Asking for testimonials from your customers or clients is something many business representatives dread. However, the fear of rejection or uncertainty about the quality of responses you might receive shouldn’t hold you back.
By taking some simple steps, you can set clear expectations for both yourself and your clients, making the process easier and more rewarding.
This blog will teach you how to ask for client testimonials the right way. We also provide example testimonial request templates at the end.
Here’s a glance at the tips on how to get customer testimonials.
How To Ask for Client Testimonials
Successfully asking for testimonials means you’ve not only satisfied your current clients but also gained their endorsement to win more potential customers over. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, so you want to put your best foot forward at all times.
Before we look at the strategies, let’s define what a customer or client testimonial is:
A client testimonial is a positive endorsement from a satisfied customer about a product or service. It’s basically a short story from a real person explaining how they benefited from working with a company. Customer testimonials are powerful social proof that favorably sway potential customers that the company is reliable in delivering results.
Now, here’s how to ask for a testimonial from your clients or customers like an expert:
1. Build Rapport From the Outset
Every action you take from the moment a potential customer reaches out with a question through email, social media or a phone call sets the stage for requesting a testimonial. Answering inquiries promptly and thoroughly not only provides the information they need to buy from you but also shows that you value their interest and time.
Every customer has unique needs and preferences. By accommodating special requests and showing flexibility, you demonstrate your willingness to go the extra mile to meet their needs. Whether customizing a product, adjusting delivery options or providing additional support, great customer service conveys that you care about their satisfaction.
All these help build a strong rapport with your customers, who will be more likely to give you a testimonial – a positive one at that.
2. Know When and When Not To Ask
Timing is everything when it comes to asking for testimonials. Getting this right can make all the difference. For example, if a client praises you in an email or Zoom call, seize the moment. Respond with gratitude and politely ask if they’d be willing to share what they just said in a testimonial.
Another ideal moment is when a client hits a milestone. Your client is likely riding the high of their success and more inclined to share positive feedback on your role in their achievement. For long-term projects, quarterly check-ins can be an excellent time to ask for feedback. If the client is happy with the results and your relationship is strong, it’s a natural segue to request a testimonial.
However, if you know things haven’t been going smoothly, it’s best to hold off. A dissatisfied customer or a strained relationship means any feedback you receive is likely to be less than glowing, and it could damage your professional rapport further.
3. Send Personal Requests Manually With Automated Follow-Ups
Starting with a personal message and then using automation to manage the follow-up process can make all the difference. So, instead of using automation all the way, you want to put in the same level of effort and personal touch as you hope your client will put in the testimonial.
Personal requests can be as simple as a thoughtfully written email or a direct message. Mention specific details about your collaboration or highlight a recent success to show your client that you’re not just sending a mass request.
But even with the best intentions, your clients might get busy and forget to respond to your testimonial request. This is where automation comes in. After you’ve sent a personal request, set up an automated follow-up to gently remind them about your
request if they haven’t responded.
4. Offer Flexibility With Multiple Methods in Your Request
Every client or customer has their own way of communicating and sharing feedback. Some prefer a quick, written response, while others enjoy a more personal, verbal exchange. By offering multiple methods for providing testimonials, you show respect for their time and comfort level, making it easier for them to share their experiences.
Providing options also demonstrates that you value their convenience and are willing to meet them halfway. This flexibility can lead to more detailed and genuine testimonials, as clients are more likely to share their thoughts in a format that suits them best.
Some options you can give them:
• Answer a Google Form with easy-to-follow questions .
• Reply directly to this email or direct message.
• Schedule a Zoom interview with you.
• Meet in person for an interview with you.
For clients or customers who are active on social media, you can also ask if they’d be willing to share their feedback there. A positive post about your service or product can serve as a powerful testimonial and reach into their own networks. Don’t forget to ask for permission to share their post on your channels.
5. Try To Solicit Video Testimonials
Video testimonials can be a powerful tool for showcasing client satisfaction. Some clients might find recording a video more convenient than writing a review. Recording a video allows them to express their thoughts more freely and authentically. Plus, it captures the enthusiasm and nuances of their feedback in a way that formal written words often can’t.
If you’re in a Zoom meeting with a client and they start praising your service or product, ask them if they’d be comfortable screen-recording a quick video testimonial right then and there. It’s convenient for them since they’re already on the call, and you get a genuine, spontaneous testimonial.
Since recording a video is another option for providing a testimonial, be sure to include it in the list when you send out your requests.
6. Give Them an Optional Template To Work With
Templates provide a structured way for clients to share their experiences without having to start from scratch. For busy clients, this can be a huge relief. While templates are helpful, it’s crucial not to come across as manipulative. Your goal is to guide, not dictate.
| Guide Questions | Answer Template |
| What was your main pain point before working with us? | “Before using [product/service], we struggled with [specific issue].” |
| How did our service/product help you overcome this challenge? | “Your [product/service] helped us by [specific solution or benefit].” |
| Is there anything you’d like to highlight about your experience? | “One thing that stood out was [specific highlight or positive aspect].” |
Give clients the freedom to modify the template as they see fit or ignore it altogether if they prefer to write something completely original. The key is to make them feel comfortable and unrestricted in their feedback.
When asking for testimonials, you also want to ask open questions something along the lines of “Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience?”
7. Let Them Know a Short Testimonial Is Fine
For some clients, the idea of writing a testimonial can seem daunting and overly formal. But testimonials don’t have to be Shakespearean sonnets. It’s important to reassure your clients that a brief testimonial is perfectly fine and still incredibly valuable.
Still, you want to be strategic about when to tell them this. Instead of letting them know from the initial request, mention in your scheduled follow-up that even a short testimonial would be appreciated.
You could also provide examples of short testimonials from past clients in text or video format to give them a sense of how brief they can be. Then, let them know that they don’t have to worry about proofing their message. You can handle that on your end with their approval.
8. Give Them the Option To Stay Anonymous
While named testimonials are generally more impactful, providing the option for clients to stay anonymous can be essential, particularly in privacy-sensitive business relationships. Anonymous client testimonials aren’t ideal because they lack the personal touch that named testimonials provide.
However, in some cases, anonymity may be the only way a client is comfortable sharing their feedback. By offering anonymity, you respect your client’s privacy and can still gather valuable insights and endorsements.
When displaying anonymous testimonials, you want to provide as much context as possible to enhance credibility. Mention the client’s industry or the type of service they received, if possible, without revealing their identity. Wherever you showcase testimonials, you can list the anonymous testimonials alongside named ones, ensuring they don’t overshadow but still add value.
9. Have a Dedicated Testimonial Page on Your Website
A dedicated testimonial page serves as a centralized, easily accessible space where potential clients can see firsthand the positive experiences others have had with your service or product. When prospective clients visit your website, they’re looking for validation that you can deliver on your promises.
To make your testimonials even more engaging and informative, consider presenting them as part of broader customer stories. Zendesk does this exceptionally well by creating a collection of customer stories that are almost like informal case studies.
(Zendesk)
These stories combine narrative elements with concrete numbers and quotes from its customer testimonials, offering a richer and more detailed picture of how its services have made a difference. Check out one here.
(Zendesk)
Zendesk even has a filter for key categories to help its prospective clients further.
10. Have a Strong and Consistent Online Presence
When you request a testimonial, clients know you’ll use it as an endorsement. They know that would create an association between you and them, and others would see.
Clients want to be associated with businesses that have a solid and reputable standing. A professional, informative website and engaging social media profiles showcase your expertise and reliability, making you a natural choice for clients seeking credible partners.
To practice consistency, you want to ensure each of your online channels are like extensions of one another. You maintain your branding or the look, sound and feel of your brand.
Testimonial Request Template Examples
How you request customer or client testimonials can vary for different scenarios. Here are testimonial request template examples to get started.
Testimonial Request During a Zoom Call |
| “Hi [Customer’s name], It’s been fantastic working with you on [specific project or service]. As we’re wrapping up, I wanted to ask a small favor. Would you be comfortable if we screen-record a testimonial about your experience with us? It can be just a few sentences about what you enjoyed or found valuable. We really appreciate your insights, and they help others know what to expect from our services.” |
Testimonial Request In-Person |
| “Hi [Customer’s name], I just wanted to say how much we’ve appreciated working with you. If you’re comfortable with it, could you share a brief testimonial about your experience with us? It would mean a lot to us and help other clients understand what we offer. Just a few sentences about your experience would be wonderful. I’m ready to write it down or record an audio, whichever you prefer. Thanks so much!” |
Before getting testimonials from clients, feel free to adjust these templates to better match your style or the relationship you have with your customers.
To recap as we close, here are the tips we covered on how to get customer testimonials:
• Start by establishing a good connection.
• Recognize the right timing for your request.
• Personally send your requests and use automated follow-ups as needed.
• Provide various ways for them to submit their testimonial.
• Encourage them to consider a video testimonial.
• Offer a sample template they can use.
• Reassure them that brief feedback is perfectly acceptable.
• Allow them the choice to remain anonymous.
• Feature testimonials prominently on your website.
• Maintain a robust and consistent online presence.
If you have an eCommerce business, you can also apply these online reputation management (ORM) strategies to gather online reviews or product reviews.
Related read: A Beginner’s Guide to Online Reputation Management
Want To Be Better at Getting Testimonials From Clients?
At Thrive Local, we have a team of reputation management specialists who can help you bolster your brand with authentic client testimonials. We handle everything from reaching out to clients for their feedback to promoting those testimonials effectively.
Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Some of our services are:
• Review generation
• Review monitoring
• Review response
Let’s help you start getting testimonials from clients – talk to our ORM team.
