5 Ways to Boost Reviews for Your Freelance Work
Are you getting good reviews for your contract work? If not, it’s time to invest some time in boosting your credibility.
As a freelancer, you know that reviews are essential. They can help you land more clients and better-paying jobs.
But getting positive reviews isn’t always easy. Not only can it feel awkward asking your clients for reviews, but sometimes they may not think of it themselves.
But here’s the reality: If you’re not getting reviews, you’re missing out on valuable opportunities to showcase your work and stand out from the competition.
So how can you get more positive reviews? Here are five ways I’ve found to boost my review-gathering (and review quality!) in my own freelance writing business:
1. Be Professional
When you’re first starting out as a freelancer, it can be tempting to take on any job that comes your way. But if you want to get positive reviews, it’s essential to be picky about the clients you work with.
Because if you overwhelm yourself too quickly, you’ll soon find that your quality of work suffers — and that will show up in your reviews.
It’s better to take on fewer clients and carefully consider each opportunity before saying yes. That way, you can be sure that you’re setting yourself up for success — and positive reviews.
2. Be Responsive
Once you’ve landed a client, it’s essential to communicate with them throughout the project. That way, you can ensure that you’re meeting their expectations — and avoid any misunderstandings that could lead to a negative review.
I like to set up weekly check-in meetings with my clients, so we can chat about the project’s progress and make sure that everything is going smoothly. I also make myself available for questions or concerns via email or chat so my clients know that I’m always ready to help.
A warning — it’s easy to let the boundaries between your work time and your personal time blur here.
Set up some ground rules with your clients from the start so they know when you’re available and when you’re not. That way, you can avoid burnout — and keep your reviews positive.
3. Be Accurate
As a freelancer, your work is only as good as your word. So if you tell a client that you’ll have something done by a specific date, make sure you deliver on that promise.
The same goes for the quality of your work. If you say you’re an expert in a particular area, make sure your work reflects that. There’s nothing worse than promising results you can’t deliver — and it will definitely show up in your reviews.
Make sure that you take steps to clearly lay out your expectations with your clients from the start. That way, there are no surprises — and you’re more likely to end up with a positive review when you go above and beyond to meet their needs.
4. Be Timely
This one goes hand-in-hand with being accurate. But it’s not just about meeting deadlines — it’s also about being responsive to your clients’ needs.
If a client has a question, make sure you answer it promptly. If they need something from you, do your best to get it to them as soon as possible.
The sooner you can turn around their requests, the better — and the more likely you will get a positive review.
5. Be Helpful
Finally, always go the extra mile to help your clients. If you see that they’re struggling with something, offer your advice. If they’re not sure how to use a certain tool or platform, take the time to show them.
The more helpful you can be, the better. Not only will it make your clients’ lives easier — but it will also make you stand out from the competition. And that’s bound to lead to more positive reviews.
(BONUS TIP!) 6. Be Kind
It may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. Always be kind to your clients — even if they’re not always easy to work with.
You never know when you might need their help — or a positive review — down the line.
I’ve received a few comments that mention that I was kind/patient with them when they were going through a tough time.
And I know that those comments have helped me land jobs because potential clients see that I’m not just a great freelancer but also an excellent person to work with. That will take you much further than just being good at your job.
Tips for Asking For Reviews
Now that you know how to get more positive reviews let’s talk about how to actually ask for them.
1. The timing is key
The best time to ask for a review is after completing a project, and the client is happy with the results. That way, they’re more likely to leave a positive review — and they’ll be more likely to remember the details of your work.
2. Keep it short and sweet
When you ask for a review, keep your request brief and to the point. No one wants to read a long, drawn-out message — they’re much more likely to respond to a simple request.
3. Personalize your request
When you ask for a review, constantly personalize your message. Mention something specific about the project you worked on together and how you enjoyed working with the client.
This will make your request more genuine — and more likely to result in a positive review.
4. Include a call to action
Always include a call to action in your review requests. Tell your clients exactly what you need from them, and make it as easy as possible for them to comply.
For example, you might say something like, “If you’re happy with the work I did, please leave a review on my website.”
Then provide a link to where they can leave the review. This will make it as easy as possible for them to follow through — and more likely that you’ll actually get a review.
5. Offer an incentive
In some cases, you might want to offer an incentive for leaving a review. This could be a discount on future services or a freebie related to the project you worked on together.
For example, if you’re a graphic designer, you could offer a free social media template to anyone who leaves a review. Or, if you’re a web developer, you could offer a discounted rate for anyone who refers a new client.
Incentives are a great way to increase the likelihood of getting a review — just make sure you don’t overdo it. Otherwise, you might end up with many fake reviews from people who are just looking for a freebie.
Invest Time in Your Reviews
Asking for reviews can be challenging — but it’s worth it. Try these tips, and you’re sure to see more positive reviews for your freelance work.
And as you do, you’ll find that you connect with even more clients and better jobs down the line.
Have other ideas on how to get more positive reviews? Share them in the comments below!
