Authentic Referral Program Ideas for Coaches Who Hate Feeling Salesy
Establish Yourself® Podcast | Episode 19
Curious about creating a referral program, but worried it’d be too salesy a move?
I used to think this too! In fact, as a brand consultant who strongly values all my client relationships, that very concern kept me from creating a formal referral program for the first DECADE of my business!
However, just in the last few months, I figured out exactly how to create a simplified referral program that creates authentic win-win-wins for everyone involved—and in just a short time, it’s already brought in over $25,000 in new business with clients I love working with!
So in this week's episode of the Establish Yourself® podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I finally designed a referral system that feels amazing, works well, and reflects my values — and how you can do the same.
Why & How I Finally Created a Referral Program
For years, I relied on informal ways to say thank you — small gestures, handwritten notes, and simple acts of gratitude. And honestly, it worked...until last year, when I noticed more and more people asking: "Do you have a referral program?"
At that moment, I realized it was time to create something intentional — but still authentic.
Instead of guessing, I decided to:
Survey my best referral partners to understand what truly motivated them
Offer flexible rewards through a "Treasure Box" of meaningful choices
Create a private, invitation-only program that feels like a relationship, not a transaction
Send a "Referral Radar" every few months to keep communication personal and top-of-mind
And here’s the twist: the most prolific referrers weren’t motivated by money at all — they cared about authentic connection and helping the right people find the right fit.
If you’ve ever felt hesitant about building a referral program because you didn’t want to seem "salesy," this episode is for you.
I’m sharing how small, thoughtful changes can help you foster deeper relationships, stay true to your values, and grow your coaching or consulting business with ease and integrity.
Ready to build a thoughtful referral program that feels great and actually works?
Tune in now!👇
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