The best examples of referral request email templates for clients

Real examples of referral request email templates for clients you can copy

Let’s skip the theory and go straight to what you’re really looking for: real examples of referral request email templates for clients that you can lift, tweak, and send.

Below are several situations you probably recognize from your own business. For each one, you’ll get a full email example, plus a quick breakdown of why it works in 2024–2025.

Example 1: Simple referral request to a happy long-term client

This is the classic situation: a client is clearly happy, you’ve delivered results, and it’s time to ask.

Subject: Quick favor?

Email:

Hi Sarah,

I’ve really enjoyed working with you and the team over the past year. Seeing your monthly revenue grow by 28% has been a highlight for us.

I’m looking to take on a few more clients who are similar to [Client Company]—established, growth-minded, and serious about improving their marketing results.

If anyone comes to mind in your network, would you be open to making a quick introduction over email? Even one or two referrals would be a huge help.

To make it easy, here’s a short blurb you can forward:

“We’ve been working with [Your Name/Company] for the past year and they’ve helped us increase monthly revenue by 28%. If you’re looking for help with [service], I’d recommend a quick intro call.”

Either way, I really appreciate you and the work we’ve done together.

Thanks so much,
[Your Name]

Why this works now: It’s short, specific, and makes the client look good for referring you. It also includes a ready-to-send blurb, which is one of the best examples of how to lower the friction for referrals.

You can treat this as an example of a general-purpose template and adapt it for almost any B2B service.

Example 2: Referral request right after a win or milestone

Timing matters. In 2024–2025, client inboxes are more crowded than ever, so you want to ask when your work is top of mind—like right after a successful launch or project.

Subject: Can I ask a small favor while this is fresh?

Email:

Hi David,

I’m thrilled we were able to hit a 42% increase in demo bookings from the new landing page. That’s a big win.

While this project is still fresh, I wanted to ask a quick favor. I’m opening up 2–3 spots for similar projects this quarter and would love to work with more teams like yours.

Is there anyone in your network who’s mentioned struggling with lead generation or conversion rates? If so, an intro would mean a lot.

Here’s a one-sentence description you can use:

“[Your Company] helped us increase demo bookings by 42% in one month with a new landing page. Worth talking to if you want more qualified leads.”

If you’re open to it, you can just hit reply with a name, and I’ll draft the intro email for you.

Really appreciate your support,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples of referral request email templates for clients who have just seen a tangible result. You tie the ask to a specific outcome, which makes it easy for them to think of who else might want that same result.

Example 3: Referral request email for a new client after onboarding

Sometimes your new clients are your biggest fans because the contrast from their previous situation is so strong.

Subject: One quick question as we wrap up onboarding

Email:

Hi Maria,

I’m glad to hear onboarding has been smooth and that your team is already using the new system.

As we get started, I have a quick favor to ask. Most of our growth comes from word-of-mouth from clients like you, and I’m looking to connect with a few more companies facing similar challenges with [pain point].

If you know another marketing director or operations leader who might benefit from what we offer, would you be comfortable introducing us?

No pressure at all—just thought I’d ask while everything is still top of mind.

Thanks again for choosing to work with us,
[Your Name]

This is a lighter, lower-pressure example of a referral request email template for clients who are still early in the relationship. You’re planting the seed without pushing.

Example 4: Referral request with a formal referral program or reward

Referral programs are still powerful in 2024–2025, especially when you keep them simple and transparent. Research on social behavior and incentives, such as work summarized by Harvard University on social norms and reciprocity, shows that clear, modest rewards can encourage action without feeling transactional (Harvard.edu).

Subject: $250 credit for any client you refer

Email:

Hi James,

I wanted to say thank you again for being such a loyal client over the past two years.

We just launched a simple referral program: for every new client you refer who signs up for a project or retainer, we’ll give you either a \(250 account credit or donate \)250 to the charity of your choice.

If you know a founder or marketing leader who’s trying to [specific outcome you deliver], you can either:

• Introduce us over email, or
• Send them this link to book a call: [Link]

When they sign up, we’ll apply your credit automatically and send you a quick confirmation.

Thanks again for your continued support,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples of referral request email templates for clients when you want to tie referrals to a clear incentive without feeling salesy.

Example 5: Referral request email to a lapsed or inactive client

Just because a client isn’t active anymore doesn’t mean they can’t refer you. In fact, checking in with them can revive the relationship.

Subject: Quick check-in (and a small favor)

Email:

Hi Anika,

It’s been a while since we wrapped up our last project together—hope things are going well on your end.

I’ve been thinking about the work we did on [specific project] and the [result, improvement, or lesson] that came out of it.

I’m reaching out for two reasons:

1. To see how things are going and whether there’s anything you’re working on now where I might be helpful.
2. To ask if there’s anyone in your network who might benefit from similar support.

If someone comes to mind, I’d really appreciate an intro. Even a quick “You should meet [Your Name]” message is perfect.

Either way, I’d love to hear what you’re working on these days.

Best,
[Your Name]

This is a more conversational example of a referral request email template for clients you haven’t spoken to in a while. Notice how the relationship comes first, then the ask.

Example 6: Short and casual referral request for very busy clients

Some clients barely have time to respond to emails. For them, shorter is better.

Subject: Anyone I should meet?

Email:

Hi Mark,

Hope things are going well with you and the team.

I’m opening a couple of spots for new clients this quarter and wanted to ask a quick favor: is there anyone you think I should meet who’s wrestling with [problem you solve]?

If so, I’d really appreciate a quick email intro. I’ll take it from there and make it easy for them to say yes or no.

Thanks for considering it,
[Your Name]

This is one of the simplest examples of referral request email templates for clients who prefer brevity. It respects their time and makes a clear, specific request.

Example 7: Referral request email for a client who just gave you a testimonial or NPS score

If a client just gave you a glowing testimonial or a high Net Promoter Score (NPS), they’ve already signaled they’d recommend you. That’s the perfect moment to ask.

Subject: Thank you for the feedback—one more quick ask

Email:

Hi Lauren,

Thank you again for the great feedback you shared in your testimonial. It means a lot to our team.

Since you mentioned you’d be likely to recommend us, I wanted to ask a small favor: is there one person in your network you’d feel comfortable introducing us to this month?

It could be another VP of Marketing or a founder dealing with [problem]. I’m happy to send over a short intro blurb you can copy and paste.

If someone comes to mind, just reply with their name and I’ll draft the intro to make it easy.

Really appreciate your support,
[Your Name]

This is a textbook example of a referral request email template for clients who have already said, “Yes, I’d recommend you.” You’re simply helping them follow through.

Example 8: Referral request email for professional services (law, accounting, consulting)

If you work in a regulated or trust-heavy field, your tone needs to be especially respectful and professional. Guidance from organizations like the American Bar Association and IRS emphasizes the importance of ethical communication and avoiding misleading claims (americanbar.org, irs.gov). Keep that in mind as you adapt this.

Subject: Thank you for your trust (and a brief request)

Email:

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I appreciate the trust you’ve placed in our firm over the past few years.

Many of our new clients come to us through introductions from people like you. If you have a family member, friend, or colleague who might benefit from legal guidance on [practice area] in the coming months, I would be honored if you felt comfortable sharing my contact information.

Please feel free to forward this email or provide them with my direct line: [phone number].

There is never any obligation on their part; I’m always happy to have an initial conversation to see whether we’re a good fit.

With appreciation,
[Your Name]
[Title]
[Firm]

This is a more formal example of a referral request email template for clients in professional services, where discretion and ethics are front and center.

How to write your own referral request email template (without sounding awkward)

Now that you’ve seen several examples of referral request email templates for clients, let’s break down the core pieces they all share. You can use this to write your own version that still hits the right notes.

Think of your email as having five parts:

A clear, human subject line.
You’ll notice the best examples avoid hype. Simple lines like “Quick favor?,” “Anyone I should meet?,” or “Thank you for your trust” feel personal and get opened.

A quick reminder of the relationship or result.
People are busy. Start by anchoring them: a recent project, a result you achieved, or how long you’ve worked together. That context makes the request feel earned.

A specific description of who you want to meet.
“Anyone who needs marketing” is vague. “Founders of B2B SaaS companies doing \(1M–\)10M in revenue who want more demos” is specific. The clearer you are, the easier it is for clients to scan their mental Rolodex.

A simple, low-pressure ask.
Notice how these examples use phrases like “would you be open to,” “if anyone comes to mind,” or “no pressure at all.” That language respects your client’s autonomy, which research in behavioral science has consistently shown to increase cooperation and goodwill (apa.org).

An easy next step.
Give them something to copy and paste, or ask them to reply with a name so you can draft the intro. The best examples of referral request email templates for clients reduce the number of decisions your client has to make.

When you put those pieces together, you get an email that feels natural instead of needy.

2024–2025 trends that affect referral request emails

The way people use email and make buying decisions keeps evolving. Here’s what’s shaping referral requests right now:

Shorter attention spans, shorter emails.
Between Slack, Teams, and endless notifications, long emails are more likely to be skimmed or ignored. That’s why many of the best examples of referral request email templates for clients are under 200 words.

Wariness of spam and automation.
Clients are more sensitive than ever to anything that feels mass-produced. Personal details—like referencing a recent project, a specific result, or even a shared joke—signal that your email is genuinely for them.

Ethical and privacy concerns.
In regulated industries, you need to be especially careful not to pressure clients or imply outcomes you can’t guarantee. Checking your approach against guidance from professional associations or government agencies (like ftc.gov for advertising practices) is a smart move.

Hybrid relationships.
You might see your clients in person only a few times a year, but you talk online constantly. That means your referral request email should match the tone of your usual communication. If your Slack messages are casual, a stiff, overly formal email will feel off.

FAQ about referral request email templates for clients

What are some good examples of referral request email templates for clients?

Good examples include:

• A short, friendly email asking for introductions right after a successful project.
• A formal note from a law or accounting firm inviting clients to share their contact information with friends or colleagues.
• A referral program announcement that offers a modest credit or donation for each successful referral.

All of the samples earlier on this page are designed as real examples you can adapt directly.

How often should I send a referral request email to the same client?

Most businesses do well asking a given client 2–3 times per year, timed around natural milestones: after a win, at renewal, or after a positive feedback survey. If they’ve never responded to multiple asks, ease off and focus on delivering value instead of repeating the request.

Should I offer rewards or incentives for referrals?

You don’t have to. Many clients are happy to refer you simply because you did great work. That said, a simple, clearly explained incentive—like a credit, discount, or charitable donation—can nudge busy clients to take action. Just make sure any rewards follow the rules in your industry and region; for example, health and financial services often have strict limitations (hhs.gov for health-related guidance in the U.S.).

What’s an example of a subject line that gets referral emails opened?

Some real examples that work well:

• “Quick favor?”
• “Anyone I should meet?”
• “Thank you for your feedback—one more ask”
• “$250 credit for any client you refer”

The pattern: short, human, and directly connected to your relationship or offer.

How can I measure whether my referral request emails are working?

Track three simple things:

• Open rate (are your subject lines working?)
• Reply rate (are people engaging, even if they say no?)
• Number of introductions or booked calls that came specifically from those emails

Even a few high-quality referrals per quarter can dramatically lower your customer acquisition costs compared with cold outreach, which is why so many businesses are leaning harder on the kinds of examples of referral request email templates for clients you’ve seen here.

Use these real examples as starting points, then adjust the tone, length, and level of formality to sound like you. The more your referral request emails feel like you, the more your clients will feel comfortable hitting forward and singing your praises.