How to ask for testimonials from brands you've worked with
Brand testimonials close deals. A single quote from a satisfied sponsor can be worth more than 10,000 additional followers when you're pitching new partnerships. Yet 78% of creators never ask for testimonials after completing sponsored content, according to a 2023 Creator Economy Report.
The reason? Most creators don't know when to ask, what to say, or how to make it easy enough for brands to actually respond. This article shows you the exact process to collect testimonials that strengthen every future pitch you send.
Why brand testimonials matter more than follower count
When a potential sponsor evaluates your pitch, they're asking one question: "Will this creator deliver results?" Your engagement rate and audience demographics provide part of the answer. A testimonial from another brand provides proof.
A testimonial does three things your media kit can't do alone:
- Validates your professionalism — It shows you've successfully completed deals before and brands were happy enough to recommend you
- Reduces perceived risk — New sponsors see that other companies trusted you with their marketing budget
- Provides social proof — A quote from a recognizable brand (even a small one) carries more weight than self-reported metrics
One creator I know landed a $4,500 deal with a SaaS company specifically because her pitch included a testimonial from a previous tech brand. The marketing manager told her later: "We usually don't work with creators under 50K followers, but seeing that testimonial changed our mind."
The best time to ask for testimonials from brands
Timing determines whether you get a response or get ignored. Ask too early, and the brand hasn't seen results yet. Wait too long, and they've forgotten the details of working with you.
The ideal window is 2-4 weeks after your sponsored content goes live. By then, the brand has seen initial performance metrics (views, clicks, conversions) but the campaign is still fresh in their memory.
For longer campaigns or retainer deals, ask after the first successful deliverable instead of waiting until the entire contract ends. A brand that just saw a 3.2% click-through rate on your Instagram Story is more likely to write a glowing testimonial than one you contact six months later.
If you're working with a brand that tracks performance closely, wait until they've shared positive results with you. When a brand emails to say "Your video performed 40% above our benchmark," that's your signal to ask for a testimonial within 48 hours.
What to say when asking for a brand testimonial
Your request should take the brand 3 minutes or less to complete. That means you can't send a blank email saying "Can you write me a testimonial?" You need to make it effortless.
Here's the exact template I recommend:
Subject line: Quick request about our [campaign name] partnership
Email body:
"Hi [Brand Contact Name],
I really enjoyed working with you on [specific campaign]. The [specific result or feedback they shared] was exciting to see!
I'm building out my testimonials section and would love to include a quote from [Brand Name]. Would you be willing to share 2-3 sentences about your experience working with me?
To make it easy, I've drafted something you can edit or approve:
'[Your draft testimonial that highlights what you want emphasized]'
Feel free to modify that however you'd like, or write something completely different. Either way, I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks, [Your Name]"
The key is providing a draft. 80% of the time, the brand will approve your version with minor edits. The other 20%, they'll write their own, which is often even better because it uses language that resonates with other brands.
If you want to reference successful past campaigns when pitching new sponsors, check out the creator's guide to asking for brand testimonials and referrals for more pitch strategies.
Where to display testimonials for maximum impact
Collecting testimonials doesn't help unless potential sponsors actually see them. Here's where to showcase the quotes you gather:
Your media kit — Add a dedicated testimonials section with 2-3 strong quotes from recognizable brands. Include the brand logo, the person's name and title, and one specific metric if possible ("We saw a 2.8% conversion rate working with Jordan").
Your website or portfolio — If you have a creator website, testimonials should appear on your homepage and your "work with me" page. These build credibility for brands researching you after receiving your pitch.
Your email pitches — When pitching brands in a similar industry to a previous sponsor, include one relevant testimonial in your email. A fitness brand is more likely to respond when you include a quote from another fitness company.
Your social media highlights — Create an Instagram Story highlight or LinkedIn featured section showcasing brand testimonials and case studies from past partnerships.
The media kit builder on Dealsprout lets you add testimonials directly to your professional media kit, making it easy to update and share when pitching new sponsors.
How to follow up if brands don't respond
About 40% of brands won't respond to your first testimonial request. They're busy, your email got buried, or they need a reminder. A single follow-up email increases your response rate to 65%.
Wait 5-7 days after your initial request, then send this:
"Hi [Name],
Just wanted to follow up on my testimonial request from last week. I know you're busy, so if you'd prefer, I can write something and you can simply reply 'approved' if it works for you.
Here's the draft again:
'[Your proposed testimonial]'
No pressure at all — just let me know either way!
Thanks, [Your Name]"
This approach removes friction and gives them an easy out. If they still don't respond after a second email, move on. Not every brand will provide a testimonial, and that's fine. Focus your energy on sponsors who recognize the mutual benefit of your partnership.
Turning testimonials into referrals and repeat business
Once a brand gives you a positive testimonial, you've opened the door to two more valuable opportunities: referrals and repeat deals.
When you receive their testimonial, respond with this: "Thank you! This is incredibly helpful. If you know any other brands who might benefit from working with a creator in [your niche], I'd love a warm introduction."
About 30% of sponsors will connect you with someone else in their network. That's how you build a sponsorship pipeline that keeps deals flowing without cold pitching. For more on managing ongoing relationships with multiple brands, read how to structure a retainer deal that keeps sponsors coming back monthly.
Keep track of every testimonial using the deal pipeline tracker so you remember who gave you what feedback and when to follow up about future opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I offer something in exchange for a testimonial, like tagging the brand in a future post? A: No need to offer compensation for testimonials. If you delivered good work, most brands are happy to provide one. However, you can mention that you'll feature their testimonial prominently in your media kit, which gives them additional brand exposure when you pitch similar companies.
Q: What if a brand wants approval rights before I use their testimonial publicly? A: Always give brands approval rights — it's standard practice and builds trust. Send them the exact text and placement (like "I'd like to include this quote on page 2 of my media kit") before using it anywhere. Most will approve immediately, and this protects both of you legally.
Q: Can I use a testimonial from a brand I worked with two years ago, or is it too outdated? A: Testimonials remain valuable for 2-3 years, especially if the brand is well-known. After that, they start feeling stale unless your audience size or content quality has significantly improved. If you've doubled your following since that partnership, consider asking the brand for an updated quote that reflects your current reach.
Q: What should I do if a brand gives me a generic testimonial like "Great to work with"? A: Politely ask for more specificity by responding: "Thank you! Would you mind adding one specific detail about what made the campaign successful? For example, a metric or what you appreciated most about our collaboration?" Give them a specific example to work with, and most will provide the detail you need.