⭐THE ATW ADVOCATE⭐
A PATRON'S GUIDE TO GIVING HONEST REVIEWS: The Power of a Thoughtful 4-Star
Good evening, patrons.
This morning, we talked about the 'DRAMA 5-STAR' – the perfect review we sometimes leave out of fear, not authenticity. So, what's the alternative when an experience was good, but not quite perfect?
I want to make the case for the most under-utilised and potentially powerful tool a patron has: THE THOUGHTFUL 4-STAR REVIEW.
A well-written 4-star review is not an insult. It is a gift. It is a sign of a deeply engaged patron who cares enough to offer the constructive feedback that helps a great creator get even better. It is infinitely more valuable to the community than a dozen generic 5-star ratings.
So, how do we write one in a way that is constructive, not crushing?
THE ANATOMY OF A PERFECT 4-STAR REVIEW
The key is to be kind, specific, and focused on the business process, not the person. Use the 'COMPLIMENT SANDWICH' method.
1. START WITH A GENUINE, ENTHUSIASTIC POSITIVE:
Always begin by stating what was great about the experience. This immediately shows that your feedback is coming from a place of overall satisfaction.
"I had a really wonderful experience with this creator! They are incredibly creative and so friendly, and the final video was so much fun."
2. THE SPECIFIC, KIND, CONSTRUCTIVE POINT:
This is the core of the review. Isolate the one area for improvement and frame it as a specific, factual observation, not an emotional complaint.
* BAD: "They took forever to reply."
* GOOD: "Communication was a little slow at times, which is something to bear in mind if you're in a hurry, but they were always professional when they did respond."
* BAD: "The packaging was a bit basic."
* GOOD: "The item itself was perfect! A little more robust packaging for the post would have made it a flawless experience."
3. END WITH A REASSURING, POSITIVE CLOSE:
Finish by reaffirming your intention to be a repeat patron. This is the most important part. It proves that your 4-star review is a sign of a healthy, ongoing relationship, not a final judgment.
"Overall, this was a fantastic experience and I will absolutely be back to support this amazing creator again. Highly recommended!"
This kind of review is a sign of a healthy community. Let's normalise being honestly supportive. Let's empower our favourite creators with the feedback they deserve.
#TheATWAdvocate #HonestReviews #BuyerEtiquette