How To Confidently Ask for Referrals Plus Steal My Email Template
Having started and grown my business solely on authentic relationships (I haven’t spent a single dollar on ads), I know and appreciate the power of the referral.
90%+ of my clients come through a referral.
Most business owners spin their wheels trying to invent ways to get new clients when really, they need to focus more energy on showing up and delivering high-quality work. You know, doing what they said they were going to do.
We see it at play all the time. We need a great house cleaner, kitchen remodel, or dog walker — we ask our friends first, and then we ask a network of people we trust.
When I first started my business, I sent a personalized email to people in my network. This helped me sign my first few clients and then the next few. Within months, I had enough clients lined up to quit my corporate job — which was the goal.
Here’s the actual business announcement email I sent to people I trusted.
Once I delivered top-notch work and created an outstanding client experience, it was time to ask.
If you’re not used to talking about your work, it might initially feel uncomfortable. To get used to asking for anything, including referrals, I suggest tracking all the asks you make for 30 days. Aim to ask for something every day from someone.
Ask for the rest of the water bottle on the plane
Ask for someone in your home to look after dinner tonight
Ask for someone to keep your business in mind
Ask for extra cherries on your cashew-milk-ice-cream sundae
Ask for extra guac on your taco bowl
Practicing the art of the ask will help you get comfortable with receiving.
We can be afraid to ask for things because underneath, we’re afraid to receive. Getting used to asking gets you used to receiving. And to receive clients, referrals, and abundance in business, we need to ask for things and be willing to receive them.
When it comes to asking for referrals from people who loved working with you — they’re more than likely happy to help spread the word. Most often, clients will spread the word without you even asking. You asking your clients for referrals is simply a reminder.
Word-of-mouth referrals are a powerful way to grow your business.
When you transform your client's lives, they naturally want to share!
Make it a no-brainer for your clients to pass your name along.
The best time to ask for referrals
You can ask for a referral at any time during your project. If your client has already started working with you and had some early wins, tap into that positive energy and ask them to share with someone they think could use your product or service.
Referrals can also come from your network. You may not have had to work with them, but they’ve seen your work and can vouch for you. For me, website designers, business coaches, and branding experts have been fantastic sources of amazing clients. Many of them I haven’t done work for, but I’ve worked with their clients, and they’ve seen the positive results first-hand.
Look around your network and see which industries are complementary to yours. These are natural referral sources. Just like when I think of my realtor and all the local resources they’ve connected me with — home inspectors, interior decorators, lawn maintenance, pest control.
And just as I look to great complementary services for a referral source, I also look to be one. If I can serve my clients even more powerfully by passing along some other amazing professionals they can work with — I’m always more than happy to.
Another routine time to ask for referrals is at the end of your engagement. Even if you’re working with a client long-term, once you’ve completed your initial project, it’s an excellent opportunity to ask for referrals.
TIP: Make sure you’re asking for ongoing feedback too. You don’t want to find out that your client doesn’t want to pass your name along because of a hiccup in your work. Make sure you’re asking for feedback early and often. And listen!
Here’s how I ask for referrals.
Many times, I’ll give them a template to share. I want to make it as easy as possible for people to share my work.
I provide them with a template and encourage them to edit it to feel like their words. Of course, if I know my client pretty well, I can tap into their voice and use words they’re likely to use.
Here’s an email template you can customize and send to your favorite clients:
Hi [client name],
It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you. If I could fill my client roster with clients as wonderful as you, I’d be over the moon. Do you know anyone who would also benefit from working with me?
If so, I’d love it if you passed my name along. Here’s a sample email you can cut, paste, and personalize. As a huge thank you for your referrals, I’ll have a special gift just for you. Just ‘cause. (Only include this if you’ll actually send them something — maybe it’s a small gift, bonus session, or free stuff. If you send a referral payment, include this information here).
Steal my email script:
Hi [friend/colleague name],
I recently hired a copywriter and writing coach to help me tell my story on my about page.
Her name is Jacqueline Fisch and I’m really pleased with the results. I’m glad she could help me [result 1] and [result 2].
If you’re thinking of hiring a copywriter or writing coach, tell her I sent you. She’s currently working with clients privately or in groups.
Here’s her website theintuitivewritingschool.com
And her email hi@jacquelinefisch.com
If you have questions about my experience working with her, I’d be happy to chat.
Thanks!
[Fill in your client’s name]
That’s it! Easy peasy. Also, start today if you aren't already tracking where your clients are coming from. I keep a simple Google Sheet with their name, referral source, and notes about our project. I also indicate if I had sent any gifts
Notice you have a few really great referral sources?
Double down on them. Is there more you can do to offer your thanks to them? How else can you serve? Can you replicate those referral sources to invite more people just like them to work with you?
Referrals are an authentic and natural way to grow a thriving business filled with clients you love to work with. I hope these tips and the sample message will bring you some amazing peeps to work with.
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