The best examples of thank you email for a referral: 3 examples you can steal

Instead of talking theory, let’s jump straight into the good stuff: the emails themselves. Below are three core examples of thank you email for a referral, written for common situations:

• A job referral from a personal contact
• A client referral in a business context
• A professional introduction from a colleague or mentor

From there, we’ll spin off several more variations so you end up with 6–8 real examples you can adapt for almost any referral scenario.

Example 1: Thank you email for a job referral (warm contact)

This first example of a thank you email for a referral works when a friend, former coworker, or mentor has referred you for a job or introduced you to a hiring manager.

Subject line ideas

• Thank you for the referral to [Company Name]
• Appreciate the intro to [Hiring Manager’s Name]
• Thanks for thinking of me for [Role Title]

Email template

Hi [Name],

I really appreciate you referring me for the [Role Title] position at [Company Name]. Thank you for taking the time to introduce me to [Hiring Manager’s Name] and for speaking so highly of my work.

I’ve already [submitted my application / scheduled an interview / connected with them on LinkedIn], and I’ll keep you posted on how things go. Your support means a lot, and I’m grateful you thought of me for this opportunity.

If there’s ever anything I can do to return the favor—whether it’s making an introduction for you or sharing my experience in [your field]—please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thanks again,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples of a thank you email for a referral because it does three things quickly:

• Expresses clear gratitude
• Confirms you took action
• Opens the door to reciprocate

Variation: Short, mobile‑friendly thank you

In 2024–2025, most people read email on their phones. A shorter version of this example of thank you email for a referral can work better for busy contacts.

Hi [Name],

Thank you again for referring me for the [Role Title] role at [Company Name]. I’ve [applied / scheduled an interview] and really appreciate your support.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Best,
[Your Name]

Use this when you know the person well and don’t need a long message to show appreciation.

Variation: After you get the job

Another powerful example of thank you email for a referral is the follow‑up after you land the role. Many people skip this step, but it’s a simple way to strengthen the relationship.

Hi [Name],

I wanted to share some good news and say thank you again for your referral. I’ve accepted the offer for the [Role Title] position at [Company Name] and will be starting on [Start Date].

Your introduction made a real difference, and I’m grateful you were willing to vouch for me. If you’re open to it, I’d love to treat you to coffee or lunch sometime soon to celebrate and catch up.

Thanks again for your support,
[Your Name]

This variation shows appreciation, closes the loop, and suggests a simple next step.

Example 2: Thank you email for a client or customer referral

When someone sends you paying business, your thank you needs to feel sincere and specific. This second example of thank you email for a referral is written for service providers, consultants, and small business owners.

Subject line ideas

• Thank you for referring [Client Name]
• Grateful for the referral to [Company/Person]
• Appreciate you sending [Client Name] my way

Email template

Hi [Name],

Thank you so much for referring [Client Name] to me. I really appreciate you thinking of my work when they mentioned they needed help with [brief description, e.g., “a new website” or “tax planning"].

We’ve already [had an intro call / scheduled a meeting / started working together], and I’m excited about the opportunity to support them. Your trust means a lot, and I don’t take your recommendation lightly.

As a small way of saying thanks, I’d love to offer you [a discount on your next project / a free strategy session / a referral bonus, if that’s part of your policy].

Please let me know if there’s anyone else in your network I can help or if there’s anything you need from me.

With appreciation,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples of thank you email for a referral in a business setting because it:

• Names the referred client
• Shows you’ve already followed up
• Offers something in return (even if it’s just extra attention and care)

Variation: When you offer a formal referral program

Referral programs are still very common in 2024–2025, especially in service businesses and SaaS. If you have a structured program, adjust your thank you email for a referral like this:

Hi [Name],

Thank you for referring [Client Name] to [Your Business]. I appreciate you connecting us and sharing your experience working with me.

As part of my referral program, you’ll receive [specific reward, e.g., “$100 credit on your next invoice” or “a complimentary month of service"] once we begin working together. I’ll confirm with you as soon as that’s applied.

I’m grateful for your support and for trusting me with your network. If there’s anyone else I can help this year, feel free to send them my way—I’ll be sure to take great care of them.

Thanks again,
[Your Name]

If you’re designing a referral program, you can find useful guidance on fair business practices and advertising disclosures from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftc.gov.

Variation: When the referral doesn’t move forward

Sometimes a referral doesn’t turn into a client. You still send a thank you email for the referral, because you’re appreciating the effort, not just the outcome.

Hi [Name],

I wanted to thank you again for referring [Client Name] to me. We had a great conversation, and even though it wasn’t the right fit for them right now, I truly appreciate you making the connection.

Referrals like yours are a big part of how my business grows, and I’m grateful for your support. If there’s ever anything I can do for you or your network, please let me know.

With gratitude,
[Your Name]

This example of thank you email for a referral keeps the door open without putting pressure on anyone.

Example 3: Thank you email for a professional introduction or partnership referral

The third core example of thank you email for a referral covers professional introductions: a colleague connects you to a potential partner, investor, vendor, or collaborator.

Subject line ideas

• Thank you for the introduction to [Name]
• Appreciate the connection to [Company/Team]
• Thanks for making the intro

Email template

Hi [Name],

Thank you for introducing me to [New Contact’s Name] at [Company]. I appreciate you taking the time to connect us and share a bit about my work in [your area or role].

We’ve already [scheduled time to talk / had an initial call], and I’m looking forward to exploring how we might collaborate on [brief topic or project]. Your introduction made it much easier to start the conversation.

If I can ever return the favor by connecting you with someone in my network—whether it’s [type of contact A] or [type of contact B]—I’d be happy to do it.

Thanks again for your support,
[Your Name]

This is a clean, professional example of thank you email for a referral that works well in corporate, nonprofit, or startup settings.

Variation: Group reply right after the intro

In many 2024–2025 networking situations, the referrer starts a group email to introduce you. In that case, your first reply can function as your thank you email for the referral.

Hi [New Contact’s Name], thanks for the introduction, [Referrer’s Name]!

[New Contact’s Name], it’s great to e‑meet you. [One‑sentence context about who you are and what you do]. I’d love to find 20–30 minutes to learn more about your work at [Company] and see if there’s a way I can be helpful.

I’ve shared a few times that work on my end next week: [list 2–3 options]. Feel free to suggest another time if those don’t work.

Looking forward to connecting,
[Your Name]

Then, after your call, you can send a short, separate example of thank you email for a referral just to the referrer:

Hi [Referrer’s Name],

Quick note to say thanks again for introducing me to [New Contact’s Name]. We had a really helpful conversation about [topic], and we’re exploring [next step]. I appreciate you thinking of us as a good match.

Let me know if I can ever connect you with anyone in my network.

Best,
[Your Name]

How to write your own: patterns behind the best examples

Now that you’ve seen several examples of thank you email for a referral, let’s break down what they share. You can mix and match these elements to write a version that sounds like you.

1. Say thank you right away
Open with gratitude in the first sentence: “Thank you for referring…,” “I really appreciate you introducing…,” or “Thanks for connecting me with….” Keeping the subject line simple and clear also helps your contact understand the purpose at a glance.

2. Name the person or opportunity
Specificity feels more genuine. Mention the role, company, or client by name. It shows you’re paying attention and not sending a generic blast.

3. Show that you took action
In nearly all of the best examples of thank you email for a referral above, there’s a quick status update: you applied, scheduled a call, or had a meeting. This reassures the referrer that their effort mattered.

4. Offer to reciprocate
Even if you can’t offer a discount or referral fee, you can offer introductions, advice, or support. Reciprocity is a core part of networking. Research on professional relationships from places like Harvard Business School often highlights how mutual support builds long‑term careers.

5. Keep it short and easy to read
Most people skim emails. The real‑world examples include short paragraphs, clear language, and no unnecessary fluff. Aim for 75–150 words for a standard thank you email for a referral.

6. Follow up again when there’s an outcome
If you get the job, sign the client, or launch the partnership, send another quick thank you. It closes the loop and makes people more likely to refer you again.

If you want to go deeper into effective professional communication, many universities offer free writing and communication resources. For example, Purdue University hosts a well‑known online writing lab with business writing tips at https://owl.purdue.edu.

Modern etiquette: timing, channels, and tone in 2024–2025

Writing a strong thank you email for a referral isn’t just about the words—it’s also about when and how you send it.

Timing
Send your thank you within 24–48 hours of hearing about the referral or receiving the introduction. If you need more time to act on the opportunity (for example, to schedule an interview), you can still send a quick note of thanks and follow up later with more detail.

Email vs. LinkedIn vs. text

• Use email as your default for professional referrals.
• Use LinkedIn messages if that’s where the introduction happened or if you don’t have their email.
• Use text only if you already text with that person regularly.

The same examples of thank you email for a referral can usually be shortened slightly and dropped into LinkedIn messages.

Tone
Match your tone to the relationship:

• More formal for senior leaders, distant acquaintances, or first‑time referrers
• More casual for close friends and peers

You can always start slightly more formal—“Hi [Name], Thank you for…”—and relax over time.

Mental bandwidth and stress
If you’re job‑hunting or building a business, writing yet another email can feel tiring. Short, ready‑to‑use examples of thank you email for a referral reduce decision fatigue. If you notice stress affecting your sleep or health, it may help to look at evidence‑based resources on stress management, such as those from the National Institutes of Health at https://www.nih.gov.

FAQ: common questions about thank you emails for referrals

How long should a thank you email for a referral be?
Most effective examples of thank you email for a referral are between 75 and 150 words. Long enough to say thanks, give a quick update, and offer to reciprocate—short enough to read on a phone.

Is it okay to use a template, or will it sound fake?
Templates are fine as long as you personalize them. Every example of thank you email for a referral in this article is meant to be edited: add specific names, details about the opportunity, and a line that sounds like your own voice.

Should I send a gift or just an email?
For most casual referrals, a thoughtful email is enough. For major business referrals, you might add a handwritten note, a small gift card, or a referral bonus if your company allows it. Always check your organization’s policies; many larger employers and public institutions have rules about gifts, which you can often find on their HR or ethics pages.

What if the referral doesn’t work out? Do I still send a thank you?
Yes. As you saw in one example of thank you email for a referral above, you’re thanking the person for making the effort, not for guaranteeing a specific outcome. That keeps the relationship positive and makes future referrals more likely.

Can I ask someone directly for a referral and then send a thank you?
Absolutely. It’s common to ask mentors, former managers, or happy clients if they’d be open to referring you. If they agree and follow through, send one of these examples of thank you email for a referral to acknowledge the favor.

Use these templates as starting points, not scripts carved in stone. If you tweak each example of thank you email for a referral so it sounds like something you’d actually say out loud, you’ll come across as thoughtful, professional, and easy to recommend again in the future.