convey that message in a way that your friends will want to speak with him; because he can make their life better or easier. You don't have to risk relationships when you pass referrals. In fact, if you do things the right way, that can make a positive impact on people, it helps you build relationships and make new friends. Good distinction... I have found in the past that a short and polite email is often more preferable to a 'warm' call. Plus, the last time I tried that, it did lead to new business. Not with the potential client I was contacting but a contact of theirs needed an SEO copywriter. I think a referral or even a lead has the potential to go sour, though. My name was passed on without my knowledge a few years ago, and I kept getting phone calls every couple of days. I had politely said 'no thanks' at the time, but they wouldn't take no for an answer. That put the referrer in a bad light, although, naturally, it wasn't their fault that this 'harasser' was overly persistent to the point of rudeness. It sounds like the 'referral' (actually a lead from the sound of it) you mention went sour precisely because the person passing on your name hadn't spoken to you first. The first rule of referrals is to make sure the 'prospect' has an interest and is expecting a call. Otherwise it's not much of an improvement on a cold