Want More Reviews? Here's How to Get Better Client Feedback for Your Wellness Practice
You already know that reviews are important. But the truth is — great reviews don’t just magically appear.
If you want more clients finding you (and trusting you enough to book that first appointment), you need a system for getting reviews consistently — and making sure those reviews tell a powerful story.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how you can get more, better reviews — the kind that actually grow your practice — without feeling pushy or awkward.
First, Remember These 5 Truths About Reviews
Before you start asking your clients for reviews, it's really important to reframe how you think about them. Here’s what you need to know:
- It’s not about you — it's about your client's experience.
- People actually want to help you — they love sharing good experiences.
- People believe what they read online — reviews are a form of social proof.
- Your next client is out there — but they're waiting for a sign — often, that sign is a review from someone like them.
- Loyal clients are built, not bought — and reviews help you build that loyalty faster.
When you truly believe these 5 things, asking for a review will feel a lot less scary—and a lot more natural.
How to Ask for More Reviews (Without Feeling Weird About It)
Many wellness practitioners build a baseline of reviews but never get more reviews because they don’t have an automated strategy. Here’s an easy five-part blueprint for the ask:
1. Tell Them Why You're Asking
Your clients and patients are busy people. They’re more likely to leave you a review if they understand why it matters.
When you explain that reviews help other people make good decisions about their health — and that it helps your small business grow — they’ll feel like they’re doing something meaningful, not just another task.
What to say: "It would mean so much if you could share your experience. Your feedback helps others feel confident making important decisions about their wellness."
2. Make It Super Easy
A lot of clients want to leave a review... but freeze up when they don't know what to say. You can help by giving them a few simple prompts (more on that below!).
You can also make it easy by texting or emailing them the exact link where they can leave a review — preferably your Google Business Profile.
(If you're using a tool like Thryv, managing and responding to your reviews becomes even easier — and faster.)
3. Tell Them Exactly Where to Leave It
Don't leave it up to chance. Always give them a direct link.
Example: "Here's a quick link to my Google page if you’d be willing to leave a review. It only takes 60 seconds!" (and of course, insert your link or provide your QR code)
Google reviews are your best bet, hands down. They're public, they boost your local SEO, and they even feed AI search engines that help people find services like yours. If you don't have a Google Business Profile yet — make it your #1 to-do today.
4. Use Reviews in More Than One Place
Once you have a great review, don't just let it sit there! You can reuse it in so many powerful ways:
- Create a social media post featuring a client quote.
- Add it to your website, especially your homepage or service pages.
- Include it in your email newsletters as a "client spotlight."
- Use snippets in printed brochures or welcome packets.
Each time you share a story, you're reinforcing why new clients should trust you too.
5. Ask (and Follow Up) More Than Once
It’s totally normal if clients don’t leave a review the first time you ask. That’s when you want to follow up gently — maybe a few days later — with a quick reminder, or even better, a phone call to thank them and casually bring it up again. Automating a series of asks can keep this follow up from becoming cumbersome to you or your staff.
Persistence (done kindly) pays off.
How to Get Clients to Write the "Right" Kind of Reviews
Not all reviews are created equal. Generic ones like "Great experience!" are nice, but they don’t give future clients much to go on.
You want story-driven reviews — reviews that talk about the transformation your service provided.
Help your clients by offering simple prompts like:
- What surprised you about working with me?
- What challenge or concern did I help you overcome?
- In one sentence, how would you describe your overall experience?
- (You can literally copy and paste these into your email when you ask!)
When you make it easy for clients to tell their story, you'll get richer, more authentic reviews that inspire action.
How to Turn Every Review Into a Mini-Marketing Campaign
One good review can go a long way — if you use it right. Here’s how you can stretch a single review into multiple touchpoints:
- Create a social media graphic. Use a short excerpt from the review along with a nice background image (you can design it easily in Canva).
- Feature it on your website. Add it to your homepage or service pages — it reassures visitors immediately.
- Highlight it in your newsletter. You could even pair it with a "Client Success Story" email series.
Each time you reshare a happy client story, you build your reputation and increase your visibility.
How to Handle a Negative Review
Even if you do everything right, sooner or later you might get a less-than-perfect review. That’s okay. It’s how you respond that matters most.
Here’s the approach:
- Stay calm and professional.
- Acknowledge their feelings (without necessarily admitting fault).
- Offer a resolution or clarification if appropriate.
- Thank them for their feedback.
Example Response: "Thank you for sharing your feedback. I'm sorry to hear your experience wasn’t what you expected. I appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow, and I'm happy to connect with you directly to make things right."
Responding with intentionality shows prospective clients that you care — and that builds trust.
What If They Don't Leave a Review?
Sometimes, even after a follow-up, clients don't leave a review. Here's how to handle it:
- Send a final gentle reminder.
- Shift your ask to private feedback instead: "I'd love to hear how we could make the experience even better in the future."
This way, you still gain valuable insight — and you leave the door open for future business.
Remember: It’s about the long-term relationship, not a one-time favor.
The Secret to Getting Truly Powerful Reviews
If you only remember one thing from all of this, let it be this:
The best reviews aren’t about you. They’re about your client’s story.
Use this simple storytelling framework when you highlight reviews:
"You know how you always wanted [desired result] but [obstacle] was in the way? Because of [service], you can now [achieve the dream]."
When your reviews highlight a personal transformation — from where they were before working with you to where they are after — you’ll stand out far beyond your competitors.
People don't just want services. They want stories they can see themselves in.
You’re already doing amazing work helping people feel better, live healthier, and thrive.
Imagine how much faster you could grow if every client you helped shared that story with the world.
Start today by:
- Setting up (or optimizing) your Google Business Profile.
- Asking intentionally — using the why, how, where framework.
- Leveraging every review across your marketing.
Because when you ask with heart and follow through with purpose, your best clients won't just leave you a review — they’ll help you build a thriving, unstoppable practice.
