How to Get References as a Startup Founder
As a startup founder, you need to have an impeccable reputation in order to get your business off the ground. People will judge you based on your past work.
If they see that you are a person of integrity, they will be more likely to believe in your company. Getting references is an important part of proving your integrity and demonstrating that you are trustworthy.
What Are References?
A reference is a person who vouches for your work and abilities. They will vouch for you to others and can provide insight into your character and business skills. When finding potential investors, you will need to provide references.
What Are the Benefits of Getting References?
It will help you build a network of people who will be able to vouch for you. They can provide an introduction to potential clients or customers and get you off the ground.
It is also important to get references in order to improve your reputation as a business owner, especially if yours is still an early-stage company.
How to Get References
The best way to get references is by asking them directly, but this can be awkward. If you do not know the person well enough, it may be difficult for them to say yes.
Another option is through mutual friends or associates, who have had good experiences with both of you in the past. If they recommend one of their friends, it will be more natural and easier for them to do so because they are already familiar with the person that they are recommending as well as the person being recommended.
Tips on Getting References
If you do not know someone well enough to ask them for a reference, try to be friendly with them and make yourself known. Be the kind of person that others want to recommend and then you will have an easier time getting their name out there.
Make sure that you always provide excellent work for your clients. If you do a good job, they will be more likely to recommend you.
Think about what you can do to improve your reputation and make yourself more known. Join community groups, go to conferences, and volunteer in the community.
Get references from people who are important to your business and that have done business with you in the past. This will help show potential clients that you are trustworthy and reliable as well as being someone who is a good business partner.
Also, try asking your clients for references. If they have been happy with your work, they will be more likely to recommend you to others.
What to Avoid in Getting References
Do not ask for references too early in the relationship. It can make you seem pushy and desperate. If you have worked with someone for a long time, it is okay to ask them for a reference, but if you have just met them, do not bring it up.
You can ask your mutual friend to give you a reference or even just tell the person that you are looking for references. They will likely recommend you if they have had a good experience with you.
When getting references, make sure that they know what kind of work you do and that they are able to talk about the basics of your business idea as well as your business skills.
If someone does not know what kind of work you do or does not know much about business, then it will be difficult for them to vouch for your abilities.
You should avoid asking someone who has had a bad experience with you in the past. This will make it more difficult for them to give a good recommendation and could reflect poorly on your character. Try to be more conscious of how others feel when working with you so that they are more likely to want to give a good recommendation.
How to Write References
References should be short and concise and include the person’s name, title, company, and contact information. They should also include the person’s relationship to you and a short paragraph about your work.
Make sure that you do not mention any confidential information or sensitive details in your reference. This will make it difficult for others to use the reference if they need to speak with the person. It is also best to not include any confidential information or sensitive details in your reference letter so that it does not get out into the public domain.
You should also be careful about including too much detail about your work. This may give away some of your company’s secrets. You should also be careful about what you say about yourself as this can be perceived as bragging which will make people uncomfortable when reading it.
Conclusion:
References are an important part of getting a business off the ground and building a reputation for yourself as a trustworthy business owner.
Make sure that you take care of who you ask for references so that they can vouch for your abilities and character. References are a great way to build a network of contacts who can help get your business off the ground and improve your reputation as an entrepreneur.
About the Author
I hope that my post has helped you know more about Startups. Feel free to leave a comment and tag me and I will answer them. Follow my profile to get the latest content I post to stay ahead of the curve.
I am the Founder of Cudy Technologies, a full-stack EdTech startup helping teachers and students learn better. I am also a mentor and angel investor in other Startups of my other interests (Proptech, Fintech, HRtech, Ride-hailing, C2C marketplaces, and SaaS). You can also find me on Cudy for early-stage Startup Founder mentorship and advice.
Connect with me on LinkedIn if you have further questions. Let me know that you are a reader of my Medium posts in your invitation message.
