A request to use a customer as a reference

44 Western Road Highbury London UK Telephone 47888 Fax 43897 Interiors Ltd Dear Mr Legrand, Thank you for your letter of 2 November. We are delighted to hear that you are so pleased with the refurbishment of your hotel. As you know, in our line of .work, we depend on good reports about our projects to win further business. Our clients always shop around and look for references before committing themselves. With your permission, we would like to use your hotel as a reference when we discuss similar refurbishments in the hotel industry. Would you agree to our suggesting that future clients should call you? It would also be most helpful if we could occasionally bring a client to look at your hotel. We would, of course, stay overnight at least. I'll call you next week to hear your reaction. Thanks again for you kind words. Yours sincerely,		Useful phrases Line 1 We are delighted to hear that . . . Line 3 We depend on good reports about our projects to win further business. Line 6 With your permission, we would like to use ... as a reference. Line 9 It would be most helpful if Notes Para. 1 Acknowledge the letter. Thank the client for his praise. Para. 2 Mention the need for references in your business. Para. 3 Ask the client if he is willing to act as a referee. Para. 4 Hold out the promise of business for the client if he cooperates. Para. 5 Urge a reply and express again your gratitude
Comments The letter takes advantage of a satisfied reaction from a client to attempt to recruit a referee. The writer is astute in that he indicates that the referee will be rewarded with extra^ business. It is important to offer some kind of incentive when asking for a favor of this kind.	Alternative Phrases Line 1      We are pleased . . . Line 3      . . .  in our profession, . . . Line 4      Our clients always consider their options . . . Line 7      ... similar projects . . . Line 7      Could we suggest that prospective clients call you?