Do you want more Facebook Reviews? If so (and I hope so) then listen up.Â
In this post, I'll share how to get more Facebook Reviews without asking for them (especially if you are a location based business)
I'll also share a bunch of ways you can ask for reviews – the right way – so your loyal fans and customers will be happy to give an positive review for you.Â
Image by ShutterstockShutterstock
So, let me get straight to the point. Â If you have a location-based business, this post will help you immensely with getting more Facebook Reviews, especially the first tip below.
But even if you are not location-based (and don't have a physical location) there are plenty of ways to get Facebook reviews… positive reviews, that is.
So be sure to read on below to grab all the tips. But here's the big tip. Â Are you ready?
It's insanely simple and you'll be kicking yourself for not doing it earlier.
The Secret to More Facebook Reviews (without asking for them)
Have you ever heard of check-ins on Facebook? Â You “check in” at a location using geo-tagging on Facebook and Facebook shares that “location tag” with your post.
I recently checked into a Hotel in the tiny town of Wayne, in rural Alberta.
Without turning this into a travel blog, I can safely say that the “Last Chance Saloon” might well have been one of my favourite travel experiences. Our Family loved it!
After a day in the Badlands of Alberta, exploring the amazing landscape, hoodoos and world-class dinosaur museum and fossils, we decided to take a drive to this little “saloon” after it was recommended to us.
When we walked into the pub, we were greeted by every person in the pub, the place was so much fun.
From the friendly locals and staff, Â to the cook-your-own-steak meal, the outdoor bar with riding saddles for stools and a main-bar filled with wild-west style memorabilia…we had a great night of laughs, shuffleboard, great food and pool.
So… I checked in on Facebook. Â Here it is:
And guess what?
The very next day, Facebook sends me this…
Facebook asked me to review the business based on my check-in (the business owner didn't need to do a thing!).
So what did I do? Â You bet I reviewed them… very positively!
Now, I'm a social media strategist so I like to check into places I love – especially in the tourism industry.
I knew that Facebook would ask me to review Last Chance Saloon, as IÂ have received this request before (and I comply every time!)
I even chatted with the Manager, Paula, about how to focus on asking people to check in… oh did I mention they have WiFi there too? Â You can't get phone reception at the Last Chance Saloon, but they are smart enough to know they want people to post about their visit.
She didn't know about the check in =>> review hack.
Now she does, and so do you.
But here's the best bit. You don't have to ASK your customers to review you.
You just have to ask them to check in. Â Do you think that someone who bothers to check in already loves you?
Heck, yes!
I was a speaker at a Tourism conference a few years ago and Sophie Bone, the owner of a successful Australian caravan and camping resort said this:
“Nobody checks into a place they're not proud of” – Sophie Bone.
Never a truer word was spoken. We check in because we love something or want our friends to see it. Â You have to be happy to BE there to do that, right?
And, It's MUCH easier to ask someone to check in than it is to ask for them for a review. Facebook (often) will do the rest.
Is this a Standard Facebook Function?
It seems that this is still in place in 2020 – it may not happen every time someone checks in but I have confirmed with travellers that they have been asked to review a place they have checked in to.
I have seen it work at least a half dozen times when I check in. But just remember… it's Facebook, so it might change as they change functionality all the time.
But isn't it worth a shot? And even if they change the way they do things, you still have a check-in and the magic of a check-in is that Facebook will show that to friends of the person checking in. It's all word-of-mouth marketing for your business.
Here's what I recommend you do; Â Test It!
The next time you are at a business, attraction, accommodation or restaurant in your local area, see what happens when you check in on Facebook.
Facebook may ask you to review the business 1-2 days afterwards.  Then you'll know whether it's worth doing for your own business.
To recap, here are the steps to follow:
How to Get More Facebook Reviews
Step 1: Â Encourage your visitors or customers to check in.
Step 2: Â Facebook will send them a reminder to write a review (usually a day later)
Step 3: Â Your customer will (hopefully) review your business. Â After all, they just checked in, so there is positive affinity with your business already!
It's as easy as that!
How to Ask for Check-ins on Facebook
Most people will check in because they love you but human nature is such that we also can benefit from a gentle reminder. Don't be afraid to remind them that you would love them to check in!
In reality people will often check in because they want their friends to know about it. That should be incentive enough but a verbal reminder or sign at your place of business may help to ensure they do it when on location at your business.
Let me know if it works for you! If it doesn't work for you, don't worry, because it's worth encouraging check-ins as above. Why? Because when someone checks in, their friends are shown the activity on their newsfeeds. Free marketing, right?
Here are some more easy ways for you to encourage Facebook Reviews:
How to Ask for Recommendations on Facebook
If the “check-in hack” doesn't work then here are a few ways you can ask for Facebook Reviews:
- Ask for Facebook Reviews via email if you have an interactive, nurturing email marketing strategy. Â This is especially effective if you have a physical place of business as you can send them an email after they purchase or join your email list. Remember to include the link to your Facebook Page.
- Put up physical signs and reminders in your place of business – about Checking In and/or Facebook Reviews.
- If you are going to ask – either verbally or otherwise, make it clear that it is a choice. Say something like “If you have the time, we'd love your Facebook/Trip Advisor Review”.
- Be careful about offering incentives for Facebook Reviews. There are often regulations in different countries for incentivizing reviews and it may not be allowed.  Please check your own country and local region for what you can and can't do. Check the Australian ACCC guidelines here and Facebook's guidelines here.
- Ensure you respond to every review. If someone takes the time to review your business, give them the decency of a response. Â And if it is a negative review (though we hope it isn't) then take the time to address their concerns. Remember, they may not necessarily be right, but they do want to be heard. Â Let them know you are listening.
How can this get any better?
Bonus Points if you can encourage your customers to not only check in but to check in and post a photo or series of photos! Â
Trust me, a check-in with photos attached (or even better video) will catch the attention of friends and is more likely to draw attention to your business! Â Winning!
Oh, and the review I gave? Â Here it is, just in case you ever wander off to the Badlands of Alberta.
Check in and Leave a review if you love something!
Be sure to check out the dinosaurs and the Hoodoos too.
Over to You
Have you noticed that you get asked by Facebook to give a review after checking in to a location?
Will you try it in your business? What works for you when it comes to reviews on Facebook? Â Let me know in the comments below.
Image by Shutterstock
Donna Moritz
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