Receiving constructive criticism can help you improve your skills and identify areas for growth. These positive experiences can make a huge difference, helping you stand out on freelancer websites. Testimonials are crucial for building a freelance business, enhancing your reputation, and attracting new clients.
This guide explains why reviews are important, how to request them, and tips for making the process smooth and professional.
Let’s dive into the world of client feedback and discover how it can boost your freelancing business.
Why should you ask for client feedback?
As a freelancer, you know that delivering high-quality work is essential. But, another step that can boost your credibility and help you get more clients is gathering reviews. Here’s why testimonials are crucial for your freelance career:
- Approval from satisfied clients – testimonials are endorsements from happy clients, showing others that you’re the real deal. These reviews don’t appear on their own; you often have to ask for them and convince clients to provide their feedback, but the payoff is huge!
- Highlighting quality and value – glowing reviews showcase the quality of your work and the value you bring. They act as powerful word-of-mouth advertising. To get more feedback, establish a precedent for feedback early in the relationship and reassure clients about the value of their input.
- Boosting trust and credibility – personal recommendations provide solid proof of your skills, boosting trust and confidence in your ability to deliver results. This social proof is key to standing out and getting more work.
- Building confidence – reviews also boost your confidence as a freelancer, helping you keep delivering great work on future projects.
What makes good reviews?
Having testimonials is great, but not all testimonials are created equal. To make the most impact on your freelancer profile, your testimonials need to have certain qualities. Here’s what makes good reviews (Important! All the points below should be in the review!):
Specificity
A good testimonial is specific. It should mention the particular project or service you provided. The level of detail gives clients a clear idea of what you can do and how to help their business.
Example: Instead of saying, “Great work,” a specific testimonial might say:
- “[You name] designed an excellent website for our company, improving our online presence significantly.”
- “[You name] wrote engaging blog posts that increased our website traffic by 50% in three months.”
- “[You name] provided exceptional web development services, creating a user-friendly interface that boosted our customer engagement.”
Conciseness
Being concise is key. Testimonials should be short and to the point, highlighting the most important aspects of your work. Clients often don’t have time to read long reviews, so it is best to keep it brief yet informative.
Example: “Excellent design work, met all deadlines.”
“Quick, professional, and delivered a high-quality product on time.”
Authenticity
Authenticity is crucial. The testimonial should sound natural and reflect the client’s experience with your service. Clients can often tell if a review feels fake or forced. Authentic testimonials help build trust and show that you deliver real value. Phrases like “I would hire him/her again” or “Exceeded our expectations” add a personal touch and enhance credibility.
Example: “Working with [your name] was a great experience. She/He delivered high-quality work on time, and her/his freelancer support was always available to address any issues. Highly recommend!”
When you ask clients to provide feedback, set a specific deadline to create urgency and encourage a prompt response. This helps ensure that your request is not forgotten and you receive timely testimonials.
How to ask for reviews
Asking for testimonials might seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be simple and effective. Reaching out to former clients for testimonials can be a valuable strategy, as they can provide insights and positive feedback based on their experiences with your services.
Additionally, asking past clients for feedback helps gather testimonials and showcases social proof to attract new clients. Here are three different methods to request testimonials from your clients.
Ways to ask former clients for testimonials
- Email – email is a straightforward way to ask for a testimonial. It lets you personalize your request and gives your client time to respond. Be sure to include all necessary details and a thank-you note.
- Online platforms – many freelancer websites, including Useme, have built-in tools to request testimonials. You can send a request directly through the platform, making it easy for clients to leave feedback. Reviews on these platforms help clients find freelancers with the right skills.
- Social media channels – social media channels can be a quick and informal way to ask for testimonials. A simple message or post can reach your clients easily. This method is especially useful if you frequently interact with clients on these platforms.
- *In-person meeting – if you can meet your client in person, take a moment to ask for a testimonial. This method is personal and shows that you value their opinion. It’s particularly effective if you have built a close working relationship.
Best practices for getting positive feedback
Asking for testimonials can be easy if you follow some best practices. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your client reviews.
Get client approval
Before you use a testimonial, always get your client’s permission. This shows respect for their opinion and ensures they are comfortable with their feedback being public. A simple request for consent can be included in your initial testimonial request.
Set a deadline
When asking for a testimonial, include a reasonable deadline. This helps clients prioritize your requests and provides you with timely feedback. You can say: “Could you send me your testimonial by [specific date]?”
Offer incentives
Offering a small incentive can motivate clients to leave a testimonial. This could be a discount on future services, a free consultation, or even a small gift card. Make sure the incentive is appropriate and professional.
Manage negative reviews
Not all feedback will be positive, but negative reviews can be helpful. They allow you to improve your services and show potential clients you are committed to quality. If you receive a negative review, respond professionally and address any concerns. The support service can be crucial in promptly and thoroughly addressing client concerns. This approach can turn a bad experience into a positive one.
Build a testimonial page on your portfolio
Creating a dedicated testimonial page can be a powerful way to showcase your reviews. Highlighting positive client feedback in one place makes it easy for potential clients to see your strengths and the value you bring. This page can act as a trust signal, encouraging new clients to hire you based on your proven track record.
Regularly update your reviews
Make it a habit to ask for testimonials after each completed project. Regular updates keep your portfolio fresh and show that you consistently deliver high-quality work. This ongoing collection of reviews can enhance your credibility and attract more clients over time.
Influence prospective clients
Testimonials can significantly influence prospective clients. Convincing reviews can sway prospective clients in favor of your business. Sharing testimonials on social media platforms and including them in media kits can be an effective marketing strategy to attract clients.
When to ask for reviews?
Timing is important when asking for testimonials. Here are the best times to request a review from your clients:
- After project completion – the details are fresh, and clients are likely excited about the results. Prompt requests ensure detailed and accurate feedback, especially for hourly projects.
- After achieving a milestone – this provides focused and relevant feedback on specific parts of the project.
- During follow-up – a follow-up a few weeks after project completion can be effective. It allows clients to see the long-term benefits of your work and reminds them to provide a testimonial.
Examples of genuine feedback request emails
To help you gather testimonials, we’ve prepared helpful email templates that you can use to ask your clients for reviews. These examples will make the process easier for both you and your clients.
Example 1: Request for a testimonial after project completion
Subject: Request for a testimonial
Hi [Client’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I’d like to ask if you could provide a short testimonial about the [project] we recently completed. Your feedback would be incredibly valuable to me as I continue to grow my freelance business.
If you’re happy with the work, a few sentences about your experience would be fantastic. Here’s a quick template to make it easier:
“[Your Name] helped us with [specific task], and we were thrilled with the results. She/He [mention a positive outcome, e.g., delivered on time, exceeded expectations]. We highly recommend these services.”
Thank you so much for your time and support!
Best regards, [Your Name]
Example 2: Request for a testimonial after ending the collaboration
Subject: Your feedback would be a great help
Hi [Client’s Name],
I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work together. It was a pleasure collaborating with you on [project/ongoing work]. As our project has come to a close, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on our collaboration as a testimonial.
Your feedback not only helps me improve but also assists other potential clients in making informed decisions. If possible, please include specifics about what you enjoyed about working with me and any notable outcomes.
Here’s a simple format you can use:
“Working with [your name] was a great experience. She/He [specific task], and her/his work significantly [positive result, e.g., improved our process, boosted our sales]. We recommend [your name] for any [related service].”
Thank you again for your time and for considering my request.
Best, [Your Name]
Using these methods and templates, you can effectively ask for and receive testimonials to boost your freelance career.
Now, let’s look at how clients can leave reviews on Useme and how these testimonials will appear on your profile.
How can clients leave a review on your freelancer profile on Useme
Gathering testimonials on Useme is straightforward for both you and your clients. The client must have an active Useme account to leave a review.
Here are the steps your clients need to follow to leave a review:
- Clients can leave a review only after you, the freelancer, have uploaded the completed work.
- Clients need to log in to their Useme account and go to: Dashboard → Deals → Closed deal → Choose the right deal → Write opinion.
3. Clicking the “Write opinion” button opens a form where clients can select whether the cooperation was positive, negative, or neutral. They can also add a detailed description.
4. This is what the finished opinion looks like.
Remember, once a review is submitted, it cannot be edited or deleted. These reviews will appear on your Useme profile.
How testimonials appear on your profile
When your client submits feedback, it will appear in your freelancer profile’s “Opinions” section. This section allows potential clients to see feedback on previous projects, helping them make informed decisions.
Where to find your reviews?
- Profile section – reviews are displayed at the bottom of your freelancer profile.
- Completed deals – you can also find reviews in the completed deal section:
- Go to: Dashboard → Deals → Closed deal → select the right deal.
- Check the notification bell at the top of the screen to find deals with new reviews.
What can you do with a review?
You can respond to any review you receive. If it’s positive feedback, you can express your gratitude. If it’s neutral or negative, you can provide your perspective and address any concerns.
Summary
Collecting testimonials is a powerful way to build your reputation as a freelancer. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily request and receive great reviews from your happy customers.
Remember to ask for testimonials at the right time, ensure they are specific, concise, and authentic, and simplify the process for your clients.
Regularly updating your profile with new testimonials demonstrates your continuous high-quality work and commitment to client satisfaction. This helps you stand out on Useme and other platforms and attracts more job opportunities. Freelancers who join freelancer platforms benefit from support during the onboarding and verification process and gain access to numerous projects and opportunities.
Start asking for testimonials today and see the positive impact they can have on your freelancing career.
