Successful Referring For Life Coaches

There's a mantra in networking circles “People like to do business with someone they trust, or someone recommended by someone they trust”. 

All very noble, and true, but I’ve found from experience that referrals, both those you give and those you get, should be investigated just as thoroughly as if you were dealing with a cold contact so they don't turn out to be a "lemon" (something that doesn't work as you were led to believe it should). 

Why Check All Referrals You Give and Get

As your client's trusted coach, it really important that you don't end up losing credibility and embarrassed because you referred your client to someone who you haven’t checked properly and doesn't live up to what they say they can do.

Just because you meet someone who is offering the service you need at a networking function or through social media, or someone is recommended by a friend or contact, it doesn't mean they are unquestionably a good match for you or your client. 

So now though I really love doing business with someone who is recommended, I still do my own research.

How To Safeguard Against Unsuccessful Referrals

Here are five suggestions for avoiding giving and receiving referrals that could turn out to be lemons for yourself or the person you are referring to, showing you up in a bad light or costing you money.   

1. Ask the person who recommends someone for a service such as coaching, therapy or business services, such as marketing, if they actually have experience of working with this person or company.
2. Make sure the person giving you the recommendation is notdoing it  just because they are a mate or networking contact or even a paying affiliate of your referer.
3. When you are referring someone to another person, be sure to make it clear whether or not you have actually used them and experienced their level of service or are just going on hearsay
4. If possible  contact some of the people who have worked with the person or organisation you have been referred and check out their experience. 
5. When accepting a referral from another coach for a coaching client, be sure to find out why they are not coaching them themselves. What was their experience and what do you need to be aware of? 

When a referral does turn out to be apples rather than a lemon - just what you or your client were after - remember to personally thank and acknowledge the person who gave the referral to you let them know you can confidently pass it on to others