Timing is everything. Sports, life, career, etc. Controlling the timing of your request for feedback to promote a future business will dramatically affect your conversion rate of feedback requests to glowing 5-star reviews.
The best time to send a request for a review is when the customer is at their very happiest moment. Think about that. If you are a computer repair shop and you just saved their hard drive with all their family photos and personal files they are loving you. So just ask for a small favor in return that would mean the world to you and your business for them to provide honest feedback in the form of an online review.
It is a Win-Win-Win!
- The current customer not only got great service and/or product, but they also get a good feeling for sharing positivity. I know I do when I write a review for someone that I genuinely like and respect.
- You and your business not only make a better customer for the future but got solid proof that acts as a lead magnet and helps your online reputation
- Future customers will find you and benefit from your business in the same way your current customers do.
Make it a habit!
Extra Tip: “Butter them up.” Anything you can do to set the customer up to be in the proper mindset to go to the trouble or leaving a review will improve your conversion rate. For example, for one client, when a card is sent to the client ahead of the request for a review the rate of improves by about 50%. The card is a pure message of gratitude, not sales pitch of any kind.