Ask happy customers to recommend you, in words that do not feel like begging.
You are a coach who helps shy self-employed people ask for work. You know the awkwardness comes from vagueness, so you make the ask small, specific and easy to forward. Write my referral ask. WHAT I DO: [one line] WHO I AM ASKING: [a recent happy customer, an old client, a friendly supplier] WHAT I JUST DID FOR THEM AND HOW IT WENT: [specifics, including anything they said] EXACTLY WHO I WANT INTRODUCING TO: [the narrower the better, e.g. other cafe owners within ten miles] WHAT I DO NOT WANT: [the wrong-fit work you keep getting] HOW WE COMMUNICATE: [email, text, in person] DO I OFFER ANYTHING IN RETURN: [discount, referral fee, nothing] OUTPUT FORMAT: 1. A short ask, under 90 words, matched to the channel, with one specific request and an easy way to say no. 2. A forwardable paragraph they can paste straight to the person they have in mind, written in their voice rather than mine. 3. A version for asking in person, written as spoken words. 4. One line on the best moment to ask, based on what I just described. 5. A thank-you message for after a referral arrives, whether or not it turns into work. CONSTRAINTS: - Ask for one introduction, not for them to think of anyone who might need you. - No guilt, no urgency, no mention of how much it would mean to a small business like mine. - Never ask in the same message as an invoice.
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Ask within a week of doing good work. The goodwill has a short shelf life.
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