Roadmap to Referrals – Episode #380: “Referral Q&A”
Host: Stacey Brown Randall
Date: September 23, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode of Roadmap to Referrals, Stacey Brown Randall hosts a practical Q&A focused on nurturing referrals—without manipulation, incentives, or direct requests. Drawing inspiration from a recent poll and attendee questions at her in-person Referral Accelerator workshop, Stacey unpacks the do’s and don’ts of thanking referral sources and addresses a common logistical challenge: how to handle thank you notes when you don’t have someone’s mailing address.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Takeaways from the Referral Accelerator Workshop
[00:04–03:00]
- Stacey shares excitement and exhaustion after hosting her two-day Referral Accelerator in Charlotte.
- Candice Fraser, an attendee, provides a testimonial via video:
- Describes the experience as “drinking from a fire hose” and emphasizes the importance of an intentional mindset for real results.
- Candice credits Stacey’s “decade of experience” for real-time, authentic advice tailored to each business.
- She highlights immediate results: “Jumping into activities straight away during the workshop, getting responses from potential referral sources and potential clients.”
- Quote—Candice Fraser [03:34]:
- “Don’t come to play, come to win.”
2. Thank You Note Poll on LinkedIn
[04:45–07:45]
- Stacey describes a recent LinkedIn poll asking:
“Do you take time to handwrite a card and mail it every time after you receive a referral?”- Options: “Yes, every time,” “Most of the time,” or “No, but I mean to.”
- Stacey shares real-time poll results:
- Initially, “Yes” lagged behind, but by the episode recording, “Yes, every time” took the lead.
- She expresses happiness seeing more people consistently acknowledge referrals by hand.
3. Q&A: Should You Send Gifts with Thank You Cards?
Gabrielle’s Question [07:45–13:00]
- Gabrielle asks if sending a little treat (chocolates/gift cards) instead of a handwritten thank you note “counts.”
- Stacey’s core advice:
- Do NOT include a gift in lieu of a handwritten thank you note for each individual referral.
- A gift may set the expectation that every referral merits compensation, undermining the genuine gratitude you want to convey.
- The focus should be on authentic acknowledgment—a handwritten note—paired with a broader “referral experience”:
- A 12-month plan with 5–7 thoughtful touchpoints (e.g., outreach, acknowledgment, gifts if desired) to ensure referral sources feel appreciated and stay top of mind.
- Quote—Stacey Brown Randall [10:15]:
- “When you receive a referral, all your referral sources need is a handwritten note to be thanked and acknowledged... I recommend that you do not include a gift with that thank you note.”
4. Q&A: How to Get Addresses for Thank You Notes
Jesse’s Question [13:00–17:00]
- Jesse finds it difficult to send handwritten notes when he doesn’t have mailing addresses.
- Stacey’s two-step approach:
- Look Up Business Addresses Online:
- Check websites, contact pages, privacy disclosures, or Google for business addresses.
- Reach Out Directly:
- Use this simple script:
“Hey, I have something I want to mail you, but I don’t have your address. Is there a mailing address you’re comfortable sharing with me?” - This maintains privacy and respect, encourages sharing, and piques curiosity about the forthcoming note.
- Use this simple script:
- Look Up Business Addresses Online:
- Quote—Stacey Brown Randall [15:32]:
- “You’re not telling them what you’re mailing. You’re creating a little bit of a mystery, right? But you’re also giving them an out... and that language is really, really important. As long as you’re treating their address with respect and care, it makes you sound normal.”
5. Reinforcing the Power of Handwritten Thank Yous
[17:00–end]
- Stacey reasserts her strong belief in handwritten and mailed thank you cards.
- She’s less concerned about the style of card—just choose one that is appropriate and authentic.
- Handwritten notes + a planned referral experience = powerful, sustainable referral generation.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Candice Fraser [03:35]:
- “I’m quite literally two hours past the very end of this workshop, and let me tell you, I drank from a fire hose. But... I didn’t come to play, I came to win.”
- Stacey Brown Randall [10:15]:
- “Your referral sources need a handwritten note… I recommend that you do not include a gift with that thank you note.”
- Stacey Brown Randall [15:32]:
- “Is there a mailing address you’re comfortable sharing with me? ...As long as you’re treating their address with respect and care, it makes you sound normal.”
Important Timestamps
- 00:04–03:00 – Workshop recap & Candice’s video testimonial
- 03:00–04:45 – Candice’s post-workshop reflections
- 04:45–07:45 – Thank you note poll discussion
- 07:45–13:00 – Gabrielle’s Q&A: Gifts vs. handwritten notes
- 13:00–17:00 – Jesse’s Q&A: How to get mailing addresses
- 17:00–End – Reiteration of handwritten thank you power; show notes info
Final Thoughts
This episode emphasizes the irreplaceable value of genuine, handwritten gratitude for referrals and advocates for building a consistent, long-term referral experience. Stacey provides actionable, real-world solutions to common obstacles, leaving listeners motivated and equipped to “take control of your referrals and build a referable business.”
Show Notes & Resources:
staceybrownrandall.com/380 (Stacey with an E)