Roadmap to Referrals – Ep #375: Why Now is the Best Time

Host: Stacey Brown Randall
Release Date: August 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stacey Brown Randall tackles the perennial question: When is the best time to start generating referrals for your business? Drawing on her science-backed, non-manipulative approach, Stacey breaks down the two central reasons why taking action on referrals right now—not later—is the key to both short- and long-term business growth. If you're a business owner seeking to foster genuine connections and consistent referrals without asking or incentivizing, Stacey delivers clear, actionable insights and practical encouragement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Referral 'Tree' Analogy: Start Now

• Stacey opens with a well-known proverb: “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago; the next best time is now,” comparing it to starting referral strategies.

  “Like tree planting, it's a little bit the same for referrals as well.” (00:39)

• While it might sound cliché, Stacey insists that starting now is always better than putting it off—even if you didn’t start “20 years ago.”

2. Reason #1: Your Next Client Is Closer Than You Think

• Many business owners have untapped opportunities—potential clients and referrals are already within their reach, but remain invisible due to a lack of natural prompting.

  • “Your next client is actually probably very close in proximity... Not like, not literally, but figuratively.” (01:21)

• Clients and Referral Sources Need the Right Prompt

  • “There is a way to prompt them in a natural and normal way while you still protect the relationship.” (03:10)
  • Stacey distinguishes between natural outreach and direct, transactional asks.
    • “You can't say, hey, can you refer me? No, that's bad. We don't say that.” (03:08)

• Real Client Examples

  • Reports a financial advisor sending out a tactic taught by Stacey and landing two referrals within 48 hours.
    • “Didn’t know that client actually had anyone to refer. But when the outreach came across...two referrals.” (03:34)
  • Another client received eight referrals in 30 days.

• Existing Referral Sources Require Attention

  • “You probably have an active existing referral source or probably more than one who needs to hear from you so that they can actually help them focus their attention.” (04:03)
  • Email newsletters and “just checking in” texts are NOT enough to keep top-of-mind for referrals.
    • “That's not focusing their attention to think about referring you. It's a nice little like keep in touch, but it's not keeping you top of mind and it's not making referrals happen.” (05:05)

• Networking Events as Missed Opportunities

  • Business contacts who mention “I told someone about you” often don’t result in referrals because there’s no follow-up or process to convert buzz into real opportunities.

  “You're sitting on opportunities and you're missing out on them...because you just don't know the right tactics and the right strategies to do to generate referrals.” (06:27)

3. Reason #2: Relationships Need Time to Grow

• Long-Term Referral Relationships Can't Be Rushed
  • “Referrals come from relationships and you need time to develop, nurture and grow those relationships.” (07:31)
    • Especially important for connections who’ve never referred you before.
• The Short Game vs. the Long Game
  • Short-term: “Low hanging fruit”—current clients and existing referral sources can generate immediate opportunities if approached thoughtfully.
  • Long-term: Building new referral sources is a gradual process requiring “patience and a willingness to invest in the long game...with your time, not necessarily dollars.” (08:23)
• Starting Now Sets Up Future Success
  • By beginning now, you not only tap into near-term gains, but also nurture seeds for referrals a year or more down the line.
    • “It could be a year from now, but it's definitely going to impact year after year after year from now.” (08:46)

4. You Don’t Have to Overwhelm Yourself

• Implement Incrementally
  • Stacey reassures listeners they don’t have to overhaul their process in one day.
    • “Sometimes just implementing one well planned strategy can jumpstart your referrals.” (09:33)
  • A single focused tactic can have a real impact on both immediate and future business.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the urgency for action:

  “If you start now, you'll impact your short term and your long term.” (10:16)

• On distinguishing strategy types:

  “Did you notice that when I talked about short term strategies, the three things I talked about that you could be doing to generate referrals in the short term are actually very different from the strategy you're going to put in place to impact referrals in the long term, which is that's new people.” (10:35)

• Encouragement and empowerment:

  “You've got this. You can jumpstart your referrals. You can start now. You can also wait. But if you start now, you'll impact your short term and your long term.” (10:55)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic / Quote | |-----------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:39 | Tree analogy for timing and referrals | | 01:21 | The proximity of your next referral | | 03:08 | “You can't say...can you refer me? No, that's bad.” | | 03:34 | Financial advisor example—2 referrals in 48 hours | | 04:03 | Importance of contacting current referral sources | | 05:05 | Email/texts don’t keep you top-of-mind | | 06:27 | Networking events: missed opportunities | | 07:31 | “Referrals come from relationships...” | | 08:23 | The long-term investment in new relationships | | 09:33 | “Implementing one well planned strategy...” | | 10:16 | “If you start now, you'll impact your...long term.”| | 10:35 | Short-term vs. long-term referral strategies |

Tone & Language

Stacey’s approach is straightforward, warm, and practical, blending evidence-based methods with personal encouragement. She gently but firmly dispels myths about referrals requiring asking or awkward transactional outreach. The energy is empowering and supportive, intentionally crafted for business owners who value integrity and personal connection.

Conclusion

Stacey Brown Randall’s message is clear: the best time to start fostering referrals is now, whether your priority is short-term results or building a foundation for sustained long-term growth. By understanding and nurturing both existing and potential referral sources—always in a natural, relationship-first way—business owners can unlock a steady stream of referrals without manipulation, incentives, or asking.

Action Step:
Start by implementing one thoughtful tactic—don't overwhelm yourself. The journey to abundant, natural referrals begins with a single, well-placed step.

For additional resources, transcripts, and information on Stacey’s More Referrals masterclass:
Visit staceybrownrandall.com/morereferrals

“Take control of your referrals and build a referable business.”