How to request reviews by email

Positive reviews are by far the best way to show potential customers that your product is the real deal and more than worthy of their hard-earned money. As a business owner, you might find that thousands of dollars spent on marketing will not match the social proof from customer reviews. 

Most big and small businesses face the issue that they struggle to get more reviews despite having happy customers. In this piece, we share a detailed guide on how to ask for reviews and a review request template that you can use to get started immediately!  

Why is it important to ask for reviews by email?

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways of directly reaching out to customers. A recent survey found that about 4.3 billion people use their email regularly, so it is an optimal way to reach your customer base. 

Here are some of the benefits of using email to ask for reviews: 

1. You can write long-form content requesting negative and positive feedback, which isn’t possible through text messages and SMS. 
2. Emails are widely used, thereby making it extremely convenient to contact all your customers in one place. 
3. You can easily share a link where customers can leave a product review, making the process more user-friendly. 
4. You can share a mix of written and audio-visual content that engages the customers. 
5. Email automation tools can send a personalized email directly with customer names and order details in the review request template. 

How do you write a review request email?

Writing an email requesting customer reviews might seem like a daunting task. You can make use of various request email templates to get started. Here are some tips on how to write an effective review request email: 

• Start by identifying your target customers for sending an email. You can send the review request email immediately after the purchase or the delivery of the product. 
• Remember, when writing the email subject line, it is crucial to use the active voice since users are more likely to engage when they are being involved in the output. 
• Use a personalized approach while writing your review request emails. You can do this by addressing specific aspects of their purchase like “Thank you for buying XYZ” or “XYZ solution helped us immensely.” 
• It is essential to make your voice heard in the email. You can do this by adding short snippets of reviews that users have shared previously in their reviews or on social media. Mentioning these reviews also adds value to your brand since it shows that you are transparent with its customers. 
• Mention what is in it for the users by using phrases like “we want to thank you” or “we appreciate your support.” 
• Include a call-to-action in the email. You can provide a link to the review platforms such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google My Business, Amazon, or other review sites.  
• Ideally, you should not copy and paste a generic review request email in all emails to customers since it sounds insincere. 
• Be clear in your communication by formatting separate questions with bullet points.

How to structure your review request email

The structure of a review request email should be clear and direct. The customers should be able to tell what it is from a quick glance.

Here are the components of a good request email template: 

• Thank the customers for their purchase of your service. 
• Tell the customers that you would like to hear what they thought about it. 
• Personalize the email by mentioning the details of the order. 
• Share a form or link to a review site for leaving a review. 

What should you write in the subject line of a review request email?

The email subject line is critical for catching the attention of the users. The subject is something your customers will read even if they don’t open your email. 

Before deciding on the subject line, you should think about your brand. For example, if you generally prioritize formal styles of communication, then the subject line could be “Tell us what you think,” “We would like to know your thoughts” or “Review your latest purchase.”

If you are offering a reward for leaving a review, you can write, “Open this to get 10% off on your next purchase.” 

Dos and don’ts of asking for reviews by email

Many businesses make common mistakes while writing a review request email. Let’s dig into some of the dos and don’ts to keep in mind to get more online reviews. 

Timing of your request

The timing of requesting a review is critical. You should send your request email immediately after the purchase or within 24 hours of receiving the product for delivery. This ensures that you capture genuine reviews from users who have just used your product or service.

Tone of voice for your email

The tone of your email should be warm and courteous. Be clear about what you are asking for and be pushy or sales-y. Instead, simply indicate that you want to know more about the customers’ experience so you can improve the product or service. A great way of highlighting this is by sharing a previous negative review and how you took action based on it. 

How to encourage action

It is essential to give a clear call to action since the customers should know what you are asking of them. For example, instead of saying “Please leave a review,” simply write “Leave a review here” with a link to the review site. 

If you are offering a reward for leaving a review, mention it in your email. You can say that those who have left reviews will be entered into a drawing to win something. Incentives might not always work as they sound insincere, but they will definitely boost engagement. 

Follow up

It is critical to follow up with the customers who have not left a review yet. Sometimes customers need a nudge or time to try out your product before writing a detailed testimonial. 

A great way of following up with your customers is by writing something like: “We would love to hear from our most loyal shoppers about how we can improve our product or service. Can you please help us?” 

However, don’t send repeated emails that pressure them into leaving a review. The key is to build customer trust. If the customers do not leave a review, only follow up once and thank them for shopping with your brand.

Let broadly handle your business’ reputation management

Pursuing customer feedback through email requests for reviews may sound easy, but it takes time and effort to get legitimate results out of it. 

At Broadly, we work with companies to set up email campaigns and get more online reviews for their products. Want to see how our platform can boost your company’s online reputation through robust customer reviews?