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Free testimonial request template

Choose your business, how you're sending it and the tone, and get a message ready to send by email, WhatsApp or text, with questions that get useful answers. Free, no sign-up, and nothing you type leaves your browser.

Your business
Sending by
Tone
Leave it blank and the message asks them to reply instead.

SubjectA quick favour, [Name]?

Hi [Name], Thanks so much for our sessions together, it's been brilliant seeing your progress! Would you mind writing a few lines about how it went? It would really help people who are thinking about coaching. A sentence or two on any of these is perfect: - What were you struggling with before we worked together? - What was it like working with me? - What has changed for you since? Just hit reply whenever you have a moment. No worries at all if you're busy! Thanks again, [Your name]

Fill in the highlighted parts before you send it.

Questions that get useful answers

These are already in your email. Prompts like these lead to specific, believable testimonials.

  1. What were you struggling with before we worked together?
  2. What was it like working with me?
  3. What has changed for you since?

When to ask

Ask while the good feeling is fresh. For a groom, haircut or treatment that's the same day. For a project or a photo gallery, it's within a day or two of handing it over. For coaching, ask after a few sessions, at the end of a programme, or when a client tells you something has changed for them.

Don't ask while a problem is still open, or months later when the details have faded. There's more on timing in How to ask customers for testimonials.

Email, WhatsApp or text?

Use whichever you already use with that customer. A WhatsApp or text from someone they've just seen feels natural and usually gets a quicker reply. Email suits clients you normally email, and tends to get longer, more thoughtful answers, which is why the email version lists the questions in full.

How to follow up without being pushy

People mean to reply and forget. One short reminder three to five days later is fine, and often welcome. Keep it lighter than the first message, don't repeat the whole request, and give them an easy way out. After that, leave it: a third message starts to feel like pressure.

Hi [Name], just bumping this in case it got buried. If you have a minute, I'd really value a couple of lines about how it went. No worries at all if not. Thanks again! [Your name]

Example messages

Four messages the tool writes, filled in. Swap in your own names and send.

Dog groomer, WhatsApp, friendly

Sent the same afternoon, while the owner is still pleased with the fresh groom.

Hi Sarah!

Thanks so much for bringing Max in today! If you've got a minute, would you mind writing a couple of lines about how Max got on and how the visit went? It would really help other owners find me. Just reply here whenever suits.

Thanks, Jo

Coach, email, friendly

Sent at the end of a programme, or after a client mentions a breakthrough.

Subject: A quick favour, Priya?

Hi Priya,

Thanks so much for our sessions together, it's been brilliant seeing your progress!

Would you mind writing a few lines about how it went? It would really help people who are thinking about coaching. A sentence or two on any of these is perfect:

- What were you struggling with before we worked together?
- What was it like working with me?
- What has changed for you since?

You can leave it here, it only takes a minute:

[link]

No worries at all if you're busy!

Thanks again,
Sam

Photographer, text, friendly

Sent a day or two after delivering the gallery.

Hi Tom, it's Alex here. Thanks so much for the shoot, I had a lovely time! If you've got a minute, would you mind writing a couple of lines about the shoot and how you feel about your photos? It would really help other people find me. Just reply to this text whenever suits. Thanks!

Salon, email, formal

For clients you'd normally write to formally, sent the day after their appointment.

Subject: Would you share your experience of your visit?

Dear Ms Patel,

Thank you for your appointment today. I hope you are happy with the result.

Would you be willing to write a short testimonial about your experience? It helps new clients book with confidence. These questions may help:

- What were you hoping for when you booked?
- What was your visit like?
- How do you feel about the result?

You can leave it here. It takes about a minute:

[link]

If you would rather not, that is completely fine.

Kind regards,
Lucy

For other situations, such as after a purchase, replying to praise, LinkedIn messages and invoice lines, see these testimonial request templates.

Questions

When should I ask for a testimonial?

Straight after you've delivered, while they're happy: the same day for appointments, within a day or two for projects and photos. A customer thanking you or coming back for more is another good moment.

What should I ask?

Two or three specific questions rather than “Could you write a testimonial?”. Ask about the before (what they needed), the experience, and the result. Specific answers are far more convincing than “Great service!”.

Is it OK to follow up?

Yes, once. A friendly reminder three to five days later catches people who meant to reply. If there's still no answer, let it go.

Can I offer a discount in return?

It's best not to. In the UK, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 bans reviews that hide an incentive, and other countries have similar rules. A sincere, well-timed ask works without one.