Overcoming the Fear of Asking for Reviews

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Hi reader,

Think about the last big purchase you made. Maybe it was a new coffee maker, a gym membership to escape the winter, or even a house cleaning service to give your place a much-needed refresh.

No matter what it was, I'm willing to bet you Googled the company or went straight to their website in search of reviews. It's just what we do, right? We want to hear from real people who've actually used the thing before we spend our hard-earned money.

Now, let’s flip the script. Are you giving your customers enough social proof to make them feel confident about buying from YOU?

Today’s advice to grow your business

Get consistent with asking for customer reviews.

I know that it can feel awkward to ask customers to leave a review. But if you’re really serious about growing your business, you need to ditch that mindset.

Try thinking about it this way: you’re giving your customers an opportunity to have a voice and help other people make informed decisions. Most people are happy to share their opinions – they just need a little nudge.

Once you adjust your perspective and start raking in the reviews, you'll wonder why you didn't start sooner.

Here’s how this will benefit you

Positive reviews heavily influence purchase decisions.

Let’s say someone finds your company, heads to your website, and lands on your product page. They did all of the work to get there but then…doubt creeps in. Is it really worth the price? Will it actually work as promised? What if it's a waste of money?

Over 93% of people use online reviews to help them make purchasing decisions (Forbes). Seeing others share their experiences – how the product solved their problem or how happy they are with their purchase – can be the final push a hesitant buyer needs to click that "buy now" button. 

More reviews = more trust = more sales. It’s really that simple. 

Positive reviews strengthen your brand image and reputation.

I know firsthand that reputation is everything for small businesses that rely heavily on referrals and word-of-mouth. The more online reviews you have, the more people will see you as a legitimate and credible brand.

Even if someone isn't ready to buy from you today, this positive brand image still makes a huge difference. They might bookmark your website, follow you on social media, or simply keep you in mind for future needs. Or even better, they might mention you to a friend. Those positive reviews have already planted a seed, making you more memorable and trustworthy.

Your first step

Create an email template to request reviews from your customers.

Now, it’s one thing to be willing to ask for reviews. It’s another to do so in the right way and at the right time.

My advice is to start by drafting an email you can send customers after they've made a purchase or used your service. This way, you'll have it ready to go and you'll be more likely to actually send it out.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Make it as easy as possible for them to leave a review. Include your specific Google Business review link and any other review platforms (Facebook, Yelp, your website, etc.). The less clicking around they have to do, the better.

• Timing is everything. Give them a few days to experience your product or service first, but don't wait too long. It depends on your industry, but typically this falls somewhere between 7 and 30 days after the purchase. 

• Automate the process. You can even set this up as an automation using your CRM so that the email gets sent automatically after a purchase or service completion.

If you already have a system for requesting reviews that's working well for you, keep it up! I’d love to hear about what’s worked and what hasn’t – just hit reply and let me know.

Best,

Jono

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