Asking for referrals is one of the most effective ways to grow your business, but it comes with challenges that can make the process seem daunting and maybe stop you from even trying. One of the obvious deterrents is that it’s uncomfortable to directly ask someone for a favor. Additionally, finding the right moment and the right words to use can be tricky, especially because you don’t want to come across as pushy or insincere.
If this anxiety around referrals sounds familiar, you might need to start by adjusting your mindset. Any hesitation can lead to missed opportunities for valuable referrals that could significantly benefit your business. And without a structured approach, the process of asking for referrals can become inconsistent, leading to frustration for both you and your customers.
That being said, asking for referrals doesn’t have to be this difficult. By simplifying the process and making it more approachable, you can turn it into a regular and successful part of your business strategy. One way to do this is by using templates for different platforms, such as email, LinkedIn, and in-person conversations. Templates can provide a clear way to ask for referrals, ensuring that you communicate your request effectively and without that awkward tension. They should also be tailored to fit individual customer relationships, making each request feel personalized and genuine.
Let’s explore how to ask for referrals from your happy customers through a few different channels. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the tools and templates to turn your happy customers into advocates for your business.
- 9 Best Practices
- How to Ask for Referrals by Email
- How to Ask for Referrals on LinkedIn
- How to Ask for Referrals In Person
- Streamline Referrals with Templates
- Frequently Asked Questions
9 Best Practices
Before we dive into specific situations, you should always keep in mind these best practices when crafting your referral request message, no matter which channel of communication you’re using.
1. Personalize Your Message
Address the customer by their name. Reference specific positive experiences or results they’ve had with your product or service.
2. Be Sincere and Appreciative
Express genuine gratitude for their business and desire to make their experience the best it can be. Acknowledge their value as a customer and how much you appreciate their support.
JK Moving, a moving and storage company, was recently able to achieve over $100,000 in revenue from new referrals with the help of Snoball. But according to Carissa Helm, Inside Sales Supervisor at JK Moving, getting referrals isn't just about reaching out to the maximum number of people possible; it's about building genuine relationships with them. She explains, "With Snoball's support, we’re not just reaching more people; we’re connecting with them in more meaningful ways." Learn more about JK Moving's success.
![Carissa profile picture](https://images.bestcompany.com/blog/Carissa (1).png)
Carissa Helm
Inside Sales Supervisor @ JK Moving
"With Snoball’s support, we’re not just reaching more people; we’re connecting with them in more meaningful ways."
3. Explain the Benefit
Clearly explain why you’re asking for a referral and how it will benefit you. Highlight how the referral could also benefit their friends or colleagues.
4. Make It Easy
Provide clear instructions on how they can refer someone. Include any necessary links, referral codes, or information that will make the process straightforward.
5. Offer an Incentive
Consider offering an incentive to encourage referrals (e.g., discounts, gift cards, or other rewards). Ensure the incentive is meaningful and appropriate for your customer base.
6. Keep It Short and Simple
Keep your outreach concise and to the point. Avoid overwhelming the customer with too much information or lengthy requests.
7. Timing Matters
Send the request at a time when the customer is most likely to be receptive, such as shortly after a positive experience or successful transaction. Avoid sending referral requests too frequently.
8. Follow Up
Send a follow-up thank you email if they refer someone. Keep them informed about any rewards or outcomes resulting from their referral.
9. Respect Their Decision
Make it clear that while you’d appreciate the referral, there’s no obligation and it will not affect your relationship. Be respectful and understanding if they choose not to provide a referral.
Your referral request templates can be saved on the Snoball platform! Schedule a demo to see how Snoball can help you collect more referrals.
Schedule DemoHow to Ask for Referrals by Email
Email is an excellent channel for asking for referrals from your happy customers. First of all, email allows customers to respond at their convenience, minimizing any pressure they might feel from a direct or real-time request such as a phone call or in-person conversation. Customers can also refer back to the message if they need more time to think about potential referrals. Email also allows you to follow up without being intrusive. You can gently remind customers of your request without putting them on the spot.
This makes email an effective and flexible tool for encouraging happy customers and to refer new clients to your business. Here are some templates you can reference for developing your own referral outreach via email. Don’t forget to personalize each email to the specific industry, person, product, situation, etc.
Email Referral Request Templates
Email Template #1
If you know the customer had a positive experience but you didn’t work with them directly, you might consider something like this:
Hi [Customer’s Name],
We’re thrilled to hear that you’ve had a great experience with [Company/Service/Sales Rep]. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we’re grateful for your trust.
We’re always looking to grow our community with more amazing customers like you. If you know anyone who could benefit from our services, we would be honored if you could introduce us. We’d love to help them achieve the same great results you’ve experienced. To show our appreciation, we’re offering [Incentive] for every successful referral.
It’s easy to refer someone:
- Share our website link with your friend and ask them to mention your name when they contact us.
- Or if you prefer, you can provide us with your friend’s contact information and we can reach out to them directly.
- Once they become a customer, you’ll receive your [Incentive]!
Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Email Template #2
If you’ve worked with the customer directly and have a personal relationship with them, you might consider something like this:
Hi [Customer’s Name],
How are you? I hope everything is still going well with [Product/Service]. [Insert personal detail here. Ask a follow up question about something you learned about them, i.e. family members, work, vacation, etc.)
I’m reaching out because I really enjoyed working with you and getting to know you through the [Product/Service] process. I’m always on the lookout for wonderful customers like you. If there’s anyone you know who might benefit from [Product/Service], I’d be honored if you could refer me to them so I could help them achieve the same great results you’ve experienced.
Let me know if you have anyone in mind I could reach out to. Or if you want to share my information with them, they can text or call me at [Your Phone Number]. And the best part—I’ll send you [Incentive] when they become a customer!
Thank you for considering this. I appreciate your support more than you know.
Best wishes,
[Your Name]
Tip: If you’ve developed a strong relationship with the customer and have texted them in the past, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals via text too. It’s a bit more personal than an email and comes with similar advantages. Feel free to condense the email templates to better fit the short messages we’re used to sending over text.
How to Ask for Referrals on LinkedIn
When asking for referrals via LinkedIn, it's important to consider the platform's professional nature and the preferences of your connections. LinkedIn is a great place to reach out and ask for referrals, but first you’ll need to decide which medium on LinkedIn is best for your situation: direct messages or a general post.
LinkedIn Referral Request Templates
Direct Message Template
If you are requesting a referral from a customer who you know well, we recommend reaching out through an email or a text message. However, if you don’t know the customer well, LinkedIn is a professional way to request a referral from them. Sending someone a direct message on LinkedIn allows you to tailor the message to the individual and will likely receive a higher response rate than a generic post on LinkedIn.
Hi [Customer’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I recently heard about your positive experience with [Service/Product] and wanted to express my gratitude for your trust and support.
I’m reaching out because I’m looking to grow my network and would love to connect on LinkedIn. Also, if you know anyone else who I could connect with or who would benefit from [Service/Product], I’d be grateful if you could refer them to me. And I’ll give them [Incentive] if they become a customer!
Thank you so much for considering this. Your support means a lot!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
General Post Template
Posting on LinkedIn can be the right course of action if you are looking to remind your entire network about your referral program, not reach out to a single individual. A LinkedIn post will reach a wider audience than a direct message and can elicit broader engagement. Don’t forget to make the post professional and informative, highlight your services, and subtly invite referrals by mentioning your appreciation for word of mouth support.
🚀 Exciting News! 🚀
We’ve been helping businesses achieve [Results/Benefits] with our [Product/Service], and we’re looking to expand our network. If you know anyone who could benefit from [Product/Service], we’d love to connect with them!
Feel free to reach out or tag someone in the comments who might be interested. Your referrals are greatly appreciated!
Oh, and I almost forgot the best part - we’ll send you [Incentive] if your referral signs up 🎁
Thank you for your support!
#BusinessGrowth #Referrals #CustomerSuccess #Networking
How to Ask for Referrals In Person
While you might think that asking for referrals over email, text, or LinkedIn is the best way to avoid awkward confrontation, there are many advantages to an in-person conversation. This outreach can be effective through a phone call, but these benefits are best achieved face-to-face.
An in-person request adds a personal touch to the interaction, making it more genuine and heartfelt. This can strengthen the customer's connection to your business and increase their likelihood of making a referral. This type of outreach also allows for immediate engagement. You can gauge the customer's reaction and adjust your approach accordingly. Your enthusiasm for new referrals and appreciation for their help can also be more effectively communicated in person. Enthusiasm is contagious, and a genuine expression of excitement and gratitude can motivate customers to act.
In-Person Referral Request Template
This in-person template is up for even more interpretation and change than the others, because you want the conversation to sound natural, not like a rehearsed script. Rather than a template, think of these as points to hit at some point throughout the conversation.
In-Person Conversation Points
"Hi [Customer’s Name], how are you?”
“I just wanted to take a second to say thank you for your support and for being such a great customer!"
"We want to grow our community with more fantastic customers like you. If you have a friend or family member or coworker who could benefit from [Product/Service], let me know.
"I just want you to know that your referrals are valuable to us. As you know, we want our customers to be happy, so we’ll treat anyone you refer with the same service we’ve given you.”
“Plus, we’re currently offering [Incentive] as a thank-you for any successful referrals."
Simplify the Process:
"If you think of anyone, here’s my card. Have them reach out to me, or feel free to text me their contact info and I’ll reach out to them."
"Thank you so much for considering this. Your support makes a big difference, and we really appreciate it."
Streamline Referrals with Templates
It's essential to approach referral requests thoughtfully and strategically. Whether you're asking via email, LinkedIn, or in person, following best practices ensures that your happy customers continue to have positive experiences.
Utilizing well-crafted templates across all platforms can streamline the process, ensuring consistency and saving time. These templates provide a solid foundation that can be personalized to fit each unique customer relationship, making your requests feel genuine and respectful.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively leverage the satisfaction of your current customers to attract new ones. Remember, the key to successful referrals lies in building and maintaining strong, positive relationships with your customers and making it easy and rewarding for them to refer others to your business.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Let Snoball automate your referral program! Schedule a demo to see what Snoball can do for your business.
Schedule DemoFrequently Asked Questions
FAQs | |
---|---|
Why should you ask for referrals? | Asking for referrals leverages the satisfaction of your current customers to attract new ones, often resulting in higher quality leads and increased trust. Referrals can also significantly reduce marketing costs. |
How do you write an email asking for referrals? |
To write an email asking for referrals, personalize the message by addressing the customer by name and expressing genuine appreciation for their support. Clearly explain why you are seeking referrals and how they can help, provide easy instructions for referring someone, and consider offering an incentive to show your gratitude. |
What is a good subject line for a referral email? |
A good subject line for a referral email is clear, engaging, and concise. Examples include "Get [Incentive] for Recommending Family and Friends" or "Share the Love and Earn Rewards!" These subject lines quickly convey the purpose of the email and pique the recipient's interest. |