How to Ask Clients for Testimonials
As a freelancer, your reputation is one of your greatest assets. Whether you’re just starting out or have already built a thriving client base, glowing testimonials can be the tipping point that convinces a potential client to hire you. But if you’ve ever felt awkward or unsure about how to request testimonials from your clients, you’re not alone.
In this post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know – what testimonials are, why they matter, and how to ask for them confidently and professionally. We’ll also look at how to edit testimonials (ethically!) and what to do if the feedback isn’t as positive as you hoped.
What Is a Client Testimonial?
A client testimonial is a statement from a satisfied client that outlines their experience working with you. It might be a sentence or two praising your professionalism, or a longer, more detailed paragraph explaining how you helped them solve a specific problem. Either way, a testimonial is a very persuasive form of social proof – evidence that you’re not only competent but also trusted by your clients.
Testimonials can take various forms, including:
- Short quote testimonials: Quote testimonials are snappy, impactful statements that highlight the client’s favorite aspect(s) of their experience. Their brevity means they can be easily incorporated into a wide range of marketing materials, such as website landing pages, social media posts, and email newsletters.
- Detailed written feedback: These longer statements go into much greater depth, detailing the project, what you did well, and the outcome for the client. They may be turned into in-depth case studies or shared as interview-style blog posts.
- Third party ratings or reviews: These types of testimonials are often found on freelance marketplaces such as Upwork and Fiverr. Clients will leave scores or star ratings on individual projects, which are then aggregated by the platform to give you an overall rating.
- Video testimonials: Videos may be filmed professionally or more informally using a remote video testimonial app like Vocal Video. They can then be embedded on a webpage, in an email, or shared on social media.
- Social media testimonials: This is where a happy client leaves a comment, review, or recommendation on a platform like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
Whatever the format, the goal of a testimonial is to show potential clients that others have had a great experience working with you – and that they can expect the same.
Client Testimonial Examples
Below are three examples of short quote testimonials that show how strong client feedback can showcase your skills, highlight your professionalism, and ultimately build trust with potential clients.
Example 1
“Working with Nina was a fantastic experience from start to finish. She not only delivered stunning, on-brand visuals on a tight deadline but also offered creative input that took our campaign to the next level. I’ll definitely be hiring her again.”
Chris J., Marketing Consultant
Why it works: This testimonial is ideal for a freelance graphic or brand designer. It showcases Nina’s ability to deliver visually compelling work on a tight schedule, while also contributing strategic, creative input.
Example 2
“Liam brought clarity and consistency to a messy, jargon-filled document. His attention to detail and structured approach saved us hours of review time. He’s a true professional and was a lifesaver during our product launch.”
Raj P., Product Lead
Why it works: This testimonial is a great example for a freelance editor or proofreader. It tells a clear story: The client had a complex, jargon-heavy document, and Liam brought clarity and structure. It highlights his attention to detail, time-saving impact, and ability to deliver under pressure – all of which are highly attractive to prospective clients.
Example 3
“I’ve worked with several freelance writers, and Jordan stands out for their ability to capture our brand voice perfectly. Communication was smooth, deadlines were always met, and the final content exceeded expectations. Highly recommended!”
Amira T., Marketing Manager
Why it works: This testimonial is perfect for a freelance content writer or copywriter. It highlights Jordan’s ability to adapt to a brand voice – a critical skill in marketing – and emphasizes professionalism through smooth communication and dependable delivery. It reassures potential clients that Jordan can produce high-quality content while being easy to collaborate with.
Why Are Client Testimonials Important?
In freelancing, trust is everything. A testimonial gives your potential clients insight into your skills, reliability, and way of working. This is especially helpful if you’re newer to freelancing or operating in a competitive niche.
Here are six reasons why they’re so powerful:
1. They Build Credibility and Trust
Most freelance work is secured remotely, which means prospective clients can’t meet you in person or see you in action. A well-written testimonial bridges that gap by reassuring them that others have hired you and been genuinely pleased with the results.
2. They Highlight Your Strengths
You can list your skills and services, but testimonials bring them to life. Often, clients will pick out things you might not even realize are your best assets, for instance, your clear communication, quick turnaround, or calm handling of unexpected challenges. These real-life examples give your prospective clients insight into what it’s actually like to work with you.
3. They Support Your Rates
If you’re charging premium prices, clients want to know they’re getting premium service. Testimonials that mention the results you delivered – whether that’s boosting a blog’s traffic, improving grammar in a thesis, or saving someone time and stress – help show your value in real-world terms. They make it easier for clients to see your services as an investment not just a cost.
4. They Differentiate You from the Competition
In a sea of freelancers, testimonials help you stand out. A good testimonial doesn’t just say you’re “great to work with” – it adds context and personality. When clients share their unique experience with you, it sets you apart and makes your profile or website more memorable.
5. They Contribute to Your Professional Image
Featuring polished, relevant testimonials signals that you’re an established freelancer who values client feedback. When presented well, they enhance your website, proposals, and social media presence. Combined with a consistent tone and branding, they help reinforce the impression that you’re not just a freelancer – you’re a professional running a business.
6. They Help You Grow
While glowing testimonials are ideal, even more balanced feedback can be valuable. A client who says the final result was great but mentions a small hiccup along the way still shows that you’re capable of delivering and open to learning. Including an honest testimonial can show that you’re receptive, resilient, and always striving to do better – qualities that many clients will truly appreciate. Plus, constructive criticism offers insight into areas where you can improve.
How to Ask for a Client Testimonial
If you’re nervous about asking for a testimonial, you’re not alone – but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Many clients are happy to offer praise, especially if you’ve delivered great work. Here’s a simple, professional process you can follow.
Step 1: Choose the Right Moment
Timing matters. The best time to ask for a testimonial is when the project has just wrapped up and the client is happy with the results. If they’ve already said something positive via email or in conversation, you can follow up and ask if they’d be happy for you to use it as a testimonial or expand on it.
If you’ve worked with a client over time, you might also ask once a significant milestone is reached. For example, after completing the tenth blog post in a content series or finishing a full manuscript edit.
Step 2: Keep It Simple and Friendly
Your request should be polite, appreciative, and respectful of their time. It helps to give them a few prompts so they know what to focus on, such as:
- What made you choose me for this project?
- How did my work help achieve your goals?
- Would you recommend me to others?
You can also ask more specific questions related to your services. Make sure not to overdo it, though! Clients are usually happy to respond to a handful of questions, but adding too many might put them off.
If you’re confident in your relationship, you can even offer to write a draft they can tweak. This makes things easier and gives you some control over phrasing (while staying honest, of course).
Here’s a sample message you might use:
Hi [Client Name],
I’ve really enjoyed working with you on [Project Name], and I hope you’re happy with the final result! If you have a moment, I’d love to include a short testimonial from you on my website.
Just a sentence or two about your experience would be really helpful, but I’d be happy to send over a draft or a few questions to make it easier if you’d prefer.
Thanks again for trusting me with this project!
Best,
[Your Name]
Step 3: Follow Up (Gently)
If you don’t hear back after a week or two, it’s okay to follow up with a polite nudge. Keep it low-pressure and thank them regardless of the outcome. People get busy, and most won’t mind a reminder. Here’s an example of a short, simple follow-up email:
Hi [Client Name],
I just wanted to follow up on my message from last week. I know things can get busy, so no worries at all if you haven’t had a chance to think about it yet!
If you’re happy with the work we did together and feel comfortable sharing a short testimonial, I’d be so grateful. Even just a couple of sentences about your experience would be really appreciated.
Let me know if you’d prefer me to send over a few prompts or a draft to make things easier – happy to help however I can.
Thanks again, and no pressure either way!
Best,
[Your Name]
This kind of message keeps the door open without making the client feel obligated. If they still don’t respond, it’s best to leave it there and try again with another project or client.
Step 4: Ensure Clarity and Relevance
Once you’ve received a client testimonial, you might notice the occasional typo or bit of awkward phrasing. It’s perfectly acceptable to make light edits to ensure the testimonial reads well – but it’s essential to preserve the client’s original meaning and tone. The goal is to present the feedback in the best possible light without misrepresenting what was actually said.
It’s okay to:
- Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors (or any other accidental typos)
- Make minor changes to sentence structure or phrasing for clarity or concision
- Extract a key portion from a longer passage of feedback
- Replace pronouns with names (e.g. changing “you” to your name or business)
- Highlight keywords or phrases with bold or italics
You should avoid:
- Adding or removing anything that changes the meaning of the original feedback
- Rearranging the text in a way that misrepresents what your client said
- Adding extra superlatives or praise to enhance existing feedback
Ultimately, your role is to enhance readability and professionalism without distorting the client’s experience. If you’re unsure whether an edit crosses the line, send the revised version to the client, and ask for their approval. That way, you maintain both clarity and trust.
Step 5: Get Permission to Share
Always ask for permission before you post a testimonial publicly. Some clients may want to remain anonymous, use a first name only, or avoid having their company mentioned. Make sure you have clear consent, especially if you plan to include their name, title, or photo.
What if the Feedback Is Negative?
Receiving negative feedback from a client can be tough, especially when you feel that you’ve put in your best effort. But how you respond can make all the difference, both for the client relationship and your long-term growth as a freelancer. Instead of seeing criticism as a setback, treat it as an opportunity to improve and build trust.
Here are three key strategies for handling negative feedback effectively:
- Keep calm and don’t take it personally: It’s natural to feel defensive, but reacting emotionally can damage your professional image. Take a breath, step back, and give yourself time to process the feedback objectively before responding.
- Understand the client’s perspective: Ask follow-up questions to clarify their concerns and demonstrate that you’re actively listening. Show empathy by acknowledging their frustration or disappointment, and thank them for sharing their thoughts – even if it’s hard to hear.
- Focus on solutions and next steps: If the issue is fixable, offer a clear plan to address it. Whether that means revising your work, explaining your process, or negotiating a compromise, aim to turn the situation around with professionalism and a problem-solving attitude.
Ultimately, how you respond to negative feedback says as much about your professionalism as your portfolio does. By handling criticism gracefully, you not only improve your future work – you show clients that you’re accountable, respectful, and committed to quality.
Be the Freelancer Clients Can’t Stop Praising
Asking for testimonials becomes much easier when you’re confident in the quality of your work – and that confidence starts with the right training. At Knowadays, our expert-led courses are designed to help you deliver professional, polished results that clients will love (and want to rave about!). Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your skills, our courses will set you up for success.
Take a look at our course library, and try some free lessons today!
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