How to Make a Testimonial Release Form (With Template!)

When a customer gives a testimonial, you need to have their permission before you use it. A testimonial release form will prove that the customer gave their permission to use the testimonial, and help keep your business out of legal trouble. A testimonial release form can also inform your customers about how you plan to use their testimonials, and prevent confusion. Let’s take a look at how to make a testimonial release form, some testimonial release form templates, and how to customize these to suit your needs.

How to Make a Testimonial Release Form (With Template!)

This is a general outline that can help you make a testimonial release form. However, this is not legal advice. For any protective legal document, it’s a good idea to talk it over with a legal professional first. If you make a testimonial release form beforehand using this template, you can make changes based on your legal expert’s recommendations, instead of making a form from scratch.

What is a Testimonial Release Form?

A release form is used to indemnify an individual, business or organization from liability. It’s also used to prevent another party from claiming ownership over content. For example, a movie studio might require an actor to sign a release form before making a film, so the actor can’t later claim that they own footage that they appear in.

A testimonial release form is designed to prevent the person giving the testimonial from claiming ownership over it. When a person provides a testimonial, the testimonial release form allows the business to use it in their promotions. With a testimonial release form, the business will have a record showing that the customer gave their permission to use the testimonial, and that the customer will not claim ownership or monetary gain over the testimonial in the future.

Where to Use a Testimonial Release Form

There are many ways you can collect testimonials. You might collect them in-person when you speak with your clients or customers, you might automate this process and collect testimonials on your website, or even collect them on social media. Whatever method you choose, you’ll need a testimonial release form to make sure you have your customer’s permission to use the testimonial in your promotions.

How you provide your testimonial release form depends on how you gather your testimonials. Here are a few methods you might use:

In-person testimonials: If you gather testimonials in-person, have a copy of your testimonial release form printed off and ready to sign when needed. You’ll need to leave blank sections for your customer’s name, the current date, and a signature.
Online testimonials: If you have a landing page and form set up to gather testimonials, you might include your testimonial release form as a pop-up or include the text on the page. Use a check-box to make sure your customer’s give their permission before submitting their testimonials.
Social media testimonials: With social media, you might direct your customer to a landing page (see above) or gather testimonials directly from the social media platform itself. In this case, you might copy and paste your testimonial release form in a private message.

How to Make a Testimonial Release Form

To make the ideal testimonial release form, your text should be clear and straightforward, but it should also cover the important points. A testimonial release form that is many pages long or overly complex will overwhelm a customer who is already taking time out of their day to provide some nice words.

As you make your testimonial release form, gather this information first:

Where and how you’ll use the testimonial: Will you share these testimonials on social media, in advertisements, brochures, on your website, or other ways?
What you’ll use: Will your customers be providing their picture, text, videos, or all of these?
How you’ll gather testimonials: Will you gather testimonials in-person, on your website, on social media, or another way?
How will customers give their permission: Will customers be able to sign the form, or will they be able to check a box to show that they have read the release form (similar to a terms of use form)?
How customers can contact you: If customers have questions or concerns about how you’ll use they’ll testimonial, do you want to give them a way to contact you?

Use This Testimonial Release Form Template

Customize the following template to create a testimonial release form that works best for your business. If you’re using a paper testimonial release form, you’ll need a signature. If you’re using an electronic testimonial release form, you’ll need to include a box that the customer can check to certify that they have read and understand the testimonial release form. You’ll also need to customize the text in brackets with your own details.

Keep in mind that, while this testimonial release form template covers the essentials, it has not been written by a legal expert.

I understand the testimonial I provided, including all text, images, and video (hereinafter called “The Testimonial”), was made on behalf of [your business name] (hereinafter called “The Business”) and will be used in marketing and promoting The Business. I authorize The Business and its employees, contractors, partners and other representatives to use The Testimonial in marketing and promotional efforts, including, but not limited to, advertisements, social media posts, brochures, [other promotional materials]. I waive any claim to inspect, edit or approve of any materials where The Testimonial is used. I also waive any claim to copyright The Testimonial or materials where The Testimonial appears, and waive any claim to financial compensation or gain from using The Testimonial.

I have read, understand, and agree to all of the above.
Signature:

[By checking this box, I verify that I have read, understand and agree to the above statement]

Now that you have a testimonial release form template, you can customize it to fit your needs, and start gathering testimonials. Be sure to answer questions your customers may have, and give them a way to contact you, if possible. This way, you can maintain transparency and be sure your customers feel good about how their testimonials will be used.