How to Ask for a Reference as a Freelancer

Navigating the freelance world requires more than just consistently delivering quality work — building a strong professional reputation is equally important. That’s why your success may depend on your understanding of how to ask for a reference as a freelancer. 

References are a powerful way to showcase your professional credibility. They validate your skills and work ethic, helping you build trust with potential clients. Strong references could be the key to making clients choose you over the competition.

But here’s the thing — asking someone to be your reference can make you feel a bit awkward. You may worry about coming across as imposing or putting your clients on the spot, especially if you’re unsure how they’ll respond.

So, how can you ask for a reference without feeling like you’re making things uncomfortable? That’s exactly what we’ll be showing you today. 

Without further ado, let’s explore how to secure the endorsements you need (and deserve!) to make your freelance career a success!

What are references and how can they help you?

A reference, in the context of freelancing, is an endorsement provided by a client, colleague, or professional contact. In other words, references are people who can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and reliability. 

But what makes references so persuasive?

Well, just think about the last time you made a significant purchase, like a new phone or a kitchen appliance. Chances are, you didn’t just buy it on a whim. You probably checked the reviews online, read customer comments, or asked friends who already have experience with the product. All these reviews probably gave you confidence that the product would meet your expectations. 

Essentially, references work the same way!

During the hiring process, recruiters (or hiring managers) like to get in touch with your references to review your past performance. In turn, this helps them verify your resume and gives them assurance that you’re the right person for the job.

To better illustrate the importance of references, let’s have a quick look at the facts:

• According to LeaderStat, a staggering 70% of employers still conduct a reference check for all job candidates, including freelancers.
• Additionally, 60% of freelancers report that passive sources like testimonials or referrals are key to securíng new projects. 

See? Don’t underestimate the power and influence of a good job reference! Reaching out to people and learning how to ask for a reference as a freelancer is definitely worth your time.

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How to choose your references?

As we’ve already shown you, a good reference may be just the thing that tips the scales in your favor. On the flip side, a bad reference from a difficult client can bury your chances at getting hired. It’s a double-edged sword, really. 

That’s why it’s essential to choose your references wisely. The golden rule is — you want to make sure you’re getting references from people who not only know your work well but also have positive things to say about it. 

So, before you ask someone for a reference, take a moment to consider these factors:

• What was your professional relationship like? First and foremost, make sure that the person you’re asking had a positive experience working with you. Of course, it’s always better to choose someone who can speak about your strengths and professionalism with sincerity and confidence. 
• Can this person provide relevant insights? Reflect on the projects you worked on together. Go for a reference who can speak about your work ethic, skills, and strengths. Ideally, your reference should be able to compliment your abilities and expertise.
• When did you work together last? It’s best to choose references from the last five years. They should be able to vouch for your most recent work and current skills. The more recent your collaboration, the more relevant their insights will be. 
• Worked with a well-known company? If so, mention it! A reference from a reputable firm boosts your credibility and shows potential clients you’ve met high standards and been trusted by industry leaders.

When you have a reference who ticks these boxes, it’s much more likely that they’ll be willing and able to provide a strong, positive endorsement. Take your time! After all, you don’t want to shoot yourself to the foot, right? 

When it comes to the focus of your references, they can be categorized into two types: professional and personal.

1. Professional references

On one hand, professional references can speak on topics such as your work ethic, skills, accomplishments, and attitude.This makes them perfect for providing insights into your capabilities and how you handle professional responsibilities.

Your professional references can include: 

• Previous clients. Happy customers (emphasis on ‘happy’) can provide specific examples of your work, discuss how you met their expectations, and describe the results of your collaboration.
• Collaborators. Feedback from people you’ve worked with on joint projects, like a graphic designer and copywriter teaming up on a marketing campaign. They can also testify to your skills, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Former mentors. And lastly, former mentors who have seen your development can attest to your commitment to learning and continuous professional growth
  

2. Personal references

On the other hand, personal references can be anyone who knows you well outside of work. Just don’t ask your own family members — unless your uncle happens to be the CEO of a major company and is ready to sing your praises! (No, seriously, don’t ask your family members!)

Although these references don’t usually talk about your skills, they can still provide valuable insights into your character, personality, and how you get along with others. Simply put, they give your potential clients a sense of who you are as a person.

But why would any of this matter in a professional setting? 

Well, during your freelancing, you may find yourself competing for sensitive projects/jobs that require a certain type of personality. For example, these may be various community roles or positions involving a certain level of trustworthiness — opportunities you won’t be able to land based on your skills alone. 

Additionally, personal references will also come in handy in case you’re just starting out on your freelancing journey and don’t yet have a lot of professional references to draw from. 

If you’re in need of a good personal reference, make sure to also get in touch with: 

• Former professors. If you’re a fresh graduate, academic references can be invaluable, especially if your field of study is related to your freelance work. They can vouch for both your skills and how you approached and handled your studies and their challenges. 

• Supervisors from internships or volunteering. If you’re starting out with a very limited paid experience, don’t be hesitant about contacting your supervisors from volunteer work or internships. Apart from your skills, they can underline your commitment, trustworthiness, and passion.

• Community members. Folks from your local community, like leaders of organizations you’re involved with, can also offer a more personal perspective on your character and work ethic. 

References can truly make or break your chances of securing new opportunities. Choosing the wrong person for a reference is just one of many typical freelancer mistakes that can hamper your success. 

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How to ask for a reference as a freelancer via email?

You may feel that asking someone to be your reference should be done in-person — simply out of respect. And while you’re certainly right to think that, it might not always be a viable option.

Besides, asking for a reference via email can actually be the better approach. Here’s why:  

• It provides written proof of the request.
• It’s a professional way to communicate. 
• It gives the recipient time to consider and craft their response.

Here’s how you can craft the perfect reference request email in just 7 simple steps: 

1. Make your subject line concise and straightforward. 

The recipient should recognize what the email is about as soon as it appears in their inbox. For example, a subject like “Request for professional reference” is as clear and direct as they come. But it’s a tried-and-true classic that works every time.

2. Start with an appropriate greeting. 

If you have a strictly professional relationship, open your email with a version of “Dear Mr./Mrs. [Last Name].” But if you’ve developed a more friendly rapport, going for a casual “Hi [First Name],” can feel more natural.

3. Remind them of your professional relationship. 

If you no longer work with them, a quick refresher would be great —  remind them of any specific projects or experiences you’ve shared to refresh their memory. But again, if you still work with the client on a regular basis, you can skip this step.

4. Be clear about the purpose of your email. 

You’ve already stated your purpose with your subject line. Still, you should make it clear once again that you’re asking for a reference. 

5. Provide as many relevant details as possible. 

Be upfront about what you want your reference to highlight. If you need them to focus on certain skills or experiences, just let them know. The clearer you are about what you need, the more effective their endorsement will be.

6. Express your gratitude. 

Always show appreciation for the person’s time and willingness to help. Let them know you value their support and understand they’re taking time out of their busy schedule to help you. It doesn’t have to be overly formal — just sincere and heartfelt.

7. Close your email with a professional signoff. 

Finally, end your email with a polite closing. Something like “Best regards,” followed by your name works well. Don’t forget to also add your contact information in case they need to reach you. This can make requests feel more personal and thoughtful.

How to ask for a reference as a freelancer via email templates?

In case you don’t feel like crafting your email from scratch or you’re struggling with a good old writer’s block, don’t panic. 

We’ve prepared 4 sleek templates you can simply copy paste and adjust to your needs. 

If you and your reference have a strictly professional relationship, it’s better to keep your email more formal in tone — like so:

—–

Subject: Request for professional reference

Dear [First and last name],

I hope you’re doing well! I’m reaching out because I’m applying for a new freelance project, and I would really appreciate it if you could provide a professional reference for me. We collaborated on [specific project] where I was responsible for [specific tasks or roles]. 

The project I’m applying for requires strong [specific skill or experience], which I demonstrated during our time on [specific project]. If you could highlight my [specific skill or experience] and how it contributed to the success of our project, it would be immensely helpful. Additionally, any insights into my work ethic, reliability, and teamwork would be greatly appreciated.

Ideally, I would need your confirmation by [date]. I know you have a busy schedule, so if this timeline is too tight, please let me know, and we can figure out an alternative. 

Thank you so much for considering my request. I’m sure that having your endorsement on my application would make all the difference and really strengthen my chances. 

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your contact Information]

Alternatively, if you’re not going after a specific project but just want a client to give you a testimonial for your website, you can use this template:

—–

Subject: Request for a testimonial for my portfolio

Dear [First and last name],

I hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out because I’m updating my online portfolio and would be grateful if you could provide a testimonial based on our work together.

We collaborated on [specific project], where I was responsible for [specific tasks or roles]. I believe your insights into my [specific skills or experiences] would be very valuable in showcasing my work.

It would be helpful if you could highlight my [specific skill or experience], especially as demonstrated during our project on [specific project]. Additionally, any comments on my work ethic, reliability, and professionalism would be greatly appreciated.

If you’re able to assist, please send the testimonial by [date]. I understand you have a busy schedule, so if this timeline is too tight, just let me know, and we can adjust accordingly.

Thank you very much for considering this request. Your feedback would greatly enhance my portfolio and be of significant help to me.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your contact Information]

However, if you’ve built a more relaxed or friendly rapport over time, it’s perfectly fine to keep the tone of your email more casual and conversational. In that case, here’s a template for you: 

Subject: Quick favor – Could you be my reference?

Hi [First name],

I hope everything’s going well with you! I’m reaching out because I’m going after a new freelance project, and I thought of you as the perfect person to vouch for me.

Since we’ve worked together on so many projects, I was wondering if you’d be willing to be my reference. Specifically, it would be great if you could highlight [specific skills or experiences you want them to mention, like your attention to detail, creativity, or ability to meet tight deadlines].

If you’re up for it, I can give you a few more details, or you can just go with what you think stands out most from our work together. Either way, your support would mean a lot.

Thanks so much, and let me know if this works for you!

Best,
[Your first name]

And again, if its a testimonial for your portfolio you’re after, you can formulate your email like so: 

—–

Subject: Quick favor – Would you mind being a reference?

Hi [First name],

I hope you’re doing well! I have a quick favor to ask. Since we’ve worked together on so many projects already, I was wondering if you’d be willing to be a reference for me.

I’m updating my freelance portfolio and would love to include your thoughts on our collaborations. It doesn’t have to be anything lengthy — just a few words about your experience working with me would be fantastic.

If you’re up for it, I can provide a few pointers on what to mention, or you can just share whatever comes to mind. Either way, it would mean a lot to me.

Thanks a bunch, and let me know if you’re cool with this!

Best,
[Your first name]

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How many references should you include?

When figuring out how to ask for a reference as a freelancer, it’s important to also consider how many you should include in the first place. 

Of course, we can’t give you a one-size-fits-all number that would be universally considered the best. How many references you should include depends entirely on your circumstance and the gig you’re trying to get.

But generally, you should have at least 3-6 references. This number gives potential clients a solid range of opinions on both your skills and character. 

Of course, it’s always best to check the specific job posting for any guidelines. Some clients might ask for a specific number, so be sure to always follow their instructions! If anything, this shows your respect for their process.

And if you’re collecting testimonials for your website, try to stick with that same range. Having 3-6 good ones can really show off your skills and experiences. Just pick ones that cover different aspects of your work, so people get a nice, well-rounded view of what you’re all about.

But remember — when it comes to references, quality trumps quantity! Besides, having a few reliable references instead of a never-ending list allows you to pick only the most relevant and impactful ones. 

Where to list your references as a freelancer?

Before you start thinking about how to put references on a resume, the better question would be: should you?

Well, that depends. Remember that every job opportunity is unique, and so are its requirements.

There may be times when the job posting instructs you to include a list of references directly on your resume. If that’s your case, create a separate resume section titled “References” and list your professional contacts in the following format: 

Otherwise, it’s better to keep your references listed in a separate document and be ready to send it when asked to. You can still create a “References” section, but instead of listińg contacts, you can simply write down, “References available upon request.”

However, as a freelancer, you have plenty of other alternatives to showcase your references beyond your resume: 

• Online portfolio. Your professional website is an excellent place to show off your references. Just create a separate “Testimonials” or “References” page. You can also pair these with links to your work or case studies that demonstrate your skills in action.
• LinkedIn profile. You can request recommendations from past employers, clients, or collaborators, which are then displayed directly on your LinkedIn profile.
• Freelance platforms. On platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer, client reviews and ratings act as references. You can also highlight these reviews in your profile summary or description. 
• Social media. Additionally, you can also share customer feedback or client testimonials on your professional social media accounts (like X, Instagram, or Facebook).

Whichever path you’ll end up choosing, always make sure to get permission from your clients or collaborators before sharing their feedback publicly. Respecting your clients’ privacy is a crucial step in learning how to promote yourself online as a freelancer.

Key takeaways: How to ask for a reference as a freelancer

As a freelancer, securing strong references is crucial for building credibility and attracting new clients. Unlike traditional employees, you often need to advocate for yourself, and gathering solid testimonials is a key part of that process.

Although asking for references might feel awkward at first, it will become second nature over time. 

The key to securing effective professional references is selecting individuals who can genuinely attest to your capabilities and experience. That’s why it’s essential to choose people who are familiar with your work and have had positive interactions with you.

Remember, in the freelance world, your work speaks for itself, but having others vouch for you can make all the difference.

Freelancing can sometimes be a tough gig — especially when it comes to keeping your books in order. However, when you understand how to write an invoice for freelance work, managing your finances becomes much easier.

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