A bit of info for newbie providers.

I often get reference requests that simply say,

-I need a reference on John Smith, he said that he has seen you.
-John is using you as a reference.  His e-mail is [email protected]

Frankly, there is no way I will give a reference with that little information.  How do I know you are not the client's significant other?  Or in the second example, perhaps our contact was all via telephone.  I will usually write back, but its like pulling teeth to get the info.  

So, I thought I would give a little helpful info on provider references:

1.  Give your "business name" and the city you are from.
2.  Provide a website address.  It must be valid as I do check.

Here is an example:

Hi my name is XXXX and I am a provider from XXXX.  My website is XXXXX.  A gentleman has used you as a reference.  His name is XXXXX (first and last) and he said he saw you XXXXXXXX (date or approximate time such as this summer, etc.)  at (your incall or at XXXX hotel in XXXXX (city name).  His e-mail address is [email protected] and the phone numbers he lists on his contact is as follows: XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Can you please provide me with any information about this client that you feel comfortable sharing and would you recommend seeing him?


Now, that I have given an example, let me explain why some of the variables are necessary.  

1.  When he saw me?  Like many provider's I only give references for clients that I have seen in the past 12 months.  There are some exceptions when I know the person firsthand.  However, there are instances when (sadly) good clients go bad and in these cases they will generally reach back into time and provide a reference for someone they saw during the period when they were great clients.  

2.  Where they saw me?  This always helps because if the client does not remember when exactly we met, it will jog my memory.

3.  E-mail address.  If I have a record of the client, but the e-mail address has changed, I will respond back that I saw someone with that name but their e-mail address was different.  She may choose to see him or may go the extra step and ask what his old e-mail address was.

4.  Phone.  I think I've described that above.  Again, if the phone has changed, I will tell the provider that I have a different number on file for that person.

Now anyone questionning #3 and 4 above, may wonder why I do this.  Its simple, its for the provider's safety.  Just to make sure that someone else is not using another person's information.

I also always check to see if the website address is valid and send a copy of my reply to the client.  If I am not sure of who the provider is, as they do not have a website, they do not have reviews anywhere, or the website does not seem legit, I send an e-mail to the client indicating that a reference request has been asked for and "do they want me to provide it?"  SO ITS ALWAYS BEST FOR THE CLIENT TO E-MAIL IN ADVANCE LETTING A PROVIDER KNOW HE IS USING HER AS A REFERENCE.

If there is anyone else who wants to add any info, from their own perspective... please chime in.







-- Modified on 1/9/2009 5:26:00 PM