“Must Have” Review Listing Sites For Maximum Wedding Leads

Question: How do I get as many reviews as possible when I don’t have many clients?

“Hi Stephanie and Jeff,

I have a question.  I am just starting my wedding music business and today received my first testimonial from a happy client.  She asked me if I wanted her to write an online review.

My question is, what are the best websites for her to write a review on?  I have registered for weddingwire, and that seems like a good site.  What are the other major ones?

And how many links should I send one bride to post reviews on?  I should send at most two or three links, right?

Finally, since my business is just starting, how do I get more testimonials which are so necessary to attract new clients?  

I have many testimonials of me personally as a musician, which I’ve posted on my website, but just one so far of the business.  Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!”

Vivien

Answer: Solicit reviews strategically to maximize leads.

Congrats on your new business!

My question is, what are the best websites for her to write a review on?  I have registered for weddingwire, and that seems like a good site.  

Wedding Wire is a great site to have a free listing on because it gets lots of searches by couples in many areas who are specifically looking for reviews.  They also provide a great review incentive program for couples who leave reviews, which means couples you send there are even more likely to leave feedback.

Other sites depend on what’s ranking in your area.  When you search for “[Your Area of Florida] wedding” or “[Your Area of Florida] ceremony music,” what sites come up?

The review sites that come up on Page 1 of Google are the best places for your couples to leave a review because they’re the sites newly engaged couples are finding.  Make sure you have a review listing on each of these sites and ask couples to review you there for exposure to the most potential leads.

This is going to vary depending on which websites rank for your local search terms.  A quick Google search will reveal the “Must Have Review” sites for you.

And how many links should I send one bride to post reviews on?  I should send at most two or three links, right?

That sounds about right.  More than 3 links to your reviews is a little overwhelming for the couple and probably excessive.

If you have more than 3 listings that take reviews (highly recommended because the more reviews out there, the better!) rotate through them when you ask your couples to leave a review.  

Aim for at least 10 reviews on each site, eventually, because listings with greater than 10 reviews get 106% more clicks!  (That’s as reported by Wedding Wire.)

Finally, since my business is just starting, how do I get more testimonials which are so necessary to attract new clients?  

Provide an incentive to your couples to encourage them to leave a review.  Give them a small gift of thanks, like a $5 or $10 gift certificate, in advance.  This will make them even more enthusiastic about leaving a review.

Even without offering an incentive, we still have about 50% of our couples leave at least one review.  Giving them a gift in anticipation of a review makes them feel obligated to do so.  A little psychological encouragement, if you will, and a very worthwhile investment.

You have plenty of reviews of you as a solo musician?  They count, too!

Go back and ask the people who’ve hired you as a musician to leave a review on your new business listings.  They’re perfectly legitimate, real reviews of your service, so don’t hesitate to ask them.

Check out this article to learn 8 Steps to Getting Reviews Fast.

How do you encourage your couples to leave a review?

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