Confession: I’ve been using my custom AI chatbot, “Artificial Ilise,” to help clients with their marketing.

And I just love "her" replies! ❤️
 
She sounds a lot like me, because I loaded her with ALL of my books, plus the Simplest Marketing Plan, and more from my private library - over 30 years of my best content!

And since I’ve been talking about referrals this month - when to ask for them, how to get better referrals more often, and what to say when you do…

I asked Artificial Ilise about: 

• The best moments to ask for a referral
• How to make it easier to ask
• An email message template you can use with clients

Her answers were so good, I just had to share them with you…

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🕒 Best Moments to Ask for a Referral:

After a successful project wrap-up
When the project is done and the client says, “This is great — thank you!” That’s your cue. You might say:

“I’m so glad you’re happy with the results. If you know anyone else who might need help with something similar, I’d love an introduction.”

When you receive unsolicited praise
If they email you or say something like, “You’ve made this process so smooth,” say:

“I so appreciate that — and if there’s anyone else in your world who might benefit from the same, I’d be grateful for a referral.”

During a check-in or follow-up
Build it into your ongoing relationship-building (remember, yours is a relationship business). For example:

“I love working with people like you — if you ever cross paths with someone else who needs support like this, feel free to send them my way.”

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📌 Tips to Make Referrals Easier:

• Keep it casual — use my “who cares” approach so it doesn’t feel desperate.
  
  
• Make it easy for them — provide the text for a short email they can forward with a link to your portfolio/website.
  
  
• Follow the money — ask clients who are already ideal and who know others in your niche.
  
  
• Do it more than once — referrals are not a one-time ask and people need reminders. It's something to gently revisit, especially after delivering value.

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✉️ Send this Message When a Project Wraps-up

Subject: Glad you’re happy - one quick favor?

Hi [Client’s First Name],

I really enjoyed working with you on [Project Name or brief description], and I’m so glad to hear you're happy with the results.

If you happen to know anyone - colleagues, clients, or friends - who might need similar support, I’d be honored if you’d pass my name along. I’ve found that good people know good people, and I’m always looking to work with more like-minded folks.

No pressure at all - just planting the seed.

Thanks again for the opportunity and I’ll definitely stay in touch. 

Warmly,

[Your Name]
[Your Website or Portfolio Link]
[Optional: LinkedIn Profile]

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Aren’t her responses awesome? 

If you want to see the prompts I used to get these answers from Artificial Ilise, watch this video:

Members of my Simplest Marketing Plan get 24/7 access to AI Ilise - so they can ask “her” marketing questions and even get help with their content.

And they’re loving it.

In fact, member Marie D’Amico just confessed: 

“I used AI Ilise the other day. It was astonishing. Not only the depth of what she gave me, but it sounds just like you! It was very helpful to me.”

What do you think? Were "her" responses helpful? Are you already using AI to help you with your marketing? Share here on LinkedIn.

That’s all for today. Thanks for reading.