Do you want to stand out as a real estate agent? Do you want to generate more business without increasing your marketing budget? It’s time to focus on generating client testimonials. Reviews from your real estate clients will grow your business and make you stand out from the sea of other local agents. Let’s dive in!
- Best time to ask for a testimonial
- Ask for a video testimonial
- Happy customer photo
Why Client Testimonials Are Important
Asking for client testimonials is essential in establishing credibility as a reputable real estate agent and generating more business. A glowing testimonial makes it easier for potential clients to find you and choose you as their real estate agent. Testimonials also strengthen your online presence when shared on websites and social media. Out of the thousands of real estate professionals in your area, you want to make it easy for home buyers or sellers to choose you, starting with praise-worthy client testimonials.
“92% of customers read online reviews before buying” - Big Commerce
How to Ask For a Testimonial
To generate testimonials, you need to ask clients for testimonials. Ask for a testimonial immediately after closing if you’re representing a home seller.
“It has been wonderful working with you, and I know you’re pleased with how quickly your house sold. My future clients would love to learn from your experience working with me. Would you mind writing a testimonial about your experience selling a house with me? [Yes.] Great! Thank you. I’ll send you a text with some information.”
Asking for a Testimonial From First-Time Homebuyers:
“Congratulations on buying your first home! Let’s take a quick picture of you in front of your new house!” Follow up with: “I would love it if you would write a testimonial reflecting your time working with me.”
If your clients don’t want to have their photos taken, you can always ask them to provide a photo you can use with their testimonials. Just remember to follow up via email or text to ask for the testimonial and photo.
“72% of consumers say positive testimonials and reviews increase their trust in a business.” - Big Commerce
Don’t let your clients build a testimonial blindly. Remember, this may be the only time they’ve worked with a RealtorⓇ, so it’s beneficial to give your clients a little bit of guidance before they submit a testimonial.
- What was your experience like working with me?
- If you were to tell a friend about me, what would you say?
- What was your favorite part of working with me throughout the home buying/selling process?
- Would you be interested in recording a video testimonial and writing one?
Video Testimonials
When you ask for a testimonial, ask for a written and a video testimonial. With so many fake reviews and testimonials circulating online, a video testimonial can significantly impact readers, and it’s hard to fake. Provide the following tips on recording a short testimonial:
- Use your cell phone (everyone does!)
- Keep it short and sweet (30 seconds - 2 minutes)
- Introduce yourself (first name and city/neighborhood) and how you know me (agent)
- Smile the whole way through
- If you don’t like looking directly at the camera, turn away a couple of degrees (like you’re talking to an interviewer)
- Write down what you’re going to say before hitting record but avoid reading it word for word
- End with the main reason why you would recommend someone else hire me as their real estate agent
Testimonial Photos
The more personal and touching the testimonial is, the better, and when you add a photo, it brings it to a whole new level of consumer impact. Take photos that show emotion and energy vs. simply standing in front of the camera smiling. See the difference in feeling in these photos? The second one conveys more emotion and will bring your testimonial to life.
- Take a photo of the homeowner’s child holding up the sold sign
- Take a photo of a family celebrating in front of their new home
- Take a photo of first-time homebuyers hugging the sold sign
- Take a photo of homebuyers high-fiving you in front of the sold sign
Where to Use the Testimonial
With more and more people searching for reviews and testimonials online before choosing a professional, real estate testimonials are critical in making you stand out from other local agents. Use testimonials in various ways to help consumers choose you as their real estate agent. The more places you post the testimonials, the better your chance of potential clients finding you when searching for a local real estate agent.
- Add a testimonial to the bottom of an email to a real estate lead to engage the potential client early in the lead nurturing process
- Add testimonials to popular online home search sites (Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, etc.)
- Add testimonials to your personal website and company website
- Ask clients to post their testimonials as a Yelp review (5-stars!)
- Create social media graphics with your testimonials
- Add testimonials to your social media profile (“About” section)
- Add testimonials to new client emails
Adding client testimonials to your marketing efforts will boost conversion rates by as much as 89%. - socialfresh
No real estate agent wants a bad review. Focus on generating testimonials from your most satisfied clients. Ask for the testimonial and a photo, encourage a video and follow up to ensure you receive the testimonial. Tell them how you plan to use their testimonial, and have them sign a photo release form (search online for examples). Now get out there and ask for a real estate testimonial today! You’ll be glad you did!
