Expanding Your Business

Planning to Expand Your Business

in 2022?

Here is how to ask for referrals, introductions, and endorsements.

By Mark Purnell, PMC-LLC Coach

As you assemble your 2022 business plan, it may be useful to review some “best practices” when asking for referrals, making introductions, and encouraging endorsements. 

So, you want more referrals? Well, ask and you shall receive. But first, realize the following: 

After 40 years of helping businesses grow, I have learned that building relationships comes first. I promote the law of reciprocity and consider it critical that you give before you receive. These types of relationships with your inner circle create the ongoing referral partners that can fuel your business for years to come. While you're building relationships, it’s important that you are learning how to ask for referrals as well. 

Here are a few more ways to get your "ask" in shape: 

1.  The ‘straight forward’ approach: 

 Hi (Name), 

 With the 2022 planning in full swing, I wanted to reach out and see how you were doing. I would love to hear how your business has been going. If there is any way I can help, just know I'm always here.  

Next quarter, I'm planning on expanding my consulting business. So, I'm reaching out for any help I can get. If you know of anybody that could benefit from my services, would you be willing to introduce me?  

I really appreciate your help on this, and I look forward to catching up soon.  

All my best, 

2.  Incorporating a Value Item: 

Hi (Name), 

I hope all is going well with you. Reading this article brought you to mind this week. Building a company culture around giving back is a great goal for us all. I really enjoyed this article on the subject of cultivating a 'pay it forward' mentality and wanted to pass it along to you. 

http://www.inc.com/kimberly-weisul/how-to-create-an-office-culture-of-pay-it-forward.html?cid=em01012week17b  

Also, I'm working hard right now to expand my business, and I wanted to ask a favor of some of my trusted colleagues. If you know of any business that might benefit from the work I do, would you reach out to me and let me know? I really appreciate any assistance you can provide.  

Thank you in advance. I look forward to catching up with you soon.  

All my best, 

3.  Inform your contact about recent growth or change in your business: 

Hi (Name), 

I wanted to check-in with you and see how things have been going as of late. It's a busy time of year as I am working to expand my consulting practice.  

Could you do me a favor? If you know of any companies that could benefit from my services, would you reach out to me and let me know?  

I'd love to sit down with you soon to discuss the possibilities of a strategic partnership. If I can help you in any way professionally, I'd be happy to do so.  

All my best, 

4. Tell your contact about a recent client for whom you just finished a job: 

Hi (Name), 

I thought you might like to know that we just finished up a big project with ____ and things are looking really good for them. It was really great for me having the chance to help ___, but finishing up a project of that magnitude is going to free up a lot of time for me.    

On that note, I was wondering if you might do me a favor. Knowing what I do and who I strive to help, if you know of any businesses in the area that need or could benefit from my services, could you share their information with me? 

I really appreciate it. Looking forward to reconnecting with you soon.