📈 Why You’re Not Getting Referrals (And How to Fix It)

You do great work.

Clients are happy.

Feedback is positive.

So why aren’t the referrals rolling in?

The work you’re doing could be good, but is it unforgettable?

Referrals are the most powerful form of growth:

• No ad spend

• No funnels

Just warm leads from people who already trust you.

But they don’t happen automatically.

Let’s break down why you’re not getting referrals and what you can do today to fix it.

1. You’re Not Asking

Referrals don’t fall from the sky.

And assuming your clients will “naturally” think to refer you is a recipe for missed opportunity.

If you don’t ask, people won’t think to refer.

They’re busy. Life moves on.

• Build a referral ask into your offboarding or post-project process.

• Make it easy: “If you know anyone who needs [your service], feel free to connect us. I’d love to help.”

• Follow up after 30-60 days to check in and ask again.

2. Your Offer Isn’t Referral-Worthy Yet

Let’s be blunt:

“Decent” offers don’t get talked about.

“Life-changing,” “super smooth,” or “surprisingly simple” ones do.

If your client had a solid experience but nothing stood out, they’re less likely to bring you up.

Referrals happen when your service is so good, people can’t help but share it.

• Make your process remarkably easy, fast, or helpful.

• Over-deliver on the little things: communication, turnaround time, clarity.

• Ask clients what surprised them most, then double down on that.

3. You’re Not Top of Mind

Even your best clients will forget about you if you disappear after the project ends.

Staying top of mind is about being visible in the right ways.

• Keep your past clients on your email list (with value-first content).

• Follow them on social media and engage with their posts.

• Send a personal check-in every few months.

An excellent way to stay top of mind is to build your personal brand.

With a strong personal brand, you become unforgettable.

And if you’re interested in becoming the go-to in your industry, check out my content agency FounderBrands.

We do done-for-you content + ads that drive authority, attention, and sales.

Being top of mind creates a strong referral funnel.

4. You Haven’t Made Referrals a Two-Way Street

Want more referrals? Be someone who gives them.

When you actively refer others, make introductions, or shout people out, they’re way more likely to return the favor.

• Ask, “Who do I know that my clients would benefit from knowing?”

• Refer your favorite service providers regularly.

• Build a small network of referral partners and support each other’s growth.

5. You’ve Made It Too Complicated

No one wants to jump through hoops to refer you.

If your process is unclear or awkward, they’ll skip it.

• Give clients a simple, 1-2 sentence blurb they can copy and paste.

• Offer a clear landing page or intro email template.

• If appropriate, sweeten the deal with a referral incentive.

The Takeaway

Referrals don’t happen by accident. They happen when you:

• Ask clearly and confidently

• Deliver work that’s truly worth sharing

• Stay visible and engaged

• Give before you expect to get

• Remove friction from the process

If you’re doing great work, people should be talking about you.

Your job is to make sure they do.

So here’s the challenge:

Who can you follow up with today to spark a referral tomorrow?

Because the fastest path to more leads might already be in your inbox.

Whenever you’re ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:

1. FounderBrands: Build your online identity. Become the authority figure in your industry.

2. Hire me as a consultant to take your business to the next level.

3. Offshore Hiring Guide: Learn how to hire inexpensive ($6 / hour) offshore talent in 3 weeks or less.

4. Promote your business to 1,800+ subscribers by sponsoring my newsletter.

Cheers,

Collin Rutherford

PS. When the water is warm…