10 Creative Ways to Get Customer Reviews

Imagine you’re shopping for a new gadget or trying a new online store. What’s the first thing you do before hitting “Buy”? If you thought “read reviews,” you’re in good company. Customer reviews have become a cornerstone of e-commerce and influencer marketing, shaping how we trust brands and decide what to purchase. In fact, 95% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase. For Amazon sellers and e-commerce brands, a product with plenty of genuine, positive feedback can make all the difference in conversion rates and credibility. On the flip side, a lack of reviews (or only a single 5-star rating) can make shoppers skeptical and send them searching for alternatives.

Why do these star ratings and comments matter so much? Simply put, people trust peer opinions. Studies show 84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. And it’s not just reading reviews that counts—brands also benefit from engaging with them. 90% of consumers are more likely to visit a business that responds to all reviews, positive or negative. In other words, demonstrating that you listen and care about feedback boosts customer confidence. The challenge, of course, is getting customers to actually write those reviews. On platforms like Amazon, only an estimated 1–2% of buyers leave a review without any prompting. That means for every hundred sales, you might get only one or two organic reviews. To build up a healthy volume of feedback, brands need to be proactive and creative in how they ask for and utilize customer reviews.

Below, we’ll explore 10 creative ways to get customer reviews. These tips blend proven influencer marketing tactics, user-generated content (UGC) strategies, and clever engagement ideas. Whether you’re an Amazon seller, run an e-commerce shop, or market a local service, these approaches can help you generate more reviews in an ethical and effective way. Let’s dive in!

1. Leverage Micro-Influencers

One of the most innovative ways to garner customer reviews is by partnering with micro-influencers – those social media creators with a modest but dedicated following. Micro-influencers (think thousands, not millions, of followers) often have high engagement and trust with their audience. Their product experiences come off as recommendations from a friend, not ads, which is gold for brands seeking authentic reviews. Research shows 92% of consumers trust micro-influencer recommendations over traditional ads or celebrity endorsements. By tapping into this trust, you can generate valuable UGC and reviews for your products.

How do you work with micro or even nano-influencers to get reviews? One popular method is product seeding – sending free product samples or early releases to a group of influencers or loyal customers. In exchange, these influencers share their honest opinions and content featuring your product. They might post an unboxing video, an Instagram photo with a thoughtful caption, or even a detailed review on their blog or YouTube channel. This content serves as both a review and social proof, showing potential customers real-life usage and feedback. For example, Stack Influence is a platform that automates micro-influencer product seeding campaigns, handling everything from finding the right creators to shipping products and tracking posts. By using a service like Stack Influence, e-commerce brands and Amazon sellers can efficiently connect with dozens of micro-influencers who will try the product and share their experiences.

The beauty of this approach is twofold: you get reviews and UGC from the influencers themselves, and you also expose your product to their engaged followers who trust their opinions. Those followers see a peer recommending a product, which can drive them to purchase and possibly leave their own review later. It’s word-of-mouth in the digital age. Just remember to encourage influencers to be transparent and genuine – authenticity is key to building trust. When micro-influencers act as passionate content creators and brand fans, their reviews and testimonials come across as credible, not scripted, and that can ultimately boost your product’s reputation and sales.

2. Repurpose Social Media Mentions as Reviews

Sometimes, the customer reviews you’re looking for are already out there in the wild – hiding in a Tweet, an Instagram caption, or a Facebook post from a happy customer. A creative way to get reviews is to repurpose these organic social media mentions and showcase them as testimonials. For instance, if an influencer or customer has shared a glowing story about your product in an Instagram post caption, why not leverage that? These captions often read like mini-reviews, telling a story or detailing an experience with your product in the customer’s own voice. By taking these social posts and repurposing them on your website, product pages, or email newsletters, you amplify genuine customer voices as reviews.

For example, let’s say a fitness micro-influencer writes on Instagram about how your protein blender bottle changed their morning routine for the better. You could screenshot or quote their caption (with permission and credit) and add it to your website’s testimonials section or even the product description page as a “customer story.” This provides third-party validation to shoppers who might not have seen the original post. It’s also a nice way to strengthen relationships with those who already love your brand – you’re shining a spotlight on them!

The key is to seek out these mentions. Monitor your brand’s tags and mentions on social platforms. You can set up alerts or use social listening tools to catch whenever someone talks about your product. 90% of consumers read a few reviews before deciding on a purchase, so adding more diverse, authentic voices to your roster of reviews helps future customers trust your brand. Plus, when new customers see you highlighting real user content, it encourages them to share their own experiences too (“Maybe my post will get featured!”). Always remember to ask for usage rights from the content creator before republishing their words or photos, and give credit where appropriate. By recycling heartfelt social media testimonials into your official review channels, you build credibility and a sense of community around your product.

3. Ask for Usage Rights to YouTube Video Reviews

If you search YouTube for your product or niche, you might be surprised at how many people have already posted unsponsored reviews or mentions of products like yours. From unboxing videos to candid “favorites” lists, YouTube hosts tons of product reviews – many created organically by content creators or customers who just love sharing their opinions. These videos are a treasure trove of authentic feedback and user-generated content. One creative strategy is to reach out and ask for permission to use snippets of these videos as reviews or promotional content for your brand.

For instance, suppose a tech reviewer happened to feature your gadget in a “Top 5 Gadgets I’m Loving” video, giving it a great endorsement without any sponsorship. You can contact that creator to thank them and ask, “Hey, would it be okay if we repurpose a clip of your awesome review on our website or in an ad? We’ll credit you, of course.” If they agree, you’ve just gained a powerful video testimonial. Video content can speak louder than text alone – viewers can see genuine excitement or hear the tone in a reviewer’s voice, which builds trust. In fact, 2 out of 3 consumers are more likely to purchase after watching a testimonial video. By featuring real customer videos on your product pages or social media ads, you provide dynamic social proof that’s often more engaging than a written paragraph.

When repurposing YouTube content, make sure to edit wisely. Pull out the key 15-30 second segment where the person is specifically praising or demonstrating your product effectively. You can create a montage of a few different reviewers for a broader impact (e.g., 3 different people all saying how your skincare product improved their routine). Add captions or on-screen text if needed to highlight the main points, since many people watch videos with the sound off. And always give a shoutout or link to the original creator, which is a win-win: it gives them exposure and maintains transparency. Not only does this approach turn existing content into credible “reviews” for your brand, it also fosters goodwill – those creators will remember your brand positively for valuing their opinion. It’s a modern spin on testimonials that can bolster your marketing while keeping it genuine.

4. Reward Customers (Carefully) for Writing Reviews

Everyone loves a good incentive. Sometimes the easiest way to get a customer to do something is simply to offer a small reward or perk. Sending a friendly nudge like, “Review our product and get 10% off your next purchase,” can provide that extra motivation for a customer to share their feedback. In fact, about 65% of consumers will leave a review if a business just asks them (often even without a reward) – and that willingness goes up when there’s something in it for them. There are several creative (and ethical) ways to reward customers who write reviews, but you must tread carefully, especially on platforms like Amazon where incentivized reviews are against terms of service for product reviews.

For your own website or other review platforms, you could implement a system of future discounts, loyalty points, or contest entries for reviews. For example, a boutique might email recent buyers a note saying: “Leave a review of your purchase and we’ll email you a 15% off coupon for next time!” This makes the customer feel appreciated for their time and feedback. Another idea is running a monthly raffle: every customer who left a review this month (good or bad) gets entered to win a gift card or a free product. Make it clear that the review doesn’t have to be positive to qualify – you’re not buying praise, just encouraging honest feedback. The goal is to boost the quantity of reviews, since having a higher number of reviews can increase trust for new shoppers (after all, a product with 100 reviews looks more vetted than one with 2 reviews, even if the star ratings are similar).

For Amazon sellers, direct incentives like coupons or freebies in exchange for reviews violate Amazon’s policies. So if you sell on Amazon, focus on incentives that don’t explicitly tie to a review or that work through Amazon’s own programs. For instance, Amazon’s Vine program allows you to provide products to Amazon’s top reviewers (Vine Voices) in exchange for their honest review – it’s an official channel for “incentivized” reviews (the incentive being the free product) that won’t get you in trouble. Outside of Amazon, feel free to get creative with perks, but always emphasize honesty and transparency. You want authentic reviews – if a customer didn’t love the product, their feedback is still valuable for you and for other shoppers. Finally, when you do reward reviewers, even if it’s just a thank-you email with a small coupon, you build goodwill. A customer who feels appreciated for their feedback is more likely to become a repeat customer and brand advocate.

5. Implement Post-Purchase Surveys and Follow-Ups

Catching customers at the right moment can dramatically increase the likelihood of getting a review. One effective tactic is to ask for a review immediately after the customer’s experience is fresh. For online businesses, this often means adding a post-checkout survey or follow-up email that invites customers to share their thoughts. Many customers are willing to give feedback when it’s quick and convenient. For example, you might implement a one-question survey on your website that pops up after an order is delivered, saying “How was your experience? Leave a quick review!”. The key is to keep it short and sweet – if customers don’t have to jump through hoops, they’re more likely to respond.

For Amazon sellers, Amazon provides a “Request a Review” button in Seller Central that will send an automated review request to the buyer a few days after delivery. This is a simple way to follow up that complies with Amazon’s rules. If you run your own e-commerce site, you can set up automated emails to go out a week after purchase, kindly asking customers to rate the product or write a brief review. Mention how much you value their feedback and provide a direct link to where they can post the review (the fewer clicks, the better!). According to consumer research, convenience is critical – 71% of satisfied customers will submit a review if the company makes it easy. So, include that direct link or a big obvious button saying “Write a Review” in your communications.

Another approach is the QR code on receipts or packaging (which we’ll touch more on in tip #10). A quick post-purchase text message (SMS) can also work wonders, as text messages have high open rates. A concise SMS like: “Thanks for buying [Product]! Let us know what you think: [short review link]” can prompt feedback on the fly. The bottom line is to reach customers when their interaction with your brand is still top-of-mind. Right after they’ve unboxed and tried the item, or completed the service, they can accurately describe their experience. By building in these timely prompts, you’ll gather more reviews and also catch any issues early (if someone had a bad experience, you might get private feedback you can act on before they vent publicly). Keep the tone appreciative, not pushy – a genuine request for their opinion. Often, your happiest customers just need that gentle nudge to go from silently satisfied to publicly singing your praises.

6. Just Ask (Reach Out to Happy Customers)

Sometimes the simplest method is the most effective: just ask for the review. Happy customers are often quite willing to share their experience – they just might not think to do it on their own. If you have loyal fans or repeat buyers, reach out with a personal touch and ask them to write a review. A little appreciation goes a long way here. For example, identify customers who have made multiple purchases or who frequently engage with your brand on social media. Send them a personal email or direct message along the lines of, “Hi [Name]! We just wanted to personally thank you for being a loyal customer. It makes our day to know you’re enjoying [Product]. If you have a minute, we’d love to hear your feedback in a review – it would really help our small business grow and help others in the community make informed decisions.” By acknowledging their support first, you make them feel valued, not used.

This strategy works especially well for brand “superfans” – those customers who are already vocal about loving your products. They might have sent you a thank-you note, left a nice comment on your Instagram, or just consistently order from you. Since they’re happy, they often just need a polite prompt to share that happiness publicly. And their reviews tend to be detailed and glowing, which are incredibly persuasive to prospective buyers. Personalized communication is key: customers can tell if they’re getting a templated blast versus a genuine one-on-one request. Whenever possible, mention specifics (e.g., “we saw you’ve purchased 3 of our coffee sampler packs – thank you!”). This shows it’s not a mass email, but a sincere outreach.

Data backs up this approach: as noted, 65% of consumers will leave a review when asked. It’s a huge missed opportunity that many businesses simply don’t ask. Of course, always remain compliant with platform rules (for instance, Amazon allows you to ask for a review in a neutral way, but you cannot ask exclusively for a positive review or offer an incentive in that direct ask). In a physical retail or service scenario, it could be as easy as your staff saying, “We’re really glad you enjoyed everything. If you feel up to it, a short review on [Google/Yelp/our site] would be greatly appreciated!” Many people are happy to help if you just ask kindly. Plus, this opens a two-way dialogue – even if a customer has some constructive criticism, reaching out might prompt them to share it with you privately or give you a chance to address it, instead of them quietly fading away. In sum, never underestimate the power of a straightforward, friendly request for a review.

7. Set Up Brand Mention Alerts (Find Hidden Feedback)

Getting customer reviews isn’t always about being proactive – sometimes it’s about listening to what’s already being said. There may be customers discussing your brand in corners of the internet you’re not actively monitoring. By setting up Google Alerts and social media mention alerts for your brand name (and perhaps your key products), you can catch organic reviews and conversations happening on blogs, forums, Reddit, Twitter, etc. Once you find these, you can engage with them and even repurpose them as testimonials (similar to tip #2). This is a more reactive, but highly creative, approach to gathering reviews.

For example, imagine you sell a niche kitchen gadget. A customer might post a detailed review or comparison on a cooking forum or in a specialized Facebook group without ever notifying you. If you have alerts set up for “[Your Brand] + review” or “[Product Name]”, you could stumble upon this great feedback. When you do, consider reaching out to that person: thank them for the review, and ask if you can quote them or feature their comments on your site. People are often flattered that a brand noticed their post and cared enough to respond. As Aspire’s article suggests, you can also retweet or share positive quotes, follow those customers, and generally show love back. This not only amplifies the good review to a broader audience, but also encourages that customer (and others observing) to continue posting about your brand – knowing that you’re listening.

Don’t overlook niche review sites and forums either. The internet is full of specialized communities (think MakeupAlley for cosmetics, BoardGameGeek for board games, Reddit threads for every hobby under the sun). By keeping tabs on these, you essentially discover reviews that have already been written, without you even asking. You can then engage by commenting a thank you or addressing concerns if someone had an issue. This kind of responsiveness can turn a neutral or negative review into a positive impression (“The company actually replied to me!”). Plus, if you find a great review on a niche site, consider taking a screenshot and adding it to your “In the Media” or “What customers are saying” section on your own site. It adds variety to your review content and shows that people across the web, not just on your own platform, are talking about you. In summary, set those alerts, stay vigilant, and you might uncover hidden gems of customer feedback ready to be amplified.

8. Tap Into Niche Communities and Review Sites

Building on the idea of finding mentions in niche areas, another creative strategy is to actively engage with niche review sites or community platforms relevant to your industry. The goal here is twofold: encourage reviews where your enthusiast customers hang out, and repurpose content from those communities to enrich your brand’s testimonial pool. The internet has a plethora of niche review sites – from the example in the Aspire article like BladeReviews.com for knife aficionados, to forums for video game hardware, to sites reviewing pet supplies or beauty products. Whatever you sell, there’s likely a community of enthusiasts or a dedicated site for it.

To leverage this, first identify which niche platforms matter for your product. Are your customers likely to be on Reddit discussing products in your category? Are there popular bloggers or independent review sites that cover items like yours? Once you pinpoint these, become a participant. Encourage your happy customers who are part of those communities to share their experiences there. For example, if you run an indie skincare brand, you might invite loyal customers to post their reviews on a well-known skincare forum or subreddits like r/SkincareAddiction. You could say, “We love our r/SkincareAddiction community – if you’re active there and loving our product, feel free to share your experience!” This only works if done authentically (and be mindful not to break any community self-promotion rules). Often, the super-fans will do this naturally once they know you’re receptive to it.

Meanwhile, monitor those niche sites for organic mentions of your brand, as mentioned earlier. If someone posts a detailed review on a forum, that’s fantastic content you can highlight. Take a screenshot or quote the best part and add it to your own channels (again, with permission if needed). Shoppers often find niche community reviews more trustworthy since they know those are hardcore users or experts. By bringing those perspectives into your marketing, you tap into that trust. Also, don’t forget Q&A communities like Quora or Amazon’s own Q&A section – if people ask about your product, a well-crafted answer from you or from a fan can serve as a persuasive mini-review to anyone reading later.

One more thing: don’t ignore smaller platforms like Yelp or niche app stores if they apply, even if you’re mainly online. A local business might find Yelp or TripAdvisor crucial for reviews, whereas a software product should monitor Capterra or G2 Crowd. As a brand, claim your profiles on relevant sites and gently guide customers there. For example, an Amazon seller might also ask for feedback on their Facebook Page or Google Business listing if they have one – capturing reviews across ecosystems. The idea is to be wherever your customers are talking and make it easy (and appealing) for them to leave feedback. Those diverse sources of reviews can then feed into your overall brand credibility.

9. Respond to Reviews and Engage (Be Responsive)

It might sound counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to encourage more people to leave reviews is to show that you’re actively reading and responding to the ones you already get. Customers feel motivated to voice their opinions when they see a responsive, human brand on the other end. Being responsive means replying to reviews—good and bad—on platforms where that’s possible (your website, Google, Amazon, Yelp, social media, etc.). This kind of engagement “personifies” the brand and builds trust and relatability. After all, if a customer knows you’ll actually read and acknowledge their feedback, they’re more likely to take the time to share it.

How does this encourage more reviews? Imagine a potential reviewer browsing through existing reviews. If they see that the company replies with a thank you to every positive comment, or politely and helpfully addresses negative ones, it signals that their review will be valued. People want to be heard. In fact, 90% of consumers say they are more likely to patronize a business that responds to all reviews—feedback engagement is that important. On Amazon, while you can’t directly respond to product reviews, you can comment on them as a brand (Amazon has a feature for brand owners to respond to customer reviews now) or you can respond to Q&A. On Google or Yelp, you should reply to every review. Thank the 5-star reviewers for their support, and to the occasional unhappy customer, apologize and offer to make it right. This not only potentially wins back that individual, but also shows everyone else that you care.

Additionally, by responding, you sometimes prompt a follow-up from the original reviewer (e.g., they might update a 3-star to a 4-star after you solved their problem). More broadly, responsiveness encourages a two-way conversation. It turns reviews into a dialogue rather than a one-and-done comment. Some customers may ask a question in a review or mention a feature they’d like – when you reply, it becomes an interaction. New customers reading this might be encouraged to leave their own review because they have a question or they see you take suggestions seriously. It creates a community vibe around your product.

Lastly, don’t underestimate how this plays into SEO and visibility. For local businesses, responding to Google reviews can improve your local search ranking slightly, and for all businesses, an active review section (with owner responses) can simply attract more eyeballs. Internally, treat review responses as part of your customer service. Set up notifications so you never miss a new review. Even a simple “Thanks for your feedback!” on a positive review can delight a customer. And when prospective buyers see dozens of reviews with company replies, it signals a level of professionalism and care that builds confidence. The more confident they are, the more likely they’ll convert and perhaps leave a great review of their own.

10. Use Creative Packaging Inserts or QR Codes to Request Reviews

Don’t forget that the journey to getting a review can start inside the box – literally. One often overlooked but creative tactic is including a friendly review request in your product packaging. When a customer opens their package, a well-designed insert or a cleverly placed QR code can prompt them to share their experience. The idea is to catch them at the moment of unboxing, when excitement is high, and guide them to your review page before that excitement fades. For example, you might include a small thank-you card that says, “We’d ❤️ to hear your feedback! Scan this QR code to leave a review or find us online.” This makes it super easy: the customer can just point their phone camera and be taken directly to the review form or site. Making the review process convenient is key – it’s a nudge at the right time.

There are plenty of creative ways to implement QR codes or inserts. If you sell a product that has any sort of packaging, slip in a printed card. If you’re a service business, you can include a little card with the invoice or receipt. Some fun examples: a dental clinic tying a QR code request around a free toothbrush giveaway, or a boutique adding a review QR code on a cute postcard in the shopping bag. Amazon sellers often include a note in the package (just be sure your language abides by Amazon’s policy: don’t explicitly ask for a positive review or offer a reward in that insert). Keep it thank-you focused and say something like, “Your opinions help us grow; we appreciate your honest review!”

Another twist: print a short URL or use a memorable link if QR isn’t feasible. For instance, YourSite.com/review could redirect to your product review page. That’s easier to type if needed. Some brands also use packaging inserts to explain how to leave a review if it’s not obvious, e.g., “Visit our product page on Amazon and click ‘Write a customer review.’” A quick tip – avoid too much text. One eye-catching line or a gentle call-to-action with a cute design works better than a paragraph of instructions that customers might skip.

This approach not only helps garner more reviews, but also leaves a positive impression. A customer unboxing a product and finding a thoughtful thank-you note feels that the brand cares. That positivity can translate into a willingness to support the brand through a review. Also, by physically linking the product experience to the act of reviewing (via the insert or QR code), you bridge the gap between offline and online. It serves as a reminder at just the right time. Given that almost 70% of consumers form an opinion after reading 1-6 reviews, each new review you gain through these inserts can significantly strengthen your product’s appeal to the next shopper. So go ahead and design that little card – it’s like sending a personal invite for feedback, and customers often respond in kind.

Conclusion to 10 Creative Ways to Get Customer Reviews

Optimizing for Reviews = Building Trust and Boosting Sales. By now, it’s clear that customer reviews are more than just a vanity metric – they’re a vital asset for any brand operating in the modern e-commerce landscape. From collaborating with content creators and micro-influencers to simply reaching out and asking, there are many creative avenues to get those review stars rolling in. Remember, quantity and quality both matter when it comes to reviews. Shoppers do read multiple reviews (most read at least 2-6 of them) to form an opinion, so having a good volume of authentic feedback is crucial. Equally important is the richness of those reviews – stories, photos, and videos shared by real customers can paint a vivid picture of why your product or service is great.

In the process of implementing these 10 strategies, you’ll likely find an added benefit: you’re building stronger relationships with your customers. Engaging with them for reviews (whether through an influencer campaign, a personal email, or a thank-you coupon) shows that you value their voice. Customers who feel valued turn into repeat buyers and even evangelists for your brand. It creates a virtuous cycle – more engagement leads to more reviews, which leads to more trust from new customers, which leads to more sales, and then more happy customers to draw reviews from.

Finally, always keep things ethical and customer-centric. Never fake reviews or twist arms for positive feedback – today’s consumers are savvy and can smell inauthenticity a mile away. Encourage honest reviews and take even the negative ones as learning opportunities to improve your product or service. 

By using these creative techniques and emphasizing authenticity, you’ll boost your influencer marketing efforts, generate tons of UGC, and cultivate a community of customers who proudly share their experiences. And when potential new buyers see that vibrant community and real, diverse reviews, you’ve already won half the battle in earning their trust (and their business). Here’s to stacking up those reviews – and with them, more success for your brand!