How to Thank Someone for a Referral

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thank a referral Showing your appreciation for a referral is one of the best forms of motivation that exists. People who go out of their way to voluntarily tell someone about your business are generally motivated to do so because they like doing it rather than expecting something in return, but a simple thank you, or the more elaborate flowers, candy (9 Burdick Penguins in a wooden box), coffee and hand-written note of thanks are all in order.

However, in addition to this I suggest that one of the best ways to thank a referral source is to also do it publicly.

Where appropriate, acknowledging your referral sourceâ€™s activity on your behalf publicly can prove quite powerful in terms of motivation. Almost everyone enjoys a little pat on the back for being a part of your team and I believe doing this in the right forum has several other benefits.
1. Your referral source feels very appreciated and socially validated
2. You reinforce your organizationsâ€™ referral worthiness
3. You display tangible examples of referral partners
4. You demonstrate your appreciation for the relationship

The flip side of this idea is that you should also consider making referrals publicly as part of the entire cycle. By letting people know the kinds of business you deem referral worthy you:
1. Show what think quality is
2. Provide more leads for your referral partners
3. Share resources that benefit your customers and prospects
4. Demonstrate how highly you value referrals

There are many ways you can go about promoting your referral activity publicly. You can add a referral box to your newsletter, create a referral news page on your web site, promote referrals in your blog posts, or tweet it to your followers on twitter.

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Design and Operate a Referral System – part 2 (ducttapemarketing.com)

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Posted by: John Jantsch on May 11, 09 | 12:12 pm
Category: Referral Marketing | Tags:

Comments

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Kris Bovay

I'd be happy with a simple acknowledgement and update! Recently I referred two strong leads to a very good customer, but heard absolutely nothing back. I'd like to know if the referral leads to work, or if it doesn't. When I don't get anything back, I tend to think I 'wasted' that referral.

ducttape

I think many people have found themselves in your shoes and it's a pretty strong lesson. I would suggest, when it makes sense, that you even go as far as communicating the results you were able to achieve with and for the referred lead.

Tim Entwisle

What you says i very valuable. I am currently considering some promotional items as thank you gifts. Appropriate?

KJ Rodgers

As with all networking, it is really important to show thanks or give due credit, or that may be your last referral.

Patrick Dominguez

Hi John, thanks for the excellent post. I think when entrepreneurs get too busy, they forget about the element of maintaining relationships and send thank yous.

On a related note, it's important to thank clients for their business too!

-- Patrick

atul chatterjee

I think the most valued part of your article is to thank a person publicly. this is something I have never considered doing consciously. It has happened on occasions but more due to circumstances than design. Thank you for the simple tip, it is going to be very useful.

ilovesoc

Hi John,

Thanks for the excellent post. Acknowledging someone publicly is very powerful because people enjoy the recognition in front of others. It really makes them feel valued. Many times it is not possible to recognize people in public for those occasions a nice token of appreciation can be a nice hand written note or card and a gift along with the card.

vincestev

I could not agree more. Patting somebody on the back as soon after they have done a good deed has the greatest motivating affect, Rgds Vince

Justin

Publicly thanking a referral is a great source of motivation. You're right in that most everyone enjoys the pat on the back. If you leave them with a great feeing of appreciation, they tend to be even more driven to refer. We live in a world where not enough appreciation is shown....so the more we acknowledge and thank, the more we seperate ourselves from the others who don't. Thanks.

Tim Somers

John I use Send Out Cards to thank those that have sent me a referral. I often throw in a Tim Horton's Gift Card - Referrals have been a huge part of my success and I let those that take the time and make the effort to refer me know I am thankful.

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