It’s no secret that businesses thrive on word-of-mouth recommendations, and nothing fuels new growth like social proof in the form of positive reviews. As an entrepreneur, you’re always seeking ways to reach more customers and boost your reputation. Earning more reviews is one of the most impactful ways to achieve both. Reviews are the lifeblood of any company’s online reputation these days. No reviews or bad reviews may leave potential customers questioning your company’s trustworthiness and competence. Luckily, building a marketing campaign to gather customer reviews is easier than you might think.
The first step in creating an effective marketing campaign for collecting reviews is to understand your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? Are they current customers or potential new customers? Knowing your target audience will help you craft a message that resonates with them and encourages them to leave reviews.
The key to getting more reviews is to actually ask for them (shocking concept, we know). Sadly, many businesses overlook the opportunity to gain positive reviews from their customers simply because they never directly ask for them. Don’t miss out on what could be a major boost to your business – ask your customers to leave reviews.
Now the next question you may be asking is “How exactly do I ask my customers to leave reviews?” Here are some tips for making sure your request resonates:
Personalize the message – customers like to know that their feedback is valued, so making changes such as addressing them by their real name or corresponding with a non-automated email address can go a long way. Going the extra mile to make your customers feel seen and heard will increase the chances of getting positive reviews immensely.
A simple, but effective way to get more reviews is to send a follow-up email after a purchase, thanking your customer and including a link to leave an online review. A certain amount of time after a purchase has been made, check in with your customer to see how they are enjoying the product, if they are in need of any assistance, and yes – to leave a review. Not only does this reassure them that you value their support, but acts as a great reminder to them to give feedback once they know how they liked your product or service.
People love free stuff, which is why many business owners find success by offering an incentive. Offer a coupon or discount on their next purchase in exchange for an honest review. You can even get creative by offering exclusive access to new products or services as a reward.
Finally, make it easy to leave a review. Include links to your business profiles on sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook in email signatures, on receipts, and on your website to make leaving a review as simple as possible. In doing so, you’ll set yourself up to receive more reviews without even having to ask for them.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating an effective marketing campaign that helps gather customer reviews in no time.
Are you ready to take your marketing campaigns to the next level? Contact us today to learn how our team at Alloire can help.
