You’ve likely heard the saying, “referrals beget referrals” before. And if you think back to the last time you were looking for a home contractor, a new restaurant in a certain area, or a different service provider, you likely asked friends for their recommendations and experiences, or read through reviews and referrals on the internet before making a decision.
Once you’ve had a positive experience with that contractor, or a great meal at a new restaurant, did you then make a recommendation to someone else? Likely so. In the business world, any client obtained through a referral is more likely to give referrals. And since many clients will give multiple referrals over time, obtaining these referrals offers your business tremendous opportunity for growth. What’s the best way to gain these valuable referrals?
Earn It – No one will recommend your business if you haven’t done an exemplary job of meeting their needs. It is important that you go above and beyond to service your clients, especially new ones. Solve issues in a timely fashion when they arise, and fix problems for your clients by finding a solution to make their lives easier. Try to approach each client from the mindset of wanting to win not only their business, but the business of all of their friends, family, colleagues, etc. that they will refer to you when you provide them with exceptional service.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask – It seems intimidating to ask for referrals, especially in today’s world where everyone is busy. However, if you’ve done your due diligence and feel that you have earned a positive referral, don’t’ be afraid to ask your clients to provide you with one. Do they have a few minutes to review your Google My Business page? Can you call them and speak with them about how you’re looking to grow your business and you’d appreciate if they would keep you in mind the next time someone they know is looking for your product or service?
Be Grateful – When one of your clients does provide you with a referral, be sure to show gratitude. Send a handwritten note, call and thank them, or offer them a discount in the future. We love using the website Greetabl.com to send little thank you gifts for our clients that refer us (see, even in this blog post we’re making referrals)! However you chose to say thanks, let them know you truly appreciate their referral.
Thank you to all of our loyal clients who have referred TOTUS over the years. We wouldn’t be where we are today with you!