Discount for referral?

sgately · Nov 28, 2005

Hello!

A great client of mine just passed my name on to another company, and he said they'll call me soon. He also asked, "BTW, do you give discounts for referring new clients?" Is this standard? I'm fine with it, but juts want to implement it in the standard way. I'd appreciate any info anyone has on this. Thanks!

Susan

Good Word · Nov 28, 2005

I think that it is a little tacky for them to ask, but appropriate to thank them in some way. The person knows you obviously aren't going to say "no, sorry."

If it is a corporate client, maybe you could send a restaurant gift certificate to the individual you are working with when you get the gig, or if the person IS the company (aka small business), you could discount their next project 10%.

Someone just referred me to a local company, and if I get the project, I will send the person who referred me (who is not a client, but recruited me into the Chamber of Commerce) a gift certificate to a popular restaurant in town.

Depends on the situation.

But when you start discounting work, you need to make sure they know it is that project only, because it can set a precedent for a continued lower price. No one wants to pay more when they can pay less. Better a $100 gift certificate to a restaurant or tickets to a show.

sgately · Nov 28, 2005

Thanks for the reply--very timely and helpful! I think I'll go with the 10% thing on the next job I quote. Might motivate him to give me a big project to make it worthwhile.

Discount for referral?

sgately

Good Word

still crazy after all these years

sgately