52% of people said that online reviews and ratings are very or extremely important when choosing an agent to help them sell their home, according to Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report 2019 survey data. This implies that testimonials play a significant role in building your brand and strengthening your online presence.
What is the value of a real estate testimonial?
The value of real estate testimonials is fourfold.
Zillow’s agent directory gives more prominence to agents with the most reviews. Agent Finder is a searchable directory on Zillow that puts consumers in touch with agents depending on their location. The more reviews an agent has, the more likely they are to be seen and to attract new business.
Shoppers who are younger are more likely to care about online reviews and agent ratings when they are trying to decide which agent to work with. 24% of Gen Z and millennial shoppers and 21% of Gen X shoppers say that online reviews and ratings are very or extremely important to them. You can get more connections by becoming a Zillow Premier Agent.
It is important that you advertise to your target audience. A large percentage of first-time home buyers are millennials, so online reviews are especially important to them.
Ongoing feedback from reviews can help you improve your services and make you stand out from the competition.
When to ask for real estate testimonials
The best time to request a review from a client is immediately after an event. This way, the conversation will be fresh in the client’s mind.
Agents should certainly ask for reviews during three natural events.
1. After providing real estate advice
Requesting a testimonial from your agent profile via email is an easy way to get advice.
2. After showing your client their first home
You should try to take your clients on tours of homes so that you can have more time to discuss the home-buying process and what the next steps are. You should mention to them in person that you would like a review, and explain why you are asking for one. Then, follow up with an email review request so that it is more convenient for the buyers.
3. After closing on a property
Send a reminder to clients throughout the process that you would like a review once the project is completed. Since you have invested so much time with them, the request for a review should be natural. Send a personalized email that reminds them of the successes you have had working together and provides instructions on how to leave a review.
How to ask for real estate reviews
Asking your clients for a real estate testimonial can be nerve-wracking, but finding the right script to ask them can make all the difference and help you get more reviews. Agents can ask for client reviews using a highly personal approach or a more casual tone, depending on what the client prefers.
Personalized email
Sending a professional thank you email is a great way to remind your clients why they chose to work with you in the first place, and gets them thinking of you in a positive light. Your email should include a video on how to create great reviews, or a direct link to where they can submit them. Pay special attention to the subject line – it should be 41 characters or less for clients who read their email on mobile.
” Thanks for choosing me as your real estate agent! I enjoyed working with you and I’m glad you’re happy with the transaction. Can you do me a favor and write a review of your experience with me? I promised that I would earn your five-star review when we first started working together and I hope I’ve fulfilled that promise. But it’s also important to me to get your honest feedback so that other people who read your review will know what it’s like to work with me.
Here is the link to my Zillow request form. You will need to register your email on Zillow to submit a review. This helps to ensure that the reviews are from actual clients and only takes a moment.
Thank you for taking the time to give me feedback. I really appreciate it and I’m looking forward to reading what you have to say.”
” Thank you for choosing me as your real estate agent! It means a lot to me. I would be grateful if you wrote a review about your experience working with me. Your review would be helpful for other people who are looking for a real estate agent. Thank you!
Here is the link to my Zillow request form. You will need to register your email on Zillow to submit a review. This helps to ensure that the reviews are from actual clients. It only takes a moment.
I appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback, [Name]. Thank you. I’m looking forward to reading your remarks.
Thank you, again, for your trust and your business, and I look forward to being your go-to real estate agent for years to come.”
“Thank you for choosing me as your real estate agent! I am grateful for your business and would love to know how your transaction went and if you have any feedback. If you’re satisfied with your experience, it would be wonderful if you wrote a review about me. Your feedback is really important to me so that I can keep doing the things you appreciated and work on the things that need improvement. Thank you, again, for your trust and your business. I hope to be your go-to real estate agent for years to come.
Here’s a link to my Zillow request form. You’ll have to register your email on Zillow to submit a review, but don’t worry, they won’t share it with anyone. It only takes a minute and this helps make sure that the reviews are from actual clients.
Thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated. I look forward to reading your remarks.”
Call
Give your customers a call to see how they’re settling into their new home, and if they’re happy with their purchase. You can also ask if they’d be interested in writing or recording a review for you.
Text
A direct link to the Zillow review request form can be found in your agent profile. A suggested automated email is provided which you can send by simply uploading your contact or email list. The automated email is editable.
Please note: If you don’t already have a Zillow account, you will be asked to provide your email to help prevent fraudulent reviews.
Thank you!”
In person
When talking to a prospective reviewer, it is important to be natural and subtly let them know what you are looking for from the beginning. A good way to start this conversation is to ask if they have read any reviews before finding you. Review the scripts below to see how to ask for real estate agent reviews.
Indirect
Include a link to your review submit page in your email signature, website, and marketing materials so that clients have a quick and accessible way to submit reviews during casual exchanges.
How to ask for video testimonials
Template Asking clients to participate in a video testimonial is a great way to connect with them on a more personal level. While being on camera can be intimidating for some, asking them in person or over the phone can help make the process seem more approachable.
According to Bret Calltharp, a noted real estate agent trainer, it is much better to inspire others to speak about how great you are, than to simply tell everyone how great you are yourself. Calltharp believes that client testimonials are much more effective than self-promotion.
When creating your video testimonial, it’s important to remember the following:
When choosing clients, go with those who you have a great connection with and who are enthusiastic.
Your video should tell a story about your clients and how you helped make their dreams come true. Ask your clients to share their story with you and explain how you were able to help them achieve their goals.
To connect with your audience, mention the client’s name to make the experience more natural and unscripted.
Include your brand name, logo, and contact information in your video so that prospective clients can reach out to you.
If you’re looking for a way to increase engagement on social media, one option is to post video testimonials or reviews. If your clients are unwilling or unable to do a video, another option is to create a graphic featuring a photo of your satisfied clients along with quotes from their review of your business.
When to follow up on a real estate testimonial request
It’s best to only ask a client for a review three times. Asking more than that could come across as being pushy.
According to Calltharp, it is appropriate to follow up after not receiving feedback at any stage of the process, but begging is not. If you have invested a lot of work in the project, it is professional to follow up twice – once after 30 days, and again after 90 days.
How to ask for real estate reviews later in the life cycle
If you haven’t asked a client for a review yet, or if they didn’t write a review when you first asked, here are some scripts you can use to ask later on.
Asking for a real estate review weeks after closing
” Thank you for choosing me as your real estate agent! I hope things have settled down since the closing and that you’re as happy with the end results as I am. Would you be willing to write a review about your experience with me? I would really appreciate it so I can keep doing the things you appreciated and work on the things that need improvement.
Please follow this link to my Zillow request form [insert URL]. You will need to register your email on Zillow to submit a review, but don’t worry, Zillow will never share your email address with anyone. It only takes a minute, and it helps make sure that the reviews are from real clients. Thank you, [Name] for taking the time to give me your feedback. I’m really looking forward to reading what you have to say.
Asking for a real estate review months after closing
You can be as specific or as general as you like. You can also email it to me or post it on my website. Thank you in advance for your time, and I hope to help you with any future real estate endeavors!” Hi [name], Thank you again for choosing me as your real estate agent! I wanted to wish you a happy [six-month] anniversary in your new home! I hope it was an easy move and that things have settled down a bit. May I ask you for a favor? Would you be able to write a review about your experience with me? Whether you’re wholly satisfied or just happy it’s over, I would still like a review so that I can keep doing the things you appreciated and work on the things that need improvement. You can be as specific or as general as you like. You can also email it to me or post it on my website. Thank you in advance for your time, and I hope to help you with any future real estate endeavors!
To leave me a review on Zillow, click this link [insert URL]. You’ll need to register your email with Zillow, but don’t worry, they will never share your email with anyone else. It only takes a minute, and it helps make sure that all the reviews are from actual customers.
Thank you for taking the time to give me feedback, [Name]. I appreciate it and look forward to reading your remarks.
I know it takes a few minutes, but if you’re up for it, I’ll be grateful forever.” [Name], thank you for choosing me as your real estate agent six months ago! I wanted to wish you a happy anniversary on the sale of your home! I hope things have settled down a bit and that you’re as delighted with the end results as I am. Would you be willing to write a review about your experience with me? Whether you’re wholly satisfied or just happy it’s over, I would like a review so that I can keep on doing the things you appreciated and work on the things that need improvement. I know it takes a few minutes, but if you’re up for it, I’ll be grateful forever.
To leave a review for me on Zillow, follow this link [insert URL]. You will need to register your email address with Zillow, but they will never share it with anyone else. This only takes a moment, and it helps to make sure that all reviews are from actual clients.
Thank you for taking the time to give me feedback. I look forward to reading your remarks.
Where to find completed Zillow reviews
Zillow reviews appear in your agent profile a few days after your client submits their review. It usually takes a few days for the review to appear (up to 10 days when volumes are high).
You will be notified by email if your reviews are accepted.
If you’ve been waiting to see reviews that you’ve requested published on your profile, you can check the review’s status. Go to your profile and sign in to view the status of the review. This will tell you if the review was submitted, declined during moderation, or if it’s still awaiting submission. You can only track thestatus of reviews that were requested through the profile platform. If you used the direct link to ask for a real estate agent review, you won’t be able to see any updates on the review’s status.
Zillow Review Moderator standards
Each client review must be specific to be published on Zillow and include the following details:
- The property address discussed with the agent.
- Specifics about a real estate event and details of actions the agent took during that event.
The two main reasons that reviews are turned down are either because they don’t adhere to the guidelines and policies or because they are considered inappropriate, off-topic, or not detailed enough. For example, if an review does not mention the address of the property or lacks information about the agent’s role, it would be considered lacking an appropriate level of detail.
Agents aren’t notified if a review is rejected.
Where to share real estate testimonials
After a review is published, you will get an email from Zillow with a link that can be shared. If you want more people to see the review, become a Zillow Premier Agent.
Testimonials can be posted on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Upload the positive reviews of your business onto your website, creating a rotating gallery that will catch the attention of potential customers.
Include testimonial videos on your site by uploading them to YouTube or Vimeo, and embedding them on your site. You can also include them in your email signature.
