The Testimonial Blog
The Testimonial Blog
How freelancers collect testimonials
How freelancers collect testimonials
Written by Oliver Meakings
Cofounder of Senja
You know social proof like testimonials helps you grow your business. But when and how to ask your clients for a testimonial? And what format should it take? Here's some suggestions for asking for a testimonial, whether it's your first time or you're an established freelancer.
What you need to collect
When collecting testimonials to support your freelance work, you should ask for the following:
Their name
Their job title
Their company
Their company logo
A professional photo
Their location
The service they booked
How long you worked with them
Their testimonial - see what you need to ask next
Collecting this information about your client will ensure you have all the details you need when composing and later sharing your testimonial. For example, including your client's job title and company, may help convince new leads that you're the right person for their needs.
If you are struggling to collect all this information gracefully over email, use a free testimonial collection software to help you collect testimonials.
Questions for the testimonial itself
You've collected their info, now you need to collect the testimonial itself. Here's some questions you can collect answers to. Remember this could be as a video or text testimonial.
How was your overall experience working with me?
What specific skills or qualities did you appreciate about my work?
How did I add value to your project?
Would you recommend me to others, and why?
How did I differentiate from other freelancers or service providers you have worked with?
Can you provide a specific example of how my work positively impacted your project?
Get permission to share
Remember you should ask your client for permission to actually use their testimonial and personal information. It may seem obvious, but it's better for them to expressly agree. Ask them to agree to a sentence like this:
Get permission to edit
If you want to creative with your clients testimonial you should ask them. This is if you want to do anything more than correct spelling and grammar, and remove elements. If you want to 'rework' it's best practive to send it back to your client to approve.
Now some ideas for asking for testimonials...
Ask sooner rather than later
Consider asking for the testimonial after the first milestone is hit. If your client engagement is over a long period, this is ideal as you can collect the testimonial earlier, and start to share it and win more clients.
Ask for feedback not a testimonial
After completing a project, ask your client to provide feedback on your work. This avoids the assumption your client is happy, and focuses the request on their opinion, over them completing a favour for you. If the feedback is positive ask if they would be willing to provide a testimonial.
Offer an incentive
Offer your clients something in return for a testimonial, such as a discount on future services or a small gift. Something personalised and thoughtful is always more effective, so reflect on conversations you add with them previously.
Invite them to a review platform
Ask your clients to leave a review on a platform such as LinkedIn or Google, where others can see their testimonials. These platforms often have invite tools you can use. Once done, import the best testimonials into your testimonial collection software.
Make it easy for them to write a testimoinial
Provide your clients with a template for their testimonial, or pre-write the testimonial for them. This allows you to control the content of the testimonial, and support a client who is struggling to write their own. However, if you do this you may lose the opportunity to uncover what your clients love about you.
Make it easy for them to submit a testimonial
Or make it easy for them to provide one by using a tool such as Senja.
Make it part of the contract
Dominic Kent is an expert 6-figure freelancer. His tip is simple: make leaving a testimonial part of your clients contractual requirement. This might feel heavy handed. But many clients often don't want to share they've had support with work, so it can be necessary.
Part of the contract. Everyone signs it.
— Dominic Kent (@DomKent) January 30, 2023
Ask for a video testimonial
Video testimonials are able to convey your clients thoughts more authentically.
Write a handwritten request
Something a bit different, but a handwritten note requesting a testimonial or feedback is a charming and unique way to ask for a testimonial. You can even
Review their previous messages
Without meaning to, clients will often send you authentic testimonials. Review previous feedback from your client - whether that's over email, messenger or text message.
They may have described the work as "awesome" or say "we're finally hitting our goal". Sometimes these short snippets of feedback can work as amazing social proof.
Steal this copy email copy to ask
Dear [Client Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity to work with you on [Project Name]. It was a pleasure to collaborate with you, and I am grateful for your trust in my abilities.
As a freelancer, receiving positive feedback from clients like you is extremely valuable. It helps me to grow my business and attract new clients. I would be honored if you could share your experience working with me in the form of a testimonial.
[link to your collection form here]
Your testimonial could be:
a few sentences about your experience working with me
any worries you had before we worked together
what you appreciated most about our collaboration
and how my services have helped you achieve your goals.
If you are willing to provide a testimonial, I would be happy to use it on my website, portfolio, and other marketing materials to showcase my work and services.
Thank you for your support, and please let me know if there's anything else I can do to help. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
You can see many more templates for testimonial collection over email and text message here.
More testimonial advice for freelancers
More testimonials advice for others
You know social proof like testimonials helps you grow your business. But when and how to ask your clients for a testimonial? And what format should it take? Here's some suggestions for asking for a testimonial, whether it's your first time or you're an established freelancer.
What you need to collect
When collecting testimonials to support your freelance work, you should ask for the following:
Their name
Their job title
Their company
Their company logo
A professional photo
Their location
The service they booked
How long you worked with them
Their testimonial - see what you need to ask next
Collecting this information about your client will ensure you have all the details you need when composing and later sharing your testimonial. For example, including your client's job title and company, may help convince new leads that you're the right person for their needs.
If you are struggling to collect all this information gracefully over email, use a free testimonial collection software to help you collect testimonials.
Questions for the testimonial itself
You've collected their info, now you need to collect the testimonial itself. Here's some questions you can collect answers to. Remember this could be as a video or text testimonial.
How was your overall experience working with me?
What specific skills or qualities did you appreciate about my work?
How did I add value to your project?
Would you recommend me to others, and why?
How did I differentiate from other freelancers or service providers you have worked with?
Can you provide a specific example of how my work positively impacted your project?
Get permission to share
Remember you should ask your client for permission to actually use their testimonial and personal information. It may seem obvious, but it's better for them to expressly agree. Ask them to agree to a sentence like this:
Get permission to edit
If you want to creative with your clients testimonial you should ask them. This is if you want to do anything more than correct spelling and grammar, and remove elements. If you want to 'rework' it's best practive to send it back to your client to approve.
Now some ideas for asking for testimonials...
Ask sooner rather than later
Consider asking for the testimonial after the first milestone is hit. If your client engagement is over a long period, this is ideal as you can collect the testimonial earlier, and start to share it and win more clients.
Ask for feedback not a testimonial
After completing a project, ask your client to provide feedback on your work. This avoids the assumption your client is happy, and focuses the request on their opinion, over them completing a favour for you. If the feedback is positive ask if they would be willing to provide a testimonial.
Offer an incentive
Offer your clients something in return for a testimonial, such as a discount on future services or a small gift. Something personalised and thoughtful is always more effective, so reflect on conversations you add with them previously.
Invite them to a review platform
Ask your clients to leave a review on a platform such as LinkedIn or Google, where others can see their testimonials. These platforms often have invite tools you can use. Once done, import the best testimonials into your testimonial collection software.
Make it easy for them to write a testimoinial
Provide your clients with a template for their testimonial, or pre-write the testimonial for them. This allows you to control the content of the testimonial, and support a client who is struggling to write their own. However, if you do this you may lose the opportunity to uncover what your clients love about you.
Make it easy for them to submit a testimonial
Or make it easy for them to provide one by using a tool such as Senja.
Make it part of the contract
Dominic Kent is an expert 6-figure freelancer. His tip is simple: make leaving a testimonial part of your clients contractual requirement. This might feel heavy handed. But many clients often don't want to share they've had support with work, so it can be necessary.
Part of the contract. Everyone signs it.
— Dominic Kent (@DomKent) January 30, 2023
Ask for a video testimonial
Video testimonials are able to convey your clients thoughts more authentically.
Write a handwritten request
Something a bit different, but a handwritten note requesting a testimonial or feedback is a charming and unique way to ask for a testimonial. You can even
Review their previous messages
Without meaning to, clients will often send you authentic testimonials. Review previous feedback from your client - whether that's over email, messenger or text message.
They may have described the work as "awesome" or say "we're finally hitting our goal". Sometimes these short snippets of feedback can work as amazing social proof.
Steal this copy email copy to ask
Dear [Client Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity to work with you on [Project Name]. It was a pleasure to collaborate with you, and I am grateful for your trust in my abilities.
As a freelancer, receiving positive feedback from clients like you is extremely valuable. It helps me to grow my business and attract new clients. I would be honored if you could share your experience working with me in the form of a testimonial.
[link to your collection form here]
Your testimonial could be:
a few sentences about your experience working with me
any worries you had before we worked together
what you appreciated most about our collaboration
and how my services have helped you achieve your goals.
If you are willing to provide a testimonial, I would be happy to use it on my website, portfolio, and other marketing materials to showcase my work and services.
Thank you for your support, and please let me know if there's anything else I can do to help. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
You can see many more templates for testimonial collection over email and text message here.
More testimonial advice for freelancers
More testimonials advice for others
You know social proof like testimonials helps you grow your business. But when and how to ask your clients for a testimonial? And what format should it take? Here's some suggestions for asking for a testimonial, whether it's your first time or you're an established freelancer.
What you need to collect
When collecting testimonials to support your freelance work, you should ask for the following:
Their name
Their job title
Their company
Their company logo
A professional photo
Their location
The service they booked
How long you worked with them
Their testimonial - see what you need to ask next
Collecting this information about your client will ensure you have all the details you need when composing and later sharing your testimonial. For example, including your client's job title and company, may help convince new leads that you're the right person for their needs.
If you are struggling to collect all this information gracefully over email, use a free testimonial collection software to help you collect testimonials.
Questions for the testimonial itself
You've collected their info, now you need to collect the testimonial itself. Here's some questions you can collect answers to. Remember this could be as a video or text testimonial.
How was your overall experience working with me?
What specific skills or qualities did you appreciate about my work?
How did I add value to your project?
Would you recommend me to others, and why?
How did I differentiate from other freelancers or service providers you have worked with?
Can you provide a specific example of how my work positively impacted your project?
Get permission to share
Remember you should ask your client for permission to actually use their testimonial and personal information. It may seem obvious, but it's better for them to expressly agree. Ask them to agree to a sentence like this:
Get permission to edit
If you want to creative with your clients testimonial you should ask them. This is if you want to do anything more than correct spelling and grammar, and remove elements. If you want to 'rework' it's best practive to send it back to your client to approve.
Now some ideas for asking for testimonials...
Ask sooner rather than later
Consider asking for the testimonial after the first milestone is hit. If your client engagement is over a long period, this is ideal as you can collect the testimonial earlier, and start to share it and win more clients.
Ask for feedback not a testimonial
After completing a project, ask your client to provide feedback on your work. This avoids the assumption your client is happy, and focuses the request on their opinion, over them completing a favour for you. If the feedback is positive ask if they would be willing to provide a testimonial.
Offer an incentive
Offer your clients something in return for a testimonial, such as a discount on future services or a small gift. Something personalised and thoughtful is always more effective, so reflect on conversations you add with them previously.
Invite them to a review platform
Ask your clients to leave a review on a platform such as LinkedIn or Google, where others can see their testimonials. These platforms often have invite tools you can use. Once done, import the best testimonials into your testimonial collection software.
Make it easy for them to write a testimoinial
Provide your clients with a template for their testimonial, or pre-write the testimonial for them. This allows you to control the content of the testimonial, and support a client who is struggling to write their own. However, if you do this you may lose the opportunity to uncover what your clients love about you.
Make it easy for them to submit a testimonial
Or make it easy for them to provide one by using a tool such as Senja.
Make it part of the contract
Dominic Kent is an expert 6-figure freelancer. His tip is simple: make leaving a testimonial part of your clients contractual requirement. This might feel heavy handed. But many clients often don't want to share they've had support with work, so it can be necessary.
Part of the contract. Everyone signs it.
— Dominic Kent (@DomKent) January 30, 2023
Ask for a video testimonial
Video testimonials are able to convey your clients thoughts more authentically.
Write a handwritten request
Something a bit different, but a handwritten note requesting a testimonial or feedback is a charming and unique way to ask for a testimonial. You can even
Review their previous messages
Without meaning to, clients will often send you authentic testimonials. Review previous feedback from your client - whether that's over email, messenger or text message.
They may have described the work as "awesome" or say "we're finally hitting our goal". Sometimes these short snippets of feedback can work as amazing social proof.
Steal this copy email copy to ask
Dear [Client Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity to work with you on [Project Name]. It was a pleasure to collaborate with you, and I am grateful for your trust in my abilities.
As a freelancer, receiving positive feedback from clients like you is extremely valuable. It helps me to grow my business and attract new clients. I would be honored if you could share your experience working with me in the form of a testimonial.
[link to your collection form here]
Your testimonial could be:
a few sentences about your experience working with me
any worries you had before we worked together
what you appreciated most about our collaboration
and how my services have helped you achieve your goals.
If you are willing to provide a testimonial, I would be happy to use it on my website, portfolio, and other marketing materials to showcase my work and services.
Thank you for your support, and please let me know if there's anything else I can do to help. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
You can see many more templates for testimonial collection over email and text message here.
More testimonial advice for freelancers
More testimonials advice for others
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The faster, easier way to collect testimonials
Jump in today and see how easy it is to collect testimonials with Senja.
Testimonials Made Easy
The faster, easier way to collect testimonials
Jump in today and see how easy it is to collect testimonials with Senja.