When someone brings a customer to you, how do you thank a business referral? This kind of recommendation is a big deal to your bottom line and a sign that you’re doing things well.
But thanking the person who gave you the referral can be challenging, as you may not know what to do. You don’t want to do nothing, as that could prevent someone from giving you future kudos.
Recently, on LinkedIn, I surveyed my followers on this topic. Here are the results:
- Personal thank you note: 52%
- Gift card or small present: 24%
- Offer a reciprocal referral: 17%
- Shoutout on social media: 7%
Let’s take a closer look the options, so you can find the one that works best for you:
Personal Thank You Note
This was the most popular choice of how to thank a business referral. In a digital age, sending a personalized note will be memorable.
Beyond saying, “Thank you,” add something else. Maybe it’s about your relationship with the person, how the referral made you feel, or how things went with the customer you received. Make the other person feel good about referring business to you.
Gift Card or a Small Present
You’ve made money off the referral, so why not give a piece of the action back to the person who helped you? And while most people don’t expect to profit from business recommendations, getting some sort of thank you gift might motivate them to refer you in the future.
Some people are fortunate to receive many referrals and they have systematized their thank you process. They buy thank you gifts in bulk that can be easily sent.
Keep in mind that if the same person gives you multiple referrals, over time, then you don’t want a later recognition to have a lower dollar level than the earlier one.
The Reciprocal Referral
While this may take more time, it can be the most impactful way to thank a business referral. If someone has helped you get business, then you help them get some.
Make sure you are well acquainted with the person and their business. There can be situations where people give great recommendations but are not very good in their own businesses. Don’t refer someone to a bad experience.
Social Media Promotion
In this case, you’re using the power of social media to magnify some good will. It can serve a dual purpose as you highlight the person who gave the referral and showcase yourself as someone who is worthy of it.
The overall impact to the person who gave the recommendation, may be limited.
For instance, let’s say Jane, a financial planner, gave me a referral that resulted in my getting a keynote talk at a statewide association conference. I might post on social media like, “Thank you Jane for recommending me as a keynote speaker at the XYZ conference. If you’re looking for someone who is smart with money, check out this talented financial planner.”
While this is good, if someone isn’t looking for a financial planner in that moment, then the referral doesn’t have much impact. Still, it is better than doing nothing.
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