On a marketplace platform, reviews are close to the single biggest factor in whether a new client picks one profile over another — they matter more than almost anything else covered so far in this course.
Right after final delivery and sign-off (see the previous lesson) — while the good feeling of a finished project is fresh, not weeks later when the request feels random and the client has moved on mentally.
A short, specific message works best: thank the client, mention that reviews genuinely help a freelancer's business grow, and make it easy — a direct platform link, not a vague "if you have time." Most happy clients are glad to leave one; they simply forget unless asked.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A fair but critical review | Respond professionally and briefly — acknowledge the point, avoid defensiveness; future clients read the response too |
| An unfair or inaccurate review | Most platforms have a dispute/appeal process — use it calmly, with evidence, rather than arguing publicly with the client |
| One bad review among many good ones | Resist the urge to fixate — a strong overall pattern outweighs a single outlier to most clients reading it |
A boundary worth respecting
Never offer a discount or refund explicitly in exchange for a positive review — most platforms prohibit it, and it undermines the honesty a review system depends on.