Not gonna lie… asking for reviews used to make me nervous.
It felt awkward. Like I was bugging my customers or begging for compliments. So, for the longest time, I didn’t bother. I just quietly hoped people would love my digital planners and leave a review on their own.
Spoiler: most people don’t.
Then one day, out of nowhere, a customer emailed me a three-paragraph message about how my planner helped her get back on track after a tough divorce. It was raw, beautiful, and so specific. I cried. Like, real tears. And right then I realized, reviews aren’t just about social proof. They’re about connection.
That one review? I turned it into a graphic, posted it on Instagram, added it to my product page and it tripled conversions.
Here’s exactly how I collect and showcase customer reviews now and how you can too, without sounding pushy or fake.
Step 1: Make It Stupid Easy to Leave a Review
People are busy. Even happy customers don’t leave reviews unless you ask and make it super simple.
What I do now:
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Send a short follow-up email a few days after delivery. I use ConvertKit. The message is casual:
“Hey! Just checking in — did everything work okay? If you’re loving the product, I’d really appreciate a short review. It helps so much.” -
Include a direct link to where they can leave feedback. On Payhip, I link back to the product page or use a Google Form.
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Offer a small bonus — sometimes a free mini-template or discount code as a thank-you. It’s optional, but it helps.
And don’t overthink the language. People respond to friendly, human messages — not formal survey requests.
If you’re trying to simplify your process even more, you might want to check out how to use Payhip’s built-in marketing tools to automate some of your follow-ups and feedback requests.
Step 2: Ask the Right Questions (So You Get Useful Quotes)
The best reviews aren’t just “Great product!” — they’re specific. They talk about the transformation.
So when I follow up, I guide them gently:
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What did you like most about the product?
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How did it help you?
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Would you recommend it to others?
When people answer those, I get gold like:
“I’ve tried 10 digital planners and this is the first one that actually made me excited to use it every day.”
THAT is what sells.
Need even more strategic tips to persuade new customers? Learning how to write high-converting sales copy goes hand-in-hand with getting better at asking for and using reviews.
Step 3: Show Off Reviews Where They Matter Most
Here’s the truth: you can have amazing products, but without proof, people hesitate.
So I showcase reviews in 3 key places:
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Product pages – Right under the description, I embed testimonials or paste quotes manually. On Payhip, you can use text blocks or graphics.
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Social media – Screenshots of DMs, photo reviews, even short quotes. I use Canva to turn them into eye-catching graphics.
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Sales emails – I include 1–2 testimonials under the CTA button. It adds trust and reduces buyer friction.
And yes — I ask permission if I’m using someone’s name or face. Always.
If you want to really maximize conversions, it helps to pair your reviews with cross-selling and upselling strategies on your product pages too.
One trick that works? Highlight keywords from the review in bold. Like “easy to use” or “saved me hours.” It draws the eye and reinforces selling points.
Step 4: Keep the Review Cycle Going
Once I started getting reviews, I used them to get more reviews.
I’d post one with a caption like:
“Your feedback seriously makes my day. If you’ve used the Daily Reset Planner, I’d love to hear your thoughts too 💬”
People love seeing their words featured — and they’re more likely to share when they know it helps others.
I also started using reviews in product mockups and Pinterest pins — it boosted click-throughs like crazy.
To keep momentum building, you can also encourage happy customers to participate in your referral marketing strategies. It’s another way to let their voices (and excitement) drive even more sales.
Final Thoughts: Real Reviews = Real Results
Customer reviews aren’t just about filling a testimonial section.
They’re about building trust with strangers who’ve never met you and need a reason to believe.
When I finally embraced asking for reviews — and started using them in the right places — my store became more than just a page of products. It became a place where people saw themselves in the success stories of others.
And that? That sells better than any ad ever could.
If you’re serious about growing your audience and converting browsers into buyers, don’t miss out on using influencer marketing to promote your store alongside your customer testimonials for even more powerful social proof.
