How can I find other professionals to refer clients to when I have too much work?

[tammyhart]

Hey guys, I'm lacking an important thing in my business, and that is people that I can refer clients to. A lot of times I get overbooked, or just have a tight schedule, and I have to turn customers away. Sometimes they will wait, but most of the time they respond back with, "I understand, can you refer me to someone else?" I'm not a very social person, so most of the people out there that I know, are the ones that have hired me.

How can I find people who do quality work in the following areas that I can refer clients to?

• WordPress Plugin Developers
• WordPress Theme Experts
• Web and Graphic Designers
• XHTML/CSS Coders
• Logo Designers

Sorry for seeming silly, but hopefully something good will come from it.

[Dan Schulz]

The short answer - network network network. Get to know other designers and developers that you can establish a professional working relationship with and feel you can trust.

[-jd-]

Yeah, your gonna need to know some one personally before you refer client to them.

[mobyme]

^
^
Starting with Dan the Man. xhtml/css

[dvduval]

Maybe you should consider building a team rather than refusing work and giving it to someone else, and that way you can work together and grow together.

[tammyhart]

@dan, jd, mobyme

This a good place to get to know folks? Hello, My name is Tammy, I'm a front-end developer.

I'm on Linked-In, but I've never really used it much. I have a few people I'm linked to, but I'm not really sure how it will help me reach out and touch other designers/coders. I guess I'm just going to have to make time each day to come and browse forums and blogs and start talking. I used to.. I mean, I didn't just become a successful freelancer for no reason. Work just keeps me busy. *sigh* It's always a catch-22.


@dvduval

I wouldn't even know where to start, but this isn't a bad thing to consider. Thanks.

[-jd-]

linked in is great, try facebook and find user groups on yahoo,facebook,google etc that match what your doing. This will help you, and I myself and facing your same problem. I have taken these steps, and so far everything is panning out.

Goodluck

[ramone_johnny]

Seems everyone is suggesting anything but sitepoint.com ???

Weird.

RJ

[Dan Schulz]

RJ, SitePont's a given.

[ramone_johnny]

RJ, SitePont's a given.

...rodger that

RJ

[tammyhart]

I need an "Online Social Networking for Dummies" book I guess.

[dev_cw]

A good idea is to sub out or refer local talent. Try to work out relationships that can benefit everyone without simply handing over a client. For example I no longer work with Flash sites and found someone who is specialized, but they do no work with data driven sites so we have a symbiotic relationship and benefit from each other.

It is not easy to refer someone since you may be passing over a potential long term client, if possible farm it out and maintain the client (and some money).

[-jd-]

I need an "Online Social Networking for Dummies" book I guess.

I bet if you google that, you will get something.

[tammyhart]

subbing out is good, still requires me to know someone. But you are right, benefit everyone, not a bad idea.

[Matt Mickiewicz]

Outsource design work onto 99designs.com and keep the profits for yourself.