How to earn 5-star reviews consistently

Clients make booking decisions based on your rating and the contents of your reviews. A 4.9 average with 50 reviews will outperform a 5.0 average with 3 reviews every time. Volume and recency both matter.

After analysing hundreds of reviews on Shrut, we found clients consistently mention the same five things in their reviews:

1. Whether the expert came prepared 2. Whether they listened and understood the specific problem 3. The quality and practicality of the advice given 4. Whether they went away with a clear action plan 5. Whether the expert followed up afterward

If you consistently score on all five, 5-star reviews follow naturally.

After your follow-up message, include a brief line asking the client to leave a review if they found the session helpful. Phrase it as a personal request, not a form prompt: "If the session was helpful, I'd really appreciate a quick review — it helps other professionals find me."

Sometimes a session goes poorly. The client was not prepared, the problem was more complex than expected, or the chemistry was off. It happens.

If you sense the client was dissatisfied, reach out proactively. Acknowledge that the session may not have fully met their expectations and offer to do a short 15-minute follow-up call at no charge. This turns a negative experience into a story of exceptional service — and clients often update their review as a result.