No One Owes You Referrals: Earn Them the Right Way
Let’s get one thing straight. No one owes you referrals.
Not even support coordinators.
That might feel like a slap in the face if you’ve been doing everything "right." You’ve made your business cards, sent the emails, turned up to the expos, introduced yourself politely, and still... crickets. It’s easy to feel frustrated. Even easier to feel discouraged.
But here’s the truth. If you want consistent referrals, you’ve got to earn them.
And that means showing up with value, delivering real outcomes, and becoming the kind of provider people trust to follow through. No half hearted promises. No chasing business just for numbers. You have to actually be someone worth referring to.
Because referrals are not gifts. They are expressions of trust. And trust? That’s built over time, through integrity, consistency, and a genuine commitment to quality.
Let’s get real. Everyone’s chasing support coordinators.
Their inboxes are overflowing. Their phones don’t stop ringing. They’re juggling high caseloads, often with complex clients, and they’re tired. Many are overwhelmed. Some are burned out.
So, if your entire strategy revolves around “How do I get more support coordinators to refer to me?” it’s time to zoom out and rethink your approach.
Referrals don’t come from desperation. They come from relationships.
And relationships are everywhere.
If you're waiting for someone to hand you business just because you exist, you are already behind.
The entitlement mindset is a trap. It keeps you stuck. You feel resentful when you don’t get what you think you deserve. But respect isn’t handed out. It’s earned.
So instead of waiting for referrals, start earning them by becoming valuable to your community.
Let’s say you support psychosocial clients but don’t offer high physical care. The provider down the road does.
You’re not in competition. You’re complementary.
You refer to each other. You stay in your lane. You become known as a business with integrity and boundaries, one that doesn’t say “yes” just to fill a spot, but instead focuses on where you can truly serve best.
This is how you build trust. This is how you elevate your brand in the eyes of your peers. This is how you become someone people are proud to partner with.
And that credibility? It follows you. It opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
Support coordinators are one pathway to referrals. But they’re not the only one.
There are people out there who are closer to the client than a support coordinator. People who’ve been working with them for years. People who understand their needs on a deep level. People they trust.
Think about:
Occupational Therapists
Psychologists
Plan Managers
Mental Health Social Workers
Speech Pathologists
GPs
Physios
Behaviour Support Practitioners
Many of them are actively looking for providers just like you. They just don’t know you exist yet.
So go and meet them.
Not with a sales pitch. Not with a rehearsed elevator speech.
But with a willingness to connect, to listen, to understand how your services can complement what they already offer.
Real talk. One coffee meeting with an OT could lead to more referrals than 100 cold emails to support coordinators. Why? Because it’s relationship-based. Not transactional.
People refer to people they know, like, and trust.
So your goal? Be someone worth knowing. Be someone worth liking. Be someone worth trusting.
That means:
Showing up on time.
Doing what you say you’ll do.
Communicating clearly.
Delivering excellent service.
Following up.
Taking responsibility when things go wrong.
Being solution-focused, not drama-driven.
That’s the stuff that gets you referred again and again.
One of the most powerful things you can do as a provider is say “no.”
No to the client who’s outside your scope.
No to the service that doesn’t align with your team’s strengths.
No to the temptation of saying “yes” just because you need the money.
When you stay in your lane and refer out with integrity, you become more respected, not less.
Why?
Because people trust you more when they know you’re not trying to be everything to everyone.
They’ll remember you as the provider who puts clients first, not your own bottom line.
Bigger isn’t always better.
A business with strong boundaries, consistent service, and a loyal referral network will outperform a chaotic, unaligned mess every time.
If you're feeling the pressure to grow, pause and ask:
Am I building something sustainable?
Am I known for something specific and valuable?
Am I developing a reputation that leads to referrals without me having to chase?
Because when you get these foundations right, you attract the right clients. You don’t have to go out hunting every day. Your name carries weight. Your reputation becomes your biggest asset.
When people refer clients to your business, they are trusting you.
Not just your logo. Not just your fancy website. Not just your business name.
You.
So be the kind of person who earns that trust, and keeps it.
Show up consistently. Serve generously. Connect authentically. And never, ever forget. Referrals are not a right. They’re a reflection.
A reflection of who you are, how you serve, and what you stand for.
So if you want more referrals, don’t ask for them.
Earn them.
And if you’re ready to build your business with integrity, strategy and real relationships, follow along. I’m here to give you the no-nonsense, practical, heartfelt advice you need to grow your business the right way.
