How do you choose which tenants to ask for testimonials and when to ask them?

1 Know your goals

Before you ask any tenant for a testimonial, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. Do you want to showcase your property's features, your customer service, your responsiveness, or your value proposition? Do you want to target a specific audience, such as families, students, or professionals? Do you want to highlight a specific benefit, such as location, amenities, or affordability? Knowing your goals will help you select the tenants who can best represent your brand and message.

2 Choose happy tenants

The most obvious candidates for testimonials are the tenants who are happy with their living experience and have a positive relationship with you. These are the tenants who pay their rent on time, follow the rules, communicate well, and renew their leases. They are also the tenants who are likely to give you honest and genuine feedback, rather than generic or exaggerated praise. You can identify these tenants by looking at your records, surveys, reviews, referrals, or interactions.

3 Ask at the right time

Timing is crucial when asking for testimonials. You don't want to ask too early, when the tenant hasn't had enough time to form an opinion, or too late, when the tenant has moved out or lost interest. You also don't want to ask when the tenant is busy, stressed, or unhappy. The best time to ask for testimonials is when the tenant has experienced a positive outcome or a pleasant surprise, such as a quick repair, a thoughtful gesture, a rent discount, or a lease renewal. You can also ask during regular check-ins, inspections, or events, when the tenant is more engaged and receptive.

4 Make it easy and convenient

One of the main reasons why tenants don't give testimonials is because they don't have the time, the motivation, or the means to do so. That's why you need to make it as easy and convenient as possible for them to share their opinions. You can do this by providing them with multiple options, such as online forms, email, phone, video, or social media. You can also offer them incentives, such as gift cards, vouchers, or free services. You can also guide them with questions, prompts, or examples, so they don't have to struggle with what to say or how to say it.

5 Respect their privacy and preferences

Another reason why tenants don't give testimonials is because they don't feel comfortable or confident about sharing their personal information or views publicly. That's why you need to respect their privacy and preferences, and ask for their consent before using their testimonials. You can do this by explaining the purpose and benefits of testimonials, assuring them that their data will be protected and used ethically, and giving them the option to choose how much and what they want to disclose. You can also allow them to review and edit their testimonials before publishing them, and thank them for their participation.

6 Use testimonials wisely

Once you have collected some testimonials from your tenants, you need to use them wisely to maximize their impact and value. You can do this by displaying them on your website, social media, listings, or marketing materials, and updating them regularly. You can also segment them according to your goals and audience, and highlight the most relevant and compelling ones. You can also track and measure the results of your testimonials, such as click-through rates, conversions, or referrals, and use them to improve your strategies and services.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?