Do you want to ask your client for a testimonial? Whether you send it over email, WhatsApp, or text message, here are some templates you can use.

Using these templates is the best way to get more testimonials, and turn those into more paying customers for your business.

Why you need testimonials

Testimonials are a must-have.

People are bombarded with choices. Whether it’s which shoes to buy or which online course to invest in, potential customers face decision paralysis. That’s where testimonials come in.

Video testimonials and text testimonials act as social proof, almost like a friend leaning over and saying, “Hey, this is actually pretty good, you should check it out.” Client testimonials remove a layer of friction in the decision-making process, making it easier for people to choose your product or service over all the other options out there.

Best methods for collecting a testimonial

There are plenty of ways to get positive reviews from your clients or customers.

Some work better than others, though. Here are the most effective, time-saving ways to gather testimonials that turn fence-sitters into customers.

1. Email

Email is one of the most effective ways to collect customer testimonials because it’s direct and it scales. Later in this post, you’ll find email templates that make it simple.

You can ask for positive feedback in bulk by sending an email to your email list, or you can send an individual testimonial request by sending a direct message to your customer’s email address.

You can even set up an automation, so happy clients receive an automatic email when they complete an action, for example

  • 2 days after buying my product, ask for a testimonial.

  • After a positive customer service interaction, ask for a testimonial. That way your customer success team won’t need to remember to do this every time.

2. Text Messages (SMS)

Text messages (or SMS) are a direct, personal way to request customer reviews.

Customers receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of emails per day. A text message cuts through that clutter.

Because texts are so direct, though, they can also feel intrusive. Keep your request respectful, clear, and to the point, and send it as part of an already positive customer experience.

The header or footer of your website is prime real estate for collecting feedback.

It’s an area consistently visible to your audience, often catching their eye right before they navigate away or complete an action on your site.

A simple call-to-action (CTA) here can prompt a loyal customer to share feedback.

And because they’re already on your site, there’s barely any friction.

Pro tip: when collecting testimonials passively, use incentives like discount codes and gift cards to encourage more people to leave one.

4. Social Media

If you’ve already built a sizable social media following, you’re sitting on a gold mine for collecting testimonials.

Your audience is engaged, they know your brand, and they’re likely to have positive experiences they’re willing to share. A single good post asking for reviews can bring in lots of client testimonials fast, and sometimes even traffic from the public posts.

5. Testimonial Collection Tools

When you’re collecting dozens, or even hundreds of online reviews from happy customers, using a dedicated tool can make it extremely easy to store all of them in one place.

Most video and text testimonial collection tools let you collect testimonials with a dedicated testimonial request form. All positive testimonials you collect will get sent directly to one easy-to-manage dashboard.

Powerful testimonial software like Senja even lets you import testimonials from review platforms like Google, G2, Facebook, and even from social media sites like Twitter (X) or Instagram. Some even have built-in invite systems so you can automatically invite people and track the status of their testimonials.

Here are some of the best testimonial collection tools.

What makes up a testimonial request?

There are four parts to a detailed testimonial request.

  • The request - this is the bit where you ask them for a testimonial

  • The testimonial questions - these are the questions your client answers to form your testimonials. You can either use open-ended questions or ask direct questions about their experience.

  • Customer detail collection - this is the information you collect from your client to create and share the testimonial. For example, how long you’ve worked with them, their job title, customer photos, and their full name.

  • The consent - ask for permission to share the customer testimonial on your website and in your sales and marketing material.

Dedicated testimonial request forms often make it easy to collect all of these from your loyal clients in one fell swoop.

You can see more in our complete guide to how freelancers collect testimonials.

Testimonial request templates

Here are a few sample testimonial collection templates for asking customers for testimonials. Use these testimonial request letters to ask for testimonials over email, SMS, social media or elsewhere.

Testimonial request template 1: short and formal

Hi Client Name

Would you be willing to write a testimonial about your experience working with me? Your words of support would be greatly appreciated.

— Your Name

Testimonial request template 2: short and fun

Hey Client Name!

Fancy leaving me a shoutout? A quick testimonial about our project together would be the cherry on top of a fantastic work experience. Thank you!

— Your Name

Testimonial request template 3: short and fun

Hey, Client Name

Time to toot my own horn!

How about you give me a little testimonial boost? Your kind words about our project would make my day.

Thanks a bunch!
— Your Name

Testimonial request template 4: medium and formal

Hello Client

I hope this message finds you well.

I wanted to reach out and ask if you could provide a testimonial about your experience working with me as a freelancer. Your feedback would mean a lot to me and could help me attract future clients.

Thank you for considering.
— Your Name

Testimonial request template 5: long for formal requests

Hello Client!
I am writing to express my gratitude for the opportunity to work with you as a freelancer. It has been a great pleasure to assist you in achieving your goals and I am proud to have been a part of your success.

I would be honored if you could take a few moments to write a testimonial about your experience working with me. Your words of support and endorsement would be extremely valuable in helping me to grow my business and attract future clients.

I understand that writing a testimonial can be time-consuming, but I can assure you that it would make a real difference for me. Your thoughts and opinions about my skills, work ethic, and professionalism would be a great asset to my portfolio. I truly appreciate your support and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Your Name

Bonus: short testimonial template for SMS

Hey! Just wanted to touch base and ask if you could write a quick testimonial about our project? Your support means a lot and would help me grow my business.