Review Request Templates (SMS & Email) That Get Responses
The difference between a 5% and a 30% review response rate is usually the message. Here are templates that work — and the rules behind them.
- ✓Send within hours, while it’s fresh
- ✓Keep it short, warm and one-tap
- ✓Send exactly one polite follow-up
- ✓Automate timing and personalization
What makes a request convert
- Sent within hours of a great experience
- Short, warm and personal
- One clear, tappable link
- No more than one polite follow-up
SMS templates
Service business: “Hi [Name], thanks for choosing [Business]! Glad we could help. Would you mind leaving a quick review? It really helps us: [link]”
Restaurant / retail: “Hi [Name], thanks for visiting [Business] today! If you enjoyed it, a quick review would mean a lot: [link]”
Email template
Subject: Quick favor, [Name]?
“Thanks for choosing [Business]. We’d love to hear how we did — it takes 30 seconds and helps other locals find us. [Leave a review button]. Thank you! — [Your name]”
The follow-up
If there’s no response after 2–3 days, send one gentle reminder. Stop there — more than that feels like nagging.
Automate the whole thing
Bird Local sends these at the perfect moment by SMS, email or QR code, personalizes them to your brand, and handles the follow-up — so requests go out every day without you writing a word.
Sources & further reading
- Harvard Business School research — Reviews, Reputation, and Revenue: The Case of Yelp.com.
- Northwestern University’s Spiegel Research Center — How Online Reviews Influence Sales.
- the U.S. Federal Trade Commission — Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule.
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