A big collection of genuine reviews is a priceless asset for any musician. Trust and credibility are everything in the music industry.

People hire people who they know and when they can’t find someone in their circle, they will turn to other forms of social proof.

That’s the power of reviews. Social proof. But how can we get from 0 to 100+ reviews?

Here are 5 tips that will get your review numbers up.

1. Mention a Review During Negotiations

Before you agree to do the gig, ask if they’d be willing to write you an honest review afterwards. You don’t need them to promise to write one. Mentioning the review before your gig or lesson makes it much easier to collect it afterwards.

2. Request Reviews After Every Gig

The best time to ask for a review is while the experience is still fresh. After a successful gig, send a thank-you message and include a gentle request to leave a review.

Most happy clients are willing to share their experience. They just need to be asked.

If you are a live musician, you’re in luck.

A single show can have multiple people who could leave you an honest review. You could ask for a review from anyone involved including the sound engineer, a stage manager, a talent buyer, plus any staff and fans at the venue who heard your set.

3. Reach Out To Past Clients

Don’t limit yourself to current or recent clients. Reach out to people you’ve worked with in the past 6-12 months. Anyone who you think would remember their experience working with you.

A simple message saying “It’s been a while since we worked together. I hope everything is going well. I had a great experience working with you. Would you consider leaving a review about your experience working with me?” can yield significant results.

4. Follow Up

If you get ignored, don’t give up. Keep following up until you get the review. It could take 10 times. But the review is worth it. Just don’t be obnoxious. Most people want to help you out when they get the chance.

Be persistent.

5. Make It Easy

Don’t make clients hunt for where to leave a review. Send direct links to your profiles on the platform where you want reviews. The fewer steps required, the more likely they are to follow through.

Do Reviews from Friends Count?

Authentic reviews from real clients carry the most weight. That includes friends who have actually hired you. But don’t try to game the system by getting people to leave you a review who did not actually hire you.

Online platforms are becoming increasingly sophisticated at detecting fake or incentivized reviews. This practice could end up penalizing you far more than it would have helped if it worked.

More importantly, real people who actually want to hire you and actually read your reviews will be able to detect the fake reviews immediately.

Focus on collecting genuine reviews over time.

Should I Get As Many Reviews As I Can or Just Focus on High-Profile Reviews?

Both matter, but they serve different purposes. High-profile reviews from well-known clients or industry professionals can help kickstart your profile and establish credibility.

However, the real power comes from accumulating volume. Not everyone is going to be familiar with the names on your best reviews. Seeing a big number of reviews with a good rating is a universal language. Instant credibility.

Plus, AI answer engines look for review freshness as well. So it’s always good to keep accumulating reviews. Aim for consistent growth over time.

Platforms Where Musicians Can Collect Reviews

Testimonials are great to have on your own website, but consider the value of having reviews on a third-party platform that people trust. Google Reviews is the standard for many industries but not for musicians. So where can you collect your reviews?

HireMusicians.com

HireMusicians.com is a dedicated platform for musicians. With focused traffic from people actively looking to hire musicians, reviews here carry significant weight. Creating a profile and collecting reviews on HireMusicians.com puts you directly in front of your target audience.

GigSalad

GigSalad is one of the largest platforms for booking event entertainment, including musicians. The site attracts millions of visitors annually searching for performers for weddings, corporate events, and parties. Having reviews on GigSalad helps you win more bookings on the platform.

The Bash

The Bash (formerly GigMasters) has been connecting musicians with events for over 25 years. With a strong presence in the wedding and event industry, reviews on The Bash help establish credibility with clients planning special occasions.

Facebook

With billions of monthly active users, Facebook remains a powerful platform for musicians. Recommendations on your Facebook Business Page carry social weight and can be shared across networks.

Start Today

Reviews compound over time. Every review you collect today builds toward a stronger reputation tomorrow. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see results.

Create your listing here on HireMusicians.com today and start collecting reviews from your clients. Hire Musicians musician listing pages are designed to be the perfect EPK to send to prospective talent buyers and clients. It’s the perfect place to collect reviews for the long term.

By John Filippone