You’ve done great work for a client and delivered results that have really made a difference for their business. Now, it’s time to ask for a testimonial to help grow your own business. But asking for recommendations can feel awkward if you don’t know what to say. That’s where a simple testimonial email template comes in handy. We’ll walk you through exactly what to include to make the ask easy while still communicating how much you value their feedback. With a few tweaks for your specific situation, you’ll have a professional testimonial request ready to go that makes the process smooth for both you and your client.
Introduction
When it comes to growing your business, word-of-mouth marketing is key. And one of the best ways to spread the word is through authentic client testimonials from happy clients. But how do you go about requesting testimonials in a way that feels genuine rather than pushy?
Ask at the Right Time
The most optimal time to ask for a good testimonial is right after you’ve delivered great service or your client has had a positive experience with your product. Their enthusiasm will come through in their testimonial. Don’t ask clients who have been inactive for a long time – they may not remember the details clearly or may feel put on the spot.
Make it Easy to Provide a Testimonial
Keep your request short and sweet, around 1 to 2 sentences. Provide clear instructions on how they can submit a testimonial, for example, via email, a form on your website, or a third-party service like Google Reviews. Offer to help them draft the testimonial if they prefer. The easier you make it, the more likely you are to receive a response.
Suggest What to Include
Give your clients some guidance on what to cover in their testimonial without being too prescriptive. Mention that you appreciate details about their experience, specific features or benefits they found valuable, and whether they’d recommend you to others. This helps avoid generic testimonials that just say, “Great product, great service!”.
Of course, be genuinely appreciative of any testimonial you receive. Follow up with a thank you email or note to build goodwill and show how much their feedback means to you. By approaching your clients thoughtfully and making the process simple for them, you’ll have authentic testimonials to help market your business in no time.
Why Testimonials Are Important
Testimonials are essential for any business. They help build trust and credibility, which are the foundations of any good relationship with your customers. When people considering your product or service can read reviews from real customers who have used it already, it helps reassure them that you’re the real deal.
Build Trust
Testimonials from satisfied clients help establish you as an authority in your industry and build trust in your brand. People want to buy from companies they believe in and trust. Glowing reviews and stories of success from your clients are social proof that you deliver on your promises.
Increase Conversions
Testimonials can directly impact your bottom line by increasing conversions. When visitors to your website read positive reviews from happy customers, they feel more confident purchasing from you. Research shows that over 70% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. With so many choices available today, social proof in the form of authentic testimonials can be the deciding factor that motivates someone to buy from you versus a competitor.
Improve SEO
Google loves fresh, unique content, so adding new client testimonials to your website on a regular basis helps with search engine optimization. The more high-quality content you have on your site, the more opportunities there are for people to find you in search results. Testimonials also often contain keywords and phrases that are relevant to your business, which search engines factor into their ranking algorithms.
In summary, collecting and prominently featuring authentic customer testimonials should be an important part of your marketing strategy. They help establish credibility, build trust, increase conversions, and even improve your search ranking. The benefits of testimonials are real and lasting. Make them a priority and start reaping the rewards.
How to Identify Customers to Request Testimonials From
As you start compiling a list of customers to reach out to for testimonials, think about targeting your happiest and most loyal customers first. These are the people who have genuinely benefitted from your product or service and will be enthusiastic about sharing their experience.
Look through your records for customers who have been with you for a long time, make frequent purchases or large orders, or have referred other people to you and start adding them to an email list, which you will use to send your customer review request email. These folks clearly value what you offer and will be primed to provide a glowing review. You might also consider customers who have given you verbal compliments or positive feedback in the past. They’ve already expressed their satisfaction, so asking them to put it in writing as a testimonial is a natural next step.
It’s also a good idea to look for customers who represent your target audience well. For example, if you aim to serve small business owners, look for testimonials from respected small business owners. Their reviews will resonate most with your desired clients. Similarly, seek out a range of perspectives – solicit testimonials from new customers, long-time clients, individuals, and organizations. The more diversity, the better.
As you review your customer list, make notes about who would make an ideal candidate for a testimonial. Once you have a good pool of options, reach out to your top choices to request their reviews and stories. Let them know why their feedback and experience with your company would be so valuable. And, of course, be sure to express your sincere thanks and appreciation for their loyalty and support. Flattery and gratitude can go a long way in securing amazing testimonials.
With a strategic approach, you’ll gain meaningful reviews from your best customers that will build trust and credibility for your business. Their enthusiastic words and stories will inspire others just like them to become your loyal customers, too.
Crafting Your Testimonial Request Email
When reaching out for testimonials, a well-crafted email can make all the difference. Keep your request personal yet professional, speaking to your client in a friendly, authentic way. Briefly remind them of your work together and the value they gained. Explain why their feedback and insights would be so helpful to your business.
Express Appreciation
Start by thanking them for their business and support. For example, “I wanted to reach out to express my gratitude for your support and collaboration over the past year.” Recalling specific ways you enjoyed working together, or outcomes you achieved will make your appreciation feel genuine.
Explain Why Their Input Matters
Help them understand how influential and meaningful their testimonial can be. For instance, say something like, “Your perspective and experience with my services are invaluable in helping other potential clients determine if we are the right fit for their needs.” Share that their words can build trust and help others in a similar position.
Provide Guidance and Make it Easy
Give clear instructions for how they can provide a testimonial. You might say, “If you feel comfortable providing a short 1-2 sentence testimonial for use on my website and in future marketing materials, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.” Then, include 2-3 simple questions to help guide their response, such as:
- How did you find the experience of working with me?
- What specific benefits did you gain from our work together?
- Would you recommend me to others seeking similar services? Why or why not?
Let them know they can respond via email at their convenience. The easier you make it, the more likely you’ll receive an enthusiastic response.
Offer to Return the Favor
Close by offering to provide a testimonial or referral for their business in return, if relevant. For example, “Please let me know if there’s any way I can provide a testimonial for your services as well. I’m happy to return the favor.” This is a courteous way to show your appreciation for their time and insights.
With a thoughtful, well-crafted request, you’ll have a high chance of receiving glowing customer reviews and testimonials to help build your business and better serve future clients. Best of luck!
Sample Testimonial Request Email Template
Hey [Customer Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to reach out to ask if you’d be willing to provide a brief testimonial for my business.
Testimonials from happy clients like yourself are so valuable for my business. They help build trust and credibility with new potential customers. A short quote from you about your experience working with me would be greatly appreciated.
Here are a few questions you could choose to answer in your own words:
- What specific problems were you facing before we started working together?
- What solutions or results have you achieved since we started working together?
- What is your favorite part about working with me/my business?
- Would you recommend me to others? Why or why not?
Please feel free to pick and choose from these questions and answer in your own words. I’m happy to provide any additional details or context if needed. Just let me know if you have any other questions!
I understand you’re busy, so any time you have to provide a short testimonial in the next week or so would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
All the best,
[Your name]
[Your company name]
Remember to use an appropriate subject line for your testimonial request email. The best time to send the email would be after lunch hours when people have finished most of their work for the day and have the time to write a testimonial for you.
Questions to Consider
When crafting your own testimonial request email, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Personalize the email and be genuine. Mention your working relationship and specific ways you’ve helped the client.
- Be transparent about why you’re asking and how the testimonial will be used. Build trust and set proper expectations.
- Provide some suggested questions or talking points to make it easy for the client to provide a response, but give them flexibility to share their thoughts in their own words.
- Share the timeframe for providing a response and express your appreciation for their time. Follow up accordingly if you don’t receive a response.
- Once you receive a testimonial, be sure to thank your client and ask if there’s any way you can return the favor! Building goodwill and reciprocity with clients is so important.
Following Up After Sending Your Request
Sending out email requests for testimonials is only half the battle. To increase your chances of receiving glowing recommendations, following up is key. Wait about a week after your initial outreach before checking in with people who haven’t responded yet.
A friendly nudge can go a long way. You might say something like: “I just wanted to follow up on my request for a testimonial last week. I’m hoping you had a chance to think it over—would you be willing to provide a short recommendation for our services?” Be polite yet persistent, and let them know you value their feedback.
For those who agreed to provide a testimonial but haven’t sent it yet, send a gentle reminder. Say, “I appreciate you offering to write a testimonial for our company. I wanted to check if you had any other questions or needed any more information from me to make it easier to complete. Please let me know if there’s any way I can assist you in finalizing your recommendation.”
If, after following up a few times, you still don’t receive a response, don’t take it personally. Some people may be too busy or simply uncomfortable providing recommendations. Thank them for considering it, and move on. Focus your efforts on those who have agreed to submit testimonials.
Once you start receiving recommendations, be sure to express your gratitude. Send a quick thank you note to convey how much you appreciate them taking the time to share their experience with your company. Let them know their kind words will help reassure future clients, which benefits you both.
Building a collection of authentic testimonials from happy clients or customers is a rewarding process. While it does require effort and persistence, following up and showing appreciation for those who provide recommendations will make it easier to get the great feedback you need to win more business. Keep at it, and before you know it, you’ll have a compelling set of testimonials to help sell your services.
Handling Negative Testimonials
Negative reviews are inevitable, even for the best businesses and products. While it can be tempting to ignore or delete them, that approach will only make the situation worse. The key is to handle negative testimonials with care and professionalism.
Respond promptly and politely.
As soon as you receive a negative review, respond to the customer promptly, within 24 to 48 hours. Thank them for the feedback and apologize that their experience did not meet their expectations. Let them know you take their concerns seriously and want to make things right. A polite, concerned response can go a long way toward diffusing frustration and limiting damage.
Do not get defensive.
Do not argue with the reviewer or make excuses. Do not accuse them of lying or threaten legal action. Getting defensive will only anger the customer further and reflect poorly on your business. Remain calm and composed in your response.
Ask follow up questions.
Politely ask follow up questions to better understand their concerns. Let the reviewer know you want to fully grasp the situation so you can properly address any issues. Make it clear their experience and feedback matters to you. The reviewer may even revise or remove their initial negative review when they see your genuine concern.
Take action and make amends.
If your product or service truly had an issue, take steps to fix it so it does not happen again. You may also want to offer incentives to the reviewer, such as a refund, a discount code that they can use for their next order or other compensation. Explain your actions in a follow-up message and express your desire to make things right and restore their faith in your business.
While negative reviews can be upsetting, handling them professionally and using them as an opportunity to improve your business can turn a negative into a positive. Dissatisfied customers who see you take their feedback seriously may become loyal customers, and others will appreciate seeing your commitment to quality and service. Every business receives complaints—what matters most is how you respond.
Promoting Positive Testimonials on Your Website
Once you have some enthusiastic testimonials from happy clients, be sure to feature them prominently on your website. Here are some tips for promoting positive testimonials to build social proof and trust with visitors:
Display testimonials on your homepage. Your homepage is the first thing most visitors see, so featuring one or two glowing testimonials there, with photos of the clients if possible, is very impactful. Photos of clients show website visitors that real people are happy with your product / service. You can also add a “What Our Clients Say” section on the homepage with several testimonials where customers share their positive experiences.
Create a dedicated “Testimonials” or “Client Success Stories” page. Having a dedicated testimonial page of rave reviews from satisfied customers is extremely compelling. Include details about how you helped the clients and the impact of your work. Photos and video testimonials of clients, if possible, sharing their experiences in their own words, are especially powerful.
Highlight testimonials for specific services. If you offer multiple services, feature relevant testimonials on each service page. For example, show testimonials from clients you’ve helped with web design on your web design service page. This helps prospective clients feel more confident in that particular service.
Use social proof widgets. Some services like Yotpo, Stamped.io and Trustpilot offer widgets you can add to your site to display aggregated ratings and reviews from multiple sources like Google, Facebook and your own testimonial database. These help build instant credibility and trust in your brand.
Quote testimonials on relevant pages. In addition to featuring the full testimonials, pull out a sentence or short paragraph from some of the best reviews and display those quotes on your service pages, “About Us” page, or elsewhere on the site. Quotes from happy clients, with attribution, are a simple way to demonstrate your value and the experience others have had with your business.
Refresh and rotate. Continue collecting new testimonials from clients on an ongoing basis. Rotate some of the testimonials you feature on your website every few months to keep things fresh. Over time, you’ll build up a robust selection of customer reviews to prominently showcase the benefits of working with your company.
Keep your testimonials authentic and honest. While it’s tempting to only post extremely positive reviews, a mix of constructive feedback and unvarnished opinions, along with glowingly positive testimonials, helps establish credibility. Address any common issues mentioned in a transparent way to build trust in your solutions and services.
FAQ on Requesting and Using Testimonials
You’ve crafted a great testimonial request email, and some happy customers have sent you glowing reviews. Now what? Here are some frequently asked questions about requesting and using testimonials:
Once you receive a testimonial, be sure to thank the customer and let them know how much you appreciate their kind words. Ask if they would mind if you used their testimonial on your website or in marketing materials. Most customers will be happy to oblige, but it’s always best to double check.
Using testimonials on your website’s homepage or “About Us” page is an excellent way to build trust and credibility with visitors and potential new customers. You can also sprinkle positive reviews on service or product pages to reassure people about the quality and value. On social media, share snippets of testimonials or full reviews, and be sure to tag the customer if possible. They’ll surely appreciate the shout-out.
For the highest impact, use a combination of direct quotes from the testimonials along with paraphrased highlights. Direct quotes resonate most with readers, but paraphrasing allows you to pull out the essential points and combine multiple reviews into one powerful message. Be authentic, and don’t modify or exaggerate the reviews.
Some business owners wonder if they should offer customers an incentive in exchange for a testimonial. While a small token of thanks is a nice gesture, testimonials tend to be most effective when given voluntarily without expectation of compensation. Offering large rewards could call into question the sincerity of the reviews. The best approach is simply sending a thoughtful request email explaining how valuable their feedback would be.
Testimonials build valuable social proof that inspires confidence in potential customers. By sharing them prominently and consistently on your marketing materials and website, you’ll establish your business as a trusted provider of high quality products and services. Make the most of these customer endorsements and watch as they help convert more leads into happy clients.
Have any other questions about gathering or leveraging great testimonials? Let me know, I’m happy to help in any way I can!
Conclusion
So there you have it – a proven template for requesting powerful testimonials from your happy customers. Keep it short, positive, and sincere. Remind them of the great experience they had working with you, and let them know their feedback means a lot. When you receive a glowing testimonial, be sure to thank them for taking the time. Having compelling testimonials on your website or in your marketing materials can make a huge difference in converting prospects into lifelong customers. Now get out there and start asking for those reviews! You’ve provided amazing value, so you deserve to have it highlighted. This simple template takes the guesswork out of getting testimonials that make your business shine. Feel free to check out other email templates available on our website.