💡 Ask for Reviews Without Sounding Pushy

Hey, it’s Ray.

Let’s face it, asking for reviews can feel awkward.

You know they love your product.

You want to ask… but you don’t want to sound like a pushy car salesman.

Here’s the good news: there’s a way to ask that feels natural and actually gets results.

Why Reviews Matter More Than Ever

These days, most buyers check reviews before they ever check your website.

And if you're in eCommerce? Reviews are on the website.

They do the heavy lifting:

✅ Build instant trust
✅ Overcome objections
✅ Drive conversions
✅ Improve email and ad performance

But here’s the thing: reviews don’t just magically appear.

You’ve got to ask strategically.

5 Ways to Ask for Reviews (Without the Cringe)

Use these proven email prompts to get feedback in a way that feels personal, not pushy:

1. The “Check-In” Email

Send this 7–10 days after delivery.

“Hey [First Name], just checking in, how’s everything going with [Product Name]?”

If they respond positively? Follow up with:

“So glad to hear it! If you have a second, we’d love a quick review your feedback means the world to us.”

✅ Feels natural, not transactional.

2. The “Share Your Thoughts” Email

A friendly nudge, focused on them, not you.

Say “We want to hear from you” or,

“We’re always trying to get better. Could you take 30 seconds to share your honest thoughts?”

✅ Works well when paired with a single-click star rating or simple form.

3. The “User Photo Request”

This one’s sneaky-powerful.

“Got a photo of [Product Name] in action? We’d love to feature it!”

This encourages UGC and opens the door for a testimonial.

✅ People love seeing themselves on your site or socials.

4. The “Thank You + Ask” Combo

Gratitude goes a long way.

“Thanks again for your order, [First Name]! We’re a small team and every review helps us grow.”

Keep it heartfelt, not corporate.

✅ Best sent by the founder or someone on the team.

5. The “Milestone Moment”

Perfect for loyal customers or subscription-based brands.

“You’ve been with us for 6 months, wow. 

Would you mind sharing your experience so far?”

✅ Reinforces their journey with your brand.

Bonus Tips to Boost Response Rates

✅ Keep it short and conversational
✅ Use first names (both theirs and yours)
✅ Include a direct review link, make it EASY
✅ Offer a thank-you gift if it aligns with your brand (no strings, just appreciation)

What Not to Do

❌ Don’t beg for 5 stars
❌ Don’t offer discounts in exchange for “positive” reviews (that’s shady)
❌ Don’t sound robotic, automated doesn’t have to mean impersonal

Build Social Proof That Sells for You

You’re not “bothering” your customers.

You’re giving them a chance to support something they already believe in.

When you ask the right way, you don’t have to push.

People want to help brands they love if you make it easy.

Here’s What I Recommend:

✔️ Pick 1–2 review email types above and schedule them into your flows
✔️ A/B test different subject lines or send times
✔️ Track responses and highlight the best reviews in future emails or ads

Need help setting up a post-purchase review flow that feels totally on-brand?

Let’s build it together.

Talk soon,
Raymond Chen
Founder & CEO, 11 Agency

More Ways to Level Up Your Email Game

If this sounds like a lot to manage, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

There’s a lot that goes into building a high-converting email strategy. 

If you’re serious about optimizing your email marketing, let’s talk. 

Here’s what we can do:

✅ Done-for-You Email Strategy: If you’re ready to scale but don’t have the time, we’ll build out a full email system that maximizes your revenue. You can book a call with me here. 

✅ Or, if you just want to grab a free resource, get a FREE 10-page KPI audit and a 128-point health scorecard to optimize your email marketing. Get it here!

Extra Tips to Boost Your Email Strategy

If you’re up about boosting your email game, I’ve got a few more gems for you:

📺 Check Out My YouTube Tutorial
Want to create a high-converting popup form that actually drives results?

In my newest YouTube video, I walk you through the process of designing popups in 2025 that boost email deliverability, grow your list, and drive more conversions. Using tools like Klaviyo and platforms like Shopify, I’ll show you exactly how to optimize your forms for success. 👉 Watch it here: 

📝 Win Back Shoppers with These 10 High-Impact Abandoned Cart Subject Lines
A lot of brands lose potential sales due to ineffective subject lines that don’t grab attention.

We've compiled a list of 10 powerful subject lines that will help you win back those shoppers and boost conversions. Want to see the subject lines that work? 👉 Check out the full list here: 10 High-Impact Abandoned Cart Subject Lines to Win Back Shoppers

💡 Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
I share daily email marketing tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and strategies that actually work. If you’re looking for extra value beyond this newsletter, let’s connect!👉  Follow me here.