Free template · how to ask for a testimonial

How to ask for a testimonial and actually get one

A project just finished well. This is the two-week window where a testimonial is easy to get, and almost nobody asks in it.

The email

Subject: One question about [PROJECT]

Hi [NAME],

[PROJECT] went well and I'd like to quote you on it. Rather than ask
you to write something, just one question:

What was the situation before we started, and what's different now?

Two or three sentences off the top of your head is perfect. I'll tidy
the grammar and send it back for your approval before it goes
anywhere.

[YOU]

Replace everything in [BRACKETS] before you send it. A stray [NAME] is the most expensive typo in freelancing.

Why it works

It asks a question instead of requesting a deliverable, and a question can be answered in a reply box in ninety seconds. Before-and-after is also the exact shape of a testimonial that converts, so you get usable copy rather than "great to work with". And promising to edit and send it back for approval removes the last excuse — they are not committing to anything they haven't seen.

What most people send instead

"Would you mind writing a short testimonial for my site?" You have just handed a busy person a blank page and a writing assignment. They mean to do it. They never do it.