Guest Post: Asking for Referrals as a Freelancer – Without Sounding Desperate or Salesy
Today’s guest post is by Sara Coleman. Find her at The Proper Pen and connect with her on LinkedIn!
Us fellow writers have no problem stringing together hundreds of sentences for our clients, yet writing one short sentence asking them for a referral seems to stop us in our tracks. So why is it so uncomfortable for us?
Trust me – I get it. I’ve worked as a full-time freelance writer for several years now and I still have to remind myself to reach out to current clients and others and ask if they would pass my name along. It’s not a natural feeling to me, but after all these years, I’ve developed a couple of strategies for making it feel less like a sales pitch and more like a natural extension of my business.
Whether you work with one or two clients as a freelancer or you have an entire roster full of those sending you work on a regular basis, asking for a referral from someone you’ve worked with is one of those overlooked opportunities almost all of us have right in front of us. I’m thrilled Lauren has asked me to share some of my favorite tips with you today so you can grow your business even more by way of referrals.
Why asking for referrals as a freelancer is crucial
One of the most surprising lessons I learned early on in my writing career is how unimportant I am to most of my clients.I know this sounds harsh because I’m sure most of my clients (who are almost all editors) are lovely people who would truly care about me if they met me in person. However, what I mean to say is we aren’t always on our client’s minds. They are so busy with their jobs they’re not stopping to think about how they can help catapult our careers.
If we feel we’re deserving of a referral or would like to expand our network, then we are going to have to ask. Most of our clients are too busy to remember to send a referral on their own. However, with a little prompting from us, perhaps it can spur them into action and especially if we make it easy for them to remember.
Also, your editors or clients may not know you’re open to working with others. They may assume you’re so busy you have to turn away work or can’t take on a new client. Asking for a referral lets your client know you’re open to working with others, even if it’s later on down the road.
When asking for referrals feels uneasy
There was a time when I would have rather walked on a bed of nails than ask for a referral. Yes, this is a little extreme, but for some reason I was so uncomfortable with the idea and I couldn’t pinpoint why. It took some serious reflection but eventually I identified my personal uneasiness happened for a couple of different reasons and you may identify with this too.
For starters, as many years I have under my belt as a writer, I still to this day feel imposter syndrome creeping in. This is where I have to remind myself that I am a professional and it’s natural for professionals to ask for referrals. I don’t know if this feeling will ever go away, but when it rears its ugly head then I have to remind myself of what I’ve accomplished and no matter what, I am a professional writer.
I also get uneasy about asking because I’m afraid it comes across as sounding desperate. However, I’ve now realized asking doesn’t sound desperate at all, especially when you ask at an ideal time. Have you noticed how your dentist or veterinarian has a sign in their office asking for your referrals? Do they sound desperate? No, of course not. If you like a service then chances are you’ll tell someone – and the same goes for us as writers.
The point is, you may have your own fears holding you back and it may come down to giving yourself a pep talk or rationalizing the fear to help you work through it. I promise, once you understand your hesitancy then it makes it easier to move forward and ask.
Easy ways freelancer writers can ask for referrals
The key to asking for a referral is to find a method that works for your personality and your comfort level. Like so many other aspects of our business, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach with guaranteed results for everyone. There are a few strategies you can use to amp up your referral game and not feel like a slimy salesperson afterwards.
#1: In an email with a satisfied customer
If you have a client you’ve worked really well with in the past or currently, then you likely trade emails on a somewhat regular basis. One of the easiest ways to ask for a referral is to simply end an email with a sentence such as “Also, I’m looking to add one or two more clients to my roster for this year, if you happen to know of another editor who needs a freelancer, please feel free to pass my name along.” It can be at the end of almost any type of email, such as when you receive an assignment or if you have a question on a process.
I find less is more in this case and you’re not asking for much. You’re only asking to forward an email or share your contact information, which doesn’t take long at all. I’ve used this exact tactic with an agency I work with by mentioning it casually at the end of an email and eventually it landed me another project within the same agency but with a different editor.
#2: Ask a client when you receive positive feedback
One of the easiest ways to ask is to strike when the iron’s hot. If you have an editor or client who provides positive feedback, then it’s a perfect opportunity to thank them for their feedback and ask if they know of anyone else who might be in need of freelance services.
Like I mentioned above, you can keep it simple and almost slide it in, but there’s no reason to think a client would object to passing your name along at some point, especially if it’s obvious they think you do great work!
#3: As a reminder to your clients of all the services you offer
If you offer more services than freelance writing, then don’t be afraid to let your clients know (remember my point above too, clients often forget what all we can do). Sending an email to say hello and remind your clients of your full portfolio of offerings is not only a smart tactic to get the word out, but it’s a great opportunity to ask for a referral.
This is a tactic I’m personally focusing on in the next couple of months as I reach out to say Happy New Year and let them know I offer freelance writing services, including social media posts, and am interested in working with one or two new clients this year.
#4: Ask for referrals from other freelance writers
This one may sound a little strange but I feel it’s worth mentioning because I’ve personally benefited from this. If you network with other freelance writers then don’t be afraid to mention to them you’d like to expand your network. It’s a different type of referral you’re asking for versus from another client. Sure, a writer likely hasn’t worked with you in a way an editor has, but they’ve probably read your work or know one or two publications you’ve written for. When they hear of a freelance opportunity and they can’t personally take it on, they may be willing to pass along your name.
One of my most consistent clients I’ve written for over the last few years came to me via another writer. All it took was a simple introduction from a writer who wanted to offer another name to their client’s freelance roster and the rest is history.
Final thoughts
There’s never been a better time to start asking for referrals. There’s a sea of freelancers out there now, but getting a referral from a current client can make you stand out from the crowded marketplace. If you’re still hesitant, ask yourself what’s causing your fear. Once you work through it, then you can find a simple strategy you’re comfortable with, such as the ones I’ve mentioned above. Go ahead and challenge yourself to ask for a referral and watch what happens – I have a feeling you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
About Sara Coleman
As a full-time writer Sara focus on a number of topics within the personal finance and home space: credit cards, insurance, budgeting, mortgages, personal loans, and more. She works with some of the most reputable publications in the industry, including Bankrate, Newsweek, TIME, to Angi, The Spruce, Bob Vila, and numerous others.