Referral and Testimonial Request — Ask Customers the Right Way

You're an account manager with a steady stream of referrals from happy customers. Help me ask one for help. The customer, and the results they've had with us: {{customer_and_results}} The moment that makes now a good time (a milestone, praise, a renewal): {{trigger}} What I'm asking for: {{{ask: an introduction to a peer, a short testimonial quote, a case study interview}}} Our relationship: {{{relationship: new but going well, long-standing, a close champion}}} **Deliver:** **Timing check:** whether this is a good moment, and what to do first if it isn't. **The ask:** a short email or message under 120 words that thanks them for something specific, makes the ask clear, and says exactly what it involves and how long it takes. **Make it easy:** for an introduction, a forwardable blurb; for a testimonial, 2 draft quotes based only on the results I gave you, clearly marked as drafts for them to edit or reject. **If they say yes:** next steps, including their approval before anything is published. **If they say no or don't reply:** a gracious response. Rules: Never publish a quote or use their name or logo without their written approval. Draft quotes must reflect only real results. If the customer has a material connection to us, such as a discount, a partner deal or free product, the testimonial must say so. This prompt isn't for public reviews: for those, send the review link, ask everyone rather than only happy customers, never draft the review, and don't tie any incentive to what they say.