Are you looking to boost your credibility and win over potential customers? Asking for a testimonial can be one of the most powerful tools to build trust and social proof. According to Spiegel Research Center, displaying reviews can increase conversion rates by up to 270%.
But here’s the catch—many businesses hesitate when it comes to asking for testimonials. Whether you’re worried about bothering your customers or unsure how to craft the right message, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
Choosing Your Go-To Video Testimonial Software
Before diving into the steps on how to ask for the perfect video testimonial, the first thing you need to do is choose a platform that helps you easily capture and organize your videos.
Why is this so important?
Trying to collect testimonials manually—through scattered emails, video files, and follow-ups—can quickly become overwhelming. A good platform simplifies the entire process, making it faster for you and frictionless for your customers. Plus, it ensures you don’t miss out on valuable stories because of technical hiccups or complicated steps.
That’s where Vidlo comes in.
Vidlo helps brands effortlessly collect video testimonials from happy customers. It’s ideal for showcasing client testimonials on your website, email list, or social media—with no technical skills needed.
With Vidlo, you can:
⚫️ Structure your testimonial questions to guide better responses
⚫️ Collect videos via QR code, text message, or email, making it super easy for customers to respond on their phone or computer
⚫️ Keep everything organized in one place, so you can easily find and share your best testimonials
By using a tool like Vidlo, you set yourself—and your customers—up for success from the start. Now that you have the right tool to capture your video testimonials, let’s dive into the steps to ask for them the right way.
Step 1: Choose the Right Moment
Timing is everything when asking for testimonials. The best time to make a request for testimonial is right after a customer has had a great experience with your product or service—such as after delivery, a successful onboarding process, or a support resolution.
The easy way to do this is to set up automated testimonial request emails triggered by specific actions, like completing a purchase or giving a 5-star rating. This way, your request is going out automatically, without you even having to think about it.
Step 2: Segment Your Audience
Not all customers are in the same place in their journey.
Identify Happy Customers
Focus on customers who’ve provided positive feedback, are repeat buyers, or engaged users. These positive customers are more likely to leave a glowing testimonial.
Customize the Ask
Use different testimonial request templates depending on your relationship or interaction with the customer.
Step 3: Write a Clear and Personal Request
Your message should feel human, as if you have a relationship with your customer—not robotic.
Use the Customer’s Name
Start your message with a warm greeting and mention something specific about their purchase or interaction.
Be Transparent
Explain why you’re asking for the testimonial and how it will help future customers.
Example (Email):
“Hi Sarah, we’re thrilled that you’re loving your new skincare bundle! If you have 30 seconds, we’d love for you to share your experience. Your story could help others make the best choice for their skin too.”
Step 4: Make It Easy to Respond
The simpler the process, the better the response rate.
Provide a Direct Link
Include a link to your testimonial page, or use Vidlo’s URL/QR code feature to collect testimonials via mobile.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Prompt customers with a few thoughtful, open-ended testimonial questions such as:
-What problem were you trying to solve?
-How did our product or service help?
-Would you recommend us to others, and why?
Step 5: Offer an Incentive (Optional)
While testimonials should always be honest, a small thank-you gift can go a long way. It shows your customers how much you appreciate them taking the time to record a video—and remember, these videos are the secret weapon that can supercharge your sales.
Simple Rewards Work
Consider offering a discount, small gift card, or entry into a giveaway. Be sure to disclose this in your request and avoid influencing the tone of the testimonial.
“As a thank-you, you’ll be entered into our $50 gift card raffle for sharing your experience!”
Step 6: Follow Up (Very Important)
A gentle nudge can significantly boost your testimonial collection rate.
Send a Friendly Reminder
If someone hasn’t responded in a few days, follow up with a short, appreciative message. Keep it casual and low-pressure.
Follow-Up Example (Text Message):
“Hey Alex! Just wanted to follow up—still would love to hear your thoughts about your recent order. Here’s the link again: [insert link]. Your feedback would mean a lot and help others too! Thanks so much for being part of our community. 🙌”
Step 7: Share and Showcase Testimonials
Make Your Testimonials Work for You
Don’t just collect testimonials—use them strategically to build trust, drive sales, and grow your brand. Showcase them across your website, social media, email campaigns, ads, and more. Every customer story is a powerful marketing tool waiting to be unlocked.
Display Across Channels
Use for SEO and Conversions
Adding testimonials to landing pages, especially with keyword-rich text, improves SEO and builds trust with potential customers. (Source: BigCommerce) Plus, video testimonials increase time-on-page and engagement rates—two powerful signals that can boost your site’s search rankings even further.
Humanize Your Brand
Boost Paid Ad Performance
Repurposing authentic video testimonials in paid ads (like Facebook or Instagram ads) can dramatically increase click-through rates and lower customer acquisition costs. People trust real customer stories more than brand promises.
Create Social Proof That Scales
Every testimonial you share becomes a reusable, evergreen asset. Whether it’s for an upcoming campaign, a product launch, or a retargeting ad, you’ll have a growing library of authentic social proof ready to deploy whenever you need it.
Free Testimonial Request Templates
Here are some plug-and-play examples you can use across platforms:
Email Template
Subject: Quick favor: Share your thoughts?
Hi [First Name],
We hope you’re enjoying your [product/service name]! Your feedback means a lot to us—and to future customers too.
Would you mind taking a quick moment to share a testimonial? Here’s the link (it will take less than 30 seconds): [insert link]
Thank you for being part of our community!
– [Your Name/Brand Team]
Text Message Template
Hi [Name]! 👋 Just checking in—want to hear what you think about your [product/service]. Share a quick video testimonial here: [insert Vidlo link] Thanks so much!
Social Media Ask
We love hearing from our customers! ❤️ Want to be featured on our page? Record a quick video telling us how [product/service] helped you here: [insert link]
Are you ready to ask for your testimonial?
Asking for testimonials doesn’t have to feel awkward or complicated. With the right tools, timing, and templates, you can turn happy customers into powerful advocates.
Using tools like Vidlo makes collecting and sharing video testimonials seamless and fun—for both you and your customers. Don’t wait—start collecting those goldmine stories today.
