For businesses
How to ask for a referral without pressure
Ask after you have delivered useful work, describe who you can help and make declining easy. Request an introduction—not someone else’s contact list.
Make the request easy to understand
“Do you know anyone who needs us?” asks the other person to do all the thinking. A narrower request explains the situation you can help with: a retailer preparing an online catalog, a property owner planning seasonal maintenance or a local team organizing an event.
Choose a moment when the customer has had time to judge your work. If a concern remains unresolved, address it first. Do not turn a support conversation into a request for a favor.
Ask for permission on both sides
First ask whether your customer would feel comfortable introducing you. If they have someone in mind, have them ask that person before connecting you. Share only the context both people agree to share.
Our sample below is a suggested approach, not a script proven to increase conversion. Adapt it to your relationship. Leave out sensitive details, budget information or customer records unless sharing them is necessary and specifically agreed.
Give the person a useful next step
When an introduction arrives, acknowledge it, explain your relevant service in one or two sentences and offer an easy way to discuss fit. Do not assume an introduction means someone wants a proposal, sales sequence or newsletter.
If there is no reply, use judgment about whether one brief follow-up is welcome. An explicit decline ends the request. A referral does not create an obligation to buy.
- Say who you help and with what problem.
- Make the request optional.
- Get agreement before sharing contact details.
- Thank the introducer without disclosing private sales discussions.
- Keep marketing subscription separate from the introduction.
Build relationships beyond referral requests
Be useful when you are not asking for anything: explain your work clearly, make a relevant resource available or point someone toward help outside your scope. The SBA’s networking guidance provides broader context on building a business support network.
You do not need a large list to begin. A few relationships with people who understand your work can be more manageable than collecting contacts you have no reason to follow up with.
A request and an introduction you can adapt
Copy or print this worksheet for your own notes. Nothing you write is collected here.
Request: I’m glad [specific work] was useful. We also help [type of business] with [specific problem]. If someone comes to mind, would you feel comfortable asking whether they would like an introduction? No pressure if not. After both people agree: [Name], meet [name]. You both agreed to connect about [brief, approved context]. I’ll let you take it from here. First reply: Thanks for connecting us. I help with [relevant scope]. Would a short conversation about your situation be useful?
Sources and context
- SBA: Building your business support network
General networking background; the sample messages are original Chamber Connect editorial examples.
Check current programs, prices and availability directly with the organization. Worksheets and sample messages are Chamber Connect editorial tools, not guarantees of results.