Take your email marketing to another level with a drip campaign built to get you better reviews.
For any kind of business, reviews are crucial. Reviews are true word-of-mouth marketing in a modern world. So for anyone using email marketing as part of their business, incorporating a drip campaign designed to bring in positive reviews and valid feedback is crucial.
This article will walk through a few basics before we provide you with drip campaign templates for service-based businesses, product-based businesses, and local retailers using WiFi marketing.
Why use a drip campaign for reviews?
Customers tend to leave reviews when something goes wrong. It’s not often that someone will think of leaving a review after a good experience with a business. The exception is when your service is exceptionally amazing, and even then most people will forget.
If you don’t know much about drip campaigns, Zapier has a great resource to get you started. Automation in systems like MailChimp, Zenreach, Constant Contact, Infusionsoft, etc. allows you to execute email drip campaigns easily.
By incorporating a drip campaign into your email marketing, you’re not forcing your customer to leave a review, but rather gently guiding them. Each email should not be bombarded with directions to leave a review. They should instead be designed to support your customer, bring them back, and create brand loyalty.
Drip Campaign Templates for Better Reviews
Your drip campaign for review marketing should always begin after a purchase or appointment was made. The first email(s) will welcome the customer as a part of your community, provide an incentive to return, or give access to support resources. The last email guides the customer to leave a review.
For the last step, many businesses lean on reputation management systems to ensure bad feedback isn’t left publicly. This allows the business to deal with the issue internally and speak directly with the customer who had a negative experience.
Whether you decide to use a gated review management system or link directly to platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook, here are 3 drip campaign templates for businesses of various types. Keep in mind, you will need to alter them slightly to fit your brand voice and purpose.
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Service-Based Business
A service-based business provides a service, like tech support, plumbing, contracting, logistical shipping and transport, etc. A drip campaign to get these businesses better reviews is centered around communication, resources, and follow-up. Set your customer up for success before your service date, follow up to make sure your service was successful, then ask them to leave a review.
1. Welcome Email
When: Before your service, after an appointment has been made, or service scheduled.
Subject: Important instructions for your upcoming appointment.
Preview Text: Your appointment has been confirmed. Here’s how to prepare for our services.
Purpose: Introduce the customer to your services and set them up to successfully work with your business.
Hi [First Name],
Thanks for booking _____ with us on _____. We want to make sure your service goes as smoothly as possible so here are some instructions on what to expect.
Before your appointment date, please ___.
On the day of your service, make sure to _____. We will call you to let you know when we are on the way within your service window.
After your service date, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need any further assistance or have any questions.
We will see/talk to you on ____ between ____ and ____.
Sincerely,
2. Thanks, any questions?
When: Immediately following your service.
Subject: Still have questions? We’re here for you.
Preview Text: Thank you for your business. We’re still here to help.
Purpose: Follow up and make sure the service went well before asking for a review.
[First Name],
Thank you for your business. We know that you might have additional questions or need further assistance. If you need anything else regarding your visit/service/appointment today, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
You can reach us by phone at ______ or by email at ________.
We wish you all the best!
3. Lastly, leave us a review!
When: A day after the last email.
Subject: How did we do?
Preview Text: Your feedback is very important to us.
Purpose: Ask for a review after making sure the customer had a successful experience with your business.
Dear [First Name],
Please let us know if you have any further questions, concerns, or need further assistance by contacting us at ______.
If you’re all set, we would love to hear from you about how we did. Would you recommend our services to your friends?
Leave us a review by clicking the link below.
[LINK]
Sincerely,
Product-Based Business
Product-based businesses generally create, distribute, and support their product. Examples of this kind of business include Etsy store creations, WordPress plugin and theme shops, carpenters, software creators, electronics producers, etc. These emails should focus on understanding and supporting the product before leading into asking for a review.
1. Welcome Email
When: Immediately after a purchase has been made.
Subject: Welcome to the ___ Community!
Preview Text: Thanks for purchasing, here’s how we’re here to help.
Purpose: Welcome the person as a customer and provide them with information about their new purchase.
Hi [First Name],
Thanks for purchasing ___ from us. We hope you enjoy it!
If you need additional resources on how to use your product, our resources can be found [Here].
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service department if you have questions or need assistance. They can be reached via email at _____ or by phone at ______.
Enjoy your ___!
Sincerely,
2. We’re here for you.
When: A day or two after purchase.
Subject: Still have questions? We’re here for you.
Preview Text: We’re dedicated to supporting our customers.
Purpose: Follow up and make sure the product is understood and used before asking for a review.
[First Name],
Thank you for your business. We know that you might have additional questions or need further assistance with your new ____. If you need anything else regarding your purchase, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
You can reach us by phone at ______ or by email at ________.
We have online resources available for your convenience as well. They can be found [Here].
We wish you all the best!
3. Lastly, leave us a review!
When: A day after the last email.
Subject: How are we doing?
Preview Text: Your feedback is very important to us.
Purpose: Ask for a review after making sure the customer had a successful experience with your business.
Dear [First Name],
Please let us know if you have any further questions, concerns, or need further assistance by contacting us at ______.
If you’ve had the chance to use your ______, we would love to hear from you about how we did. Would you recommend us to your friends?
Leave us a review by clicking the link below.
[LINK]
Sincerely,
Local Retailer or Restaurant – Using WiFi marketing
Last, but not least! You can use your WiFi Marketing strategy to target people who have just visited your store. By using a WiFi tool, you get more precision on your email audience and you’re more likely to get genuine actionable feedback. These businesses include restaurants, shopping retailers, auto shops, etc. Anywhere someone can walk into and connect to WiFi can use this campaign. The idea behind it is to not ask for a review after the first impression, but rather generate customer loyalty before asking for a review.
1. Welcome Email
When: Immediately after someone leaves your business.
Subject: Thanks for coming in! Here’s a coupon for your return.
Preview Text: We’d love to see you again soon!
Purpose: Say thanks and entice the customer to return with a coupon.
Hi [First Name],
Thanks for visiting us today! We hope you enjoyed your time at our location. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about your visit, please reply to this email to talk to us directly.
In the meantime, enjoy this coupon for ____ on your next visit! The coupon expires on ___ so we hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
2. Welcome back. How did we do?
When: Immediately after the second visit.
Subject: How did we do today?
Preview Text: Your feedback is very important to us.
Purpose: Ask for a review after making sure the customer had a successful experience with your business.
Dear [First Name],
Thanks for returning! We hope you found your way to a great experience.
Would you recommend us to your friends? If so, we would love it if you would leave us a review online by clicking the link below.
[LINK]
If you wouldn’t recommend us, would you mind telling us why? Reply to this email so we can resolve any issues you may have experienced.
Sincerely,
How do you ask for reviews?
Email marketing is just one of many ways to generate more reviews for your business. It’s effective in mitigating negativity when you approach it from a supportive standpoint and put your customer’s needs before the reviews you want. But there are also other ways.
How do you ask for reviews? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.