So, you’ve just finished a project.
Your client is over the moon, and you know that now would be the best time to ask them for a testimonial, right before you say your final goodbyes.
But you feel uncomfortable.
You just hate asking people for a favor, even if it takes a minute. Also because in the past, not every client replied, which hurt your feelings so hard you cried a little was disappointing.
#ugh ๐
Today, I’d like to share with you my personal testimonial request email templates, which have a success rate of…<checks her notes> 100%.
Meaning, I got a great testimonial every time I asked for one, and if I wanted to edit it, the client was fine with that, too.
Two testimonial request email templates that make getting great client testimonials easy
Before we dive in, let’s make sure we’re on the same page re what makes a great testimonial.
A great testimonial is one that is specific enough to sound authentic and credible while covering:
- the challenges your client was struggling with
- how you help them overcome those challenges
- what specific results your work had for their business
…so that your prospects who’ll be reading this testimonial can relate to it and see that you successfully helped people with the same problems in the past.
An example of an effective client testimonial
Which also means that “Ann did a great job. We highly recommend her.” is a bad testimonial.
Agreed? Good.
Now to the templates.
Testimonial request email template #1: The initial ask
Hi X,
Iโm writing to ask if you wouldnโt mind giving me a short testimonial about [thing X we worked on together]. I’m updating a few pages on my website and was hoping to add something from you.
Just a couple of words about:
- what you were struggling with when you reached out to me
- what I did for you
- and how you found the results to be
…would be enough. But only if you’re comfortable doing it, of course.
Thank you in advance.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get a clear and specific testimonial right away.
But sometimes, a client is so excited about the job you did that they’ll send you a whole novel about how they found you and what they thought about working with you.
And although it will make your ego jump from joy, you may find yourself in a difficult situation.
It looks like you have only two choices now:
- To put that novel of a testimonial on your website (and bore the hell out of your prospects), or
- To thank your client but not use their testimonial (and lose valuable social proof you so totally deserve)
Thankfully, there’s a third way.
Edit your client’s testimonial and ask for approval
It’s totally fine to rewrite your client’s testimonial to distill it to the “meatiest” parts. You just need to ask for approval after that. I do it all the time, and not a single client has ever objected.
You need to do it properly though, and make sure your client knows you appreciate their feedback and understands the reasons for the changes you’d like to make.
Here’s the template I use.
Testimonial request email template #2: Getting an edited testimonial approved
Hi X,
Thank you so much for sharing with me [these details]. I usually don’t get to hear this part, and it was interesting to find out [about XYZ].
The problem is, though, that my prospects care more about:
- what challenges you faced when you reached out to me (in my opinion, it was [this and this])
- what exactly I did ([these great things])
- more details on what results my work brought for your business
So how about this as your testimonial:
[insert the edited testimonial you’d like them to approve here]
Would that be ok?
If you want me to change / add something, let me know. That’s totally fine with me.
Thanks.
And here’s a specific example.
Email example: Getting an edited testimonial approved
Hi Jane,
Thank you so much for sharing with me the story of how you decided to work with me. I usually don’t get to hear this part, and it was interesting to find out that you were actually on my list, and that it was one particular email that made you reach out.
The problem is, thought, that my prospects care more about:
- what challenges you faced with your website (in my opinion, it was structuring all the info and describing your services clearly and in enough detail to get qualified leads, but not to overwhelm them with info)
- what exactly I did (copy + mockups)
- more details on what came out at the end
So how about this as your testimonial:
“Our website used to have very little traction โ almost all of our leads came through other channels. When Gill rewrote our copy, this changed dramatically. Now we get inquiries through our website all the time.”
Would that be ok?
If you want me to change / add something, let me know. That’s totally fine with me.
Thanks,
Gill
Got a long testimonial that’s too good to shorten? Do this.
Funny story: An effective testimonial isn’t necessarily short.
On a big scale, an effective testimonial needs to do only two things:
- cover the challenge, process and results
- be written and designed in a way that prospects will read it till the end (or at least absorb the most important bits)
Obviously, a short testimonial takes care of #2 automatically.
But there’s still a way to present a longer testimonial effectively.
Here’s how I do it (on my website as well as on the websites of my clients when I write new web copy for them):
Final words of wisdom
You may feel a bit scared or uneasy when asking for a client testimonial (and totally terrified when asking to edit it).
Don’t be.
Your happy client likes you. And when we like someone, we’re more than happy to do something nice for them.
Go get them*, tiger ๐ช
* – and by “them” I mean both your new killer testimonials and your new clients those testimonials will help you get.
This is by far the best blog on copywriting.
I never thought that a referee would agree with the paraphrasing of their review, yet I always had positive experiences. I can’t wait to read your next article. ๐
Thank you for your kind words, Gabriela ๐ Happy to hear you’re enjoying my articles.
I found this more helpful that I expected. This is far better than all those numerous examples out there (in an attempt to write long blog posts) that gets you overwhelmed and confused at the end. Thanks Gill. Also your book have been eye opening for me since I bought it last year (still grateful for the person that shared the link on a Facebook group).
Hey Martins,
Thank you very much for your kind words ๐ I’m glad you found this post helpful. And yes, there are way too many blog posts out there that are unnecessarily bloated for the sake of ranking in search with too little practical info.
Happy to hear you found my book helpful, too ๐
Wishing you all the best,
Gill
Brilliantly. This is a great model
Brilliantly written and with such helpful templates too!
Thanks for another valuable resource ๐
My pleasure, Shevy ๐ Glad you found it useful.
As always, spot on and extremely useful. Thanks, Gill!
My pleasure, Ted. Happy to hear you enjoyed it.