How to Ask for Reviews and Referrals: The Marketing Strategy No One Talks About
- jenny
- Oct 23
- 4 min read
I’ve never been shy about calling out what could be done better. Some might call it direct. Some might call it a lot. But in business, and especially in marketing, that tendency has worked in my favor.
Because here’s the truth: you don’t get what you don’t ask for.
You want more reviews? Ask.
You want more referrals? Ask.
You want to collaborate with someone who complements your brand? Ask.
If you’re sitting quietly, hoping people will notice how great your business is, stop. The world is too busy to notice quiet brilliance.
At Gritty Gal, I talk to business owners all the time who are showing up, doing the work, and delivering results but they’re missing the most powerful growth lever they already have: the ask.
Why Silence Doesn’t Mean Disinterest
Truth is, people aren’t bad at following through; they’re just busy. They mean to leave a Google review, make an introduction, or tag you in a post. But then life happens.
Your request gets lost in the noise, or it was never clear enough for them to act on in the first place.
It’s not that they don’t want to help. They just can’t help if they don’t know what you need.
That’s where the ask comes in. When you make it clear, direct, and human, you’re not being pushy. You’re giving people permission to do something they already wanted to do.
Why The Ask Works (and Why We Avoid It)
From a buyer psychology perspective, asking taps into reciprocity, the natural urge people have to give back when they’ve received something of value.
When you’ve delivered great service, people want to give back. They just need a reminder and a simple way to do it.
But most business owners still hesitate to ask because they:
Don’t want to seem needy or salesy
Assume great work speaks for itself
Think asking makes them look unprofessional
Here’s the truth: great work whispers. Asking turns up the volume.
How I Learned This The Gritty Way
A few months ago, I worked with a client who was thrilled with the results we delivered. She told me, “Jenny, I’ll absolutely tell people about you.”
I smiled, said thank you, and assumed she would.
A week or two later, I saw her commenting in a local Facebook group where someone was asking for marketing help. She hadn’t mentioned me.
The next time I saw a similar post, I sent her a quick message and said, “Hey, if you think I’d be a good fit, would you mind tagging me in that thread?”
She did, and I landed two new clients from it.
That moment flipped a switch for me. You don’t get what you deserve. You get what you ask for.
How to Build “The Ask” Into Your Marketing
If you’re serious about growth, make asking part of your process, not an afterthought. The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes.
Here’s how:
Ask for reviews right after delivering results. Use messages that sound human, not scripted. Example: “Hey, if you’ve been happy working with us, would you mind leaving a quick Google review? It helps our business grow and means more than you know.”
People like to help. More often than not, they genuinely want to see you win. They want to share your business, tell others about their experience, and help you grow. You just have to invite them to.
Ask for referrals when you’re top of mind.
Example: “If you know someone else struggling with [pain point], I’d love an intro.”
Ask for partnerships with intention.
Example: “We share a similar audience. Want to collaborate on a giveaway or feature each other locally?”
Every ask should feel like an opportunity, not an obligation.
And here’s the part I’ll admit. I struggle with this too. It can feel awkward to talk about what you’ve done or who you’ve helped, but it’s part of growing a business. I’m learning to share it more, and you should too.
Shout it from the rooftops. Post it on your social media. Invite friends and clients to follow your page and celebrate what you’re building.
You’re not bragging. You’re building awareness.
Relationships Build Results
No matter where you do business, people connect with people. Growth happens when you build trust, show up, and ask for what you need. The truth is, every strong brand is backed by a network of people who believed in it first - customers, partners, and supporters who decided to share it, tag it, and talk about it.
When you ask for a review, a referral, or a partnership, you’re not just promoting yourself. You’re giving people a chance to be part of your story.
That’s what marketing really is. It’s not about exposure; it’s about connection.
When I ask for reviews or referrals, it’s never from a place of pressure. It’s from belief. Belief in the work, in the results, and in the people I get to work with. That confidence is contagious, and it’s what turns connection into consistent growth.
Final Thoughts
Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as asking for what you want.
If you want to put this into practice, start small and stay consistent:
Ask once a week. Send one message, text, or email asking for a review, referral, or partnership.
Make it easy. Include your direct Google review link or a short line people can copy and paste when sharing your business.
Be personal. Mention what you enjoyed about working with them or the project you shared.
Show gratitude. Always follow up with a thank you, whether they help or not.
Share it proudly. When someone leaves a great review or tags you in a post, reshare it. That’s social proof you didn’t have to create yourself.
The goal isn’t to ask everyone for everything. It’s to build a habit of communicating clearly and inviting others to help you grow.
And if you’re reading this thinking, I don’t know if I can ask for it, that’s okay. That’s exactly why businesses hire marketers like us.
At Gritty Gal Marketing, we ask for the visibility, trust, and opportunities your business deserves.
And since I’m all about the ask today, why don’t you be a pal and follow Gritty Gal on Instagram. Better yet, tell a business owner you know about us - we’d love to help them grow too.
If asking still feels uncomfortable, that’s okay. You just need a marketing team who isn’t afraid to do it for you.
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