5 Strategies to Incentivize Employees for More Reviews

Online reviews have revolutionized the way customers make purchasing decisions. 89% of consumers say they read Google reviews when looking for a local service business. Positive reviews can bolster a brand’s credibility, trustworthiness, and overall appeal. By tapping into the potential of employee-generated reviews, businesses can amplify their online reputation while fostering a culture of active participation.

The Power of Employee-Generated Reviews

Employees are at the heart of any organization, especially the front line employees that interact with customers on a day to day basis. Empowering these employees to do a great job for the customer while incentivizing them to get reviews is an excellent way to get more reviews and deliver better customer service. Here are 5 ways to incentivize your team to get more reviews.

Strategy 1: Pay-Per-Review Model

Implementing a pay-per-review model involves providing a monetary incentive for each review an employee receives. This approach directly links effort with reward, motivating employees to give great customer service while incentivizing them for a 5-star review.

In this model, employees receive a set monetary compensation for every review they recivev. This compensation could vary based on the length and quality of the review. The approach not only encourages participation but also acknowledges the value of each employee’s viewpoint.

You can tell employees that the review will count for them if the customer puts their name in the review, or you can go back and match up customer information with the technician assigned (there are softwares that can automate this process too)

Strategy 2: Raffle Rewards for Reviews

Raffle-based incentives introduce an element of excitement. For every review an employee receives, they earn a ticket for a chance to win a valuable prize. This not only encourages participation but also nurtures a sense of anticipation and fun.

The raffle system encourages consistent engagement, as employees have the opportunity to win prizes regardless of the number of reviews they get. This strategy can create a buzz within the organization, leading to increased participation as employees look forward to the potential rewards.

Pro tip: you can combine the raffle strategy with the pay-per-review strategy so no one feels left out but also have more ways to incentivize your team.

Strategy 3: Points-Based Review System

A points-based system assigns a certain number of points to each review. Accumulated points can then be exchanged for rewards ranging from gift cards to extra vacation days. This method offers flexibility and lets employees choose rewards that resonate with them.

Employees are motivated to accumulate points over time, giving them the freedom to decide when and how to redeem their earned rewards. This system acknowledges employees’ efforts and allows them to select rewards that align with their personal preferences.

There are softwares out there that allow you to give points to employees through an app and then allow them to purchase gift cards or other pre determined prizes once they get enough points.

Strategy 4: Team Review Goals

Fostering a team-centric approach, this strategy sets collective review goals for departments or teams. When a team achieves its target, everyone reaps the rewards. If you have multiple touch points with a customer, this is a good way to incentivize everyone so people don’t try to “claim” their stake to a review or customer.

Setting a team review goal such as, “Once we get 100 reviews, then we will get a happy hour after work.” Or whatever other fun ideas you can think of, here are some we have seen work well:

Soccer Game & Dinner
Escape Room
Happy Hour
Friday Close Early
Team $ Bonus Split

Strategy 5: Recognition & Bonus Incentives

Having a monthly meeting where you highlight the top reviews and establish a way to recognize performance is a great way to encourage more reviews.

Here are some ideas that work:

Once you reach 50 reviews, you get a plack on the wall
For every 5 reviews you get a sticker on your truck
When you hit 100 reviews, you get a custom patch
When you his 50 reviews you get a 5 star hat
There are tons of recognition opportunities

Why Employee Incentives Matter

Incentivizing employees to get reviews transcends the act itself. It nurtures a culture of engagement, propels productivity, and bolsters teamwork. Employees who feel valued and heard are more likely to contribute meaningfully to the company’s growth.

Implementing Your Incentive Program

Rolling out an incentive program requires thoughtful planning. Define clear guidelines, communicate the program’s benefits, and ensure transparency. Tailor the incentives to resonate with your employees’ preferences and aspirations.

Measuring Success and Adapting Strategies

To gauge the effectiveness of your incentive program, monitor review rates per week/month, employee feedback, and overall engagement. Stay open to adapting your strategies based on feedback, ensuring they evolve to meet changing employee needs.

Local Marketing With Reviews

Reviews are the backbone of your Google Business Profile and Yelp accounts. Not only do customers read reviews, they act on what they read. The more positive reviews naming your employees you have, the more trust you build with the customer.