6 Top tips and an email template to make this must-do marketing move easy-peasy...
Who reads Google reviews?
A whopping 81% of consumers, according to this recent survey.
If you'd like more mega stats about how reviews massively shape how customers respond to what you do and how you do it, here's a handy infographic.
Enough already with making the case for acing the art of asking for Google reviews. Maybe just believe me when I tell you they’re a cracking way to boost your SEO, aka Googlebot love and online rankings, and convince curious, could-be customers that your business is the one they need.
So, let's get stuck into making it easy and effective.
First up - feel good about asking for feedback
Let go of any fear or embarrassment you might feel about asking for feedback. Because here's the thing. Most humans are hardwired to want to help when and if they can.
Most clients are happy to write you a Google review, but often, they haven't a clue how, where, or what to write or any time to figure all that out. Your job is to make it a piece of cake.
4 Steps for integrating Google review requests into your marketing process
This means you won't forget to do it. Nor will you fiddle-faddle about finding the right words for an email every time you randomly remember to ask a contented client for a few kind words.
Step 1. Create (and save!) a request email and a template.OK, that's actually two steps ☺️.
Download our template here
Here's the link to my Google reviews (add your link to make it easy).
NOTE: Where to find your Google review link
For something so important, this link can be tricky to find.
SEMRUSH has one of the clearest, most comprehensive guides to finding and sharing it. Find your link
Step 2. Timing - when to ask for a review
There's no one-size-fits-all answer here.
But the consensus is around one to two weeks after you've completed a sale or a project. Give the client time to fall fully in love with whatever wonderful thing you've provided for them.
If you already have a follow-up process with clients, simply make the Google review request part of that.
If a client raves about you within earshot or on social media, make the most of that serendipitous moment to ask for a review.
A note about nudging: Reminding a client who hasn't YET dropped you a review is perfectly OK. Send a short, sweet email acknowledging how busy they are and gently reiterating how important digital word of mouth is for your business.
Step 3. Responding – also a matter of timing
Always reply and fast. If you can personalise your responses to say something genuinely specific about working with each client, do so. Otherwise, a warm, heartfelt thank you and acknowledgment of how great it was to work together will do the trick.
A note about responding to negative reviews.
Always reply. Be quick, kind, and ready to admit a mistake (if you've made one) and offer to fix it.
Step 4. Grow your Google review reach
Add a link to your website footer or create a card as part of your packaging. Do a 'Drop me a Google review' campaign on social media.
This excellent blog has 16 easy ways to get more Google reviews
And finally …. Give as good as you get
Share the love by reviewing businesses who've done right by you.
Leaving a kind Google review for a smashing small business is part of my Friday night ritual.
So brilliant business human, as we ease into the festive season, why not give your lovely loyal customers a chance to gift you a great Google review?
Provide the prompts and links that make it easy-peasy for them to tell the world how very much they value your business.
Need help to make the kind of marketing magic that wows your ideal clients AND gets the Google bots onside?
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