How to Get More Client Referrals (Without Feeling Pushy)

1. Understand the Hiring Journey

Every strong client relationship starts with a thoughtful first impression. Before someone becomes a paying client—or even a lead—they’re on a journey to solve a problem. Your job is to meet them where they are and guide them forward with ease.

💬 Example:

Let’s say you’re a brand designer. Your ideal client might be launching a new business and could be unsure where to start, or they might be ready to rebrand and need more clarity. Either way, the early stages of your marketing journey should reflect their mindset.

✨ Pro tip: Use client-first language across your marketing materials and speak directly to their current challenges.

🔗 Related: How to Build a Successful Sales Cycle for Designers

2. Nurture Leads Like a Pro

Once someone reaches out, your job is to make the process feel effortless. The way you follow up sets the tone for everything that follows—and is a huge factor in whether someone ends up booking with you.

💡 Ideas to try:

• Send a lookbook or intro guide with pricing, process, and testimonials.

• Use personalized auto-replies that feel human, not robotic.

• Include a link to book a consultation directly or after you’ve qualified the lead.

🔗 Need inspiration? How to Use Client Portals Effectively shows how WillowSpace makes lead nurturing smoother.

3. Send a Custom Proposal That Feels Human & Personal

When a lead is ready to move forward, don’t just send a generic PDF. A well-crafted proposal makes your value feel tangible—and helps the client envision working with you.

📌 Make sure your proposal:

• Speaks directly to the client’s goals and uses their language/tone.

• Includes relevant case studies or past results.

• Offers clear next steps and a timeline.

🔗 Not sure what to include? What to Include in a Project Proposal covers it all.

✨ With WillowSpace, you can build branded, interactive proposals that clients can accept (or decline) with a click—and even give feedback if they choose not to move forward. Insight = power.

4. Deliver a Seamless Project Experience

Once the proposal is signed, the real magic begins. The smoother your process, the better your client feels—and the more likely they are to refer you.

💬 Use tools to:

• Streamline your onboarding with one welcome email highlighting intake forms, and contracts.

• Set clear deadlines and auto-reminders to keep things on track.

• Keep communication organized with a client portal.

🔗 Explore more: Why WillowSpace is Different From Other CRMs

5. Stay in Touch Long After the Project Ends

Want more referrals? Don’t ghost your clients after the project is complete. Keep the door open by continuing the conversation, and showing them that you care.

💡 Ideas to stay connected:

• Follow up one month after launch to ask how things are going.

• Add clients to a newsletter or client-only email list.

• Send holiday cards, launch gifts, or just-because check-ins.

🔗 Also helpful: How to Avoid Tricky Client Situations — because a strong relationship is your best retention tool.

Your Client Experience Checklist 📝

Here’s what we focus on at Function (our design studio) to build a referral-worthy business:

✅ Respond to inquiries quickly and with a personal touch
✅ Follow up with useful info and clear next steps (our lookbook)
✅ Send a custom proposal with real value
✅ Use deadlines, auto-reminders and systems to stay on track
✅ Keep clients in the loop every week
✅ Celebrate the project finish line
✅ Check in post-launch
✅ Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals or testimonials

Ready to Get More Referrals—Without the Awkward Ask?

WillowSpace was built by a service provider (hi 👋) who needed a better way to manage clients beautifully and efficiently. Now, hundreds of creatives use it to wow their clients from start to finish.

When your experience is this smooth, referrals become automatic.

✨ Try WillowSpace for free today and start building the kind of client experience that gets people talking—in the best way possible.