Get More Reviews: For Painting Companies
Published On : October 1, 2024
Author: Richard Paul
Reviews, Reviews, Reviews. That is the topic for today and everyday after that lol. Listen if you haven't figured it out already, reviews are almost as important as the air you breath. You can live or die by them. In todays landscape it needs to be a focus for your business. Here a few stats:
"84% of people trust an online review as much as a personal recommendation"
"90% of consumers read reviews before visiting a business"
"77% of shoppers seek out websites that have reviews"
I could go on, but I think you get the point. Today we are going to cover how to generate more reviews. This is one area we see a lot of painting companies struggle. Not because they don't do good work, typically its because its not a focus. So I am going to give a few things that you can execute on today to really move the needle and see those reviews coming in.
More Reviews = More Bids = More Money
Before we get started
When we think about reviews we want to keep in mind CONSISTENCY. Like I have stated in previous articles Google is all about New. It's much better to get a couple reviews each week than to get 20 reviews in one day. Its kind of like spinning a plate. You can't spin a plate one time and expect it to keep going, you have to spin it to get it going, then come back to it to keep it spinning. Its the same with Google Reviews. I am going to outline a few simple things you can do to get the plate spinning and keep it spinning. The more consistent you are at this task the more consistently the calls will be coming in.
Consistency = Better Ranking
Better Ranking = More Calls
More Calls = More Bids
More Bids = More Money
1. Ask For Reviews
This right here is the biggest area that we see painting companies struggle. If you want to get more Google reviews, the key is simply to ask! I know this sounds simple but sooooo many painting contractors skip this step. Before you leave the job site you need to ask for a review. I am going to outline a few ways to make it simple such as links to text and QR code. But here is a quick strategy you can use right now.
If the homeowner is present as you are completing the job, about 10-15 minute before you are finishing up use this script.. It works almost 100% of the time so you need to memorize this and put it in your process.
Ask
"Are you happy with the work we did here?"
" We're just about finished here, but before we wrap up, I'd like to ask a small favor…
Our reputation is what keeps our business thriving and helps us provide for our families. It’s what keeps our phones ringing.
If you could take a few minutes to leave us a review online, I’d be happy to offer you a discount of $XX as a thank you for your time.
All I need is a screenshot of your review before we head out. If you're interested, I can send you the link via text right now!"
Think about how we worded this. Instead of just asking for a review and hoping for the best, you are pulling at their heart strings, giving them a reason WHY and asking for HELP. If you ask most decent human beings for HELP they will help you, and that is exactly what this script does.
2. Make it Easy - Link - QR Code
How many times have you been to a restaurant, had great food and great service but you didn't leave a review?? Probably a bunch. It's the same way with your clients. What if the waiter came over and said
"Did you enjoy your food today?"
"Would you mind leaving us a review?"
"Here is a QR code you can scan"
You would be much more likely to give that restaurant a review because the waiter is standing right there and making it easy for you to do. That is exactly what we need to do for our clients.
In the script I gave you above it said "I can send you the link right now"
2 Ways to make it easy
1) Go to your Google My Business profile and copy your review link
Now copy that link and put it in your NOTES in your phone.
Again super simple, but we have a ton of clients that skip this and because they skip it they don't ask for the review.
Take 5 Minutes Right Now and go find your link and put it in your notes.
2) Get a QR Code
We are all familiar with QR codes, they are everywhere and setting one up is simple. There are a ton of free sites you can grab one at. Just Google "QR Code" and you will have a list of free and paid options. Since you really only need one for this I would choose a free version. Once you have your QR code you can link it directly to your review link like the one above. Anytime someone scans that QR code it will take them to your review page.
**Take a picture of your QR code and save it in your photos on your phone.
Us the same script and just whip out your phone and say
"Here is my QR code you can just scan it and it will take you to my review page"
Note on the QR code. You can use these in a lot of different applications. You can put them on your business cards, you can make up postcards you can give to your crew so if you are not present at the job site upon completion they can ask for the review. We even have clients that attach a magnet to the back of the post card so you can leave in the clients fridge. Another great way to generate referrals by keeping you top of mind.
Tips on coaching Your Client
One thing to remember about Google is that they are looking for Keywords and Context. If you are present when asking for a review, don't hesitate to coach them a little bit. Remember you asked for help and they want to be as helpful as possible.
The main things you want them to leave in the review besides the fact you did a great job are two things:
1) The type of work you did. Example, painting the cabinets
2) The location. Most painters cover a large geographical area not just one city, so whatever city you completed the work in, you need to have them leave it in the review. This gives Google more information about where to rank you.
Ask Past Clients for a Review
If you really want to get reviews moving asking past clients for a review is the easiest way to do it. If you have been around a while you have a list of past clients you have done work for that are happy with the quality of work you did. Chances are you have their email or their phone number, so why not ask??
So again we want to make this easy so we are going to use the link vs the QR code since we are not standing in front of them.
1) Make a list of your past clients, even up to a year old. Name, Email or Phone. The list is probably longer than you think
2) Write up a text/email template that you can copy and paste.
"Hi {Name}, this is {YourName} from {YourCompany}.
We painted your home a while back. We are really
trying to work on our Google Reviews, I was wondering
if you would be willing to give us a review??"
Once they respond send them the Link.
Note: You want to do this slowly. Again Consistency. Send out maybe 2-3 per day. Out of 3 you should get 1. Once they leave a review, wait one day then respond. The goal is always NEW.
If I were you I would set aside time each evening to do this. You do not want to send these requests out at 11am. People are at work. Send them when they are sitting on the couch and have 5 minutes to do it.
Remind Your Clients
You are busy, I am busy, Everyone is busy. You asked your client to give you a review, they said yes, and then they went to soccer practice.
Reminding them in 7-10 days is best practice, we don't want to be buggy but at the same time we don't want to miss out on a review.
This would be a reason to get organized. Send the review request then set a reminder or write down a note to check to see if they left one, if they didn't give them a simple nudge.
Respond to all Reviews
I have mentioned this in previous articles but responding to reviews is just as important as getting them. Google is looking for NEW. If you are only getting a few reviews a week or even a month, space out the responses. If you get a review today, respond tomorrow. I have had clients that simply start responding to past reviews and BOOOM their rankings take off and calls start coming in. That is without getting new reviews just responding to them.
Take a few minutes instead of scrolling on Facebook and do a response.
Let's wrap it up
If you want more calls, this is one of the simplest strategies to get them coming in. Ask for the reviews, make it easy for the customer, and make sure you remind them.
If you set aside 10 minutes a day to do this you will see the results in your bank account..
-Cheers
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