Remember the person
Keep a detail from your conversation: a business milestone, a shared interest, or a priority they mentioned.
BUILD A BUSINESS PEOPLE WANT TO SHARE
Referrals by Design.Give trust
a place to grow.
Deliver something useful. Stay connected. Make a specific introduction easy. Build a repeatable referral practice around the relationships you have earned.
01 / A SIMPLE REFERRAL SYSTEM
Make introductions
easy to give and receive.
Create the conditions for a good introduction. The relationship determines whether and when it happens.
01 / IDENTIFY
Know who you help.
Choose a specific kind of business, concern, and person who can make the decision.
02 / EQUIP
Give people the words.
Prepare a one-sentence description and a short introduction they can forward.
03 / ASK
Choose the right moment.
After delivering value, ask whether one relevant person comes to mind.
04 / APPRECIATE
Close the loop.
Thank the person for the introduction, whether or not it becomes business.
02 / STAY CONNECTED
Care for the relationship
between the opportunities.
Build habits you can sustain. A genuine check-in should feel relevant to the person receiving it.
Bring useful context
Share a resource, make a relevant introduction, or ask how an important project is going.
Show appreciation
Write a personal thank-you. Recognize the effort behind an introduction, not just the commercial result.
BUILD YOUR RELATIONSHIP LIST
Your database is
your starting point.
Think about clients and past customers, friends, former coworkers, vendors, neighbors, business owners, and professional advisers. Give every relationship context before deciding how to reconnect.
Find the people you knowMake the introduction comfortable.
- Ask both people whether an introduction is welcome.
- Explain the specific reason you think they should meet.
- Share only the contact details and context they agreed to share.
- Make the next action easy to understand.
- Thank the introducer and keep them appropriately informed.
03 / THE WORDS TO MAKE IT EASY
A thoughtful ask.
A generous thank-you.
Choose the moment and customize the message. Keep the introduction voluntary.
A little context makes it yours.
The drafts update as you type. Nothing is saved or sent.
AFTER YOU HAVE DELIVERED VALUE
Hi [First Name], I’ve appreciated working with you on [Shared Detail]. Does one business owner come to mind who is dealing with [specific concern] and might welcome a conversation like the one we had? If so, would you feel comfortable asking whether they would like an introduction? [Your Name]
Be specific about whom you can help. Give the person room to say no.
MAKE THE HANDOFF EASY
Hi [Contact Name], I thought of you because [specific reason]. I know [Your Name] through [relationship], and they help business owners connect with resources around [relevant topic]. Would you like me to introduce you? I’m happy to connect you if it would be useful.
Give this to the introducer as an editable draft. Let them describe their own experience honestly.
RECOGNIZE THE TRUST
Hi [First Name], Thank you for introducing me to [Contact Name]. I appreciate the trust behind that introduction. I’ll follow through thoughtfully and keep you appropriately updated. [Your Name]
Thank them even if the timing or fit does not lead to business.
A HANDWRITTEN NOTE
Dear [First Name], Thank you for your time today. I enjoyed hearing about [Shared Detail] and learning more about what you are building. I look forward to staying in touch and following through on the next step we discussed. Warm regards, [Your Name]
Use a real detail and your own words. A short, specific note is enough.
APPRECIATE THE RELATIONSHIP
Dear [First Name], Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me. I appreciate the opportunity to work together on [Shared Detail]. I look forward to earning that trust through useful work and consistent follow-through. Warm regards, [Your Name]
Match the note to the actual relationship and the work you have agreed to do.
04 / A REPEATABLE PRACTICE
Make room for
the people who matter.
Use this simple weekly rhythm as a starting point. Adjust it to your relationships.
YOUR NEXT MEANINGFUL ACTION
One useful touch
can restart a relationship.
Choose a handful of people to reconnect with this week. Keep track of who introduced whom, the value you shared, and the next action you agreed to.
“Who would welcome something useful from me this week?”0 of 5 ready
Use this checklist while you plan. Checkmarks reset when you leave this page.
05 / WATCH, LEARN & PRACTICE
Go deeper into
working by referral.
Training and tools from the original Referrals by Design resource library.
VIDEO OVERVIEW
Referrals by Design
Open the program overview on YouTube.
↗TRAINING CLASSBuild your business by referral
Watch the class linked in the original training library.
↗FULL RESOURCE LIBRARYReferrals by Design guide
Replay links, reading, appreciation tools, and additional ideas.
↗PERSONAL APPRECIATIONSendOutCards
Explore current options for sending a real thank-you card.
↗CLIENT COMMUNICATIONReminderMedia
Explore resources for staying in touch with your network.
↗RELATIONSHIP WORKSPACEReconnect studio
Prepare a message with the context you have collected.
↗YOUR NEXT MEANINGFUL ACTION
Thank one person who opened a door.
Write a specific note about the introduction or support they gave you. Keep the appreciation personal.