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The most effective way to get reviews is to ask your customers for one. And the most effective way to ask is face-to-face. While you are still with the customer, you can say, “If you were satisfied with our service, please let other people know.”  Asking is particularly effective when staff has spent some time with the customer. For example, a sales associate who helps a person pick out a bed has built a small bond with the customer. It is less effective for a cashier who has seen someone for thirty seconds to ask for a review. Asking face-to-face also allows you to prescreen whether the customer had a good experience. If they didn’t, you don’t need to ask for a review. Sometimes an email request is the best way to solicit reviews. Try to find out if the person had a good experience before asking for the review. For example, you can ask them to complete a short survey. If the customer is positive about the experience, you ask them for a review.  Try to have the email come from a person the customer knows, and make sure to include the customer’s name in the subject line. Put links to review sites in the email. You can also use a “Find us on Yelp” banner. Few people leave reviews unless they have had a negative experience. For this reason, you might need to create incentives. For example, you could offer a coupon for future services or a small gift.  Remember that the offer should be for leaving a review, not leaving a positive one. You can’t buy positive reviews.  Realize that Yelp doesn’t allow you to offer incentives in exchange for reviews. If you work in an industry that is heavily covered by Yelp, then you might want to forego incentives for customers. Alternately, you could send the coupon or other gift after the customer writes the review. You’ll get more reviews if all employees understand their importance. Create a bonus program for employees to make sure that they encourage customers to leave reviews. For example, you could give a $50 bonus for each review a customer leaves.  Be careful, however. Make sure your employees understand not to hound customers into giving reviews. For this reason, you might want to offer non-cash rewards, such as a free lunch for the employee who generates the most reviews in a week. You’ll also need upper-level management to be on board. Accordingly, talk to the company president about the importance of reviews. Some reviews sites allow businesses to thank customers for their reviews. Make it a habit of thanking everyone who leaves a positive review. Also remember to mention something specific from the review, which shows you read the review closely.  For example, you can say, “Thanks for the review and complimenting our wine list, Hunter! We strive to offer the best variety around.” You can also ask the customer to return, or recommend what else they can try at your business. For example, you can write, “Next time, ask about our specialty brews. We know you won’t be disappointed!” Getting a positive review on Yelp or Angie’s List is great. However, you should maximize their effectiveness. For example, ask customers if you can post their positive comments on your website. Also consider asking a repeat customer to star in a short video in which they talk about their experience. You can post it on your website.
Ask customers to review you. Request reviews by email. Consider creating incentives for customers. Build incentives for staff. Thank your reviewers. Leverage your positive reviews.