It never hurts to mention a reference by name, especially if you are seeking out someone’s services or applying for a new job. But is the phrase referred me to you the most appropriate way to do so?
In this article, we’ll discuss the correctness of this phrase. Furthermore, we’ll show you how to introduce yourself once you’re referred using 9 great alternative phrases.
9 Alternative Ways to Say “Referred Me to You”
Check out these 9 examples of how to say you were referred by someone in an email:
- I was referred to you by
- [Name] recommended that I contact you
- I have been referred to you by
- [Name] suggested I reach out to you
- You were highly recommended by
- [Name] spoke very favorably of your organization
- [Name] said I should get in contact with you
- I was advised by [Name] to contact you
- [Name] mentioned you by name
1. I Was Referred to You By
I was referred to you by is just another way to say that someone referred me to you in any professional circumstance.
You can use this phrase when you want to enquire about a service someone provides on the recommendation of a friend or another professional.
For instance:
Dear Maxine,
I was referred to you by Gabrielle.
She says you are one of the most talented illustrators from Kev University, and I was wondering if you had time to take on a new project.
Kind regards,
Rhiannon Shae
2. [Name] Recommended That I Contact You
If you’re unsure how to say someone referred you for a job, you can simply drop their name in your email with the phrase [Name] recommended that I contact you.
This phrase is respectful and tentative. Moreover, it allows you to mention your connection with the referrer without coming across as too presumptuous.
Therefore, let’s see it in an email example:
Dear Miss Stracken,
Geraldine Doe recommended that I contact you, as I was a top member of the Fordone Law Clinic.
Please see my CV below.
Yours sincerely,
Jamar Williams
3. I Have Been Referred to You By
In some circumstances, you can mention that you have been referred by another member of the recipient’s organization. For example, you may be issuing a query or complaint and have been redirected by one team member to another.
The phrase I have been referred to you by works just as well as referred me to you in this situation. After all, mentioning the name of the receiver’s colleague will show the legitimacy of your query and hopefully prompt a quick response.
See the email sample below:
Dear Heather,
I have been referred to you by your colleague, Naomi Linn, and I am hopeful that you can resolve an issue I have been facing with your software.
Regards,
Gemma Todd
4. [Name] Suggested I Reach Out to You
If you have been referred to someone by a friend, particularly a mutual friend between you and the recipient of your email, you can use the slightly more casual phrase, [Name] suggested I reach out to you.
Whether you are reaching out for a personal reason or because you want to pursue a business relationship with the other person, mentioning the name of your mutual friend will ingratiate you to the receiver and make them more willing to respond.
Let’s see this phrase in a sample email:
Dear Ronal,
I am currently applying to the arts program at Great Mount University, and Henrietta suggested I reach out to you for advice on my personal essay since you got in last year.
Do you have any time to talk?
Kind regards,
Umar Harbi
5. You Were Highly Recommended By
In the world of business, flattery will get you everywhere.
So, if you are seeking the skills or expertise of a talented person, you can let them know that their reputation precedes them with the phrase you were highly recommended by.
Like referred me to you, this phrase lets the receiver know how you came to know about their business or abilities.
To see what we mean, have a look at the example below:
Dear Imani,
I am presently looking for an editor, and you were highly recommended by a colleague of mine.
Could you provide your rates?
Regards,
Sheldon Moray
6. [Name] Spoke Very Favorably of Your Organization
You can include the phrase [Name] spoke very favorably of your organization in a cover letter when you are pursuing a role at a particular business or company.
This allows you to exhibit your interpersonal skills by showing how you are forming relationships in your industry of choice. These are the kinds of things recruiters look out for!
Therefore, have a look at how we’ve used this phrase in an email example:
Dear Mr. Gershwan,
I am a recent graduate from Horton College, and I am currently looking for a training contract.
Professor Zitzke spoke very favorably of your organization and has offered to provide a reference, which I have attached below.
Sincerely,
Belinda Rockwell
7. [Name] Said I Should Get In Contact With You
When you are reaching out to someone for a personal reason on the recommendation of a friend, you can use more informal phrasing in your email.
The phrase [Name] said I should get in contact with you is very clear and to the point without coming across as too formal or stuffy.
Moreover, it’s a good way to mention a mutual friend that you and the receiver share, which should hopefully make them more amenable to speaking with you.
Let’s see an email sample that includes this phrase:
Dear Tonia,
I am looking for a new roommate, and Lorraine said I should get in contact with you since you are moving to the city next month.
If you’d be keen to chat, I’ve left my number below.
Cheers,
Gabriel
8. I Was Advised by [Name] to Contact You
A different way to say referred me to you is I was advised by [Name] to contact you. This phrase has a suitably formal tone to use in a professional email.
You could use this phrase in an email to a colleague you don’t know very well, perhaps because they work in a different department.
If you are a junior member of your team, mentioning the name of a superior in your email may prompt a quicker response from the receiver.
For example:
Dear Joshua,
I was advised by Mr. Porter to contact you about a technical issue I am facing with the company portal.
Do you have time to assist me this afternoon?
Regards,
Lerato
9. [Name] Mentioned You by Name
Another example of how to say you were referred to someone in an email is [Name] mentioned you by name.
If you are seeking the receiver’s expertise, it never hurts to mention that you know one of their fellows or colleagues. After all, mentioning a colleague of theirs might may them more willing to help you.
See the email example below:
Dear Ms. Rupert,
I have been looking for a good carpenter and Blake Springer mentioned you by name.
Would you be willing to take on a rather large project this month?
Regards,
Clint Roland
Is It Correct to Say “Referred Me to You”?
It is correct to say someone referred me to you in an email if you are reaching out to the recipient on the recommendation of another person.
This is a standard phrase to use when you are interested in a role at an organization, for instance, and you want to mention the name of a connection in that profession who could potentially act as a referee if you were to apply.
You can also use it in other circumstances, such as when a professional recommends that you seek the services or skills of another professional they know.
To see this phrase in action, have a look at the two email samples we’ve drafted below:
Dear Dr. Margot,
Dr. Hargrove referred me to you as I am having difficulty overcoming an old injury.
Would I be able to book an appointment in the coming week?
Regards,
Heath Lounstone
It is also possible to rephrase referred me to you as referred you to me. These phrases essentially mean the same thing. However, the former phrase expresses greater respect for the recipient since you are implying that you were sent their way on account of their position or skills.
Nevertheless, it would still be correct to write this phrase like so:
Dear Carlson,
Janine referred you to me, as she believes your art style would suit the novel I am working on.
Please let me know if you would be open to a collaboration.
Regards,
Jackie Holliday
Although it is correct to say referred me to you in an email of a professional nature, this phrase is common enough that it may start to feel quite standardized.
Thus, if you want to mix up your language and keep your emails diverse, you can use one of the alternative phrases from our list.
