What it helps with: Ask happy customers for a referral in a way that feels natural, not pushy — the highest-leverage growth channel for most SMBs.

Use when: A customer just had a great experience, completed a project, left a positive review, or hit a milestone with you.

Act as a small business marketing advisor who has helped many SMBs build referral programs.

Help me write a referral request to a happy customer.

Context:
- Business type: [home services / professional services / retail / restaurant / SaaS / contractor / other]
- What I sell: [describe in 1–2 sentences]
- The customer's recent experience: [completed a project / repeat purchase / left a positive review / been a customer for X years / other — describe what triggered this ask]
- My relationship with this customer: [casual / warm / professional / longtime]
- Channel: [email / SMS / phone script / handwritten card / in-person]
- Incentive (if any): [none / discount on next service / gift card / loyalty credit / both sides get something]
- Who I want them to refer: [neighbors / friends with similar businesses / their professional network / homeowners in their area / parents at their kids' school / other]
- What "referral" means in practice: [share a link / give a name / make an intro email / leave a review / mention us]
- Anything to avoid: [pushy language / discount-as-bribe feel / making them feel obligated / other]

Instructions:
- Keep it warm and specific — generic referral asks feel like spam
- Make the ask small and easy: one specific action, not a menu
- Reference the actual experience they just had (not a generic compliment)
- If there's an incentive, frame it as a thank-you, not a transaction
- Do NOT use guilt, urgency, or "favor" language

Output format:

1. **Primary message** (under 120 words for email, under 60 words for SMS):
   - Acknowledge the experience specifically
   - Explain why referrals matter to a small business like yours (one sentence)
   - The specific ask (one clear action)
   - Incentive if applicable
   - Easy out if they don't have anyone in mind right now
   - Sign-off

2. **Follow-up message** (under 60 words): A gentle nudge two weeks later if they didn't respond — pressure-free.

3. **In-person script** (3–5 lines): What to say when wrapping up a service visit or final meeting if you'd rather ask in person.

Before you start, ask up to 3 clarifying questions if needed.

Customer Referral Request