Meanwhile, the competitor down the road? Flooded. Five stars everywhere. Customers pouring in. Cash register singing.
But here’s the brutal truth: you can’t pay customers for reviews. Do it and Google slaps you. Facebook bans you. Trust? Obliterated. One whiff of “$10 for five stars” and your brand’s toast.
So what do you do?
Flip the bloody script.
Don’t bribe the customer. Bribe your team.
That’s right. Pay your staff to hunt reviews like it’s their job—because now, it is.
Step 1: Build the Pitch
Craft a 15-second script every team member can rattle off. Keep it warm, specific, and name-drop mandatory.
Sample Pitch “G’day [Customer], it’s Alex here. Thrilled we nailed your [product/service]. If you loved it, pop a quick Google review and mention my name—Alex. Takes half a minute and makes my day! Plus my boss will be very happy with me”
- Train the employee via 5-minute huddles.
- Role-play with the employee until they feel natural.
- Print QR Code pocket cards for customers to scan.
Don’t have a Google Business Profile to Collect Reviews? A Google Business Profile is a major source of local customers – don’t sleep on it. Want some help setting it up?
Step 2: Set Incentives
Motivate your employees without breaking the bank:
| Type | Incentive Example | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Tiered Cash | $5 (1–5 reviews) → $15 (6–10) → $25 (11+) | Scales effort; big wins feel epic. |
| Gift Cards | $20 voucher (coffee, Uber, cinema) | Feels like a treat, not payroll. |
| Time Off | 1 hour early knock-off per 3 reviews | Craves work-life balance. |
| Swag Pack | Branded hoodie + snacks at 10 reviews | Low cost, high brag value. |
| Team Pot | 50¢/review into monthly pizza party | Builds crew spirit. |
| Spot Bonus | Random $50 “golden review” draw weekly | Keeps asks consistent. |
| Points Mall | Redeem for gadgets, days off, cash | Gamifies long-term hustle. |
Remember: What is in it for the employee? Play around each month with different ideas to see what works for your business culture.
Step 3: Prove It
Name-in-review = iron-clad evidence.
- Weekly Scan: Manager searches for the Employee Name for new reviews on Google, Facebook, etc.
- Log It: Add each review to a Spreadsheet. Columns: Date, Platform, Rating, Reviewer Snippet, Employee, Status.
- Pay Fast: Direct deposit or envelope that month—keeps momentum moving.
Step 4: Track & Celebrate
Shared leaderboard in break room or group chat channel.
- Top 3 monthly get shout-outs.
- Total reviews vs target on a wall chart.
- Quarterly bonus tier: 50+ reviews → extra $100.
Your profile glows. Customers trust. Sales climb. All without ever touching the customer’s wallet.
This isn’t theory. It’s a plug-and-play review machine.
