There’s a unique joy in being helpful. You’re at a networking event, someone says, “We’re looking for a web designer, a copywriter, a coach, a skydiving goat trainer…” and you instantly feel that hero moment rising: “Oh! I know someone who does that!”
You picture yourself the connector, the power broker, the one who brings people together. You might even mentally award yourself : Networking MVP 2025. But slow down, champ. Because there’s a dark side to the throwaway, “I know someone” recommendation and it might just bite you right on your professional backside.
Note: this particularly applies to group leaders who, as effectively controller of the mike, are viewed as being trustworthy.
Referrals: A Double-Edged Sword
When you refer someone, you’re not just giving out a name. You’re lending them your reputation: your hard-earned professional credibility.
It’s like saying: “This person is solid. I stand by them. They won’t let you down”. Which is fine if you genuinely know their work. The problem: networking groups and online forums make it way too easy to fall into “warm body referrals”, where you recommend someone because:
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They once shared a nice motivational quote in the WhatsApp chat.
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They’ve got a LinkedIn profile that looks fine… until you check Companies House or find that “PanPacific Payments” has never existed.
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They show up most weeks and laugh at the group leader’s jokes.
None of those things guarantee this person can do the job, meet deadlines, or deliver anything other than disappointment and invoice disputes.
The “I Kinda Know Them” Disaster Scenarios
Still not convinced? Let’s play out a few classic “warm referral” horror stories:
🚩 Scenario 1: The Vanishing Act
You recommend Bob because “he’s in our networking group and seems alright.” Bob takes the deposit for building the extension and is never seen again. You now get to be the person who recommended Bob the Disappearing Builder.
🚩 Scenario 2: The Professional Ghoster
You connect a “social media guru” with your client. Two weeks later, the guru’s disappeared, the client’s furious, and you’re dodging emails like it’s the Matrix.
🚩 Scenario 3: The Skill-Free Specialist
You recommend Sarah because she’s so friendly! Turns out, Sarah’s “graphic design” means sticking clipart into Word docs. The client spends £500 and gets a logo that looks like it came free with Windows 95.
And guess what? They’re not angry at Sarah. They’re angry at you. Because you vouched for her.
The Harsh Truth: Networking Doesn’t Equal Knowing
Here’s the kicker: just because someone shows up to the same networking group, comments on your LinkedIn post, or told you they’re “very experienced” doesn’t mean they are. Remember: anyone can fake recommendations online and get Trustme comments from their granny…
People are often spectacularly good at marketing themselves and equally bad at delivering results or results which they display with pride, like Sarah with her logo… So unless you’ve:
✅ Worked with them directly
✅ Seen their actual work, not just heard their elevator pitch
✅ Had a client rave about them without being prompted
✅ Checked their company accounts on Companies House (including their other companies that may have been dissolved)
You’re playing referral roulette — and the chamber might be loaded.
And for those asking for referrals; it’s worth double checking everything yourself and asking around.
Photo by Joel Bengs
