Why it helps
Happy customers rarely leave a review unless you ask. Unhappy ones often do without being asked. A short, friendly request at the right moment, with your review link, makes a real difference to how your Google Business Profile looks to new customers.
Most people don't ask because it feels awkward or pushy. AI can write a few versions that sound like you: a text after the job, an email after a stay or appointment, and wording for a small card at the counter. Write them once and reuse them.
The prompt
Copy it, swap the bits in [square brackets], and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot.
Help me write short messages asking customers to leave a Google review. I run a [type of business] in [town], New Zealand. - Write: (1) a text message under 300 characters, (2) a short email with a subject line, (3) wording for a small card or counter sign with a QR code. - Tone: [friendly, relaxed, not pushy]. NZ English and NZ spelling. - Thank them for their business and ask for an honest review. Make it easy: include a placeholder for [review link]. - Don't offer any discount, prize, freebie or entry into a draw for leaving a review. - Don't ask only for 5-star or positive reviews, and don't suggest what they should write. - Keep each one short. Only use the details I give you about my business. About my business and customers: [what you do, and when you'd usually send it, e.g. the day after a job is finished]
Then keep chatting
Make the text message shorter and more casual.
Write a gentle one-time reminder for a week later, if they haven't left one.
Write a version for customers whose first language isn't English, in very simple English.
Write a short line I can say in person when I finish a job.
Step by step
- Get your Google review link. In your Google Business Profile, look for the option to ask for reviews or share a review form, and copy the link. Turn it into a QR code if you want a counter card.
- Fill in the prompt with your business type and when you usually send the message.
- Pick the versions you like and tweak the wording so it sounds like you.
- Save them as templates in your phone, email, booking system or job app.
- Send the request to all your customers in the normal way after a job, stay or visit, not just the ones you think will be happy. Only send texts or emails to customers who've given you their contact details for that kind of message.
Worked example
Example details are made up. Your results will vary, so always read and check before you use them.
Watch out for
- Don't offer anything in return for a review, and don't only ask the customers you think will be positive or send unhappy ones somewhere else first ("review gating"). Google's review policies don't allow either, and breaking them can get reviews removed. Check the Google Business Profile help pages.
- Never write fake reviews or ask friends, family or staff to post them. Fake or misleading reviews can breach the Fair Trading Act. See consumerprotection.govt.nz.
- Commercial texts and emails generally need consent and a way to opt out under the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act. Check dia.govt.nz if you plan to send these in bulk.
- Privacy: don't paste customer names or phone numbers into the AI. Use [name] placeholders and add the details in your own app.
Go further
Build the request into your normal routine, like the step after you send the invoice or after checkout, so it happens every time without you thinking about it. When the reviews start coming in, use the review replies use case to thank people in a way that doesn't sound copy-pasted.
