7 Ways to Ask for Referrals (Without Looking Like THAT Guy)

Referrals play a massive role in a real estate agent’s business. According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2022 Buyer and Seller Profile, over 60% of sellers found their agent through a referral, while nearly 40% of buyers found theirs the same way.

It may seem daunting to ask for referrals, but taking a thoughtful approach can go a long way in securing them. Before you jump right into requesting referrals, make sure you’re well-prepared so the ask can go as smoothly as possible.

Preparing to Ask for Referrals

First and foremost, before you ask for a referral, you want to ensure you’ve provided excellent service resulting in a happy client. By being responsive, enthusiastic, dedicated, and knowledgeable, clients can trust in your skills and ability as a real estate pro. As a result, they’ll be far more likely to happily provide referrals.

Don’t wait until the deal is closed to see if your client is happy; instead, check in with them along the way. It’s key to have a service-oriented mindset in addition to the problem-solving you take on as an agent. Doing so can help build client satisfaction and provide you plenty of opportunity along the way to guarantee a good experience — and get things back on track if they’re wavering.

7 Ways to Ask for Referrals

Asking for a referral should be a natural extension of the business you’ve conducted with whomever you’re requesting the referral from. Building brand trust, maintaining your reputation, and showcasing your decorum from start to finish can go a long way in securing a referral.

Here are six ways you can ask for referrals — without looking like that guy.

#1. Ask During the Buying or Selling Process

This one requires a bit of a closer look as you navigate the buying or selling process with your clients. Keep an eye out for key indicators you’re providing a positive, superior experience to the clients you’re working with before asking for a referral mid-buying or selling.

If your client expresses positive sentiments, excitement, appreciation, or the process is going smoothly overall, mention you’re accepting referrals, and follow-up with an email or a text to reinforce your request.

#2. Ask After Closing

You and your clients have left the closing table with a massive win. They’re floating on air and relieved to have secured their home sweet home — so strike while the iron’s hot and ask for a referral.

You can ask them directly via conversation, through follow-up emails after closing, and even consider a classy touch with a handwritten note or branded postcard. Don’t forget to express your gratitude to them for working with you and trusting you with such an important process.

#3. Reach Out to Past Clients

Waited a bit too long to ask for a referral after the deal closed?

Not to worry: tap into your database of past clients and reach out via email or text. Touch on a personal anecdote from your time working together, and ask how things are with them and their property, if applicable. If you haven’t been nurturing past clients or keeping in touch, take a beat to reconnect and catch up — even briefly.

This sets the stage for you to remind them what a pleasure it was to help them find (or sell) their home, and leads you right into a comfortable place to request a referral.

#4. Use Calls-to-Action in Your Email Communications

If you’re sending email newsletters or updates regularly, adding in a blurb and call-to-action button to source referrals is a great, less in-your-face option that you can keep always-on.

Something as simple as “Know someone ready to buy? Send them my way!” with a link to your website can give email subscribers a consistent opportunity to send referrals when they encounter them. It also helps you feel less like you’re hounding your sphere of influence and more like you’re opening a door for them.

#5. Tap Into Your Social Media Network Wisely

Rather than bombarding your entire friends or followers lists with requests for referrals, take a more strategic approach to sourcing referrals via social media.

Use posts, brief video clips, or stories to highlight testimonials from happy clients, or stellar listings you’ve sold successfully. Showcase the story and shine the spotlight on the win — then, lead into requesting referrals.

Taking this approach focuses more on the value your business brings, and less on seeming spam-y. It also builds trust with a proof point, helping ease the transition into asking your network to send referrals your way.

#6. Reach Out to Professionals You’ve Worked With

In addition to your client database, you also have a powerful network of other professionals you’ve worked with in the past to reach out to for referrals. Think: other real estate pros in different areas of expertise, home inspectors or appraisers, and key players in all things mortgage or title.

Make sure to reach out to those you have a strong, ongoing rapport with. Beforehand, you should also be sure to have clientele or other business to send their way, too.

#7. Use RealEstateAgents.com To Grow Your Online Presence

RealEstateAgents.com is a great way to get new referrals both from motivated clients themselves as well as connecting with other agents. You can showcase your business, brand, and wins to your referrals quickly and efficiently through your profile. Get started today!