Pro Q&A: How to Keep Your Reviews on Brand
Colin Flavin of Flavin Architects explains his firm’s process for getting great reviews
Why are reviews important for you?
I think we’ve reached a tipping point where people are relying much more on the internet to select architects. People used to go with a personal referral, but now people are finding us on the web more often. Those reviews are what people are starting to rely on more than word of mouth.
Who do you ask for reviews?
We like having reviews from homeowners and clients, but we also get reviews from contractors. One thing we do is make sure we ask if they’re willing to give us a good review because we want to make sure we are going to get a good review and that people are comfortable with leaving something positive. We want them to feel good about it.
LEARN MORE: Interested in learning more tips for getting great reviews? Download our free Houzz e-book.
I think we’ve reached a tipping point where people are relying much more on the internet to select architects. People used to go with a personal referral, but now people are finding us on the web more often. Those reviews are what people are starting to rely on more than word of mouth.
Who do you ask for reviews?
We like having reviews from homeowners and clients, but we also get reviews from contractors. One thing we do is make sure we ask if they’re willing to give us a good review because we want to make sure we are going to get a good review and that people are comfortable with leaving something positive. We want them to feel good about it.
LEARN MORE: Interested in learning more tips for getting great reviews? Download our free Houzz e-book.
How do you request reviews?
We ask for reviews once the project is just about finished, but we’ve also found that people want to wait for the job to be 100 percent completed before they’re willing to evaluate us. Typically, I’ll send an email or ask in person, and if they still don’t write a review, I’ll follow up with a request directly from Houzz.
What do you write in your request?
We ask them to talk about our design work and what it was like to work with our team. Those are two of our strengths and why people come to us. We’re trying to create a brand through our Houzz presence, so we want our reviews to speak to what our brand stands for. We have a “warm and modern” style, so if they mention that in our reviews, they will be reinforcing that branding.
We ask for reviews once the project is just about finished, but we’ve also found that people want to wait for the job to be 100 percent completed before they’re willing to evaluate us. Typically, I’ll send an email or ask in person, and if they still don’t write a review, I’ll follow up with a request directly from Houzz.
What do you write in your request?
We ask them to talk about our design work and what it was like to work with our team. Those are two of our strengths and why people come to us. We’re trying to create a brand through our Houzz presence, so we want our reviews to speak to what our brand stands for. We have a “warm and modern” style, so if they mention that in our reviews, they will be reinforcing that branding.
Do you have any other tips for pros requesting reviews?
The most important thing is to ask. If you don’t have reviews, it doesn’t look good when people find you. When it comes to any kind of online branding, you have to go all in and really get into it and enjoy it. Have fun with it.
Tell us: What are your top tips for getting clients to submit a review? Share them in the Comments below.
LEARN MORE: Download our free Houzz e-book for insider tips on getting great reviews.
This story was written by the Houzz Industry Marketing team.
Read More: Master the Discovery Call | See more Pro Tips
The most important thing is to ask. If you don’t have reviews, it doesn’t look good when people find you. When it comes to any kind of online branding, you have to go all in and really get into it and enjoy it. Have fun with it.
Tell us: What are your top tips for getting clients to submit a review? Share them in the Comments below.
LEARN MORE: Download our free Houzz e-book for insider tips on getting great reviews.
This story was written by the Houzz Industry Marketing team.
Read More: Master the Discovery Call | See more Pro Tips