Hello Reader,
Most agents struggle with asking for referrals and getting reviews.
It's usually because they never ask or they ask before the client has processed the experience.
Before trust has settled in.
Before the result actually feels real.
And then they wonder why the conversation feels awkward, and most likely just stop asking.
Here’s what I’ve learned after years in this business:
The best referrals usually don’t come from asking harder.
They come from building a system that makes referrals feel natural.
Big difference.
One of the simplest things you can do is stop leading with:
“Who do you know that's buying or selling?”
Instead, start here:
“Hey [Name], I’m so glad you had a great experience working with us. Every once in a while, someone considering working with me asks if they can talk to someone who’s been through the process already.
It doesn’t happen often, but if it came up, would you be open to being one of the people I have them call?”
That’s it.
No pressure.
No awkward sales pitch.
No forcing someone into becoming your marketing department.
And here’s why it works:
You’re not asking them to SELL you.
You’re asking if they’d be willing to SHARE their experience.
That feels completely different.
Most people say yes because it feels like a compliment…because it is.
Then comes the important part most agents skip. How to turn it into not only more referrals, but also top online reviews.
Once they agree, follow up with this:
“Awesome. I'm curious…if someone asked what it was like working with me, what would you tell them?”
Not polished.
Not rehearsed.
Just honest.
Now you’ve captured something way more powerful than a canned testimonial:
You captured real language.
And honestly? Real language converts better anyway.
Then here’s the magic:
You send their words back to them and ask:
“Did I capture that correctly?”
Most people either approve it immediately or make it even stronger.
Now you have:
✔ A reference
✔ A testimonial
✔ Social proof
✔ Trust-building content
All from one natural conversation.
THEN — and only then — you can open the door to a written review.
Something simple like:
“By the way…do you ever read google reviews before you buy something or use a service?"
They WILL say "of course"
"Great! Me too! You know, what you told me about the experience of working with [me,my team, us] would make a great Google review to help others find us. Would you mind adding your words to my Google review link?"
That lands completely differently after trust and appreciation have already been established.
Here’s the bigger lesson:
The businesses that generate consistent referrals usually aren’t “better at asking.”
They’re better at creating relationships using their systems.
That’s O.P.P.S.™ in real life:
Operations.
People.
Profits.
Systems.
The agents winning long term aren’t leaving referrals to chance or personality.
They’re building repeatable experiences people naturally talk about.
⚡ Action Step:
Pick one happy client this week and try this approach.
Not to “get referrals.”
To create a better client experience that naturally leads to them.
You might be surprised how much easier referrals become when people never feel pressured in the first place.
— Yvonne
P.S. Don't forget to teach your whole team to do this same process...even the support staff, they may be better at it than you! :)
