People give referrals when two things are true:

1. They trust you.
2. You’re top of mind at the exact moment someone they know needs help.

November offers both conditions in abundance.

• Trust Factor: You’ve likely been in touch recently during AEP or end-of-year reviews, reinforcing your role as their go-to advisor.
• Top-of-Mind Factor: The holiday season is filled with family gatherings where insurance, retirement, and health topics inevitably come up; especially when loved ones are making big life changes.

This combination makes November one of the highest-conversion referral windows of the year.

The most effective referral generation in November starts with pure appreciation. Reach out with a simple “thank you” before you ask for anything.

Ways to Show Appreciation:

• Handwritten Cards: In a digital world, a handwritten note stands out. Keep it short, sincere, and personal.
• Small Tokens: Think local coffee shop gift cards, branded calendars, or even a jar of homemade jam.
• Social Media Shout-Outs: With permission, share a short thank-you post featuring a loyal client’s story (no personal details).

Pro Tip: Don’t tie your gratitude directly to the referral request in the same sentence. Let appreciation stand on its own first.

Clients may want to refer someone, but they often hesitate because they don’t know how to start the conversation. Give them an easy script.

Example Referral Script for Clients:

“I work with an advisor who’s been really helpful with my Medicare coverage. Would you like me to connect you?”

You can put this in a postcard, email, or text template for clients to copy and paste.

Also, offer multiple referral methods:

• Forwarding your email
• Filling out a simple web form

Sharing your business card or digital contact card

The more clients see referrals as doing a favor for friends or family, the more likely they are to act.

Example:
Instead of saying;

“I’m looking for new clients; can you refer me?”

Say;

“If you know anyone confused about their insurance or unhappy with their plan, I’d be happy to help them at no cost.”

This reframing shifts the focus from your business to the value you can bring to someone they care about.

Thanksgiving gives you a perfect, non-intrusive reason to connect. You can tie your outreach to the season in creative ways:

• “I’m thankful for clients like you…”
• “In the spirit of gratitude, I’m offering complimentary plan reviews for your friends or family this month.”
• “As you gather with family, remember I’m happy to answer any questions they have about coverage.”

Email Subject Line Ideas:

• “Grateful for You (and a Little Bonus Inside)”
• “This November, I Have Something Special for You”

“A Thanksgiving Gift for You and Your Loved Ones”

Scarcity motivates action. You can run a November-only referral incentive:

• Gift cards
• Donation to a local charity in their name
• Entry into a holiday giveaway

Make sure it’s compliant with your carrier/FMO rules; keep incentives modest and framed as appreciation, not payment for a sale.

Don’t let referrals end when the pumpkin pie is gone. Build a referral tracking system (spreadsheet, CRM tags, or automation) so you can:

• Thank clients promptly when they refer
• Keep them updated on the progress of their referral
• Ask for referrals again in a few months without it feeling repetitive

A simple three-step follow-up:

1. Acknowledge the referral within 48 hours.
2. Update the client after you speak with the referral.
3. Thank them again; publicly if appropriate.

Last year, independent agent Maria Lopez decided to try a “Gratitude + Gift” campaign in November. She:

• Sent 50 handwritten cards with a $5 coffee card inside.
• Included a short note saying she had time to help friends/family review plans before year-end.
• Posted weekly “insurance tip” videos on social media, reminding clients she was available for loved ones.

The result? 14 referrals in 30 days; 10 became clients. Those new clients went on to refer 6 more in Q1, creating a snowball effect.

• November is prime referral season due to trust + top-of-mind moments at family gatherings.
• Lead with gratitude first, then introduce the idea of helping others.
• Make referrals simple; give scripts and multiple ways to share your info.
• Tie messaging to Thanksgiving for natural, seasonal relevance.

Track and thank every referral to keep the loop strong.

1. Write and send 20–30 handwritten thank-you notes.
2. Create a one-page “Client Referral Script” PDF to email or print.
3. Post one seasonal gratitude message on social media.
4. Add a simple referral tracking field in your CRM.

Download your free “November Referral Surge Toolkit” ;  includes ready-to-use thank-you note templates, referral scripts, and a tracking sheet to start generating high-quality introductions today.