Let’s face it — asking for endorsements can feel awkward. You’ve delivered great work, your client’s happy… but now you’re meant to nudge them for a quote like you’re begging for praise?
It doesn’t have to be weird.
Done right, asking for endorsements can feel totally natural — even welcomed. Here’s how to do it without sounding desperate, pushy, or salesy.
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First, Understand Why People Freeze Up When Asking
Most people hesitate to ask because:
- They’re afraid it’ll make them look needy
- They don’t want to “bother” the client
- They’re not sure what to say
- They don’t want to sound like a template robot
The truth? Happy clients are usually glad to share nice words — they just need the right prompt at the right time.
💡 The Golden Rule:
Make It Easy
The more frictionless the request, the more likely they are to respond. That means:
- No awkward Google Forms
- No “Can you write something up for me?” nonsense
- No pressure
Tools like EndorseHQ let you send a one-click branded link that walks them through a short, easy form. Boom — done.
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When to Ask for a Testimonial
Timing matters more than you think.
The sweet spot is:
- After a successful delivery or milestone
- When they’ve just praised you verbally (or via Slack/email)
- When they’ve renewed, rebooked, or referred someone
- Right after a “win” — new leads, great results, fast delivery
👉 Bonus tip: Set it up as part of your offboarding process — that way it’s a natural part of closing out the project.
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What to Say (Templates You Can Use)
Here are 3 non-cringey templates you can steal:
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1. Super Casual – For Clients You Know Well
Hey [Name],
I’ve really enjoyed working on [project name] with you — appreciate the trust.
If you’re up for it, I’d love a quick testimonial I can use on my site. No pressure at all, but here’s a link if you’ve got 2 mins:
👉 [testimonial link]
Cheers again 🙌
✍️
2. Professional & Friendly
Hi [Name],
Thanks again for working with us on [project name]. We’d love to feature a short testimonial from you if you’re happy to share one.
You can fill it in here – it only takes a minute:
👉 [testimonial link]
Really appreciate your support. Let us know if you’d like to approve anything before it’s published.
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3. After Praise (Reply to a Compliment)
So glad to hear that! 🙌
Any chance I could turn that into a testimonial? Here’s a quick form if you’re happy to share a few words:
👉 [testimonial link]
Really appreciate it either way!
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Keep the Loop Going
Once you get a testimonial, don’t just let it sit in a spreadsheet.
Use it:
- On your website and landing pages
- In proposals and quotes
- On social media (bonus points: use a branded image via EndorseHQ)
- Inside your email signature or case studies
And of course, make it easy for them to see it live — it reinforces their trust and makes them more likely to refer you again.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Asking for endorsements doesn’t have to be awkward. When you time it right, keep it simple, and make the ask confidently, it becomes just another part of doing great work.
And if you’re using the right tool — like EndorseHQ — it’s a frictionless experience for both sides. No begging. No spreadsheets. Just clean, branded feedback that works.
Want to make collecting endorsements a breeze?
