While customer reviews can bolster a brand’s reputation, asking for a review is not easy. It can be awkward to do, especially when done in person. Moreover, the wrong method can annoy customers and make them leave a bad review out of frustration. What are the best ways to ask for a review? Let’s find out.
Why Customer Reviews Count
It may not seem worthwhile to ask for a review at times. After all, the task can be time-consuming and difficult to figure out, especially if there aren’t many ways you can ask for them. Nonetheless, customer reviews have become increasingly important in modern consumption.
This is because many people obtain product information from customer reviews. In fact, 34% of Americans say they learn more about products through customer reviews. Customers may do preliminary research on your product and then run straight to the reviews section for more information. When no reviews are present, customers may not be as inclined to trust the product or service.
In addition, customer reviews carry a lot of weight and can significantly impact a brand’s reputation. Many people trust online reviews almost as much as personal recommendations. Furthermore, higher star ratings have proven to generate over 23% more leads. Hence, positive product reviews can undoubtedly translate into sales.
Clever Ways to Ask for a Review
There are numerous clever ways to ask for reviews. Brands should remember to use all the channels available to them. These include email, social media, and out-of-the-box methods like post-purchase thank-you cards or texts. Without further ado, here are the wittiest ways to ask for a review from customers.
1. Responding to In-Person Praise
It’s a rare occurrence, but some customers are so happy with the product that they praise it in front of the seller. If you receive this unsolicited praise, seize the opportunity and say, “Please leave us a review.” Tell them to express their appreciation by providing feedback online. Make a suggestion by mentioning a specific platform.
Remember to make the conversation as natural as possible. Here’s an example of what you can say after a customer sings your praises:
“That’s wonderful to hear! We try our best to provide the best [products/services] and make our customers happy. You know, if you could write a review about what you said on [platform], that would be great. It would really help other people feel more confident choosing our products/services.”
However, remember not to force customers who seem unwilling to respond. If their responses are short, that may indicate they don’t feel like talking. Forcing the conversation will sour the customer’s view of the company. Continue the conversation only if they respond positively.
2. After Customer Support Phone Calls
Many companies will have phone support as part of their customer service. Make sure to use this opportunity to ask for a Google review or a social media review. The caller can say something as simple as the following:
“I’m glad we were able to help you today. If you wouldn’t mind and if you have the time, we’d love it if you could leave a review of our this experience on [platform]. It would help other people know how we can support them should any problems arise.”
Remember to ensure the customer feels valued and appreciated. This can boost the odds of getting a review. However, remember to choose wisely when asking for reviews over the phone. If you’ve just assisted them with something lengthy and complicated, it may be wise not to ask.
3. Post-Purchase Text Messages
If you’re at a loss for how to ask for feedback from customers, consider using text messages to bring up the topic. This may work best for companies coordinating with customers to provide a product or service. The seller or service provider can naturally insert the topic in the following way:
Seller: “Hi [Customer Name]. We just [finished the service / delivered the product]. Hope you enjoyed what we offer!”
Customer: “Thanks, I appreciate it. Can I ask for the invoice?”
Seller: “Sure thing. By the way, I’d really appreciate it if you could leave a short review on [platform]. It would be a big help for our company. If you have the time, just click here: [link].”
If you don’t have the resources or manpower to do this, you can also set up an automatic text response. You can send these after purchases or appointments to encourage the customer to leave a review. First, thank the customer and include a link where they can provide feedback.
4. Review Request Email
Many Americans check their inbox at least 1-3 times a day. As a result, businesses still utilize email to communicate with customers. They send sales emails to potential clients and send review request emails to current or past customers.
This is pretty easy to do. Businesses can send an email blast or personal email to make the customer feel seen. Here’s a basic template to help you request a Google review or a review on your platform of choice:
“Hello [Customer Name],
Did you know? [Business Name] has gained a lot of customers since the last year. We’re doing something right and, whatever it may be, we’d like to keep doing it. So tell us!
If you have a minute to spare, we’d love it if you could write a review about us on [platform]. A few sentences can go a long way! This will help us continue to provide excellent products/services to our clients and helps other people know how we can solve their problems.
We will forever be grateful. Thank you in advance!
— The [Business Name] Team”
5. Confirmation Emails
It can effectively sneak in a request asking clients for reviews in a confirmation email. This is because customers are likelier to read these emails than those they receive randomly. Consider including a short and sweet call to action:
“Thank you for your purchase! If you enjoyed our products and services, tell others about it here [link to review page or platform].”
6. Physical Thank-You Cards
Online and electronic channels aren’t the only ways brands can ask for a review. They can also leave a simple thank-you card inside their product packaging or attached to receipts. The card can be small and say something simple like: “Did you like our services? Leave a review!” Moreover, the card can include a short link or QR code for easy access.
Make sure to add a simple design to the card in line with your brand identity. If you can’t hire a graphic designer for this, you can also use a simple design tool like Canva. It has templates and an easy-to-use interface to help you create a unique and aesthetically pleasing thank-you card.
7. Website Review Page
Make sure that people who want to review your product have easy access to a review platform. If you don’t have one on social media, consider including a specific review page on your website. This dedicated testimonials page can help others easily find reviews of your products and services without leaving your site. Moreover, remember to include existing reviews on this page to encourage others. This can help customers know where to start and what to say.
8. Ask for Reviews on a Facebook Post
Don’t know how to ask for reviews on Facebook? A straightforward way to do this is by posting on your page. A simple post with a short caption can go a long way. Make sure to include a mobile-friendly photo with the right aspect ratio that says, “Leave us a review!” Moreover, remember to add the link to the review page in the caption. Apart from this, remember to include a popular hashtag like #ReviewUs or #LeaveAReview to boost visibility. This can expand your post’s reach and encourage more reviewers.
9. Post Existing Reviews
One creative way to ask for a Facebook review (or even Google reviews) is to post an existing customer’s review. Choose a flattering (yet realistic) review with five stars and quote it in a simple graphic. Then, add a short caption showing your appreciation and your value for their feedback. You can leave it at that or consider asking clients for feedback by including a link to a review page. Likewise, remember to include a popular review hashtag.
10. Small Giveaways or Contests
Contests and giveaways can easily attract customers, especially if they know your brand and have used your products. Consider tying some of your occasional contests or giveaways to review submissions. This can be effective if you want to obtain reviews in bulk. However, ensure they comply with the rules of whatever review platform you use.
Reviews to the Rescue
It’s not easy to ask for a review from existing customers. Regardless, it might be necessary if you want your brand to take off or to enhance your product’s or service’s reputation.
Are you having trouble with marketing and obtaining customer reviews? Tanner Grey offers full-service digital marketing services in Charlotte. Call us today at 844.500.1339 or contact us online for more details!
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