Referral

Referral Request Email Template

Copy. Paste. Customize. Send. Book meetings.

Best for:Getting warm introductions

Reply rate:45%

Length:70 words

The Template

Subject:

Quick favor?

Hi {{first_name}}, I hope you're doing well! I really enjoyed working with you on {{project_or_context}}. I'm looking to connect with more {{target_role}} leaders at {{industry}} companies. Given your network, I thought you might know someone who'd benefit from {{value_prop}}. Would you be open to making an introduction? Happy to send you a forwardable email to make it easy. Thanks so much, {{your_name}}

Variables to Customize

{{first_name}}

Contact's first name (the person you're asking for a referral)

{{project_or_context}}

A shared experience or context (e.g., 'the CRM implementation', 'the sales workshop', 'our conversation at SaaStr')

{{target_role}}

The role you're trying to reach (e.g., 'VP of Sales', 'Head of Revenue Operations', 'CRO')

{{industry}}

The industry you're targeting (e.g., 'SaaS', 'fintech', 'healthcare')

{{value_prop}}

What you help with in a few words (e.g., 'reducing no-show rates', 'scaling outbound', 'optimizing their sales process')

{{your_name}}

Your first name

When to Use This

Perfect For

• Requesting referrals from happy customers
• Asking investors or advisors for introductions
• Following up with conference connections
• Expanding into new verticals through warm intros
• Partner referral programs
• Professional network activation

Not Ideal For

• Cold contacts you've never worked with
• Customers who had a poor experience
• Asking for referrals too early in the relationship
• When you can't offer value in return
• Contacts who've already said they don't give referrals
• Mass blast referral requests

Variations

Variation A: The Happy Customer Ask

{{first_name}}, It's been great working with you and the team at {{company}}. Glad to hear you're seeing {{result}} since we started. I'm trying to help more {{industry}} teams achieve similar results. Do you know any {{target_role}} peers who might be a fit? Happy to make the intro easy on your end - just say the word. {{your_name}}

Variation B: The Specific Person Ask

Hi {{first_name}}, Quick favor - I noticed you're connected to {{specific_person}} at {{target_company}} on LinkedIn. Given what we accomplished together at {{your_company}}, I think there might be a fit for what they're doing. Would you be comfortable making an intro? I'll send you a forwardable blurb to keep it simple. {{your_name}}

Variation C: The Reciprocal Ask

{{first_name}}, I've really valued our relationship and I'd love to return the favor if I can. In the meantime, I'm looking to connect with {{target_role}} leaders in {{industry}}. Given your network, I thought you might know one or two people who'd benefit from {{value_prop}}. Any chance you could make an intro? I'll make it super easy on your end. {{your_name}}

Variation D: The Conference Follow-Up Referral

Hi {{first_name}}, Great meeting you at {{event}}! I really enjoyed our conversation about {{topic}}. I'm expanding my work with {{industry}} companies and was hoping you might know some {{target_role}} peers who'd be a good fit. Would you be open to making a couple introductions? I'll send a quick blurb you can forward along. {{your_name}}

Variation E: The Ultra-Direct Ask

{{first_name}} - quick ask. Who's the best {{target_role}} you know in {{industry}} who might be struggling with {{pain_point}}? I'd love an intro if you're comfortable. {{your_name}}

Pro Tips

Tip 1: Ask for referrals when the relationship is warmest - right after a successful project completion, positive feedback, or win. Strike while the iron is hot

Tip 2: Make it incredibly easy for them. Offer to write a forwardable email they can just copy-paste. Remove all friction from the referral process

Tip 3: Be specific about who you want to meet. 'VP of Sales at SaaS companies' is better than 'anyone who might be interested.' Specificity helps them scan their network

Tip 4: Don't ask for referrals in your first interaction. Build the relationship first. A good rule: wait until they've experienced value from you

Tip 5: Offer value in return - even if it's just 'I'm happy to do the same for you.' Reciprocity increases referral rates significantly

Tip 6: Follow up on referrals and report back. 'I connected with Sarah - thanks for the intro!' builds trust for future asks

A/B Testing Suggestions

Test general asks ('Do you know any VPs of Sales?') vs. specific asks ('Would you intro me to [specific person]?')

A/B test offering to write the forwardable email vs. not mentioning it

Compare subject lines: 'Quick favor?' vs. 'Referral request' vs. 'Know anyone who needs X?'

Try asking for 1-2 referrals vs. asking for 'anyone who comes to mind'

Test email referral asks vs. phone call asks vs. LinkedIn message asks

Experiment with including the forwardable email upfront vs. sending it after they say yes

Explore More

Sales Articles

Referral selling strategies and network activation

Sales Glossary

Terms like warm intro, referral rate, and network effects

Playbooks

Complete referral program playbooks

Benchmarks

Referral conversion rates and channel comparison data

Lead Sources

Maximizing your referral network for leads

Tool Comparisons

CRM and referral tracking tools

Related Templates

Cold Email Introduction

Cold Email

LinkedIn Connection Request

Meeting Request Email

Cold Email

Templates Are Just the Start

We send thousands of these every week. Let us do the heavy lifting while you close deals.

Book Your Strategy Call