At Braintrust, we believe strongly in the concept of verifiable “proof of work” — the idea that you should receive credit for the hard work you do for one client or employer, which can then be brought with you to the next one.

One key way for both Talent and clients to get credit for their work together is to ask for a review! This macro guide shows you how to leave and receive reviews.

Table of Contents

• Why Leave Reviews at All?
  • The benefits of leaving a review.
  • The benefits of receiving a review.
• How Do I Get a Client or Talent review?
  • Why can’t I leave a review, or receive one, sooner?
  • How do we start the review process?
  • When and where do I see their review?
• How Do I Manage the Review Process?
  • Ask for a review early on.
  • Send a first draft.
  • Expect some changes.
• How Do I Write a Great Review?
  • Be specific.
  • Provide empirical evidence.
  • Pair with anecdotal evidence.
  • Remain constructive.
• Additional Resources

Why Leave Reviews at All?

Both clients and Talent benefit from leaving and receiving reviews.

The benefits of leaving a review.

• Clients help other clients get better insight into Talent, and encourage a culture of leaving reviews which they benefit from when they consider Talent for work opportunities.
• Talent help other Talent get better insight into clients, allowing the community to ensure more positive work experiences for all the Talent finding work on Braintrust.

The benefits of receiving a review.

• Clients are able to build a reputation for having a strong work culture that is attractive for Talent, and are able to get direct feedback on areas where they can still improve.
• Talent are able to build a reputation for having a strong work ethic and track record of success, making them even more attractive to future clients by providing further evidence of their abilities.

How Do I Get a Client or Talent Review?

To get a review, you must have fully completed that specific work engagement with the client, whether it was a full-time role or a short-term contract. Once the last invoice is paid, the review process will begin.

Why can’t I leave a review, or receive one, sooner?

Reviews are posted publicly and transparently stored for future potential clients and peers to see. With that in mind, it’s in the best interests of both clients and Talent that reviews are done only once the engagement is fully completed, reducing the risk of their experience changing in the meantime.

As the network advances, reviews will eventually be posted not just on your profile, but also on the blockchain, which allows you to take your verifiable work history with you wherever you go, no matter what job networks or platforms you use.

How do we start the review process?

The double-blind review process begins as soon as the client clicks “Complete” after paying out all invoices. If the client is unsure of how to do this, Talent can direct them to the individual jobs page, where they can click ‘Complete Job.”

When and where do I see their review?

Reviews from both Talent and clients are posted as soon as they have been completed on both sides. Once posted, Talent can view their reviews on their profile, while Clients can view them on their /employers page.

How Do I Manage the Review Process?

Ask for a review early on.

Don’t wait until the engagement is over! One you know your time together is coming to a close, start broaching the subject. By giving them time to prepare, they can have a response already drafted for when they complete the job.

Send a first draft.

People are busy, and it can be difficult at times to know exactly which aspects of an engagement to highlight. If there are certain things you know would be most helpful to have included— whether you are a client or Talent — it’s not a bad idea to provide them with a first draft.

Another option is to send a bullet list of the most critical points you would like included: factors such as your work ethic, your communication, your ability or your quantifiable results.

Expect some changes.

If you’re going to go with the above route, we would suggest asking first, as some may want to write a review from scratch. Either way, many will appreciate the extra effort and while they may not use your draft word for word, your writing will most likely shape their final review.

How Do I Write a Great Review?

Be specific.

Provide specific examples of the accomplishments achieved together and areas of improvement. Don’t be vague, but be clear in areas where the client or Talent went above and beyond.

Provide empirical evidence.

Use quantifiable measures where possible to judge the success of the arrangement, and point to the impact made. Direct sales or money made isn’t the only statistic worth using: metrics such as an increase in audience engagement/reach or time saved using them over another option are great as well!

Pair stats with anecdotal evidence.

After you’ve established clear metrics for success, it often helps to provide an anecdotal example that underscores your point — for instance, a point about how their effective communication style saved you time and money could be paired with an example of them handling a particularly thorny conversation creatively.

Remain constructive.

Provide feedback that is thoughtful and actionable. If the arrangement had its faults, acknowledge them, but also give insight into how the situation could have been improved. Let future parties have insight into how the other person handles obstacles: Even if it didn’t work out in your specific situation, lending such insight might help future Talent or clients work well together.