So I started watching Season 4 of Stranger Things. I know, I know, I am way late to the party.
And I have to be honest. I made sure to watch the recap before the season started, and for a solid five minutes, I doubted that I had even watched Season 3 of the show. I cannot believe how much I had forgotten.
If you’re like me, aka a normal human being, last week we went over who to ask for a review and when to do it.
Click here for Part 1.
So today, for part two of our deep dive into reviews, we are getting into how to ask and what to do with them.
How to Ask for Reviews
1. Make it easy. As easy as possible.
Send them the direct Google review link. Check out this video for what I mean.
Basically, at the end of this process, you get a code. Ours is LegalEase Marketing Google My Business.
Click that link above and watch what happens. You go right to the review spot.
You do not have to click on my GMB, click the reviews tab, find the leave a review button. You are already there.
I honestly do not think there is a way to make this easier without running afoul of Google’s rules.
2. Text it to them
One of the best things about smartphones is that you can write and send a review within moments. Kidding. But it is still a nifty feature we sometimes take for granted.
Every year, more and more searches happen on phones. People spend more time on their phones.
So ask for reviews through their phone. Bonus points because this is super easy to automate.
3. Follow up
No, do not say that to the people who do not leave reviews. Bad joke, I know.
But seriously, follow up.
People usually have the best intentions, and then life happens and they forget. Find a few times to follow up. Maybe not every day for a year, but something like today, next week, the following month, and then three months later.
You do not know if you do not ask, sometimes more than once.
4. QR code
This is a more recent popular method. No one had a better COVID comeback than the QR code.
Just this week, I got into a very funny argument in a foodie Facebook group about whether boomers hate QR codes or not. Regardless, restaurants have taught us, or re-taught us, how to use them.
We even had a Super Bowl commercial with a QR code. Some sports teams have moved to QR codes on their jerseys. I think that is dumb, even as a UCF Knights fan.
Read about it here.
A QR code is an easy, quick, and unique way to get a review.
5. Custom URL
Customizing a URL gives your client a shortcut straight to your review page.
It removes navigating and removes the need to open the camera for a QR code. You just send them a customized URL that you can also track.
For example, I own ratejordan.com, which goes directly to our Google review link.
How to Get Better Reviews
Let’s be honest. I would rather have someone leave five stars than do nothing at all.
But ideally, I would rather hear a really nice rundown of what it is like to work with you than just see five stars.
And especially for criminal defense lawyers, your clients probably do not want to share a ton of details.
You probably should not be expecting anything like:
“I murdered my neighbor because he looked at my alligator funny, and then Florida Man Firm got me straight probation. And I am not even showing up for that. Best lawyer I have had through all of my many cases.”
So how do you help clients write better reviews?
Think about these five questions from Donald Miller and reflect on the actual impact your work is making. Then give clients these sample prompts.
- What was your biggest challenge before hiring LegalEase Marketing?
- How did that challenge make you feel?
- What changed after hiring us?
- What specific results can you share?
- What would you say to someone who is on the fence about working with us?
Boom.
What to Do With Reviews
Highlight them.
Do not just let them sit on Google.
1. Put them on your website
People want to see reviews on your website. They want to know they are in good hands before scheduling a consultation.
Best practice is probably a video testimonial, but if you do not have that, written reviews are more than enough.
Pro tip. Not all of your reviews. You know who you are.
2. Share them on social media
Brag on social media. Ideally a humble brag, but still.
Create a graphic, or at the very least, share a simple screenshot.
Some state bars have specific rules on this, so make sure you follow them.
I am 99 percent sure this does not violate attorney-client privilege since you are sharing something they already made public. That said, I am leaving open the possibility that your bar association might be stupid.
3. Put them into your follow-up drips
Remember how we started last week talking about restaurants and reviews?
When clients are deciding whether to hire you, pull your two or three best reviews and work them into your email drip campaign.
Example:
Still on the fence about which firm is the best fit for you?
Here is what some recent clients had to say about us.
Joyce: Insert Joyce’s review
Mike: Insert Mike’s review
Eleven: Insert Eleven’s review
If you want the same amazing experience Joyce, Mike, and Eleven had, hire us today.
Voila.
Best practice is to segment your reviews so they make the most sense in your follow-ups.
If you do personal injury and family law, send personal injury reviews to personal injury prospects and family law reviews to family law prospects.
If you can get even more specific, like car accidents versus slip and fall versus theme park injuries, you can really dial this in.
4. Use them in other marketing materials
Put a great review on a billboard. Print it on mailers.
Anywhere else? Where have you highlighted reviews that worked especially well?
Until next week, my friends. May you not have to worry about the local basketball team trying to beat you up while also stopping another demon from destroying the world.
And look, if you want to learn how it feels to leave a review for a worthwhile company, and I have helped you with the info I share, click one of the links above and let us be your guinea pig.