How to Leave a Helpful Review

Being a small business has it’s ups and downs. Figuring out all aspects of business is a daunting task for one person and sometimes it can be difficult to know what the right move is. It’s especially hard for photographers who just want to focus on their art but must spend some time in the business realm as well.

There’s one thing that small business owners need that will help their small business excel and they may be hesitant to ask for it. It’s a small task from clients and it makes ALL the difference. Leave a review.

Many people only leave a review when they have experienced bad service or had a bad experience, but I want to challenge you to do the opposite. There are many ways that reviews help small businesses, especially photographers.

1.       Having reviews shows potential clients that your business is a real, legitimate one.

New businesses pop up all the time and many don’t last long. It can be difficult to spot the difference between a real business and a scam. One way you can tell is if the business has reviews. And not just any reviews. You’re looking for reviews with substance. If all you’re finding are reviews with one sentence, or worse, just a star rating, some more digging is in order before giving that photographer your trust.

2.       Clients can read reviews to help them determine if they want to work with a photographer.

There’s a lot to be learned from reviews and there’s more there than meets the eye. Just a little reading between the lines can help you learn about that photographer’s personality and the way they run their business. Does it should like they would be a good match?

3.       Good reviews push business up in the Google search list.

When a photographer starts getting those good reviews, Google will push their website up in the list of search results. The goal, from a photography business perspective, is to be listed on the first two search pages. Although, let’s be honest. The first page is where it’s at! And the further up a business in in the search results, the more exposure they get, which is great for business.

Now that we’ve covered WHY reviews are important for a photography business, let’s talk about HOW to write a great one! And by great, I mean well written and helpful.

The keys to a great review are that its personable and relevant. Think about your experience with your photographer and pick one or two things to write about. Here are some questions to get you thinking.

·         Was the experience what you expected?

·         How did the photographer make you feel?

·         Did you feel prepared in knowing what to expect?

·         How did your photos make you feel when you received them?

·         Was there a problem or issue that the photographer solved for you?

·         Was the photographer a good communicator?

·         Did the photographer know how to pose you and get authentic expressions?

·         Will you use this photographer again?

Use these questions as a jumping off point to remember your experience. What sticks out to you? Choosing one or two things, compose your review. It doesn’t need to be perfect or fancy, just write the way you speak. The goal here is to be authentic. As a shopper, I’m sure you appreciate authentic reviews. Other shoppers do as well!

If you’re still struggling with what to write, here is a little formula you can follow.

Share a detail about the logistics of the session + A detail or two on your experience with the photographer + What the future holds

For example: Krista took my maternity photos two months before my due date. She knew exactly how to pose me, so my big pregnant belly looked like the perfect baby bump in my photos! I can’t wait to have her photograph baby when we bring him home from the hospital.

See how easy that is! It’s short and sweet, helpful, and authentic. Not to mention invaluable to the small photography business!

If you’re feeling REALLY kind, you can cut-and-paste your review onto multiple platforms. Write that review on Google, but then paste to Facebook as well. Keep spreading that love!

What do you think? Will you be leaving more reviews now that you know their significance?

This Huntsville, Alabama photographer always appreciates a thoughtful review!