The hardest part of getting a testimonial is usually the email. People know they should ask, then they sit there not sure what to write, so they never send anything.
This post fixes that. Below are ten testimonial request emails you can copy and adapt, one for almost every situation, plus subject lines and follow-ups. If you want the thinking behind the ask, the timing and the psychology, that lives in our guide on how to ask for a testimonial. This post is just the emails.
What every good testimonial email has
Before the templates, here is what they all share. Steal this structure even if you do not use the exact words:
- A specific opener. Name the real result or moment, not "Hope you're well." This is what makes it feel personal instead of mass-sent.
- A direct ask. Say plainly that you would love a testimonial. Do not bury it.
- One question. Give them something to answer so they are not facing a blank page. If you are not sure which to use, see testimonial questions to ask customers.
- A link to reply through. One click to a place they can record or type, not a list of instructions.
- A small time cost. "Takes about two minutes" lowers the wall.
- A safety net. Tell them you will fix typos and they get final approval.
The email's only real job is to get the click. The actual answering should happen somewhere that takes them under two minutes, which is the part most people get wrong.
The short version
Send a short, personal email right after a customer win. Open with their specific result, ask directly, give one question, and drop in a link they can reply through in under two minutes. Send one follow-up if they go quiet. That is the whole thing.
1. After you finish a project
Subject: quick favor (2 minutes)
Hi [Name],
Now that [project] is wrapped and [specific result] is live, I wanted to ask a small favor. Would you be open to a short testimonial about working together? It really helps other [their role] decide if we are a fit.
One question to make it easy: what was the main thing that changed for you on this project?
You can type a couple of lines or record a quick video here, whatever is easier: [collection link]. Takes about two minutes, and I will clean up any typos and send it back for your okay first.
Thank you either way, [Your name]
2. Right after a customer says something nice
Subject: mind if I use this?
Hi [Name],
Your message about [the thing they praised] genuinely made my day. Would you mind if I used it as a testimonial on our site? Happy to link back to you.
And if you ever want to add a line about [specific result], I would not say no. Here is the link if so: [collection link]
Thanks so much, [Your name]
This one is the easiest yes you will ever get, because they already wrote the testimonial. You are only asking for permission to use it.
3. After onboarding a new SaaS customer
Subject: how's it going so far?
Hi [Name],
You are about [time] into using [product], so I wanted to check in. If it has been useful, would you share a short testimonial? It helps other founders decide whether to give us a try.
One question: what problem were you trying to solve before you signed up, and has it changed?
You can answer right here in under two minutes: [collection link]. I will tidy it up and get your okay before anything goes public.
Thanks, [Your name]
4. After you solve a support problem
Subject: glad that's sorted
Hi [Name],
Really glad we got [the issue] fixed for you. While it is fresh, would you be up for a quick testimonial? A line about how the problem got handled would mean a lot.
Here is a link you can reply through, video or text, whatever suits you: [collection link]. Two minutes, tops.
Thanks again, [Your name]
A resolved problem is a quietly perfect moment, because the customer feels relieved and looked after.
5. At a renewal or repeat purchase
Subject: thank you for sticking around
Hi [Name],
Thanks for renewing for another [term]. Sticking with us is honestly the best feedback there is, so I wanted to ask: would you share a short testimonial about why you stay?
One question: what keeps you using [product] over the alternatives?
You can drop your answer here: [collection link]. Takes a minute or two, and I will send the final version back for your sign-off.
Thank you, [Your name]
6. To a client, after a measurable result
Subject: that [result] number is great
Hi [Name],
Seeing [specific number or result] come out of our work together was a real highlight. Would you be open to saying a few words about it as a testimonial? Specific results like yours are exactly what convinces the next client.
If it helps, I am happy to draft a version based on what you have already told me, and you just edit and approve it. Or write your own here: [collection link]
Thanks a lot, [Your name]
7. The "I'll write it for you" version
Subject: I'll do the writing
Hi [Name],
I would love a testimonial from you, but I know you are slammed, so here is the easy version: based on what you have shared, I drafted a few lines below. Feel free to edit anything or rewrite it completely, then just reply okay and I will use it.
"[Draft testimonial in their voice, based on real things they said.]"
No rush, and thank you, [Your name]
Offering to draft it removes the "I am too busy" stall. Keep the words genuinely theirs, just put them together so all they have to do is approve.
8. Asking for a video testimonial
Subject: quick one (60 seconds on camera?)
Hi [Name],
Long shot, but would you be up for a quick video testimonial? Just 30 to 60 seconds on your webcam or phone, no editing or setup needed.
Here is a link that records right in your browser, with one question on screen so you are not guessing what to say: [collection link]. One take is totally fine, umms and all, I will trim it.
If video is not your thing, a couple of typed lines through the same link works great too.
Thanks, [Your name]
For more on getting people past camera nerves, see how to get video testimonials.
9. The gentle follow-up
Subject: floating this back up
Hi [Name],
No worries at all if you have been slammed. Just bumping this in case it is easy to knock out now. Same link: [collection link]
Thanks either way, [Your name]
Send this once, four or five days after the first email. Most replies come from this nudge, not the original ask.
10. The casual after-a-call follow-up
Subject: that thing you said on our call
Hi [Name],
You said something on our call today about [the result or feeling] that I would love to use as a testimonial. Mind if I do? You can tweak the wording or just say go ahead here: [collection link]
Thanks, [Your name]
Send this the same day, while the conversation is still fresh.
What to put behind the link
Every template above points to a link, because "reply to this email" makes the customer do the work of writing in an empty inbox window, and a lot of them stall there. A link to a real collection page is the difference between a polite "sure" and an actual testimonial.
This is the part CollectMonial handles. You send one link, and the customer records a video or types a response right in the browser, with no login and no account, with your question on screen so they know what to say. It lands straight in your dashboard. The email gets the click, and the link makes the answering effortless, which is most of why people actually follow through. You can start collecting for $25 a month and use the same link in every email above.
Subject lines that get opened
The subject line decides whether the email gets read at all. Short and honest wins:
- quick favor (2 minutes)
- mind sharing this?
- a quick question about your results
- glad that's sorted
- thank you for sticking around
Avoid anything that smells like marketing. The moment it reads like a campaign, it gets skimmed and skipped.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing a long email. If it takes more than ten seconds to read, it reads like work. Keep it to a few lines.
- Leaving out the question. "Write a testimonial" is a blank page. One specific question gets a real answer.
- Sending the same email to everyone. Personalize the first line every time, or it gets ignored.
- Making them reply in the email body. Give a link to a real collection page so the answering is easy.
- Never following up. One nudge after a few days is where most testimonials actually come from.
