How to ask for referrals in sales

To ask for referrals in sales, you must use the right timing, be precise, and utilize referral templates. Here are some details on each of these steps you can take to ask for a referral in sales:

• Use the right timing. Having the right timing is crucial when asking for sales referrals. Make sure if you ask a client for a sales referral, that client has been using your product or services for an adequate amount of time.

  You can gauge how much they value the relationship in this decision. However, you should aim for clients you have worked with for at least three to four months.

  You must find the sweet spot when the client is excited about your products and services but is not too new of a client to ask for a referral.

• Be precise. You should be direct and precise in letting your client know the type of referral you want. Do not leave it up to them to determine who is an appropriate referral.

  Use professional social media to determine who is in the client's network, and then pick out the referrals that make the best business sense for your company. Clients normally appreciate this direct approach.

• Utilize referral templates. Using referral templates makes this process earlier. This gives you a general blueprint for your email concerning the referral request.

  However, it is important to add personal touches to each email, so the receiver does not just feel like they are one of many clients receiving a mass email asking for sales referrals.