How to Get Customer Testimonials When No One Has Time?

We’re sorry if your testimonial prospect ghosted you. Or politely declined.

But maybe, and hear us out, it’s not (just) a them issue. It might be a you issue.

We know, that’s blunt. But someone had to say it: your clients don’t owe you a testimonial.

What they do owe themselves is working with a business worth raving about. And what can you do? Make it ridiculously easy for them to rave.

This guide shows you how to turn testimonials from awkward asks into strategic moments your clients actually want to say yes to, and proudly see their words featured as part of your growing wall of proof.

How to collect customer testimonials? Let’s make it happen.

Why You Should Start Collecting Customer Testimonials?

Still on the fence about how to get great customer testimonials? Here’s why it’s a no-brainer (and a major revenue booster):

1. People Trust Other Ordinary People

Not your polished pitch. Not your perfect product page. Real buyers trust other real buyers.
In fact, 88% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations (Source). That one-liner from your customer? It holds more weight than anything on your homepage.

2. They Make Objections Disappear

Testimonials are like magic objection-busters. They specifically address concerns (e.g., “Is it easy to use?”) by showing how real users solved those exact issues.

3. They Highlight What Makes You Different

Instead of generic claims, testimonials spotlight your unique value, whether it’s speed, support, integration, or ROI. It’s a powerful way to show why you stand out.

4. They Build Your Reputation Over Time

Each customer story isn’t just proof, it’s momentum. A growing collection of testimonials shows you’re consistent, reputable, and worth trusting.

5. They Multiply Your Reach

Testimonials aren’t just for your site. They power up emails, social, ads, and even SEO. Reposting them everywhere helps amplify your message and builds trust on different channels.

6. They Strengthen Customer Loyalty

When customers see their quotes featured, they feel valued, and that strengthens bonds. You’re not just collecting praise, you’re winning long-term relationships.

How to Get Testimonials From Customers Without Sounding Too Pushy?

How to get video testimonials from customers isn’t about “sending a quick email” and hoping for magic. Collecting great testimonials is about timing, empathy, and making the ask feel like a favor for them, not just to you.

Here’s how to do it right:

1. Ask After a “Micro-Win,” Not Just a Big One

Everyone says to wait for major results. But most customers never pause to celebrate big wins. They’re too busy. The better moment? Right after a quick “aha”, when your product made something easier, faster, or clearer.

Examples:

• Right after a support interaction that solved a key problem

• After they complete a core feature for the first time

• When they reply positively in a feedback or NPS survey

These moments are emotional peaks. Capture them while they’re still fresh.

2. Use Testimonial Requests to Deepen the Relationship

The request itself can be a brand-building moment. Don’t just ask for a quote, reflect their journey back to them.

Example:
“Hey, I was just reviewing your onboarding and noticed how quickly your team got set up. We’d love to highlight what you achieved, and give your team a little spotlight if you’re open to it.”

It shows you’re paying attention. That builds loyalty, even if they decline.

3. Skip the Form. Offer Three Ways to Share.

A form works for some. But others prefer voice notes. Or a quick Loom. Or even just replying to a Slack message.

Instead of a single path, offer three options:

• One that’s quick and casual (voice or video)

• One that’s guided and structured (form)

• One that’s personal (reply to email or DM)

Let them choose their comfort zone. More comfort equals more responses.

4. Don’t Ask for “Feedback.” Ask for a Story.

People freeze when you ask, “Can you give us a testimonial?” It feels like homework. But ask them to tell a story, and you unlock emotion and detail.

Try this instead:
“What’s one moment you remember thinking, this is actually working?”
That gives you something richer than, “Great service, highly recommend.”

5. Highlight the Benefit for Them, Not Just You

The hidden truth: customers don’t always say yes because they like you. They say yes because it helps them.

So frame the request with something in it for them:

• We'll feature your quote and link to your company on our site

• Your team gets visibility as a success story

• You’ll be part of a case study we promote across our channels

Make them feel like a contributor, not a favor-giver.

6. Treat the Follow-Up Like a Real Conversation

If you’re following up with a testimonial request, drop the templated “Just checking in on this.” Instead, re-engage the story.

Try:
“Totally get if you’ve been busy, I just remembered that launch you were prepping for when we last spoke. Hope it went well. Would love to circle back when things ease up.”

It shows care, not pressure. And people respond to care.

7. Edit with Integrity and Always Get Sign-Off

Most raw testimonials need trimming. But heavy editing can strip the human voice. Keep the message real. Tighten grammar. Clarify structure. But don’t sanitize the soul out of it.

And always send the final version back for a quick sign-off. It builds trust and prevents issues later.

8. Use Testimonials to Guide New Customers

For how to make a customer testimonial video, don't just collect testimonials. Deploy them. Place the right one at the right stage of the buyer journey.

• Use objection-busting quotes on pricing pages

• Add role-specific quotes in outreach to similar prospects

• Pair testimonials with the features they mention directly

This isn’t just about validation. It’s a subtle form of customer-led sales enablement.

New to customer testimonials? Start here- What is and How to Write a Success Story (With Examples & Templates)

Where Can I Get Ready-To-Use Customer Referral Templates?

You’ve done the hard part, earned their trust. Now give them the words to express it. These templates are designed to remove friction, guide the narrative, and still sound natural. Use them as-is, or tweak to fit your voice.

1. Short & Sweet — Strategic Email Template (for busy clients)

Subject: Quick favor: Would love to feature your experience

Body:

Hi [First Name],

Hope you're doing great. I know you're busy, so I’ll keep this quick.

We’re putting together a few short testimonials from customers who’ve had great results with [Product/Service Name], and naturally, we thought of you. Your journey stood out, especially how you [specific achievement or benefit, e.g., "reduced onboarding time by 40%" or "scaled content production effortlessly"].

If you're open to it, we'd love a quick 2–3 sentence quote about your experience. Nothing formal, just something like:

“Before [Product/Service], we were [problem or pain point]. Now, we’re [result or benefit], and it’s made a huge difference.”

Or even:

“We’ve tried a few solutions, but [Product/Service] just works. Fast setup, responsive support, and real results.”

We’ll include your name, title, and company if you're comfortable, and we’re happy to link back to your site or profile too. Just reply here with your thoughts, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Appreciate your time either way, and grateful to have you in our community.

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Company Name]

2. Story-Driven Prompt — Strategic Email Template (for clients open to longer quotes)

Subject: Would love to spotlight your success with [Product Name]

Body:

Hi [First Name],

We’ve really enjoyed working with you and watching your progress with [Product/Service Name]. From everything we’ve seen, especially how your team [specific result or use case, e.g., “cut reporting time in half” or “launched faster with fewer bottlenecks”], your story is one we’d love to share.

If you're open to it, we’d be grateful for a short testimonial that touches on your journey. Nothing formal, just a few sentences that help other folks in your shoes understand what to expect.

Here are a few prompts to guide you, feel free to pick and choose what’s most relevant:

• What challenge or bottleneck were you facing before using [Product/Service]?

• What alternatives did you try before this?

• What made you decide to move forward with us?

• What changed after you started using our product? (Any specific wins or improvements?)

• What has surprised you most about the experience?

• Who would you recommend this to and why?

If it’s easier, you can drop your answers in a reply and we’ll shape it into a polished testimonial for your approval before anything goes live.

We’d also love to include your name, title, company, and optionally link back to your site or LinkedIn. Let us know what you're comfortable with.

Thanks again for being a part of our journey. You’ve done great work, and we’d love to help shine a light on it.

Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Your Company Name]

3. Video Testimonial Request — Strategic Email Template (light structure, high flexibility)

Subject: Open to sharing a quick win on video?

Body:

Hi [First Name],

Hope you’re doing well. I wanted to ask something simple, and totally optional, would you be open to recording a quick video about your experience with [Product/Service Name]?

It doesn’t need to be polished or perfect; even a short 1–2 minute clip recorded from your phone or webcam is great. We’re just looking to capture your genuine experience in your own words.

To make it easy, here are a few questions you could touch on (but feel free to go with what feels natural):

• What problem were you trying to solve before using [Product]?

• What made you say yes to trying it?

• What changed after you started using it? (Any specific results?)

• Anything that surprised you, feature, support, outcome?

• Would you recommend it to others? Why?

You can record it using any method that’s easy for you: your phone, Zoom, Loom, or we can even send you a private link to record directly in your browser (no downloads needed).

Once you send it, we’ll take care of editing, captions, and formatting. You’ll get to review and approve the final version before we share it anywhere.

Totally no pressure, but if you’re up for it, we’d love to highlight your story.

Thanks again for all the great work, and for being a part of our journey.

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Company Name]

4. Social Media DM Prompt — Casual and Human

LinkedIn or Slack message example:

Hey [First Name],

Just saw your [recent post/project/update], loved seeing that. Really awesome to see how you're using [Product/Service Name] in action.

Quick one: we’re highlighting a few customer wins and I’d love to include your story if you're open to it. Nothing formal, just a short quote or even a casual video if you're up for it. Totally your call.

Happy to draft something for you to tweak or send a quick form if that’s easier. Let me know what works best. Appreciate you!

More here- How to Write a Case Study That Cuts Churn and Boosts Trust?

Or... Let Us Do It For You (Like We’ve Done for 100+ B2Bs)

You could build a system to collect, edit, and publish customer testimonials yourself. Or, you could let us do what we’ve done for 100+ B2B companies, and turn your customer stories into strategic, high-converting assets without adding one more thing to your plate.

At SaaSpirin, we handle the whole flow:

• We reach out to your customers (strategically, not awkwardly)

• We guide the interviews and ask the right questions

• We turn raw stories into polished case studies, quote cards, social posts, sales slides, and video testimonials

• And yes, we make sure everything gets approved, branded, and ready to use, across every channel you care about

All you do? Say yes, review, and hit publish.

If you’re ready to turn your best customers into your best marketing, without chasing anyone down, talk to us or check out what we’ve done for others.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I ask current customers for a testimonial?

A great way to get customer video testimonials in time is right after a positive milestone in the customer journey, when excitement is still high. Use a quick testimonial request email or an automated email to catch them while the experience is fresh in their inbox.

What should I include in a testimonial request email?

A good testimonial email template includes a sincere compliment, a clear ask, a testimonial form link, and options to reply via text, audio, or video. Make it feel like a casual conversation, not a corporate ask. Authenticity drives better social proof.

How do I handle negative or lukewarm customer reviews?

Respond with empathy, thank them for the feedback, and pass it to your customer success manager. Not all testimonials have to be perfect. Some “imperfect” reviews, when handled well, add credibility and build trust with potential buyers.

Can I offer a gift card for client testimonials?

Yes, a gift card is an effective way to thank loyal customers who take the time to fill out your testimonial form or appear in a testimonial video. Just be transparent to maintain authenticity and follow platform guidelines (like Google or Facebook’s review policies).

What is the best tool to collect and display testimonials?

Use automation tools to send testimonial request emails, collect responses through forms, and publish to your testimonial page. Platforms like Senja, VideoAsk, or Google Forms let you streamline the process while staying aligned with your brand identity.

What’s the easiest way to collect a remote testimonial video?

Let customers choose how they share: a webcam, phone, or even a voice note. Not everyone’s comfortable in front of a camera, so offering audio or text message replies is a great way to reduce friction. Keep the tone relaxed, like a casual conversation.

Which testimonial questions get the most authentic responses?

Skip the generic “What did you like?” Instead, ask current customers what made them choose you over others, what surprised them, or how your customer service helped. These kinds of questions lead to client testimonials that feel real and relatable to potential clients.

How can I use testimonial videos in my marketing material?

Testimonial videos can be clipped and reused across your blog, YouTube channel, social posts, or email campaigns. Highlight positive feedback that speaks to different stages of the customer journey. It's an effective way to guide prospective customers with social proof.

How do I scale my testimonial collection process?

Set up automated emails triggered by milestones, use testimonial email templates, and build a system with clear roles (like having a customer success manager own the process). This saves much time and creates a steady flow of customer reviews from satisfied users.

Where should I display client testimonials for the most impact?

Place them where potential customers are already looking, your homepage, pricing page, blog, and testimonial page. Pair each quote with the customer’s name and role for authenticity, and make sure your followers can see them across social platforms too.