How to Get Reviews Without Annoying Your Customers (The Two-Link Strategy)
Contributed by SBOC Member:
Pat Miller
Founder of the Small Business Owners Community
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You know you need reviews. Google indexes them. People actually read them. They influence buying decisions.
But if you’re just spamming your customers—”Hey, how you doing? Can you tell me how great I was?”—it gets old fast. For them and for you.
So how do you ask every time without being annoying? And when exactly should you ask?
Ask at the "Oh Wow" Moment
Think about a steakhouse. When would you ask someone for a review?
Not after the bill comes. By then, the magic is gone. They’re thinking about the check, the tip, getting out of there.
You ask right after they finish the steak. The waiter comes over: “How was your ribeye?” And they say “Best steak I ever had.“
That’s the moment. That’s when you capture it.
“We ask for reviews around here. Scan this QR code, leave us a review, and I’ll bring you a free dessert.”
The dessert costs you 45 cents. The five-star review is priceless.
Now apply this to your business. When is your customer’s “oh wow” moment?
- Face painting: When the kid sees their reflection and starts jumping around because they’re a cat
- Haircut: When they look in the mirror and love what they see
- Consulting: When you deliver the insight that changes everything
- Fitness: When they hit a milestone or PR
Don’t send an email three days later. Capture the review while they’re still feeling it.
The Two-Link Strategy
Here’s a tip I learned that’s absolutely genius. I wish I could credit whoever came up with it.
When you ask for a review, give them two options:
“Was it great? Did you love it? Or are there things we could do better?”
Two hyperlinks. Two destinations.
“Was it great? Did you love it?” → Links to your Google Review page
“Are there things we could do better?” → Links to your general manager’s email (or your email)
Not both going to Google.
Is this deceptive? I don’t care. Does it work? Absolutely.
You want happy customers leaving public reviews. You want dissatisfied customers telling you privately so you can fix it. This separates the two automatically.
The Rules
Ask every time. Not just when you think it went well. Every single time.
Ask as close to the transformation as possible. The longer you wait, the less likely they are to do it.
Make it easy. QR code. Direct link. One click. Don’t make them search for your business page.
Offer a small incentive if appropriate. Free dessert. Discount on next visit. Entry into a drawing. Something that makes it feel like a fair exchange.
What About Those Email Sequences?
Automated follow-up emails asking for reviews aren’t bad—they’re just less effective than asking in the moment.
If you’re going to use them, time them right. Send the request within 24 hours of the service, when the experience is still fresh. And use specific language that reminds them of what they experienced.
But nothing beats the face-to-face ask at the moment of maximum happiness.
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Contributed by
Pat Miller
Founder of the Small Business Owners Community
Pat spent two decades in broadcasting management and hosting. After leaving the radio industry, he spent time consulting small businesses and realized the support system for entrepreneurs was broken. Where could you find help for improving small businesses and building real connections with other like-minded people. In June of 2020, the Idea Collective Small Business Community was born.