Have you ever received an email asking for a review before you even had a chance to use the product? I got one last week that said “TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!” I was still figuring out which end of the box I should open. We’ve all been there, rolling our eyes at yet another pushy brand demanding our precious time and five stars.
As a business owner, the last thing you want is to be that brand—the digital equivalent of an overeager puppy jumping on guests the moment they walk through the door.
So how do you get those valuable customer reviews without making your customers want to block your email address forever? Let’s dive into the art of review-requesting etiquette!
The Do’s: Review-Requesting Like a Pro
Timing Is Paramount
Timing isn’t everything—it’s the only thing when asking for reviews. Ask too early, and you’ll come across as desperate. Wait to long, and your customer will ask, “Wait, who are you again?”
Aim for the sweet spot: about 24 – 72 hours after they’ve received their product or used your service (you know your product and how quickly it will be used). This will give them enough time to experience your product or service without forgetting about you entirely.
Even better? Watch for those magical moments when a customer is already singing your praises online. When you see someone gushing about your product on social media, that’s your cue to slide into their DMs (professionally, of course) and ask if they’d be willing to share those lovely thoughts in a review.
Make It Personal (Like, Actually Personal)
We’ve all gotten those “Dear Valued Customer” emails that make us feel about as valued as yesterday’s lunch leftovers. Nothing screams “I don’t care” like a template that dosen’t include your name.
Show your customers you remember them:
“Hi, Sarah! How’s that new coffee maker treating you? Making your mornings a bit brighter, we hope!”
When possible, mention their specific purchase. Acknowledge if they’re a loyal customer or welcome them warmly if they’re new. These little touches transform your review request from an annoying obligation into a natural continuation of your relationship. Any good review or email program will make this a simple task. The ROI will be tremendous!
Keep It Simple, Sweetie
Your customers aren’t training for an obstacle course. If leaving a review feels like filing taxes, they’ll bail faster than you can say “five stars.”
Make it as easy as possible:
- Choose a one-click review platform
- Give clear instructions
- Don’t make them create an account
- It really need to be a mobile-friendly process
Remember: Every extra step reduces your chances of getting that review by approximately 10,000% (I made that statistic up, but you get the point).
The Don’ts: How to Not Be a Review-Seeking Nuisance
Don’t Be the Digital Equivalent of a Telemarketer
Nothing will get your emails sent straight to spam faster than becoming the brand equivalent of that persistent telemarketer who calls during dinner.
One gentle request? Completely acceptable. Two requests spaced weeks apart? Pushing it, but still within bounds. Daily “HAVE YOU REVIEWED US YET??” messages? Congratulations, you’ve just lost a customer.
Remember that each email you send is a withdrawal from your customer’s goodwill bank account. Make sure it’s worth it.
Don’t Hide the Not-So-Glowing Reviews
When a potential customer is looking at your reviews, and notices they’re all suspiciously glowing, and thinks, “Hmm, that’s weird. No one has ANYTHING negative to say? What are they hiding?”
Authenticity builds trust. Those less-than-perfect reviews make your 5-star ones more believable. They are a chance to for your to respond and show how well you listen to your customes conserns.
And if you are truly lucky if an existing customer sees a negative review they don’t agree with, they often feel compelled to jump in with their positive experience—giving you even more detailed, passionate reviews!
Don’t Turn Reviews Into a Bribery Scheme
“Leave us a 5-star review and get 25% off your next purchase!”
This approach is wrong on so many levels, and it’s also against most review platforms’ terms of service. It undermines the entire purpose of reviews: honest feedback from real customers.
Requesting reviews doesn’t have to feel like begging for compliments at your birthday party. When done right, it’s simply inviting satisfied customers to share their experiences with others who might benefit from your product or service.
The best review strategy is about creating such an amazing customer experience that people naturally want to rave about you.
Now go forth and collect those authentic reviews—no pushiness required!