How to Reconnect With Past Clients for Referrals and Repeat Business

Your past clients are more than just a line in your bookkeeping—they’re one of your greatest business assets. They already know your work, they’ve experienced the value you bring, and they might be thrilled to hire you again or send a referral your way. But sometimes, life and business move fast, and those relationships go a little quiet.

That’s okay. Reaching back out doesn’t have to feel awkward or salesy. With a thoughtful approach, you can reignite the connection and open the door for repeat business or referrals.

Start by Organizing Your Client List

Before you reach out, take a moment to look at who you’ve worked with in the past.

• Review past projects and client notes

• Prioritize clients you enjoyed working with or who had great results

• Group them by type (e.g., project-based, long-term, high-value)

• Start small with 3–5 people you’d genuinely love to work with again

This keeps the process intentional and manageable.

Choose the Right Method of Reaching Out

The best way to reconnect depends on your relationship with the client. Choose a method that feels both personal and appropriate:

• Email: Ideal for formal or semi-formal clients

• DMs or voice notes: Great for clients you had a casual relationship with

• Handwritten cards: Thoughtful and memorable

• Phone or video check-ins: Perfect for long-time or high-value clients

Whatever method you choose, make it personal—refer to something specific you worked on together or a result they achieved.

Keep Your Message Simple and Focused on Them

When you reach out, don’t make it all about you. Instead, lead with appreciation and genuine interest in their world.

Here’s a simple structure you can use:

• Express gratitude

• Share a quick, relevant update (optional)

• Offer something of value or open the door for future conversation

Example:“Hi [Name], I was just thinking about the [project/service] we worked on last year and wanted to say thank you again. I hope things are going well for you! I recently created a resource that might be helpful for [their business focus]—happy to send it over if you're interested!”

Offer a Reason to Re-Engage

Sometimes people need a nudge to take action. Give them a reason to say yes again:

• Highlight a new service or product you’re offering

• Share an upcoming promotion or availability

• Remind them of the value or results they got last time

• Offer a check-in or mini audit if that’s relevant to your work

This keeps your outreach helpful rather than salesy.

Ask for Referrals in a Low-Pressure Way

Referrals don’t have to be awkward if you keep it simple and specific. Instead of saying “Let me know if you know anyone,” try:

• “If you know a [type of person] who’s looking for help with [problem you solve], I’d love it if you passed my name along.”

• “Referrals from amazing clients like you mean the world to me—thank you for keeping me in mind!”

Be sure to make it easy for them to share your info—like providing a quick blurb or direct link to your website.

Make It Easy to Say Yes

Once someone is interested, make the next step effortless. You can:

• Include a booking link directly in your message

• Suggest a quick catch-up call

• Send a short blurb they can forward to others

• Offer a simple reply prompt, like “Would you like more info?”

The easier you make it to take action, the more likely they will.

Keep the Relationship Warm Over Time

Not everyone will respond right away. And that’s okay! Staying top of mind is still valuable.

• Add past clients to your email list (with permission)

• Engage with their content on social media

• Send occasional check-ins or thoughtful notes

• Set quarterly reminders to follow up with a few past clients

Consistency shows you care—and builds trust over time.

Give Before You Ask

If you’re unsure how to start the conversation, lead with value.

• Share an article or tool they’d find useful

• Tag them in a relevant social post

• Send over a tip that applies to their current season of business

This builds goodwill and shows you’re invested in their success—not just your bottom line.

Final Thoughts

Reaching out to past clients doesn’t have to be complicated or uncomfortable. With a little planning, a personal touch, and a focus on providing value, you can reignite connections that lead to real results. Whether it’s a new project, a thoughtful referral, or a simple conversation, staying in touch with past clients is one of the smartest (and kindest) ways to grow your business.

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