpose. Both are intentional. And both should exist in your ERG program.

Applying that to ERGs:

You also need two types of testimonials:

1. For your programming types

2. For your ERG program overall

Let’s break that down.

1. Testimonials for Programming

Programming types are the recurring formats your ERG uses to deliver content or create engagement—like trivia nights, lunch & learns, panels, AMAs, etc.

Types

• Your programing types = your products.

  • An “ERG Trivia Night” is an programming type.

  • An “Ask Me Anything with Leadership” is an programming type.

  • A “Panel Discussion on Mental Health” is an programming type.

Even if each instance has different speakers, formats, or attendance—those all roll up into the same type of offering, just like ordering the same dish at a restaurant on different nights. The flavor might hit different depending on the chef, but it’s still the same dish.

So you want to be collecting feedback on:

• How well this programming type serves your members

  (Ex: “On a scale of 1–5, how valuable are trivia sessions in general to you as an ERG member?”)

• How that specific piece of programming landed

  (Ex: “How valuable was this trivia sessions on Black Inventors?”)

• Topic suggestions for the future

  (Ex: “What topics would make future trivia sessions more engaging?”)

This kind of feedback lets you refine your products. You can spot which formats are consistently strong, and which just aren’t worth the time. And you can iterate, improve, and build programming people actually want.

Pro tip: You should also be collecting internal feedback from your ERG leads. If a certain format is a logistical nightmare or consistently tanks, say that. It’s part of building a sustainable program.

2. Testimonials for the ERG Program

Overall

These aren’t about individual events. These are the “why I show up” statements.

• “Being part of this ERG has made me feel more seen.”

• “This ERG helped me grow my network and confidence at work.”

• “I’ve never felt more connected to my company than I do now.”

This is the kind of testimonial that fuels your growth engine. If you want new members, and new volunteers—this is the language that draws them in.

If you’re not doing an annual ERG-wide survey, this is your sign to start. One of the key questions? Something like:

“On a scale from 1–5, how much value does this ERG provide you at work?”

There are more refined versions of this question, sure—but this is a strong starting point. What you’re looking for is insight into the overall experience, not just one-off event opinions.

Here’s the recap:

✔ Programming types are your products.

✔ Your ERG program is the business.

✔ You need testimonials for both.

So instead of collecting feedback randomly or once in a while, build it into your rhythm. Use smarter questions. Make better decisions. And treat testimonials like the goldmine of insight they actually are.

✌🏿 The ERG Homegirl

P.S. I’m practicing what I preach and am not collecting Brand-Level Testimonials for The ERG Movement