10 Tips on How to Generate High-Quality Referrals for Your Writing Business
To help you grow your writing business through high-quality referrals, we reached out to ten successful founders and CEOs for their best advice. From offering referral incentives to prioritizing customer service, discover the top 10 strategies these industry leaders recommend for attracting more high-quality referrals to your writing business.
- Offer Referral Incentives
- Ask Satisfied Clients for Referrals
- Foster Healthy Business Relationships
- Attend Online and In-Person Events
- Employ Multiple Referral Strategies
- Create Exceptional Content
- Leverage LinkedIn Expertise
- Network for High-Quality Referrals
- Align with Clients’ Values
- Prioritize Customer Service
Offer Referral Incentives
Offering referral incentives is an effective way to get more high-quality referrals for your writing business. Create a referral program in which you reward existing clients for referring new clients to your business with rewards, such as discounts on future services or exclusive content.
This not only encourages satisfied clients to recommend your services, but it also attracts new clients who are more likely to be interested in your writing expertise. You can harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing and expand your client base with high-quality leads by incentivizing referrals.
Nikola Baldikov
Founder, InBound Blogging LTD
Ask Satisfied Clients for Referrals
Not necessarily only applicable to writers, but one way to get more high-quality referrals is to simply ask for them from satisfied clients. Many freelancers are hesitant to ask for referrals, but happy clients are often willing to provide them if you simply ask.
You can start by identifying your best clients—those who have been consistently satisfied with your work, have provided positive feedback, and have referred others to you in the past. Reach out to them and just ask if they know of anyone else who might benefit from your services.
Josh Amishav
Founder and CEO, Breachsense
Foster Healthy Business Relationships
If you have been working with a writer for a while and you’ve built a good working relationship with them, they’ll feel comfortable recommending other high-quality freelancers to your writing business.
The most effective ways to build a good relationship with writers include:
- Being transparent with the scope of work.
- Agreeing on when and how to reach others.
- Setting realistic timelines.
- Providing constructive feedback throughout the project.
- Encouraging them.
- Paying on time.
You want to be known as someone who is easy to work with and that your business is one that every talented writer wants to work with.
Most freelance writers I know belong to a particular online group, where they share their experiences. They complain most of the time, but there’s that one company they praise. You want to be the one receiving the compliments, and you can only get that through building good relationships.
Young Pham
Founder and Project Manager, Biz Report
Attend Online and In-Person Events
One of the most effective ways to get more referrals for your writing business is to leverage your current network.
Reach out to people you know and ask if they can recommend your services to others who may need them. Connect with other writers and entrepreneurs in the same field as you and even join a few online forums or communities related to writing. This will help you build relationships with other professionals, who can then become referral sources for your business.
It will also give you a better understanding of the industry and what potential clients are looking for. Additionally, attending local events and networking with other business owners or professionals in related industries can be an effective way to expand your reach and increase referrals.
Ryan Hetrick
CEO, Epiphany Wellness
Employ Multiple Referral Strategies
One way to get more high-quality referrals for your writing business is to ask for them from satisfied clients and colleagues in your network. You can also offer incentives or rewards to encourage referrals, such as a discount on future services or a complimentary consultation.
Additionally, building a strong online presence and creating valuable content that showcases your expertise can help attract more referrals and increase your visibility to potential clients. Finally, participating in industry events and networking with other professionals in your field can help you make new contacts and expand your referral network.
Brenton Thomas
CEO, Twibi
Create Exceptional Content
Attracting more high-quality referrals simply needs high-quality inputs from your side.
Your writing business needs to be as visible as a neon-pink flamingo in a flock of white doves. In simpler words, make yourself stand out with your main offering, i.e., your writing service.
You will do this by fundamentally creating exceptional content that best vouches for your writing skills and expertise. Because ultimately, when your clients are wowed by your work, it is only then they will be inclined to recommend you to their friends, colleagues, and other potential clients.
I have built my writing business this way in a brief time, which has taught me that maintaining high-quality service is the only reliable way to do this.
Shaun Connell
Founder and CEO, U.S. Dictionary
Leverage LinkedIn Expertise
LinkedIn is a goldmine for business referrals, even if you’re not directly asking your network for them. One way you can open yourself up to referrals is to post content directed toward a specific industry or audience. Use LinkedIn to highlight your expertise in writing for that industry. Offer tips that business owners or content marketing teams in those industries can put to work, then include a call-to-action to connect with you and collaborate.
Doing this shows you’re open to working with a specific type of client and that you have expertise in this area. It also plants the seed for people in your network to recommend you to people they know that fit this customer profile.
Alli Hill
Founder and Director, Fleurish Freelance
Network for High-Quality Referrals
As a veteran, I know how hard it is to find trustworthy writing service recommendations. Networking has worked for me and will work for others. Networking is about meeting people who can introduce you to new clients. Attending industry events, joining professional organizations, and networking on LinkedIn are examples. This lets you meet people who may be interested in your writing services or know someone who is.
Networking is also about building relationships. This requires sincerity, helpfulness, and motivation for others’ success. If you help others and have an excellent reputation, you’ll earn more recommendations.
Vikas Kaushik
CEO, TechAhead
Align with Clients’ Values
When working with clients, take the time to understand their values, mission, and objectives. Tailor your writing services to not only meet their needs but also resonate with their core values.
By doing so, you establish a strong connection and build trust with your clients.
When clients see that you genuinely understand and align with their values, they are more likely to recommend your writing services to others who share similar values. This word-of-mouth referral can lead to higher-quality referrals from clients who have experienced the value and impact of your work firsthand.
By consistently delivering high-quality content that aligns with your clients’ values, you can attract more clients who appreciate your expertise and refer your services to others, helping to grow your writing business.
Simon Brisk
Director, Click Intelligence Ltd
Prioritize Customer Service
One way to get more high-quality referrals for your writing business is to offer exceptional customer service to your existing clients. When clients are satisfied with your work and feel that they have been treated well, they are more likely to refer you to their network.
You can also ask for referrals directly by letting your clients know that you are actively seeking new business and would appreciate any referrals they can provide.
Irina Poddubnaia
CEO and Founder, TrackMage
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