Lead Generation
How to build an effective referral program for acquiring clients for your agency?
Zaire Allen
7 min read
Lead Generation
How to build an effective referral program for acquiring clients for your agency?
Zaire Allen
7 min read
Lead Generation
How to build an effective referral program for acquiring clients for your agency?
Zaire Allen
7 min read
Here's a quick guide to creating a successful referral program for your agency:
Ensure you have happy clients and quality services
Set clear goals for your program
Choose appealing rewards for referrals
Make the referral process simple
Establish clear program rules
Select the right tools to manage referrals
Train your team on the program
Ask for referrals at the right times
Promote your program through various channels
Personalize the program for different clients
Regularly track and improve your program
Key Component
Description
Happy Clients
Foundation for successful referrals
Clear Goals
Specific targets for new clients
Rewards
Incentives for both referrer and new client
Easy Process
Simple forms or emails for referrals
Program Rules
Clear guidelines on eligibility and rewards
Right Tools
Software to track and manage referrals
Team Training
Prepare staff to handle referrals
Timing
Ask after positive experiences
Promotion
Use email, social media, website
Personalization
Tailor approach to different client groups
Tracking
Monitor key metrics and improve regularly
By implementing these steps, you can create a referral program that effectively brings in new clients and helps your agency grow.
Related video from YouTube
What You Need Before Starting a Referral Program
Before you start a referral program for your agency, make sure you have these key things in place:
Happy Existing Clients
Your current clients who love your work are the backbone of a good referral program. Here's why:
They're more likely to tell others about you
They can share real stories about working with you
They're your best advertisers
To find your biggest fans:
Ask for feedback through reviews and surveys
Use Net Promoter Score (NPS) to see how happy clients are
Look at clients who gave you 4-5 star reviews
Good Services and Happy Customers
Doing great work is key to keeping clients happy and getting referrals:
Always give top-notch service to build trust
Make sure clients have a good experience they want to share
Fix any problems quickly to keep clients happy
Try these ideas:
What to do
How it helps
Check in often
Makes sure clients are still happy
Personalize your work
Shows you care about each client's needs
Keep getting better
Update your services based on what clients say
Ability to Handle More Clients
Before you start getting more clients, make sure you can handle the extra work:
Look at how much work you're doing now
See if you need to hire more people
Check if your tools and systems can handle more clients
Think about:
1. Tools: Do you have the right software to manage more clients?
2. People: Do you have enough staff to take care of new clients?
3. Quality: Can you keep doing good work with more clients?
How to Create Your Referral Program
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you build a program that brings in new clients:
Set Your Goals
Before you start:
Choose clear targets (e.g., 20 new clients in 6 months)
Decide what kind of clients you want
Pick realistic deadlines
Choose Rewards
Pick rewards that will make people want to refer others:
Reward Type
Examples
Why It Works
Money
Part of first bill, set amount
People like cash
Lower Prices
10% off next job, free month
Keeps clients coming back
Special Access
Early use of new products, VIP events
Makes clients feel special
Give to Charity
Donate for the referrer
Good for clients who like helping others
Think about giving rewards to both the person who refers and the new client.
Make Referring Easy
Make it simple for clients to refer others:
Put an easy-to-use form on your website
Give clients ready-made emails to send
Use simple codes to track referrals
Set Program Rules
Make clear rules for your program:
Say what counts as a good referral
Explain how to submit and track referrals
Tell people when and how they'll get rewards
Be clear about any limits
Pick the Right Tools
Choose software that works with what you already use:
Tool
What It Does
Custom campaigns, detailed reports
Tracks referrals across many channels
Good for online shops
Tests different referral offers
Pick a tool that fits your agency's size, money, and tech needs.
Train Your Team
Get your staff ready to run the program:
Teach them about the program and how it works
Give them words to use when talking to clients
Set up ways to handle new leads
Keep the team updated on how well it's working
Tips for Running Your Program
Here's how to make your referral program work well:
When to Ask for Referrals
Ask for referrals at these times:
Right after a client starts using your service
When a client says they're happy with your work
After you've helped a client solve a problem
When you finish a project successfully
Make a plan to follow up with clients at these times. People are more likely to refer others when they're happy with your work.
How to Ask for Referrals
When you ask for referrals:
Keep it friendly and normal
Say exactly what kind of clients you want
Tell them how it helps them and the new client
Make it clear what you want them to do
Here's an example email you can use:
Hi [Client Name], Thanks for working with us! We're glad you liked our work on [project name]. Do you know anyone who might need our help? We'd love to meet them. If you refer someone who becomes a client, we'll give you [reward]. Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks, [Your Name]
Different Ways to Promote
Tell people about your referral program in many ways:
Method
How to Do It
Emails
Send short messages about the program
Social media
Post about it on your accounts
Website
Add a "Refer a Friend" button
In person
Tell clients about it when you meet
Text messages
Send quick reminders
For emails:
Use short, catchy subject lines
Say clearly what the reward is
Keep the message short
Make it easy to see how to refer someone
On your website, put a "Refer Friends" or "Get $X" link at the top where people can see it easily.
Make It Personal
Make your program fit each client:
Group clients by what they like or buy
Make different referral materials for each group
Use their name in emails
For clients who don't want to refer directly, ask for reviews or case studies instead
Check and Improve Your Program
Regularly checking and making your referral program better is key to its success. Here's how to track and improve your program:
What to Measure
Focus on these main numbers to see how well your program is doing:
Number to Track
What It Means
Why It's Important
Referral Rate
How many customers refer others
Shows if people like the program
Referral Conversions
How many referrals become clients
Tells if the program works well
ROI
Money made compared to money spent
Shows if the program is worth it
Cost to Get New Customers
How much it costs to get a new client through referrals
Helps make the program cheaper
Value of Referred Customers
How much money referred clients bring in over time
Shows long-term benefits
Use software to track these numbers automatically. This helps you make reports and see trends over time.
How to Make It Better
Keep improving your program by:
Checking how it's doing every few months
Looking at the numbers to find what's good and bad
Asking people what they think through surveys or talks
Testing different rewards, messages, or ways of doing things
Changing the program based on what you learn
For example, if not many people are joining, try offering better rewards or making it easier to refer. If not many referrals become clients, look at how you talk to new leads.
Fixing Common Problems
Here's how to fix common issues:
Not enough people joining:
Tell more people about the program through emails and social media
Make it easier to refer others
Offer better rewards that people want
Not many referrals becoming clients:
Get better at talking to new leads
Train your sales team on how to handle referrals
Give extra perks to referred leads
Slow to give out rewards:
Use software to give rewards automatically
Tell people clearly when and how they'll get rewards
Try giving rewards right away when someone refers successfully
Wrap-up
A good referral program can help your agency get more clients. Here's how to make one that works well:
Key Things to Remember
What to Do
Why It's Important
Set Clear Goals
Know what you want to achieve
Give Good Rewards
Make people want to refer others
Make It Easy
People are more likely to join if it's simple
Check How It's Doing
See if your program is working
Keep Making It Better
Fix problems and try new ideas
Make It Personal
Fit your program to different clients
Use Good Tools
Make tracking and giving rewards easier
Set Clear Goals
Decide how many new clients you want
Choose what kind of clients you're looking for
Give Good Rewards
Offer something for both the person who refers and the new client
Pick rewards people will like, such as discounts or free services
Make It Easy
Use simple forms or emails for referrals
Tell people clearly how to join and refer others
Check How It's Working
Look at numbers like how many people join and how many become clients
See if you're making more money than you're spending on the program
Keep Making It Better
Ask clients what they think about the program
Try different rewards or ways of asking for referrals
Make It Personal
Send different messages to different types of clients
Use people's names when you talk to them
Use Good Tools
Pick software that helps you track referrals and give out rewards
Make sure it works with your other business tools
By following these steps, you can create a referral program that brings in new clients and helps your agency grow.
Here's a quick guide to creating a successful referral program for your agency:
Ensure you have happy clients and quality services
Set clear goals for your program
Choose appealing rewards for referrals
Make the referral process simple
Establish clear program rules
Select the right tools to manage referrals
Train your team on the program
Ask for referrals at the right times
Promote your program through various channels
Personalize the program for different clients
Regularly track and improve your program
Key Component
Description
Happy Clients
Foundation for successful referrals
Clear Goals
Specific targets for new clients
Rewards
Incentives for both referrer and new client
Easy Process
Simple forms or emails for referrals
Program Rules
Clear guidelines on eligibility and rewards
Right Tools
Software to track and manage referrals
Team Training
Prepare staff to handle referrals
Timing
Ask after positive experiences
Promotion
Use email, social media, website
Personalization
Tailor approach to different client groups
Tracking
Monitor key metrics and improve regularly
By implementing these steps, you can create a referral program that effectively brings in new clients and helps your agency grow.
Related video from YouTube
What You Need Before Starting a Referral Program
Before you start a referral program for your agency, make sure you have these key things in place:
Happy Existing Clients
Your current clients who love your work are the backbone of a good referral program. Here's why:
They're more likely to tell others about you
They can share real stories about working with you
They're your best advertisers
To find your biggest fans:
Ask for feedback through reviews and surveys
Use Net Promoter Score (NPS) to see how happy clients are
Look at clients who gave you 4-5 star reviews
Good Services and Happy Customers
Doing great work is key to keeping clients happy and getting referrals:
Always give top-notch service to build trust
Make sure clients have a good experience they want to share
Fix any problems quickly to keep clients happy
Try these ideas:
What to do
How it helps
Check in often
Makes sure clients are still happy
Personalize your work
Shows you care about each client's needs
Keep getting better
Update your services based on what clients say
Ability to Handle More Clients
Before you start getting more clients, make sure you can handle the extra work:
Look at how much work you're doing now
See if you need to hire more people
Check if your tools and systems can handle more clients
Think about:
1. Tools: Do you have the right software to manage more clients?
2. People: Do you have enough staff to take care of new clients?
3. Quality: Can you keep doing good work with more clients?
How to Create Your Referral Program
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you build a program that brings in new clients:
Set Your Goals
Before you start:
Choose clear targets (e.g., 20 new clients in 6 months)
Decide what kind of clients you want
Pick realistic deadlines
Choose Rewards
Pick rewards that will make people want to refer others:
Reward Type
Examples
Why It Works
Money
Part of first bill, set amount
People like cash
Lower Prices
10% off next job, free month
Keeps clients coming back
Special Access
Early use of new products, VIP events
Makes clients feel special
Give to Charity
Donate for the referrer
Good for clients who like helping others
Think about giving rewards to both the person who refers and the new client.
Make Referring Easy
Make it simple for clients to refer others:
Put an easy-to-use form on your website
Give clients ready-made emails to send
Use simple codes to track referrals
Set Program Rules
Make clear rules for your program:
Say what counts as a good referral
Explain how to submit and track referrals
Tell people when and how they'll get rewards
Be clear about any limits
Pick the Right Tools
Choose software that works with what you already use:
Tool
What It Does
Custom campaigns, detailed reports
Tracks referrals across many channels
Good for online shops
Tests different referral offers
Pick a tool that fits your agency's size, money, and tech needs.
Train Your Team
Get your staff ready to run the program:
Teach them about the program and how it works
Give them words to use when talking to clients
Set up ways to handle new leads
Keep the team updated on how well it's working
Tips for Running Your Program
Here's how to make your referral program work well:
When to Ask for Referrals
Ask for referrals at these times:
Right after a client starts using your service
When a client says they're happy with your work
After you've helped a client solve a problem
When you finish a project successfully
Make a plan to follow up with clients at these times. People are more likely to refer others when they're happy with your work.
How to Ask for Referrals
When you ask for referrals:
Keep it friendly and normal
Say exactly what kind of clients you want
Tell them how it helps them and the new client
Make it clear what you want them to do
Here's an example email you can use:
Hi [Client Name], Thanks for working with us! We're glad you liked our work on [project name]. Do you know anyone who might need our help? We'd love to meet them. If you refer someone who becomes a client, we'll give you [reward]. Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks, [Your Name]
Different Ways to Promote
Tell people about your referral program in many ways:
Method
How to Do It
Emails
Send short messages about the program
Social media
Post about it on your accounts
Website
Add a "Refer a Friend" button
In person
Tell clients about it when you meet
Text messages
Send quick reminders
For emails:
Use short, catchy subject lines
Say clearly what the reward is
Keep the message short
Make it easy to see how to refer someone
On your website, put a "Refer Friends" or "Get $X" link at the top where people can see it easily.
Make It Personal
Make your program fit each client:
Group clients by what they like or buy
Make different referral materials for each group
Use their name in emails
For clients who don't want to refer directly, ask for reviews or case studies instead
Check and Improve Your Program
Regularly checking and making your referral program better is key to its success. Here's how to track and improve your program:
What to Measure
Focus on these main numbers to see how well your program is doing:
Number to Track
What It Means
Why It's Important
Referral Rate
How many customers refer others
Shows if people like the program
Referral Conversions
How many referrals become clients
Tells if the program works well
ROI
Money made compared to money spent
Shows if the program is worth it
Cost to Get New Customers
How much it costs to get a new client through referrals
Helps make the program cheaper
Value of Referred Customers
How much money referred clients bring in over time
Shows long-term benefits
Use software to track these numbers automatically. This helps you make reports and see trends over time.
How to Make It Better
Keep improving your program by:
Checking how it's doing every few months
Looking at the numbers to find what's good and bad
Asking people what they think through surveys or talks
Testing different rewards, messages, or ways of doing things
Changing the program based on what you learn
For example, if not many people are joining, try offering better rewards or making it easier to refer. If not many referrals become clients, look at how you talk to new leads.
Fixing Common Problems
Here's how to fix common issues:
Not enough people joining:
Tell more people about the program through emails and social media
Make it easier to refer others
Offer better rewards that people want
Not many referrals becoming clients:
Get better at talking to new leads
Train your sales team on how to handle referrals
Give extra perks to referred leads
Slow to give out rewards:
Use software to give rewards automatically
Tell people clearly when and how they'll get rewards
Try giving rewards right away when someone refers successfully
Wrap-up
A good referral program can help your agency get more clients. Here's how to make one that works well:
Key Things to Remember
What to Do
Why It's Important
Set Clear Goals
Know what you want to achieve
Give Good Rewards
Make people want to refer others
Make It Easy
People are more likely to join if it's simple
Check How It's Doing
See if your program is working
Keep Making It Better
Fix problems and try new ideas
Make It Personal
Fit your program to different clients
Use Good Tools
Make tracking and giving rewards easier
Set Clear Goals
Decide how many new clients you want
Choose what kind of clients you're looking for
Give Good Rewards
Offer something for both the person who refers and the new client
Pick rewards people will like, such as discounts or free services
Make It Easy
Use simple forms or emails for referrals
Tell people clearly how to join and refer others
Check How It's Working
Look at numbers like how many people join and how many become clients
See if you're making more money than you're spending on the program
Keep Making It Better
Ask clients what they think about the program
Try different rewards or ways of asking for referrals
Make It Personal
Send different messages to different types of clients
Use people's names when you talk to them
Use Good Tools
Pick software that helps you track referrals and give out rewards
Make sure it works with your other business tools
By following these steps, you can create a referral program that brings in new clients and helps your agency grow.
Here's a quick guide to creating a successful referral program for your agency:
Ensure you have happy clients and quality services
Set clear goals for your program
Choose appealing rewards for referrals
Make the referral process simple
Establish clear program rules
Select the right tools to manage referrals
Train your team on the program
Ask for referrals at the right times
Promote your program through various channels
Personalize the program for different clients
Regularly track and improve your program
Key Component
Description
Happy Clients
Foundation for successful referrals
Clear Goals
Specific targets for new clients
Rewards
Incentives for both referrer and new client
Easy Process
Simple forms or emails for referrals
Program Rules
Clear guidelines on eligibility and rewards
Right Tools
Software to track and manage referrals
Team Training
Prepare staff to handle referrals
Timing
Ask after positive experiences
Promotion
Use email, social media, website
Personalization
Tailor approach to different client groups
Tracking
Monitor key metrics and improve regularly
By implementing these steps, you can create a referral program that effectively brings in new clients and helps your agency grow.
Related video from YouTube
What You Need Before Starting a Referral Program
Before you start a referral program for your agency, make sure you have these key things in place:
Happy Existing Clients
Your current clients who love your work are the backbone of a good referral program. Here's why:
They're more likely to tell others about you
They can share real stories about working with you
They're your best advertisers
To find your biggest fans:
Ask for feedback through reviews and surveys
Use Net Promoter Score (NPS) to see how happy clients are
Look at clients who gave you 4-5 star reviews
Good Services and Happy Customers
Doing great work is key to keeping clients happy and getting referrals:
Always give top-notch service to build trust
Make sure clients have a good experience they want to share
Fix any problems quickly to keep clients happy
Try these ideas:
What to do
How it helps
Check in often
Makes sure clients are still happy
Personalize your work
Shows you care about each client's needs
Keep getting better
Update your services based on what clients say
Ability to Handle More Clients
Before you start getting more clients, make sure you can handle the extra work:
Look at how much work you're doing now
See if you need to hire more people
Check if your tools and systems can handle more clients
Think about:
1. Tools: Do you have the right software to manage more clients?
2. People: Do you have enough staff to take care of new clients?
3. Quality: Can you keep doing good work with more clients?
How to Create Your Referral Program
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you build a program that brings in new clients:
Set Your Goals
Before you start:
Choose clear targets (e.g., 20 new clients in 6 months)
Decide what kind of clients you want
Pick realistic deadlines
Choose Rewards
Pick rewards that will make people want to refer others:
Reward Type
Examples
Why It Works
Money
Part of first bill, set amount
People like cash
Lower Prices
10% off next job, free month
Keeps clients coming back
Special Access
Early use of new products, VIP events
Makes clients feel special
Give to Charity
Donate for the referrer
Good for clients who like helping others
Think about giving rewards to both the person who refers and the new client.
Make Referring Easy
Make it simple for clients to refer others:
Put an easy-to-use form on your website
Give clients ready-made emails to send
Use simple codes to track referrals
Set Program Rules
Make clear rules for your program:
Say what counts as a good referral
Explain how to submit and track referrals
Tell people when and how they'll get rewards
Be clear about any limits
Pick the Right Tools
Choose software that works with what you already use:
Tool
What It Does
Custom campaigns, detailed reports
Tracks referrals across many channels
Good for online shops
Tests different referral offers
Pick a tool that fits your agency's size, money, and tech needs.
Train Your Team
Get your staff ready to run the program:
Teach them about the program and how it works
Give them words to use when talking to clients
Set up ways to handle new leads
Keep the team updated on how well it's working
Tips for Running Your Program
Here's how to make your referral program work well:
When to Ask for Referrals
Ask for referrals at these times:
Right after a client starts using your service
When a client says they're happy with your work
After you've helped a client solve a problem
When you finish a project successfully
Make a plan to follow up with clients at these times. People are more likely to refer others when they're happy with your work.
How to Ask for Referrals
When you ask for referrals:
Keep it friendly and normal
Say exactly what kind of clients you want
Tell them how it helps them and the new client
Make it clear what you want them to do
Here's an example email you can use:
Hi [Client Name], Thanks for working with us! We're glad you liked our work on [project name]. Do you know anyone who might need our help? We'd love to meet them. If you refer someone who becomes a client, we'll give you [reward]. Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks, [Your Name]
Different Ways to Promote
Tell people about your referral program in many ways:
Method
How to Do It
Emails
Send short messages about the program
Social media
Post about it on your accounts
Website
Add a "Refer a Friend" button
In person
Tell clients about it when you meet
Text messages
Send quick reminders
For emails:
Use short, catchy subject lines
Say clearly what the reward is
Keep the message short
Make it easy to see how to refer someone
On your website, put a "Refer Friends" or "Get $X" link at the top where people can see it easily.
Make It Personal
Make your program fit each client:
Group clients by what they like or buy
Make different referral materials for each group
Use their name in emails
For clients who don't want to refer directly, ask for reviews or case studies instead
Check and Improve Your Program
Regularly checking and making your referral program better is key to its success. Here's how to track and improve your program:
What to Measure
Focus on these main numbers to see how well your program is doing:
Number to Track
What It Means
Why It's Important
Referral Rate
How many customers refer others
Shows if people like the program
Referral Conversions
How many referrals become clients
Tells if the program works well
ROI
Money made compared to money spent
Shows if the program is worth it
Cost to Get New Customers
How much it costs to get a new client through referrals
Helps make the program cheaper
Value of Referred Customers
How much money referred clients bring in over time
Shows long-term benefits
Use software to track these numbers automatically. This helps you make reports and see trends over time.
How to Make It Better
Keep improving your program by:
Checking how it's doing every few months
Looking at the numbers to find what's good and bad
Asking people what they think through surveys or talks
Testing different rewards, messages, or ways of doing things
Changing the program based on what you learn
For example, if not many people are joining, try offering better rewards or making it easier to refer. If not many referrals become clients, look at how you talk to new leads.
Fixing Common Problems
Here's how to fix common issues:
Not enough people joining:
Tell more people about the program through emails and social media
Make it easier to refer others
Offer better rewards that people want
Not many referrals becoming clients:
Get better at talking to new leads
Train your sales team on how to handle referrals
Give extra perks to referred leads
Slow to give out rewards:
Use software to give rewards automatically
Tell people clearly when and how they'll get rewards
Try giving rewards right away when someone refers successfully
Wrap-up
A good referral program can help your agency get more clients. Here's how to make one that works well:
Key Things to Remember
What to Do
Why It's Important
Set Clear Goals
Know what you want to achieve
Give Good Rewards
Make people want to refer others
Make It Easy
People are more likely to join if it's simple
Check How It's Doing
See if your program is working
Keep Making It Better
Fix problems and try new ideas
Make It Personal
Fit your program to different clients
Use Good Tools
Make tracking and giving rewards easier
Set Clear Goals
Decide how many new clients you want
Choose what kind of clients you're looking for
Give Good Rewards
Offer something for both the person who refers and the new client
Pick rewards people will like, such as discounts or free services
Make It Easy
Use simple forms or emails for referrals
Tell people clearly how to join and refer others
Check How It's Working
Look at numbers like how many people join and how many become clients
See if you're making more money than you're spending on the program
Keep Making It Better
Ask clients what they think about the program
Try different rewards or ways of asking for referrals
Make It Personal
Send different messages to different types of clients
Use people's names when you talk to them
Use Good Tools
Pick software that helps you track referrals and give out rewards
Make sure it works with your other business tools
By following these steps, you can create a referral program that brings in new clients and helps your agency grow.
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business audit
Book a quick call and fill out the short form to get a tailored audit on the specific problems you are facing.
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Book a quick call and fill out the short form to get a tailored audit on the specific problems you are facing.
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It's time to actually achieve your revenue forecast
Attract new clients and unlock new business growth with our proven acquisition funnels and resources.
It's time to actually achieve your revenue forecast
Attract new clients and unlock new business growth with our proven acquisition funnels and resources.