The Referral Script That Got Me 3 Clients 🔥

Duy Bui

🔥

10d • Business & Strategy 🧠

Asked for referrals wrong way 4 times. Zero results.

Changed one sentence in my ask. Got 3 referrals.

THE WRONG WAY:

Month 3 with happy client. Automation working perfectly.

Me: "Do you know anyone else who might need automation?"

Them: "Hmm, let me think..."

Never hear about it again.

Asked 4 clients this way. Zero referrals.

THE PROBLEM:

Too vague. They can't think of anyone on the spot. Then forget.

THE RIGHT WAY:

Me: "Who else in [specific industry] do you know that struggles with [specific pain]?"

Them: "Oh! Actually, my friend John's company does the same thing..."

Got 3 referrals from 1 conversation.

THE FULL SCRIPT:

Wait for right moment (after successful month, when they express how happy they are).

ME: "Really glad this is working for you. Quick question - who else in [their industry] do you know that's probably dealing with the same invoice processing headaches you were?"

THEM: Usually names 1-2 people immediately.

ME: "Mind if I reach out and mention you referred me?"

THEM: "Sure, I'll intro you."

THE SPECIFICITY MATTERS:

Generic: "Anyone who needs automation?"

Result: Blank stare.

Specific: "Who else in accounting firms processes lots of invoices manually?"

Result: Names immediately.

THE TIMING:

BEST MOMENTS TO ASK:

- Right after they rave about results

- When they mention time saved

- During quarterly optimization call

- After referring to automation in conversation

WORST MOMENTS:

- First month (relationship new)

- When troubleshooting issues

- Randomly via email

THE RESULTS:

Client 4: Asked, got 2 referrals

Client 6: Asked, got 1 referral

Client 7: Asked, got 0 (but they keep mentioning me to people)

Total: 3 paying clients from referrals

Revenue: $4,500 setup + $750/month ongoing

THE REFERRAL CONVERSION:

Intro from happy client = 90% close rate

They already trust referrer. You inherit that trust.

Discovery calls are shorter. Less skepticism. Higher prices accepted.

THE INTRO TEMPLATE:

Ask client to make intro via email:

"Hey [Prospect],

Remember I mentioned automating our invoice processing? [Your name] built it for us. Saving us 10 hours weekly.

Thought you might be interested since you mentioned dealing with same issue. Worth a conversation."

Warm intro. Specific benefit. Their pain referenced.

Then I follow up within 24 hours:

"Hi [Prospect],

[Client] mentioned you might be interested in automating invoice processing. Happy to show you what we built for them if you want to see it in action.

Free to chat this week?"

Close rate: 9 out of 10 referred prospects.

THE INCENTIVE:

Some people offer referral fees. I don't.

Instead: Provide extra value to referring client.

"Thanks for the intro to John. As thanks, I'm adding [small feature] to your workflow at no charge."

Builds loyalty. They refer more.

THE MISTAKE I MADE:

Waited 6 months before asking for referrals. Left money on table.

Should have asked month 2 with first happy client.

Start asking after first successful month with each client.

CURRENT STATUS: