Ask any trade owner where their best clients came from, and most will say the same thing: somebody recommended us.
Referred clients trust you before you arrive. They are less likely to shop on price. And they tend to refer people too.
Yet most trade businesses leave referrals to chance. A happy client might mention you, if the topic comes up, if they remember your name. A simple referral program changes that.
The short version
- Make referring easy: a personal link the client can text to a friend.
- Reward both sides: a credit for the client who refers, a welcome for the new client.
- Ask at the happiest moment: right after a job is done and paid.
- Pay the reward as a credit on their next invoice. It brings the referrer back too.
Why referrals beat ads
- They cost less. You pay a reward only when a new client actually books.
- They close faster. The new client already trusts you.
- They fit your area. People refer neighbours, family and coworkers, often on your existing routes.
- They stick. Referred clients come in with the right expectations.
Step 1: Choose the reward
Keep it simple and worth talking about. Good options for trades:
| Reward | Works well for |
|---|---|
| Credit on their next invoice ($25 to $100) | Recurring work: lawns, cleaning, pools, HVAC plans |
| A free service (a filter change, a gutter clean) | Trades with an easy, low-cost add-on |
| A percentage off the next job | Larger, less frequent jobs |
A credit on their next invoice is often the best choice: it costs you nothing until the referrer books again, and it brings them back.
Consider a welcome offer for the new client too, like a discount on the first visit. People refer more easily when their friend gets something.
Step 2: Make it easy
The fewer steps, the more referrals. Give every client:
- A personal referral link they can text or post
- A one-line message they can copy: "We use Northside Lawn and they're great. Here's $25 off your first cut: [link]"
- A way to see their credit add up
Step 3: Ask at the right time
The best moment is the same as for reviews: right after the job is done and paid, when the client is happiest. Good moments:
- After an emergency you fixed fast
- After an install they love
- After the first few visits of a recurring service
- When a client leaves a great review
Step 4: Close the loop
- Thank the referrer when their friend books, and again when the credit lands
- Treat the referred client well: they will report back
- Track who refers the most, and look after those clients
Rules worth knowing
- Be clear about when the reward is earned: when the new client books, or when they pay.
- Do not reward reviews, only referrals. Rewarding reviews breaks Google's rules.
- Say how credits work: whether they expire, and that they cannot be cashed out.
How crewduo runs referrals
- A referral program on every paid plan from Van: each client gets a personal link.
- Credit rewards applied to the referrer's invoices automatically.
- Clients see their link and credit in their client portal.
- Review requests go out after a paid invoice or finished visit. Ask for the review first, then the referral.
See what is included in your website and marketing tools, read how to get more Google reviews, or compare plans on the pricing page.
Quick answers
How big should the reward be? Big enough to mention, small enough to afford: often 5% to 10% of a typical first job.
Should commercial clients get referral rewards? Some companies have rules against staff accepting rewards. A thank-you note and great service often work better there.
What if someone refers a client I do not want? Pay the reward only when the new client books and pays, and say so in the terms.
