How to Get Testimonials and Reviews From Your First Clients

Clients trust other clients. A few honest words from someone you've worked with can do more to win your next project than any amount of self-promotion. Here's how to collect testimonials and reviews, even in your first months.

Why testimonials matter so much

They reduce risk for new clients: someone else already trusted you, and it went well.
They show results in the client's own words.
They set you apart from freelancers with empty profiles.

On marketplaces, reviews also affect how often your profile and gigs appear in search.

When to ask

Timing matters. Ask right after a happy moment:

when the client says they love the work
when you deliver the final files
when the client reports a good result, such as more sales or more visitors

Don't wait weeks. Clients forget, and the moment passes.

How to ask (and make it easy)

Most clients are happy to help, but they're busy. Make it as easy as possible:

Hi [name],

I'm really glad you're happy with [project]! Would you mind writing a short testimonial I can share on my profile? Two or three sentences is perfect.

If it helps, you could mention:
- what you needed help with
- what it was like working with me
- any result you've noticed so far

Thank you, it really helps me as I grow my business.

[Your name]

For marketplace reviews, a simple reminder is enough:

Thanks again for the order! If you have a moment, a review on the platform would mean a lot to me. Honest feedback helps me improve.

Follow the platform rules

Fiverr, Upwork and other marketplaces protect the honesty of their reviews:

Never offer anything in exchange for a review, such as discounts, refunds or extra work.
Don't ask for a specific rating, like "please leave 5 stars".
Never trade reviews with other freelancers or ask friends to buy and review your service.
Never buy reviews.

Breaking these rules can get your account suspended. Ask for honest feedback, and let good work speak for itself.

Where to use testimonials

Your profiles: LinkedIn recommendations, your portfolio and your website.
Proposals: one short, relevant quote can make a proposal much stronger.
Your portfolio: put a testimonial next to the project it describes.
Social media: share a testimonial with a picture of the work, with the client's permission.

Always ask before you share a client's name, logo or work publicly.

How to get your first reviews when you're new

Start small: offer a small, well-defined starter package, so clients can try you with low risk.
Over-deliver on service, not on scope: reply quickly, explain clearly and deliver early, without doing unpaid extra work.
Work with people you know: a real project for a friend's business, done properly and paid fairly, is a legitimate first testimonial.
Ask every happy client. Many freelancers forget to ask, and miss out.

Handling a bad review

It happens to everyone eventually. When it does:

Stay calm. Don't reply in anger.
Respond politely and briefly, if the platform allows it. Thank the client, acknowledge the issue and explain what you've changed.
Learn from it. Was the scope unclear? Did you over-promise? Fix the cause for next time.
Contact support only if the review breaks the platform's rules, for example if it contains abuse or false claims.

One honest negative review among many good ones rarely stops clients from hiring you. How you respond can even build trust.

Keep a testimonials file

Save every kind message from clients, with the date and project, in one document. When you update your profile, write a proposal or build your website, you'll have proof ready to use.