Referral request email templates for sales
Customers are happy to refer you but rarely know who to suggest or what to say. This template does both jobs: it names the kind of person you'd like to meet, and it includes a two-line intro they can forward without editing. The ask is small and easy to say no to.
;sl-referral;sl-referral in any app.Variations
The same message for a different channel or tone. Copy the one that fits.
When you'd rather they introduce you to a specific person you've spotted in their network.
Right after a customer says something nice, while the moment's still warm.
When to use it
- A customer just told you about a good result.
- A renewal or check-in went well.
- You've spotted a specific person in a customer's network.
What to avoid
- Don't ask for referrals from customers who've just had a problem.
- Don't ask for a list of names. One or two is a favour; ten is a chore.
- Don't offer payment for referrals unless you have a formal program.
The fields in this template
Retext fills these in when the snippet expands. In plain text they become [brackets] to replace by hand.
- First name
{fill:First name} - The customer's first name.
- Result
{fill:Result} - What's working for them, in their terms.
- Company
{fill:Company} - The customer's company name.
- Ideal contact role
{fill:Ideal contact role} - The role you'd like to meet, e.g. "head of support".
- Problem
{fill:Problem} - The problem you solved for them.
- ;sig-work
{snippet:sig-work} - Pulls in your ;sig-work snippet, so a change to that snippet updates every reply that uses it. Create a snippet with that trigger first (any template in the email signatures pack works), or the field stays as typed.
- Target name
{fill:Target name} - The person you'd like an introduction to.
- Target company
{fill:Target company} - That person's company.
Tips
- •The forwardable blurb is the most important part: it turns "I should introduce them" into a 10-second task.
- •Keep the result specific in {fill:Result}, e.g. "the new support workflow", so it reads as earned.
- •Pair with ;sl-renewal: a smooth renewal is a natural time to ask.
Works in Gmail, Outlook, LinkedIn, HubSpot and every other app
Retext types the snippet wherever your cursor is. To use a different version in one app, give it the same trigger and limit it to that app with per-app snippets. They go by app, not website, so every tab in your browser counts as one app.
Account managers and reps ask for referrals at different moments. Keep both the short and full versions in the team pack, and check in your pipeline reviews how often anyone actually asks.
See Retext for TeamsQuestions
How do I ask a customer for a referral?
Right after they share a good result, ask for one or two people in a specific role, and give them a short note they can forward. The easier you make it, the more likely it happens.
When is the best time to ask for a referral?
When the customer has just said something positive: after a good result, a smooth renewal, or a support issue resolved well. Avoid asking during a problem.
Related templates
Introduction email
;em-introEmail & out of office
Hi [First person] and [Second person], Introducing you two, as promised. [First person]: [Second person] is [Who the sec…
Upsell email
;sl-upsellSales
Hi [First name], I noticed [Usage signal]. That usually means a team is getting close to the limits of [Current plan]. O…
Renewal reminder
;sl-renewalSales
Hi [First name], A heads-up that [Company]'s [Product] plan renews on [Renewal date] for [Price]. This year your team [W…
Type ;sl-referral, get the whole reply
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