What is a referral in the context of business?

In the context of business, a referral refers to the scenario where clients reach out to you directly, indicating a level of interest in your services or products. This typically occurs when existing customers recommend your business to others, or when previous interactions lead potential clients to seek you out based on your reputation or the quality of your offerings. Referrals are considered highly valuable in business as they come with a level of trust that is typically established through personal recommendations.

While the other choices touch on aspects of customer interaction and marketing, they do not define a referral accurately. A potential client that needs follow-up pertains more to leads rather than referrals. A promotional offer describes a marketing tactic, and a sales funnel strategy involves systematic steps to convert leads into customers; neither of these accurately revolves around the direct engagement initiated by satisfied clients recommending your services. Thus, option C encapsulates the concept of a referral in the business context effectively.