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Referral Letter

by electronik69
2 replies
Hey guys,

I have recently written a referral letter and I would love your honest opinion, the letter is based on some copy written by the Direct Marketing Association, and is also from The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy.

Dear [Name],

I hope you are enjoying your new website, remember if there is anything you need please don't hesitate to ask.

I'd like to ask you to look through your contacts and come up with the name of at least one business who you think would benefit from my services.

You see, I am embarking on a referral marketing campaign. And the logical place is to start with you. As you have been in business a while and I am sure you have built up a loyal client base.

Surely you would know at least one business who would benefit from having a new website or really needs to expand their web presence, but who for one reason or another may not be aware of what I have to offer. And if you can help me help them, I will be able to give you $100 for every name that you give me that signs up to one of my services.

I'd appreciate it if you'd send that person's name, email address, and phone number to me. Because I would like to talk him or her about their business's web presence in a no obligation phone call.

For your convenience, I have attached a form on which you can list the name(s) of your nominee(s). I'd also like to know if you'd permit me to use your name when I make the actual contact. Obviously we will respect your wishes.

I appreciate your taking the time from your busy schedule to help us. I look forward to receiving your nomination(s) and soon hope to drop off a cheque in your mailbox!

Sincerely

Timothy Maggs
Managing Director
Clockwork Marketing
#letter #referral
  • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
    Honestly, it's a bit presumptious. Kennedy is certainly direct and not afraid to say what he says.... and the guy is brilliant. But what's in it for the person referring to you?

    A better approach is to make sure the person you are *asking* for help from has found *value* in what you've provided... before you start asking.

    You can begin the process first by probing for feedback to see if they've found value in your work.

    If not, you'll fail.

    If so, then you can begin to go down the path of *enlisting* them for help to refer you.

    Value has to be received -- and recognized -- by the people you want to refer you.... BEFORE they will ever cough up names.

    Why?

    Risk.

    Or I should say, risk-avoidance.

    Inherently, the definition of a referral is an introduction you -- and no one will (nor wants) to introduce others to you until their 200% sure you provide a tremendous amount of value.

    Would you refer to me?

    Of course not -- until you've found value in my work.

    The problem with most people is we do a poor job of following up and asking... "Have you found value in my work."

    We're afraid to do that, or lazy about it.

    Tip: Ask: "On a scale of 1 to 10, how did I do for you? How can I get a 15??"

    The answer will tell you whether that person could become a good referral source for you.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author electronik69
    MaxReferrals,

    Thank you for all your knowledgeable advice! I really hope'd you would see this post as your video inspired me to make this referral letter.

    I love the idea about the feedback forms maybe include in the form a testimonial box?

    I feel this letter would only go to people who I felt were 100% happy with my services, given my current experience clients will often tell me if there is something they are not happy with, and I do my best to fix the problem ASAP. But I guess you could argue that not all people are going to tell me when they are unhappy.

    I deal with clients at a local and interstate level. Now I wouldn't dream of sending this to someone who I hadn't met face to face.

    But I guess the only way to see if this letter works or not is to test it.

    I completely agree that you have to know whether or not the client is 100% happy with your services before you go and ask for the referral. But I think there also needs to be some sort of incentive provided, due to the fact, that after they refer you to one person what is going to make them refer you again.

    Just out of curiosity do you ask directly for the referral or do you send them a letter/email.

    Thank you for your time.
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    If it doesn't sell, it isn't creative - David Ogilvy
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