In a world where opportunities increasingly arise throughrecommendations, the business referral agreement plays a key role in securing partnerships. Whether it’s in real estate, brokerage, wealth management, or even creative fields like interior design or architecture, a well-targeted introduction can open many doors—as long as it’s properly structured.

That’s where the business referral agreement comes in. Often overlooked or rushed, this contract is actually the cornerstone of a healthy, transparent, and effective collaboration between a referrer and a business or professional.

Business referral: an introduction, not a commercial assignment

Before diving into the contract, it’s useful to clarify what a business referral is—and what it’s not. A business referrer acts as a facilitator. They don’t sell, don’t negotiate, and don’t sign anything. They simply introduce two parties. If the introduction leads to a signed deal, they may receive a pre-agreed commission.

They are not a commercial agent or an employee. And that must be explicitly stated in the agreement, or the collaboration risks being reclassified (by tax or labor authorities).

What is the purpose of a business referral agreement?

This agreement is far from a mere formality. It serves to:

• Avoid misunderstandings about what was referred, when the commission is due, and the amount.

• Provide legal protection for both parties. A written contract is your best shield in case of dispute or bad faith.

• Professionalize the relationship. A well-structured and recognized referrer works better, brings more leads, and becomes a true development partner.

• Clarify the scope of collaboration: what the referrer can or cannot do, who they can contact, in what regions, and for what type of business.

What should a solid business referral agreement include?

There’s no universal template, but some elements are absolutely essential:

1. Identity of both parties

Full names, legal statuses, registration numbers (e.g., SIRET), and business addresses.

2. Purpose of the contract

State clearly that it is a business referral agreement, which involves introducing potential clients without any commercial transformation obligation on the referrer’s part.

3. Scope of the referral

What kind of clients or projects can be referred? Are there limitations in terms of industry, services, or geography? Clarify this to avoid ambiguity.

4. Referrer’s obligations

• Use only legal and ethical means to recommend the professional.

• Avoid aggressive or misleading marketing.

• Refrain from providing technical, legal, or financial advice.

• Do not present themselves as an employee or representative.

5. Recipient company’s obligations

• Inform the referrer when a lead has been converted.

• Pay the commission as agreed.

• Avoid bypassing the referrer to avoid payment.

6. Compensation

Compensation can be:

• Flat-rate (e.g., €500 per signed client),

• Proportional (e.g., 10% of collected fees),

• Mixed, depending on the business value.

Be sure to define when the payment is due (e.g., contract signed, invoice paid) and the payment timeline (e.g., within 30 or 60 days).

7. Duration of the agreement

It may be fixed-term or indefinite, but should include a post-collaboration protection period: e.g., any referred contact remains linked to the referrer for 12 months after termination.

8. Confidentiality clause

To protect any shared data, contacts, or information—especially in sensitive fields like finance or healthcare.

9. Non-subordination clause

To clearly exclude any employer-employee relationship or commercial mandate.

10. Jurisdiction clause

In case of dispute, specify which court will be competent (usually the one where the recipient business is based).

Want to know how this applies in specific sectors? Read our guide on real estate referrals.

How is the commission calculated?

The commission depends on the value of the referral and common practices in the sector. Here are some examples:

• A client referred for a €100,000 life insurance policy may result in a €300 to €1,000 commission.

• Referring an investor for a major real estate project can bring in €1,000 to €3,000, or more.

• In B2B or tech sectors, commissions may range from 5% to 10% of the sale, depending on margins.

What matters most: everything must be documented and signed by both parties before the referral is made.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not signing a contract: this is the most frequent—and risky—mistake.

• Vague or unmeasurable compensation terms.

• Unintentional creation of subordination: imposed hours, reporting duties, instructions—these may suggest disguised employment.

• Unlawful prospecting: beware of illegal lead generation or non-compliance with GDPR.

In Summary

A well-written business referral agreement is the foundation of a reliable, loyal, and profitable collaboration. It secures both parties, values recommendations, and allows everyone to focus on what they do best.

Are you a business looking to activate your network? Structure your partnerships.
Are you a referrer? Protect yourself and demand clarity.

A good contract means fewer issues, more trust, and better results.

Business referral in real estate

If you work closely or remotely with the real estate sector, you may have already thought: “I know someone who is selling a property,” or “I could put this person in touch with an agency.” That instinct is exactly the principle of business referral in real estate.

Often unknown, this mechanism is based on a simple and win-win model. It allows anyone with a good network or useful contacts to play a key role in a real estate transaction, without having to become a real estate agent. Let’s explore together what this really means, and how it works in reality.

What is a business referral in real estate?

A business referral is a connection. Nothing more, nothing less. Specifically, a person (the referrer) informs a real estate professional (agent, developer, investor…) about a property for sale or a potential client. If this connection leads to a sale or a signed assignment, then the referrer receives a commission, agreed upon in advance in a contract.

It is a one-time collaboration. The referrer does not take part in the negotiation or in managing the sale. They simply play the role of a “contact provider.”

Who can be a business referrer?

What makes this system strong is that it is open to everyone. It is not necessary to have real estate training or a professional license, provided that the activity is not carried out on a regular basis.

Here are a few examples:

• A tradesperson working in private homes who learns that a property is going to be sold.

• A broker who meets clients looking for housing.

• A well-connected individual who knows sellers even before their property is on the market.

In all these cases, the person can offer to connect the seller with an agency or a professional, and earn a commission if the sale goes through.

How does it work in practice?

It all starts with a conversation. You know someone who is selling, you talk to a real estate agency with whom you have an agreement, and you sign a business referral contract. This contract defines:

• Who is involved

• What you are bringing (name of a seller, a buyer…)

• How much you will be paid in case of success

• Under what conditions the payment is made (for example, only if the sale is completed)

• How long the contract is valid

It’s a fairly simple process, but it must be formalized in writing to avoid any ambiguity.

What kind of remuneration can be expected?

The remuneration varies depending on the property and the agency you are working with. In general, we speak of 5 to 10% of the commission received by the professional, or a flat fee negotiated in advance.

For example:

• You refer an apartment that is sold through the agency: it receives €8,000 in commission, you receive €400 to €800.

• You bring in a piece of land that leads to a subdivision project: the remuneration can be much higher depending on the financial stakes of the project.

What are the advantages of this system?

For the referrer:

• It’s a source of additional income without taking risks.

• You make the most of your personal or professional network.

• You position yourself as a trusted partner in your local ecosystem.

For the real estate professional:

• It provides access to qualified properties or clients, sometimes even before they are on the market.

• It’s a considerable time saver in prospecting.

• It’s a flexible model: payment only if the sale is concluded.

What should be avoided

Like any collaboration, a few precautions are necessary:

• Never operate without a contract.

• Don’t promise more than you can deliver. You are making a connection, not guaranteeing the sale.

• Don’t multiply “useless” referrals. The more serious your contacts are, the more you will be considered a true partner.

• Stay within an occasional framework if you do not have a professional license.

In conclusion

Business referral in real estate is a bit like opening a door between two worlds: your personal network, and professionals looking for new opportunities. It’s a smart way to make use of your relationships, while helping real estate projects come to life.

If you have a strong address book, a good sense of connection, or simply the desire to collaborate with trusted professionals, you probably have a role to play. And who knows, it may even become a regular activity… as long as you respect the legal framework.

Business Referral in Brokerage : A Smart Way to Grow as a Broker

When you’re a broker, you rarely sell just a product or a service. You sell expertise, guidance, asolution tailored to a often complex need. Whether you’re a broker in insurance, mortgage loans, wealth management, energy, or even debt consolidation, you are at the heart of important life decisions for your clients. And often, these clients thank you sincerely… sometimes even with this sentence we hear regularly:
“I’m going to talk about you to people I know.”

But what happens next? This spontaneous, valuable gesture is rarely structured. It can get lost in daily life, due to lack of tools or framework. Yet, behind every satisfied client hides a potential ambassador. Someone who can sincerely recommend you and open the door to new opportunities.

That’s where business referral comes in: a simple and effective approach to turn client satisfaction into a real driver of growth.

What is a Business Referral in Brokerage?

Business referral is, above all, a connection. It’s not about selling or negotiating on your behalf. The referrer — whether a client, partner, or professional — recommends you to a prospect. If this recommendation leads to a concrete assignment, then it is legitimate for them to be compensated for their contribution.

In brokerage, referrer profiles are diverse:

• A client you supported well, who talks about you to their network.

• A real estate agent who sends buyers to you for financing.

• A payroll manager who identifies a need for group health insurance in a company.

• A rental investment advisor who refers you to investors.

Each one, in their own way, plays a role in the value chain. And each one can become a growth lever for your business.

Why set up a business referral network as a broker?

01. Recommendations stronger than any advertisement

A referred prospect arrives with a high level of trust. They are not “cold” or indifferent: they come to you because someone credible spoke well of your work. That changes everything. Your exchanges are smoother, and your conversion rate naturally increases.

02. A profitable and human prospecting channel

You only pay if a deal is closed. Unlike advertising campaigns where you invest without guarantees, here the referrer is only paid in case of success. It’s a fair system, with no unnecessary risk.

03. A sustainable source of growth

A good referrer can recommend you regularly, through their encounters or activities. With 5, 10 or 15 identified referrers, you generate a steady stream of qualified prospects without having to constantly restart your commercial machine.

Where to find these valuable referrers?

They are often already around you, but you may not have structured the relationship yet:

• Your former clients, happy with your work but without a clear way to refer you.

• Your natural partners: real estate agents, property managers, accountants, notaries, inspectors, energy specialists…

• Independent professionals or consultants who share your target audience and can promote your expertise.

• Your personal network: family, friends, former colleagues… often underestimated, but very effective.

How to structure and professionalize this network?

A good network of referrers doesn’t run itself. It needs to be framed, valued, and most of all, followed up. Here are the basics to set:

• A clear business referral contract, even simple, to formalize the conditions: who is paid, when, how, for what type of assignment.

• A centralized tool to track referrals, prospect status, and commissions to be paid.

• A regular communication system: sharing news, useful info, and feedback on completed deals.

• Automated signature and payment tools to streamline processes and avoid mistakes.

Platforms like Referaly allow you to manage all of this easily and transparently.

Example: when recommendation becomes a real growth driver

Let’s take the example of Marc, a professional insurance broker. At the start of the year, he decided to formalize his recommendations with a more proactive approach. He identified 8 trusted clients and partners and offered them a clear, straightforward business referral contract.

Result: in 5 months, he received 22 qualified referrals. Out of these 22 contacts, 15 became clients. Thanks to these recommendations alone, he increased his revenue by 30%, with no additional advertising. He also noticed this: the trust bond is stronger, and referred clients often become future referrers themselves.

Conclusion: Business referral in brokerage start with your clients

Word-of-mouth is powerful, but it becomes truly effective when structured. Business referral allows you to move from an informal approach to a clear, rewarding strategy, with respect for everyone involved.

With a tool like Referaly, you can set up a simple, smooth, and professional system to:

• Activate and engage a network of trusted referrers,

• Centralize your leads and track their evolution,

• Automate payments and contracts,

• Turn your clients’ satisfaction into a commercial asset.

It’s time to capitalize on the value you’ve already created. Activate your network, professionalize your referrals, and turn trust into performance.

Business Referral in Wealth Management

Do you know someone looking to invest? An entrepreneur who doesn’t know what to do with their cash flow? A couple wanting to optimize their taxes? You’ve probably encountered this kind of situation without knowing what to do with it. And yet, these moments are real opportunities to play a discreet but valuable role: that of a business referrer in wealth management.

This mechanism, not very visible but well regulated, allows anyone to put a potential client in touch with a wealth management advisor (WMA) and to be compensated if it leads to an assignment.

What is a business referral in wealth management?

In this context, business referral means introducing a person (individual or legal entity) to a professional in wealth advisory: independent advisor, firm, private bank, or family office. In return for this introduction, the referrer can receive an agreed-upon compensation—provided that the referred client becomes truly active.

The referrer gives no financial, legal, or tax advice. They simply forward a qualified contact. The goal for the WMA is to establish contact with someone they might not have otherwise reached.

Who can become a referrer in this sector?

The most common profiles are:

• Related professionals: accountants, notaries, lawyers, brokers, real estate agents

• Entrepreneurs with a strong network of executives or investors

• Private individuals well connected in specific circles (business leaders, liberal professions, high-net-worth families)

• Micro-entrepreneurs who want to offer this service under a legal status

Since wealth management is a regulated field, business referral is carefully supervised. That said, it is perfectly legal, as long as certain rules are followed and the role is limited to making a simple connection.

It is essential that the referrer does not go beyond their role: they must not advise the client in any way, at the risk of falling under the financial advisory regulation (and needing to register with ORIAS, or obtain a professional certification).

In what situations can a referrer be useful?

1. You know someone who has inherited and is looking to invest their money.

2. A couple close to you wants to prepare for retirement but hasn’t yet met a trusted professional.

3. A company sells a real estate asset and wants to structure the use of the capital.

4. A business owner is looking to optimize compensation or prepare to sell the company.

How does the compensation work?

The compensation is variable but always governed by a business referral agreement. It can take different forms:

• A fixed fee, upon signing of the contract between the WMA and the client

• A percentage on advisory fees or assets under management

• An indirect commission, when financial products allow it (in compliance with regulatory transparency)

Some indicative examples:

• Referral of a client investing €100,000 in life insurance: potential commission between €300 and €1,000

• Referral of a business owner under a full advisory mandate: could represent a fixed fee between €500 and €2,000, depending on the agreement

• Introduction in a complex wealth strategy context: customized compensation

Everything must be clearly written, typically in a collaboration agreement signed by both parties, and compliant with current legislation.

Business referral in wealth management: key rules to follow

Wealth management is a highly regulated sector. To keep the practice legal and ethical, you must:

• Never give advice instead of the WMA

• Sign a clear contract with the partner firm

• Respect the confidentiality of the information shared

• Inform the final client, who must know that you introduced them and that this could result in compensation

Benefits of the model

For the referrer:

• A smart way to monetize your network

• A complementary income source, with no client management

• A valuable professional relationship with advisory experts

For the wealth advisor:

• Easier access to a hard-to-reach client base

• Time saved on prospecting

• A flexible partnership, based on qualified contacts

In summary

Business referral in wealth management is a discreet but powerful system, as long as it is well framed. It allows both professionals and individuals to create value by connecting people who have a real need with experts who can meet it.

It’s based on trust, discipline, and clarity. And when everything is properly in place, everyone wins:
The client gets expert advice, the WMA grows their business, and the referrer capitalizes on their network.

Business Referral in Interior Design

In a profession as human-centered as interior design, trust is your best business card. When a client is delighted with your work, they often talk about it around them. To their family, their colleagues, their real estate agent. This natural word-of-mouth is an integral part of your success, but it’s often informal… and therefore difficult to activate on a larger scale.That’s why a business referral in interior design can be a game changer…

What if you gave structure to this dynamic?
What if you turned your satisfied clients and partners into real project referrers?
That’s the whole point of a business referral strategy: structuring recommendations so they become a regular, profitable, and smooth growth lever—without harming what makes your strength: your creativity.

Business referrer in interior design: what exactly are we talking about?

A business referrer is a person who recommends your services to someone with a real need for decoration, renovation, or space planning. If there’s a signed contract, this person receives a predefined commission, in full transparency.

In your activity, this can take many forms:

• A satisfied client who talks about you to their friends and family.

• A real estate agent who recommends you to their buyers after a purchase.

• An architect, a craftsman, or a developer who identifies a need for design support.

• An independent professional met through Referaly Finder, specialized in connecting people.

The idea is not to have salespeople working for you, but people who know you and can recommend you naturally, with conviction.

Why integrate business referral into your development strategy?

1. Attract projects aligned with your creative universe

A referred client doesn’t come to you by chance. They’ve been suggested to you because your style, your approach, your sensibility matched the expectations of the prospect. The result: less mismatch, more alignment, and projects that truly reflect you.

2. Generate inbound inquiries without aggressive prospecting

As a decorator, your priority is creation—not chasing clients. Thanks to an active network of referrers, you receive qualified leads while you focus on your ongoing projects.

3. Save time and energy

Prospecting takes time and is often unrewarding. A well-structured business referral system allows you to focus on what you love doing, while continuously feeding a stream of new contacts.

4. Perfectly control your acquisition costs

You only pay your referrer if the project is signed. No blind advertising budget, no unnecessary subscription—just a fair and transparent commission agreed in advance.

Where to find these valuable referrers?

They are already closer than you think. Here are a few places to look:

• Your former clients, who have a great memory of your work but don’t always know how to refer you.

• Your project partners: architects, craftsmen, carpenters, developers, real estate agents… all interact with clients in project mode.

• Specialized independents, to be found through Referaly.

• Interior design communities: Facebook groups, Instagram accounts, trade shows, workshops… great places to build lasting relationships.

How to set up a professional business referral system, without complexity?

Referral works over time if everything is clear and well organized. Here are the basics to establish:

• Formalize a clear agreement: commission amount, validity period, type of projects concerned. This prevents misunderstandings.

• Use a dedicated tracking tool, such as Referaly App, to centralize contacts and visualize referrals.

• Automate what can be automated: electronic contract signatures, lead tracking, commission payments… everything becomes more fluid.

• Engage your network: keep your referrers updated on your projects, thank them, offer incentives or small appreciation gestures.

Testimonial: a freelance decorator structures her network and doubles her activity

Claire, a freelance interior designer in Marseille, already had active word-of-mouth. But she felt she was missing out on opportunities due to lack of structure. Early in the year, she decided to formalize things. She contacted a few former clients, three real estate agents, and a painter she often collaborates with. She offered them a simple and transparent referral agreement, through Referaly.

In 6 months, 18 new projects emerged thanks to this network. Some were small, others larger. What she noticed: saved time, less prospecting, and clients who arrived already convinced. All this, without changing her way of working.

In conclusion: your network is a resource. Activate it.

In a profession as human as yours, your relationships can become a real strength. People who love your work want to talk about it. But for those recommendations to become real opportunities, you need to give them a structure, a logic, and recognition.

With Referaly, you can:

• Create and manage a referrer network in your image

• Centralize your referrals and track their progress

• Simplify payment, without administrative hassle

No need to be a marketing expert. You just need to be organized, clear, and keep doing great work.
Word-of-mouth is already there. It’s up to you to turn it into a growth engine.