Testimonial Request Email

Testimonial Request Email Template — Build Social Proof

Turn satisfied clients into powerful testimonials. Our templates make it easy to collect testimonials and case studies.

Email Template

Subject Line:

Would You Share Your Experience? Testimonial Request

Email Body:

Hi [Client Name],

I hope you're doing well! I'm reaching out with a special request.

Working with you on [Project Name] was a highlight, and I'm thrilled with the results we achieved together—[specific result: e.g., "especially seeing your sales increase by 30% in just 3 months"].

As a small business, testimonials from clients like you are incredibly valuable. They help potential clients understand the value we provide and make informed decisions.

**Would you be willing to share your experience?**

**What I'm Looking For:**
A brief testimonial (2-3 sentences) covering:
- What challenge or goal you had before we started working together
- What results or improvements you've seen
- What you appreciated most about working with me/us
- Whether you'd recommend our services

**I Can Make It Super Easy:**
If you're short on time, I'm happy to draft something based on our work together for your approval. Just let me know, and I'll send a draft you can review and edit.

**How to Submit:**
- Reply to this email with your testimonial
- Fill out our quick form: [Link]
- Record a brief video testimonial: [Link/instructions]

**Where It Will Be Used:**
[Where you'll use it: e.g., "I'd love to feature this on my website, in marketing materials, and potentially in a case study (with your permission, of course)."]

**Thank You:**
Whether you have time or not, I truly appreciate the opportunity to work with you. Your words mean a lot to small businesses like mine.

If you have any questions, just let me know!

Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Company]

How to use: Copy the template above and replace the placeholders (like [Client Name], [Project Name], etc.) with your actual information.

When to Use This Template

Testimonials are among the most powerful conversion tools on your website and in your sales process. Prospects trust peer recommendations over agency marketing by a wide margin. Yet collecting testimonials is often an afterthought, resulting in weak generic quotes that do little to influence buyer decisions. Use this template immediately after delivering results that exceed expectations, completing a successful project, or receiving spontaneous positive feedback from a client. The closer to the positive experience, the more detailed and enthusiastic the testimonial will be. Waiting months to ask results in vague, lukewarm responses that lack specificity and impact. The key to getting powerful testimonials is making the process easy and guiding the client toward specificity. Most clients want to help but struggle with what to write. Providing prompts or asking specific questions transforms a generic "Great agency!" into a detailed story about specific challenges overcome and results achieved.

Best Practices

Provide Guiding Questions

Instead of asking "Could you write a testimonial?" give the client 3-4 questions to answer: "What challenge were you facing before working with us? What results have you seen? What would you tell someone considering hiring us?" These prompts generate detailed, story-driven testimonials that resonate with prospects.

Offer to Draft Based on Their Input

Many busy clients will agree to a testimonial but never find time to write it. Offer to draft something based on previous conversations and let them approve it: "I put together a brief testimonial based on our recent results discussion — would you be comfortable if we used something like this?" This dramatically increases completion rates.

Request Permission for Attribution

Always clarify how the testimonial will be used — website, case studies, social media — and get explicit permission for name, title, and company attribution. Anonymous testimonials carry significantly less weight than attributed ones. Most clients are happy to be attributed when asked directly.

Make It Time-Bound

Give the client a gentle deadline: "If you could share a few thoughts by Friday, that would be wonderful." Open-ended requests get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list indefinitely. A soft deadline with a specific date creates the accountability needed to actually get a response.

Pro Tips

Request testimonials 1-2 weeks after project completion when satisfaction is highest
Offer to draft the testimonial for their approval—most clients appreciate this
Provide specific questions to guide their responses
Make submission easy with multiple options (email, form, video)
Explain how you'll use it (website, marketing, case study)
Follow up once if no response, but respect their decision if they decline

What Makes This Template Effective

Optimal Timing

Sent when client satisfaction and results are at their peak.

Guiding Questions

Provides specific questions to prompt detailed responses.

Multiple Formats

Templates for written, video, and case study requests.

Low Friction

Offers to draft content for client approval.

Value Explanation

Explains why testimonials matter without being pushy.

Easy Submission

Provides simple ways to submit testimonials.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I ask for testimonials?

Ask 1-2 weeks after project completion when clients are still excited about results. For ongoing clients, ask after major milestones or annually. Don't ask during difficult periods or when they're unhappy.

Should I offer to write the testimonial for them?

Yes! Most clients appreciate this. Draft something based on your work together, send it for their approval, and let them edit as needed. This reduces their workload and increases the likelihood of getting a testimonial.

What if they say no or don't respond?

Respect their decision. Follow up once after 1-2 weeks with a gentle reminder, but don't push. Not all clients will provide testimonials, and that's okay. Maintain the relationship regardless.

Can I use testimonials in marketing materials?

Yes, but get permission first. In your request, mention where you'll use it (website, marketing materials, case studies). Some clients prefer anonymity—offer to use initials or "Company Name" if they prefer.

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