What is a referral thank-you note?
A referral thank-you note is an expression of appreciation to someone who has recommended your business, products or services.
Thank you for all your hard work on this. Who wouldn’t love the one-two punch of gratitude. Your thank you email should be just that, a thank you. Do not attempt to sell more in a thank you email. Some businesses offer a future discount or promo in their thank you email. You may want to follow up later with a customer feedback email. Business Thank You Notes. Personalize it, if possible.
Sending a thank-you note is a professional way to strengthen your professional relationships with customers or other businesses that recommend you. This can lead to more business referrals, especially if you give these individuals referrals as well.
You can send referral thank-you notes when:
- Customers refer friends or family to your business.
- A business sends you new customers or their referral leads to a new contract
Why are thank-you notes important?
It’s important to show an organization or individual that you recognize and appreciate their confidence in your business. Letting someone know that you recognize what they’ve done for you can also encourage future business and referrals. Fostering your business relationships in this way can result in valuable partnerships between your organization and others.
Related: How to Grow Your Business
How to write a 'thank you for the referral' note
Follow these steps to write a thank-you note:
1. Greet the recipient professionally
Include your salutation and greet the recipient using their last name, Greeting them in this manner conveys a sense of professionalism and respect.
2. Express your gratitude
Be specific about the nature of the referral and explain how the referral helped your business. Sharing how their referral created a specific outcome will emphasize your genuine appreciation.
3. Conclude and close your note
Write a brief conclusion. Consider offering a complimentary service or discount on future products. If your referrer was another business, letting them know that you will return the favor with customer referrals can also show your appreciation.
4. Include your contact information
Include your direct phone number and email address to encourage a friendly relationship. This can lead to additional business referrals or add to your professional network.
5. Proofread and send your note
If you are emailing your thank you note, use spellcheck features to make sure your letter is free of grammatical errors and typos. If you’re sending your thank you note through the mail, have a friend or colleague review it to catch any misspellings or other writing errors.
Referral thank you note template
Interview Thank You Letter
Use the following template as a guide when creating your referral thank you note:
[Date]
[Recipient’s name], [recipient’s job title or department]
[Recipient’s address, if mailing]
[Recipient’s organization]
[Greeting]
[Body]
[Closing]
[Your first and last name], [your job title]
[Your company]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[Business website]
Examples of referral thank you notes
Use these examples to help you write your own thank-you note:
Letter to an organization for a customer referral
January 3, 2020
Jeannie McValen, Manager
Dear Ms. McValen,
I am writing to express my appreciation for your customer referral to our business, Creative Office Solutions, LLC. I genuinely appreciate your confidence in our products, as your referral has enabled us to work with new companies.
As a token of thanks, I would like to extend a special offer for your organization’s future office supply needs. Please feel free to contact me regarding a business discount, or if you have questions. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Victoria Torrano, President
Creative Office Solutions, LLC
Thank You Quotes
800-242-9900
v.torrano@creativeofficesolutions.com
CreativeOfficeSolutionsLLC.com
Letter to a company for a client referral
This example highlights how you might create a thank you note for a client referral:
October 29, 2019
Eliza Harrison, Product Development
Concord Technologies, Inc.
Dear Ms. Harrison,
I’d like to extend my thanks for your client referral. Your kind gesture has led to the initiation of a long-term project that we are currently developing for G and M Enterprises to implement financial data monitoring and reporting. Since the beginning of our business relationship, I have enjoyed Concord Tech’s financial documentation software, and being able to take on an additional client where my project teams can exercise their expertise with your products will be a great contribution to Heines Financial’s monthly revenue and developing reputation.
If there is any additional support or impact we at Heines Financial can extend to Concord Technologies, please feel free to get in touch with me to develop a continued relationship. Thank you again for your kind gesture, and I look forward to our future communications.
Best,
Isaac Stringer, Co-founder
Heines Financial, Ltd.
901-887-9900
isaac.stringer@heinesfinancial.com
HeinesFinancial.com
Letter to an individual customer
December 14, 2019
Dear valued customer,
I would personally like to extend my gratitude for your kind referral and positive review. We at Urban Natural Foods cherish and support our customer relationships, and your thoughtful referral to our natural and organic food products helps us reach more customers like you who desire to nurture and support their health and wellness.
As a token of our appreciation, Urban Natural Foods would like to offer you a special discount on your next purchase at one of our stores or our online marketplace. Simply download and print this coupon, or save it to your device to scan at the register during checkout. Thank you again for your valued business.
Kindest regards,
Kerry Dubois, General Manager
Urban Natural Foods, Inc.
800-999-7879
UrbanNaturalFoods.com
Related: 5 Ways to Create an Effective Employee Referral Program
Referral thank you note FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about referral thank you notes:
How long should a 'thank you for the referral' note be?
One or two brief paragraphs will suffice for a thank-you note. Thank the recipient within the first paragraph, followed by a few brief details regarding the impact of their referral. You can include a second paragraph if you have something else you would like to add, like providing a referral in return or encouraging future business.
Should I include a discount offer in my thank you note?
While it’s not necessary to do, including a discount or exclusive offer makes a referrer feel appreciated. Additionally, it encourages the recipient to continue using your products or services. This can result in future business transactions and the growth of your business’s market reach.
How is a referral program beneficial?
A customer referral program is an effective way to attract new customers, retain current customers and create additional revenue. For example, a service provider might offer a 10% monthly discount for clients who refer others to their services. Creating incentives through a referral program can also increase your market reach and help you acquire loyal, repeat clientele.