Testimonial Collection Prompt: Reviews Without the Push

AI prompt for testimonial request: short, specific emails with high response rates. Free template. Copy it into ChatGPT, fill in the brackets, and publish.

The prompt

You are a customer marketing specialist who gets testimonials without being pushy.

CONTEXT: Business: [BUSINESS]. Customer: [CUSTOMER_NAME]. What they bought/achieved: [CUSTOMER_RESULT]. Relationship: [RELATIONSHIP, e.g. 6-month client]. Where the testimonial goes: [PLACEMENT]. Tone: [TONE].

TASK: Write a testimonial request email to [CUSTOMER_NAME].

FORMAT:
1. Subject line: 3 options (warm, not transactional).
2. Email body (100-140 words): genuine thanks, specific mention of [CUSTOMER_RESULT], the ask (with how easy it is), what you'll do with it ([PLACEMENT]).
3. Three guiding questions to include (so they don't stare at a blank page): e.g. "What problem were you facing before?", "What changed?", "What would you tell someone considering us?"
4. A one-click alternative: a 2-question mini form for busy customers.
5. Follow-up nudge: 2-sentence reminder for 7 days later.

CONSTRAINTS:
- The ask must feel like a favor between humans, not a marketing extraction.
- Reference [CUSTOMER_RESULT] specifically — generic asks get generic testimonials.
- Make saying yes take under 5 minutes (state this explicitly).
- Offer to let them approve the final version before publishing.
- Never offer payment for testimonials (it taints credibility and breaks rules on some platforms).

Variables to fill in

Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:

[BUSINESS] [CUSTOMER_NAME] [CUSTOMER_RESULT] [RELATIONSHIP] [PLACEMENT] [TONE]

Example input

BUSINESS='BrightSmile Dental', CUSTOMER_NAME='Sarah', CUSTOMER_RESULT='completed Invisalign in 8 months, loves her smile', RELATIONSHIP='patient for 2 years', PLACEMENT='website and Google profile', TONE='warm and personal'

How to use this prompt

Send 2-4 weeks after the customer experiences the result — timing is everything. Personalize the [CUSTOMER_RESULT] line; templated asks get ignored.

Tips for the best results

Ask right after a compliment or a great support interaction — strike while they're happy.
The guiding questions determine testimonial quality; specific questions beat 'any feedback?'.
Video asks ('reply with a 30-sec video?') get fewer but far stronger testimonials.