The Testimonial Request Swipe File

Subject: Quick favour, [Name]

Hi [Name],

Really glad we got to work together on [project/outcome]. Would you be up for leaving a short testimonial? It would mean a lot.

If it helps, here is a rough structure:

1. What was the situation before we worked together?
2. What did we do together, and what changed?
3. What specific result did you see?

Even two or three sentences is brilliant. You can reply to this email and I will sort the rest.

Thanks so much,
[Your name]

Subject: Could I quote you on something?

Hi [Name],

I was looking back at your results from [month/project] and I keep thinking about [specific win, e.g. "the week you hit 40 booked calls" or "when your cost per lead dropped to X"]. It is exactly the kind of thing I wish more people knew was possible.

Would you be happy to write a short testimonial I could use on my website and in my proposals? It does not need to be long. Even a couple of sentences covering what changed and what the result was would be perfect.

If it is easier, I can send you three prompts to answer.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

Here are three quick questions. You can answer them however feels natural, and I will tidy the format:

1. Before we worked together, what was the main problem or frustration you were dealing with?
2. What did we actually do, and what was the moment you noticed things shifting?
3. What is the result you have seen, and would you recommend working with me?

No pressure on length. A few honest sentences on each is more than enough.

Thank you,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

I know you are busy so I will keep this to two questions:

1. What result did you get from working with me?
2. Who would you say should work with me, and why?

Anything you write I will use as-is or lightly clean up for grammar. Your words, not mine.

Thank you,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

If typing feels like a lot of effort, would you be happy to send a short voice note or a 60-second video instead? Even a WhatsApp voice message works.

Just cover:
- What you were dealing with before
- What working together looked like
- What result you got

I will transcribe it and send you the written version to approve before I use it anywhere.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

Thank you for agreeing to do a short video. Here is a loose script to keep it easy:

Open with your name and what you do.

Then cover:
- Where you were before we worked together
- What you were struggling with specifically
- What happened when we started working together
- One specific result you can name
- Who you would recommend this to

Two to three minutes is plenty. It does not need to be polished. A genuine, natural delivery is always more convincing than a rehearsed one.

Hi [Name],

We have just hit [milestone, e.g. "three months working together" or "your first 100 leads from the new system"], which feels like a good moment to check in.

I would love to capture how things are going from your end while it is fresh. Would you be happy to write two or three sentences for a testimonial? Focus on where you were, what has changed, and what result you are seeing.

I can always add to it as we go if results keep building.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

I saw [specific win you became aware of, e.g. "the campaign hit its target" or "your LinkedIn is getting serious traction now"]. That is brilliant.

While it is fresh, would you mind writing a quick note about what happened? Something along the lines of:

- What you were trying to do
- What changed
- What the result was

It does not need to be long. Two or three sentences is enough.

Thanks so much,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

Would it be easier if I wrote a draft for you to approve, edit, or rewrite entirely? Based on our work together, I would note:

- The situation you came in with
- What we built or changed
- The result you got

You can say yes or no to every word. Nothing goes live without your sign-off.

Let me know and I will send it over.

Thanks,
[Your name]

"Before working with [Your name], I was [problem in their words, e.g. 'spending hours on content that wasn't converting']. Within [timeframe], we had [specific change, e.g. 'a full lead generation system running']. Since then I have [specific result, e.g. 'booked 12 discovery calls in a single month without running a single ad']. If you are serious about [goal the client had], I would recommend [Your name] without hesitation."

Note to client: Adjust any detail that does not feel right. If the result number or timeframe is off, just correct it. I want it to sound exactly like you.

Hi [Name],

I would love to ask you a small favour. Would you be open to leaving a LinkedIn recommendation? It carries a lot of weight for the kind of work I do.

If it helps to have a prompt:

- What was going on in your business before we worked together?
- What did we do, and what shifted?
- What would you say to someone considering working with me?

You can write it directly on LinkedIn or send it to me first and I will format it for you.

Thank you so much,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

I hope things are going well. I am updating my LinkedIn profile and would really value a recommendation from you if you are open to it.

Here is the link to recommend me: [your LinkedIn profile link]

You will see the recommendation tab on the right-hand side. If you cover what we worked on, what the result was, and who you think I am best suited to help, that would be brilliant.

Even a short paragraph makes a big difference.

Thank you,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

Just following up on my last message about the testimonial. Completely understand if life got in the way. If you still have five minutes, it would mean a lot.

The three-question version I sent works well if you want to keep it quick.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Hi [Name],

No worries at all if the timing is not right. I will leave it here.

If you ever want to pass a referral my way or write something down the line, I would always welcome it.

Thanks for a great project,
[Your name]

Try to include at least one specific number, result, or timeframe. For example: "Within six weeks we had X" or "I went from Y to Z" or "For the first time in two years I had X." Specifics are what make a testimonial convincing to someone who does not know me yet.

The most useful testimonials have a clear before and after. Before: what was the problem, the worry, the thing that was not working. After: what changed, and what did that make possible. Even one sentence on each side is enough.

Think about someone who is in the exact position you were in before we worked together. Someone who is unsure whether to invest, or wondering whether this kind of work actually produces results. What would you tell them? That is your testimonial.

If you could only say one thing, what would it be? Start there. You can always add context around it, but the best testimonials have one clear, specific, honest thing at the centre.