The Fresh Look Editing 5 for June 2021
We’ve all needed to call on experts when we can’t (or prefer not to) do something ourselves. The problem isn’t being able to find that skill — the internet has opened up more options than the local phone book ever did — but being able to find someone you can trust to get the job done right. Referrals are a way of helping other professionals obtain work and position you as someone who is willing to help a prospective client with their project even if you aren’t the right fit for the job. Here are some tips to create a useful list for your clients and colleagues alike.
- Write it down
Let’s say you are a developmental editor who won’t touch proofreading with a ten-foot pole, but your client needs someone to do a final review after their self-published book is in layout. Who can you recommend? Instead of leaving it to memory, commit the names of colleagues you know to an organized system. You can use a notebook, but a searchable electronic file, like a dedicated Word doc, productivity app, Excel spreadsheet, or Google form will help you find the info you need faster and save time by allowing you to copy and paste if you make your referral through email. Include the professional’s name, contact information, what they do (e.g., copy editing, cover design, sensitivity reading), and their specialty (fiction, speculative sci-fi, memoir, and so on). - Gather referrals from a wide range of skills
If you’re a sole proprietor, you know you don’t have to do it all. Having a list of people with expertise within and adjacent to your field is key. If you worked on a book project as a freelance copy editor in the past and a great graphic designer worked on the illustrations, perhaps you can refer them to your new self-publishing client who needs someone to help them with branding. Even if you haven’t personally seen your referral’s work, if you’ve volunteered with them or know their reputation there’s nothing wrong with being transparent; tell your client you believe the person will be a good fit for their work based on what you do know. - Keep your list current
You’d hate to point someone who contacted you about a copy edit in the direction of a colleague who has left the publishing world and gone into engineering. Not only will contacting a person unsuited for the job waste your client’s time, but it could cast doubt on how up to speed you are in your own field. Keeping your referral list current doesn’t need to be a side job of its own; set some time aside every six to twelve months (or, whenever you revisit your business plan) to review your list. Make a point of noting when people announce they’d like to take on work in a new field. Look at your colleagues’ websites and social media bios. Talk to them directly. - Ask for permission before making a referral (especially if the client isn’t known to you)
It’s a good idea to reach out before passing information along, particularly if you haven’t worked with the prospect before. Doing so could answer a few questions: a) Is the person you are referring to interested in the work? b) Do they have the capacity to take on the project? c) Are they still doing what you think they are doing (see tip #3)? Whenever possible, take this extra step before you send a client their way. Your colleague will thank you for the heads up, and your client will be grateful you didn’t lead them to a group of people who all say “no” right out of the gate. - Indicate your own willingness to welcome referrals
In the world of freelance and consulting, word of mouth is huge to help grow businesses. If you are open to referrals, let people know. Add “referrals welcome!” to your email signature, to your invoice, post-project evaluation … anywhere people can see it. Some people may be reluctant to refer you because they think you’re too busy or aren’t interested. Tell your colleagues you appreciate their referrals and ask satisfied clients to spread the word, too. If you gain a client through a referral and they’re willing to share who told them about you, be sure to thank that person. A little gratitude and camaraderie go a long way, and may come back to you in positive ways later.
Happy referring!