Follow-Up Tips for Recommendation Letters

This video comes from a Facebook Live I did for the Solo Cleaning School Elite Membership in February 2021. Carrie was interested in acquiring recommendation letters from current clients to help her get new clients. However, the client is dragging their feet and Carrie feels awkward following up.

I kept my response simple. Make sure to check out the video to hear how I would and have approached this. The answer is gratitude and people skills. Be thankful for their willingness to recommend you. Don't hassle them. They have 100 other things to do and you're not one of the top priority items. Don't take it personally. They are running a company and although they want to support you, finding the time is difficult. This is how I do it. 
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• Step 1: Ask for the letter of recommendation. Once you get the yes, thank them and ask when is a good time to follow up.
• Step 2: Call them on the follow-up date, but don't ask the status of the recommendation letter. Show gratitude. They will instinctively give you an update on the letter. If it's not done yet, ask them when they think they'll have it done. Thank them again!
• Step 3: Call them again on the day they assured you it would be done. Show gratitude again first and then kindly say. "I'm so sorry to bother you! The last time we talked, you said it might be possible to have the recommendation letter done by today. Any chance it's ready for me to pick up?"

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At any point in the process, the letter may be complete. Thank them. If the letter is not complete after step 3, give them at least 2 weeks and then follow up again. Be persistent. Be grateful. Be professional. You'll get your letter of recommendation!